Allison M. Cosgrove's Blog, page 10

Sincerely Me…

So I thought since I have interviewed hundreds of authors over the years on this blog, that you would enjoy hearing me answer some of the questions I have posed to them over the years.

Each week I will answer one or two questions, if you want you can leave your own questions for me in the comments and I will try and answer them in a future blog post!

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Which writers inspire you?

My idol and all time favorite author is Stephen King. I started reading his books when I was about 9 years old and fell in love with his style of writing, how he would draw his readers in and hold them tight until he was done with them.

He also inspired me to never give up on my dreams of seeing my stories in print and to see others enjoying the stories. You see when I started out I went the usual route. I tried to find an agent or a publisher who would want to take on my books (I had the first six Stan Brookshire novels in various stages of completion at the time)  and time after time I got turned down. I had a few run-ins with a few less than scrupulous individuals (that’s a tale for another blog post) and I found myself wholly disillusioned by the way things were going but every time I was about to give up on my hopes of ever seeing my books in print I would remember the story King has told about his own journey to being published.

I will paraphrase it for you here: (from his memoir On Writing)

He started out pinning his rejection letters on a nail over his typewriter and by the time he was published he was using a spike to hold up the rejection letters.

If he could hold on through the seeming never ending stream of rejection letters and come out the better for it, then I could keep going too.

Q&A with Wendy Stenzel Oleston

Please give a cold dead welcome to the lovely Wendy Oleston! This is an interview I thoroughly enjoyed! I hope you do too!

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What were you like at school?

I was not a very good student. I was undiagnosed ADHD until I was 32, so while I tried really hard to do well in my studies, I did not succeed. I enjoyed creative writing in English class but was not good with grammar or spelling. I had a belief that I was stupid because of how hard I studied and then how poorly I did with grades. Personality-wise, I was a quiet, nerdy type without a lot of friends. I did not enjoy school – at all! Reading is actually a very difficult task for me because of my ADHD. Even now that I am medicated, I have a trouble focusing on a book unless it really grabs my attention. It is for this reason I do not beta read many books.

What draws you to your genre?

I have a strange genre – it’s fairly new: Edgy Christian Fiction. Definition: A fictional story based in Christianity which included language, violence, and/or sex (for a purpose) which could make the average Christian fiction reader uncomfortable. I love it because it allows me to write morally infused stories while keeping the more interesting and REAL aspects of life in the story. The reality of sex, for example, needs and should be discussed. My books are sexy, hot, and passionate even though they are considered Christian.

What are your ambitions for your writing career?

My entire purpose in writing is to chase after what I believe to be a “moral breakdown” that is happening in the world. It seems our entertainment is taking our values away… it’s destroying our basic moral decency. It is my ambition to help rebuild some of those morals through the entertainment of my writing. I do not write in a “preachy” way and I do not “shove” God at people, in fact a lot of people who read my work forget they are reading “Christian” writing because, for the most part, that aspect is very subtle. I talk about the real stuff of life… sex, divorce, infidelity, abortion, addiction, suicide… just to name a few. And not in a condemning way… I write it in a realistic way.

How much research do you do?

I do A LOT of research because writing the reality of life is very important to me. I do a lot of interviews, blind surveys, reading, public speaking, and a large portion of my stories are based on my own personal experiences.

When did you decide to become a writer?

I wrote my first book in 2004/2005 but it was not very good. I was a drunk then – got sober in 2007 (been sober ever since) and was afraid to write fiction again thinking the alcohol was why I enjoyed it. In 2012, I read the book Silence by Natasha Preston (perma-free book that is very good). Her writing reminded me of my own so I contacted her to let her know how much I enjoyed the book. She wrote me back and ended up inspiring me to start writing again. I have not stopped since and with each book I write, I get better!

Why do you write?

I write for several reasons. First, my writing helps me process the events of my own life. I have had a lot of interesting personal experiences that I believe were given to me for the purpose of me using them to help others on their journey. My writing not only helps me work through it but it is my hope it will help others do the same. Secondly, as I already stated, I write to help with what I see as a moral breakdown in society, to spread God’s love for His people; to let all people know that no matter who you are, no matter what you’ve done… they are very loved! Thirdly, I write because I love it! My mind is very creative and I absolutely love creating characters and their backgrounds and world. It’s like having a bunch of friends no one can see but me!

Do you write full-time or part-time?

I am a full-time writer. I signed with a publisher in late 2015 which was a dream come true for me. We are currently in the process of re-releasing all of my self-published books while also working to put out new ones. I have a structured writing schedule because if I didn’t, I would never stop. I have a husband and two children which makes for a very busy life. Writing is a passion and I have had to learn how to put it down and walk away, even when I don’t want to. Having a schedule is very important to the balance of my life. I do author work every day, seven days a week. Writing is only one piece of the job. There are promotions, social media, re-writes and manuscript reviews, reviewing manuscripts after they have been professionally edited, research, and the dreaded final read through. I may not actually WRITE every day, but I do author work every day of my life.

Do you write on a typewriter, computer, dictate or longhand?

I write on my laptop mostly using Google Docs/Drive. I feel using a cloud interface is the safest way to create. I have had many computers die on me and nothing feels more aggravating than to lose an entire manuscript and have no way to get it back. Sometimes if I have an idea while I am out, I will use speech to text on my phone.

Where do your ideas come from?

My ideas typically come from phrases I hear other people say. For example, a phrase my pastor said in church one Sunday inspired an entire book. It wasn’t the point of his sermon, it was just something he said in passing. Some of my ideas come from songs. I will be listening to music and I can see a scene happening in my head, or a character will come to life. Also, I base a lot of what my stories are about on my own personal experiences.

What was the hardest thing about writing your latest book?

“Conceptions” has been the hardest book I have written because of the personal nature of it. I have chosen to include something extremely personal in the afterward that makes me feel naked… so, getting comfortable feeling naked in public has been a challenge. It will be released in February 2016… I am working hard to be ready for my bare self to be exposed.

Any tips on how to get through the dreaded writer’s block?

Be patient. When you have that feeling… “I will never write again!” just know that it is temporary. You will… you are a writer. If you try to force writing when you are blocked, most the time the writing is no good so just be patient and relax. I see writer’s block as God’s way of keeping me from writing something I’m not ready to write yet. Maybe I haven’t had the experience I need to write it yet. Maybe my mind is not in the right place to do it justice. Yes, it is frustrating, but I just go with the flow and know in my head – it will come back. It always does.

If this book is part of a series, tell us a little about it?

“Conceptions” is book two in the “Fruit of the Vine Series”. The first book was “Seeds” and is sort of a partner book to “Conceptions”. “Seeds” is the reality of the male perspective of four sexual sins (sex addiction, pornography addiction, casual sex/infidelity, and homosexuality). Conceptions is about the reality of the women’s perspective of those same sins which have resulted in three unplanned pregnancies. The books share characters and a few scenes but are completely different. There will be three more books in the series, each devoted to one of the couples discussed in the first two. And just so you know, as a Christian, my stand of homosexuality is that God is the judge, not me and I am not privy to the conversations between God and anyone else.

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Thanks so much for joining us this week Wendy! Please be sure to follow Wendy and check out some of her work!

Website: http://www.wendyoleston.com

Blog: wenryett.blogspot.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/WriterWendyStenzelOleston

Twitter: twitter.com/WendyOleston

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/wenryett/

Book Links:

As Is: http://www.amazon.com/As-Mrs-Wendy-Stenzel-Oleston/dp/1499781334

30 Below: http://www.amazon.com/30-Below-Degrees-Discernment-1/dp/1500548111

Above 60: http://www.amazon.com/Above-60-Degrees-Discernment-2/dp/1502371081

360 Degrees: http://www.amazon.com/360-Degrees-Discernment-Volume/dp/1503005461

Seeds: http://www.amazon.com/Seeds-Fruit-Vine-Book-1-ebook/dp/B016XGN6IM

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6185965.Wendy_Stenzel_Oleston

NEW RELEASE: Storm Delight, by Izzy Szyn

A big congratulations to my dear friend Izzy Szyn on her latest release with Hot Ink Press.

Storm Delight is the first book in a three book series featuring the Storm Sisters. Summer Storm is on a date from Hell. She had agreed to go out with Robert as a favor for her best friend Holly.

Enjoy folks!

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Storm Delight

Robert is just as awful as she remembered when they were kids, if not worse. She decides to make the most of it and attend the dinner with Robert’s new bosses Amelia and Guy Maxwell. She decides to stay for an hour, make some business contacts, call a cab and leave.

But when Summer meets Amelia and Guy, thoughts of leaving fly out the window. The sexy couple like to share their bed with others, what was supposed to be hour, quickly turns into a night. Then a weekend. Summer thinks this just may be the relationship she has been searching for, but someone is determined to end things for the sexy triad before it has a chance to begin.

Grab your copy today on Amazon! 

WIP Wednesdays: Bodyguard

Tough as nails. That our girl Olivia. She spends her days fighting for whats right in Lake City. Nothing stands in her way. Or does it?

*****

Olivia close your eyes and rested her head back on the pillow. The pain coming I’m going in waves emanating from her shoulder.

The painkillers they had given her earlier were starting to wear off but as much as it was starting to hurt again she didn’t enjoy the funky feeling in her mind.

She needed to have all her faculties is she was going to figure out who was behind this.

Opening her eyes she stared at the ceiling trying to fight back the tears. There was any number of people who could have wanted her dead. It was her job to prosecute any number of negative elements that called Lake City their home. So there was any number of people in Lake City that would want her dead. We don’t know exactly who it was was going to take an extremely long amount of time and resources. Leaving whomever was behind it time to come back and finish the job.

Cheers builds up in the corners of her eyes before making their way down her cheeks.

The door open suddenly snapping her out of her saws. She hurriedly wipe the tears away before the curtains around her bed parted and two people stepped in.

“Good afternoon, Olivia woods?” The dark haired man started reaching out his hand I’m detective sand Brookshire and this here is my partner Detective Jane Trinity.”

“Detectives.” She nodded then winced, the pain moving her neck head caused to radiate from her shoulder.

“Don’t move miss Wood, we wouldn’t want you to hurt yourself on account of us.”

The woman Jane, smiled warmly at her and she pulled out her notepad and pen.

“I don’t I know you two?” The faces were familiar but the lingering fog in her head was making it hard to focus.

“Yes, miss Wood, we have probably met at some point in our careers.

Detective Brookshire shuffled uncomfortably, we need to go over a few things together.

Olivia nodded, her mind still trying to make the connection where she need them from. It was frustrating to know that her mind wasn’t up to the usual. She never forgot a face but these two were bringing the usual about was.

“Miss Wood?” Detective Trinity was looking at her intensely.

“I’m sorry my mind was wandering a little bit.” She tried to smile but it forced. “What was the question?”

“We are trying to think of a list of people that would want to hurt you or want you dead. Detective Brookshire repeated the question

“To be quite honest detective I was asking myself the same question as you were walking into my room.”

“Did you come up with any name?” The man moved forward to the edge of his seat listening.

“Detectives, I am Crown prosecutor. There is a list a mile long of people who loves to do me harm.”

“Any one that stands out as a prime suspect?”

“Not particularly.”

“Has anyone made any threats against you or your office recently?” Detective Trinity ask without looking up from the note she was making.

“You have to speak with my clerks they would know better than I would.”

“Do they handle your incoming mail? He asked.

“Yes most of it. The only time I would hear about something of that nature would be if there was an imminent threat to my safety. She sighed but I will tell you from what I understand there are any number of lunatics that have had their objections to my existence.”

“Any particular reason that stands out?” The man smiled at her description of the situation.

“Because I dress too nice, my house is to tidy. Because I put Big Brother Little Sister Mom Daughter Son Father away. Because I drink my lattes this morning from a disposable cup.” she laughed quietly.

“So nothing in particular.”

“Not really any one thing known. I’m sorry detective I wish I was more help but truthfully I’m at a loss.” She sighed heavily and winced again, “Somehow I think this will be easier to come to terms with if I could understand the reason why it happened in the first place.”

“I wish I had an answer for you right now. We are still taking to some of the witnesses who were at the scene. For now we don’t think there is an immediate threat to your life.”

“I’ve noticed the guard standing outside my door, thank you for that.”

“Your welcome however we do have a solution for you when you’re ready to leave the hospital which from what the doctors have told me I could be any day now.”

“Oh god I hope you’re not going to have one of those creepy undercover cop follow me around are you?” She groaned outwardly. The very thought of someone following her around the city gave her the creeps. Not to mention how her family and friends would react to being followed wherever they went with her.

“No, Miss Woods, given that the budget isn’t what is supposed to be at we can’t spare as many Undercovers as we might have been able to in the past. Besides that any criminal worth his salt would be able to spot an unmarked car a mile away and find a way around it.”

“So if its not that just what do you propose?” She I detective suspiciously.

“We have a team of professionals who will the sand started. Professionals a bodyguard?” She inwardly groaned and rolled her eyes to the ceiling as she tried to sink deeper into her pillow.

She like the idea even less than the unmarked undercover officer she’s just been refused. A bodyguard would be worse by far they were allowed to go anywhere or do anything. Her freedoms would be even more limited.

“Is not forever Miss Wood. The woman detective said soothingly laid a hand on her shoulder.

“There is so much for me to do everyday how can I possibly get someone to run through the chaos with me?”

“We spoken to the DA and he’s modifying your schedule-” AS he started speaking and she could feel her blood pressure is rising as she found herself tuning out the actual words he was speaking.

How dare he? who did this man think he was.

“Stop. Just stop.” She raised her right hand to silence him

“Miss Wood-” the other woman started but she only had to to throw a glance in her direction to silence her too.

“Detectives I understand you both have a job to do and I understand that part of that includes ensuring that I am no longer in danger.” She paused to catch her breath the pain in her shoulders head increased to a loud throb as her blood pressure had risen. “However I do have a job to do and one that also includes making sure those responsible for doing things like this to me and others are thrown behind bars so they can’t hurt anyone else. I have however cannot do my job if I am tether to another person or anchored in one spot unable to move for fear I might be hurt.”

“We understand that man and that is precisely why we opted for a 24 hour and a bodyguard versus the city owned and operated security detail. And nodded as he spoke we had a feeling that you would not want to be stuck in one spot and not have the ability to do things that are important to you.”

“And what you think an overgrown babysitter will do the trick?” She snorted “You are kidding right?”

The look on the man’s face told her otherwise. He was not kidding.

“I am truly sorry but this isn’t up for debate Miss Wood.” Janes said softly.

Olivia bit back the tears, her shoulder started to throb again and head swam with all the anger at her own weakness, bile rising up in her throat.

“I know it’s not what you want to here right now.”  The other woman started before Olivia cut her off.

“Really? Do you know? Do you understand what I’m going through?” She fired at the woman enough to make her jump.

Jane started to open her mouth but Olivia had enough.

“No detective. You. Dont. Know.” She spat, “You have the training and the means to protect yourself while I am now going to have to rely on some rent a cop to follow me around.”

She paused to catch her breath neither detective made a move to say the word. They were waiting for her.

“Oh and what is that going to look like to the others I work with? Or worse yet to the criminals that I am set to prosecute? The only thing they are going to see is weakness. The defense attorneys are going to jump all over this like flies to shit.”

“I get it miss Wood. But there is no other option for us. We have a duty to keep you safe and that is what we are intend on doing. I am sorry if that is not something you’d like to consider but at this point you have no choice.” Stan said to his feet.

His partner phones beeped.

“So that’s it then?” Olivia huffed.

“For now. “

“Why what else have you up your sleeve?”

“I will want to discuss the events of that morning but not today. You need your rest.” He smiled.

She could tell he was really trying to be fair but she wasn’t ready to admit defeat yet.

“Fine then.” She mumbled as the detectives walked out of the room.

As the door shut behind them the floodgates opened and she started to cry.

Teaser Tuesdays: The Widowmaker

Only a few more weeks to go until you folks get to find out just what is going on! I honestly so excited about this book’s release. I love releasing Stan Brookshire novels because there are so many of you that love our favorite detective and his partner. It makes my day to see so many of you enjoying!

So here is this weeks installment! Enjoy!

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Meeting up in the garage a few minutes later, they climbed into Stan’s car and headed out of the garage.

“So where are we headed this time?” Jane asked looking at her watch; it was almost four o’clock. Too early for the dinner rush and just past the late-comers for lunch. Wherever they chose they would most certainly have the place all to themselves, which of course suited them just fine. They liked having the places they ate to themselves.

They drove down the road in their usual silence that they fell into whenever they were working on a particularly rough case, easily loosing themselves in their own thoughts. Neither spoke about where they would head but the car soon took them to their favorite diner on the outskirts of downtown.

Ma & Pa’s Diner was your usual mom and pop shop. A flashback from the 50s and 60s with its checkerboard tiled linoleum flooring and red leather booths. Even the bar stools around the main counter and the jukebox in the one corner were throwbacks from the same era.

Holly, their usual waitress and granddaughter of the original owners immediately came over to them with two large mugs off coffee as soon as they had sat themselves down in their usual booth in the corner near the jukebox.

“Hey guys. How’s things with you today?” she greeted, smiling at them.  

“We are about as good as we can be I suppose,” Stan answered as he took a sip of the steaming brew.

“You guys working that case about the bride and groom that came home from their honeymoon only to be -” she started.

“Yeah, unfortunately we are,” Jane confirmed looking down at the open menu before her.

“So sad about them. They seem like such nice people.”

“Yeah.”

“So strange this world is becoming. I just don’t know what’s gotten into people nowadays. Really I don’t,” she sympathized shaking her head as she pulled out her pad to take their orders. “But I know you guys cannot talk about it so I won’t say anymore.”

“Thanks Holly, you would be one of the ones that we would talk to if we could,” Jane said, smiling up at her.

“Yeah, Jane’s right. You are one of the good people, but unfortunately walls have ears and well if people found out-”

“I know, you don’t have to tell me. Last thing I would want to do is get you guys in trouble. But what I will do is take your orders and feed two of Lake City’s finest.”

“Right. I’ll have the Mega Cheeseburger with fries and a side salad,” Stan ordered closing his menu and passing it to Holly.

“Nice healthy meal there, Stan,” Jane remarked, closing her own menu.

“I have to feed my baby,” Stan said sitting back and sticking out his belly before rubbing it.

Jane groaned and added, “I’ll have the Chicken Ceaser Salad, Holly.”

“Hey, I even got a salad! I am trying, you know.” Stan laughed even though he was trying to look serious.

The women shared a look that only served to make Stan laugh even harder. Holly walked away, shaking her head as she went, leaving Stan to face Jane’s stare alone.

“Aww c’mon, Jane. Rome wasn’t built overnight and there isn’t a chance in hell that you are going to be able to change my eating habits that quickly either. At least I have started eating salads. Before I met you I didn’t know what a salad was.” Of course this wasn’t the case but he had been a different person before he had met Jane.

He had lost his first partner from the Organized Crime Unit the year before he ended up partnered with her. It was during what should have been a routine drug bust that he and his partner had ended up going down in a hail of bullets. Stan had walked away with a few scars, while his partner had never had a chance. He had taken the whole thing rather rough. It wasn’t long after he had left the hospital that he turned to drinking to numb the pain he felt in his heart. From then on his life had slowly spiraled downwards.

So much so that his wife left him and he was transferred out of the organized crime unit and into the homicide department. He went through two other partners in that time before being partnered with Jane. There were those in the department who thought that it would solve their problems as Jane herself was not without stigma. She was the last in a long line of cops from her family, but she was the only female of the group. That made her different.

Her family didn’t approve of it either, but she didn’t listen. Her father refused to talk to her about it and her mother had begged her to change her mind when she said that she was headed to the academy, but still she had not listened. She did, however, grow a large chip on her shoulder in the meantime. It only went downhill for her from then on.

She had something to prove and no one in her department had liked that. She always had to be the best at everything to compensate for the fact that she was a woman and it left the partners she had with a bad feeling about her. She went through her fair share in the few years she had been there before she was paired up with Stan.

Their boss had put them together much to their dismay. Try as they had they had not been able to get the Chief to change his mind about the decisions. So they had been left to their own devices to sort themselves out. It was a matter of work it out or quit. There were no other options for them by that point.

In the end, she had helped him to crawl out of the bottle and he had shown her that there were other ways to prove that she was just as good as the guys on the force without shoving it in their faces. He had even gotten her father to lighten up a bit. Their first year together had been rough but in the end they had ended up better for it all around and now almost four years later were regarded as two of the best detectives in the department. They were the ones other detectives came to for help. It seemed to be nothing short of a miracle the way things had changed for them.

Stan smiled at Holly as she silently came up beside them with their meals and set them in front of them. She left again without saying a word.

Stan looked at his burger and sighed. It was huge and wonderfully topped with large slices of real cheese, but in the end he knew that Jane was right, he needed to start watching what he ate as he wasn’t getting older and heart trouble did run in his family. He picked up his fork and dug into his salad.

Taking a bite of it, he looked up and across the table at Jane who was watching him with interest, her own meal currently being ignored.

“See, I am eating the salad first! Are you happy?” he asked forking another huge bite of the salad and putting it into his mouth.

“I would be happier with you if you weren’t about to smother that delicious looking salad with a big heaping mound of grease right afterwards,” she retorted, finally picking up her fork and starting in on her own salad.

“Hey, at least I went for the salad first,” he defending himself between bites.

“Yeah and if it were Julian here instead of me, you know right well you would have never ordered the salad.”

“That’s is a good point, but since you are here and I did order the salad and am eating it before I eat anything else, can we please refrain from further discussion of my dietary habits?”  Stan asked.

Jane was about to answer him with no doubt a sarcastic comment to match his, but was stopped by her cell phone ringing and bouncing around on the table where she had set it when she sat down.

“Trinity,” she answered as she opened it.

Stan watched her expression darken as she listened to the other person on the other end of the line.

“Right. We are on our way,” she said and hung up.

Stan raised an eyebrow.

“It was the Chief. He wants to see us as soon as possible. Not sure why; he just said to get back to the station as soon as possible.”

“Okay, do we have enough time to finish our food at least?”

“Do you want to be the one to tell the Chief that the reason we took so long to get back was that we had to finish our food? You know how he gets when we take too long to get ourselves where he wants us to be.”

“Okay I got ya. Can I at least take one bite of my burger before we go?” Stan asked reaching for it.

“Have another bite of the salad. It’s better for you,” she nagged, pulling his plate out of his reach before he had a chance to grab the burger.

Rather than argue with her, he forked another bite of his salad as she went to take care of their tab before they left. They had a running tab but neither of them liked to use it if they could help it. And unless there was an absolute emergency, they never left without paying something. The few times they had left without paying, they’d had a hard time making good when they came back in as the owners had erased their debt every time, claiming that if coffee shops were allowed to give away free coffees to the members of Lake City’s finest then they were allowed to foot the bill for a meal here and there.

Making their way out the door, many of the regulars smiled and waved as they passed. It was certainly a place where both Stan and Jane felt at home.

But it’s time to see what ole grumpy wants with us now, Stan thought as he started the car and pulled out of the parking lot and headed back downtown to the station.

Grab your copy at a Special Pre-Order Price! http://amzn.to/1RchKD8

GUEST POST with LJ Redding

I have the pleasure of welcoming one of my closest friends, and my editor, to the blog this week. She has spent countless hours pouring over, not only my manuscripts, but also that of many other authors in the indie community. She is also a tireless reviewer who strives hard to provide quality reviews to for not only her authors but for other readers like herself.

Please give a cold dead body welcome to LJ Redding.

She will be a permanent guest here on the blog every third Monday of the month, real life permitting, so be sure to come back and join her every month!

*****

Reviewing isn’t always just fun and free stuff; it isn’t even always easy. I wanted to share a peek into my mind right now – as I work on a particularly stressful read/review. Things that are going through my head, in this instant, as I struggle to find the balance between the not-so-pretty truth and not wanting to make someone give up on writing… Authors are delicate creatures… but they need the truth in order to be the best they can be!

Here are my raw thoughts as I struggle through a poorly produced book: Wow – there are so many mistakes and inconsistencies; I cannot give this book a good review! It’s not even edited. If she couldn’t be bothered to spend the time to edit it, why should I spend time reading it? *BUT* Perhaps she doesn’t realize how bad it looks – perhaps that’s why she hit up a total stranger for an honest review! I’ve got to tell her! How do I tell her the book looks terrible without being a total bitch? *WHO CARES?! GET ONLINE AND TELL HER IT SUCKS RIGHT NOW and find something GOOD to read, quick!

*WAIT*

She likely put a lot into this book and will take anything I have to say personally… but wait! This is exactly the sort of thing that makes indie authors look bad – dropping un-polished books and contributing to that dreaded “everyone’s a writer” attitude that the masses seem to have…. so screw her feelings! *BUT*… no … spare them. Just tell her she needs a proofer to take another pass.

No! She’s counting on HONEST feedback, she can’t fix it if she doesn’t know about it… BUT… but… You get the idea.

So many people read book and product reviews on amazon and automatically discredit anything with a disclaimer. I do not feel compelled to give anyone a good review just because I may have received their book or product for free or discounted – and while many people do fit this stereotype, there are many of us reviewers who are honest. Who like to think that the seller/author came to us because they want to IMPROVE their product, not just for blind praise. Who work hard to deliver an honest account of our experience with every single product.

We do hurt sellers’/authors’ feelings. We get bullied by those assuming we’re all liars. We put up with it all in the hope that someone, somewhere- be it seller or consumer – finds our feedback helpful. I am one of them. I’m aware that words are powerful. I’ve inspired authors to pull their books for re-edits. I’ve made authors second guess their writing careers and I even contributed to one “giving up on writing”. I’ve also prompted happy tears and inspired new readers for some authors. Some of us do consider every word we post with extreme caution. Some of us speak the truth in our product and book reviews. Certainly not all of us… but definitely some of us.

If you’re one of them – share this post or your own experience. And if you’re one of those reviewers who just gives everything blind, positive feedback, I implore you to re-evaluate that because, you’re making us all look bad and you’re helping no one.

 LJ Redding

Sincerely Me…

So I thought since I have interviewed hundreds of authors over the years on this blog, that you would enjoy hearing me answer some of the questions I have posed to them over the years.

Each week I will answer one or two questions, if you want you can leave your own questions for me in the comments and I will try and answer them in a future blog post!

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What genre are your books?

I write in two different genres now, both Suspense Thrillers and Romantic Suspense.

I started out writing mysteries with the psychological twist to them and spent a good many years running around Lake City with Stan and Jane. I have pitted my heroes I loved and still love every moment I spend with them but I wanted to try something a little different.

So I started out ready to write myself a nice ooey gooey love story. One full of sap and lots of happy ending tears. Then something happened. I killed off someone. I don’t even remember the character or the plot to be honest. I quickly canned the story and decided to start again another time.

Months passed and I tried it again. Same thing happened, another person died.

After the third time around I realized that no matter what I wrote someone had to die. So I went back to my roots and wrote the suspense around the love story and the first in the Den of Thieves series was born.

Q&A with Jean Kelso

Please give a cold dead welcome to our guest Jean Kelso to the blog this week! I had the pleasure of meeting this beauty at Sexy in the City Toronto last summer and I am very sure you will enjoy her company!

*****

What were you like at school?

In school I was shy and very much a follower. I hung around in small groups of friends until I came into my own, then I was a trouble maker.

Were you good at English?

I was actually pretty good in english. I graduated with honors with english media.

What are your ambitions for your writing career?

My ambitions for writing is to become known and possibly a favorite to few if not many, if possible. I enjoy writing and I hope my stories are enjoyed by others.

Which writers inspire you?

Some authors that inspired me are Jasinda Wilder, Beth Michele and TH Snyder. These ladies are amazing and all write amazing books.

So, what have you written? 

I have written two books so far. One Simple Memory, which is a second chance romance. It also is a romantic suspense. It has foul language and steamy sex scenes. My second book is Controlling Circumstances. This story is more Contemporary romance but has a few dark situations that happen. It also has foul language and steamy sex scenes.

Give us an insight into your main character. What does he/she do that is so special?

Belle, who is the main character in Controlling Circumstances is based off of me, partially in looks and the situations that happen in the story.

What are you working on at the minute?

I am working on my third book, Jake’s Redemption. It is a spin off from One Simple Memory. It is about a secondary character from OSM.

What genre are your books?

Contemporary, Romantic Suspense

What draws you to this genre?

The mystery and depth of the stories.

How much research do you do?

I do as much as I can actually. Even though the story is fictional, I was the location I am writing about to be true. And also with the situations, I wasn’t realistic outcomes, so you can never do too much research.

Have you written any other novels in collaboration with other writers?

No, but would love to one day.

When did you decide to become a writer?

I have always loved writing, but I suppose it was while I was off work with Cancer that I decided that then was the time to put my stories to print. I am beyond proud of myself to doing so.

 

Do you write full-time or part-time?

I write part time. I am also a full time nurse and work in a busy medical/surgical care hospital.

 

Do you write on a typewriter, computer, dictate or longhand?

I use my laptop, always. My hand writing is horrible, and I don’t think I would write fast enough to get the words out.

 

What is the hardest thing about writing?

For me, is getting people to read my stories and enjoy them. Being a semi new author with a small following, it is hard to get my name out there when there are so many amazing authors who get the exposure I wish I had.

 

Do you read much and if so who are your favourite authors?

I read all the time. Reading is my escape from the reality of life. Some of my favorite authors are Pam Godwin, Jettie Woodruff, Jasinda Wilder and many more.

For your own reading, do you prefer ebooks or traditional paper/hard back books?

I read ebooks but also collect paperbacks.

What book/s are you reading at present?

At the present time I am reading Raze by Tillie Cole.

Do you proofread/edit all your own books or do you get someone to do that for you?

I do my own preliminary proofread but have editors and proofreaders that get paid to do it. I want only the best of product to be published.

 

Tell us about the cover/s and how it/they came about.

My covers are created with a vision of the story in mind. I try to pick either objects or just the characters and give my ideas to the designers. Together we get a finished product.

Do you think that the cover plays an important part in the buying process?

Yes definitely.

How are you publishing this book and why?

I am now with Booktrope, but I suppose you would call me a hybrid author. I am an indie author who can self publish a book, but can also publish with the publishing company I am with.

 

What do you do to get book reviews?

I offer a free copy of my books for honest reviews.

How successful has your quest for reviews been so far?

Hasn’t worked very well, there are a lot of people out to get a free book. But there are also honest people who read the book and have given me reviews, and I really appreciate it.

What are your thoughts on good/bad reviews?

I can handle both sides. I like to know what I did good or what needs improvement.

 

 

Why do you think that other well written books just don’t sell?

I honestly don’t know. Exposure maybe.

What do you think of “trailers” for books?

Love them. I actually have one for Controlling Circumstances.

Do you have a trailer or do you intend to create one for your own book/s? 

Did you format your own book?

No, I have a formatter for that.

In what formats is your book available?

In all formats. I want my stories to be available to everyone.

How do you relax?

I read to relax.

What is your favourite positive saying?

Live, Laugh, Love.

What is your favourite movie and why?

Dirty Dancing. Patrick Swayze baby!

*****

Thanks so much Jean for joining us on the blog this week! Please be sure to follow Jean and check out her books!

Website: http://jeankelso78.wix.com/jeankelsoauthor

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJeanKelso/

Twitter: @JeanKelsoAuthor

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/barbiedollnurse/

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Jean-Kelso/e/B00MWKBR1W/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1451758193&sr=8-1

Book Links:

One Simple Memory http://www.amazon.com/One-Simple-Memory-Jean-Kelso-ebook/dp/B016J6HE9I/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

Controlling Circumstances http://www.amazon.com/Controlling-Circumstances-1-Jean-Kelso-ebook/dp/B00W4DK5TW/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8338589.Jean_Kelso

 

WIP Wednesdays: Bodyguard

I have to laugh every time I go back to this book, and its predecessor. I have tried more than a few times to create a soft gooey romance but every time I did someone died and there went the goo. The harder I tried to stop the sudden deaths of characters the tougher it became for me to write the stories. It wasn’t until I gave up trying to not kill someone off that the words started to flow. he Den of Thieves series was born out of that.

*****

“Good Morning everyone!” Jake said walking into the room and passing out fresh coffees as he went.

Bo watched as everyone dutifully accepted their coffees. He noted that while Sebastian had not arrived as yet but everyone else was there.

“So you are looking mighty pleased with life this morning.” Rudy said sitting down at his bank of computer monitors in the back of the room and bending down to boot up the towers.

“As opposed to what?” Jake asked eyeing Rudy.

“Well we ll have noticed you’ve been under a lot of stress lately…” Rudy’s voice trailed off and Bo could tell by the look on his face that he wished he hadn’t spoken up at all.

“Really now?” Jake glanced around the room and the rest of the team either shrugged or turned away to avoid his eyes.

When he looked at Bo, Bo just shrugged his shoulders and said,

“Jake you have been a little on edge lately. Its not hard for us to see it.”

“Hmph” Jake said taking a swing of his coffee before continuing, “ Well if I have seemed a little on edge, as you put it, or if I have crossed any lines with any of you I am sincerely sorry..”

“Jake look we weren’t trying to–” Bo started again trying to smooth any ruffled feathers.

“No, no. Its fine really it is.” Jake held hi his hand to silence Bo, “I completely understand everyone’s concern. I have been a little off my game lately and for that I really am sorry and I do have a valid reason for being the way that I have been.”

He paused to take another gulp of coffee and everyone waited for him to continue.

“The reason I’ve been stressing out is that the coffers are not as full as they have been in recent months.: He shrugged, “We haven’t had a solid assignment that brings in real money in a long time.”

“We had that thing with that woman and her ancient artifact thing–” Cat piped up.

“That was over a month ago Cat.:

“Well the LCPD has been keeping us busy for the last few weeks.” Paul offered

“Yes, they have and thank God for that because otherwise none of us would have had a pay cheque at the end of the week.”

“Really, Gracie” Paul looked over at Gracie who was fidgeting with her papers at her desk, trying to stay out of the conversation.

“He is right. Were not broke. At least not yet. And really it is not hing to truly worry about right now but at the same time Jake is right, “ Gracie nodded as she spoke, her cats eye glasses sliding slowly down her nose as she continued. “The work we do for the LCPD while it pays the bills to a point it is not enough to sustain us completely. We are slowly dipping into our buffer money. It will eventually cause a huge problem if we done stop the slow bleed.”

“Thank you Gracie for explaining it.” Jake smiled at her before turning back to the rest of the group.

“Why didn’t you tell us this earlier?” Paul asked.

“Well to be honest while it bothered me to some degree I also know we would eventually pull out of it and get back on the right path again.” Jake shrugged, “And to be quite truthful I didn’t want anyone else to have to worry about it other than me. That is the job of the team leader to worry about these things.”

“Fair enough.” Bo nodded, “I am pretty sure that any one of us here would have shouldered that worry alone.”

Bo knew all too well what it meant to have to lead a team into situations unknown from his time in the military. Far too many times he would have give any thing to have been able to speak freely with one of those soldiers under him about he dangers they were headed into but he had not wanted to burned any of his men with that worry. Nor had he wanted that subconscious fear to erode their abilities or their confidence.

So he entirely understood why Jake had chosen not to inform the others.

“If that’s the case then the reason why you have been in a rather chipper mood today must mean that something has cropped up to improve our situation.” Rudy brightened.

“Indeed something has.” Jake grinned.

“Did we win the lotto last night?” Cat asked returning the grin.

“Not unless you were the one that bought the winning lotto ticket.” Jake cracked back.

Bo too a deep breath again and finally sat down on the edge of his desk. He could feel the tension that had been sitting in the air from a moment before lifting rapidly. They had all been friends for years and it always made him uncomfortable when they were at odds with each other. It didn’t happen often but when it did, it didn’t sit right with him.

Since he had left the army these people were the only family and friends he had really.

“Well I thought you being our fearless leader and all would be the one who procured the winning ticket” Cat shot back her eyes lit up at the playful banter “just goes to show you can’t trust a man to do such a simple task.”

Everyone burst out in laughter.

“Well I do apologize for any inconvenience that might not winning the lotto on behalf of got may have caused but I just don’t think it’s in the cards right now.”

“so do tell then Jake” Paul said sweeping his hand across the room “we are all waiting on our fearless leader to tell us the good news”

“ well you know we do a lot of work for the LCPD and they trust us to take care of our end of things in a polite and professional manner we have been asked to take care of a special project for them where they require the utmost delicacy and sensitivity on our part”

“I take it by your enthusiasm that this job also comes with a sizable paycheck along with the level of delicacy and sensitivity that you described Rudy’s eyes brow raised in curiosity

both couldn’t help but wonder if it could be that had gotten Jake so excited about a job with the LCPD after having just said that the money they for already making wasn’t quite enough to cover their expenses week over week.

“ yes it does that my geeky friend”

“so you’re going to tell us what that is that we are going to be doing are we just going to have to sit here and guess what it is that we are going to be doing” Cat said seriously, gone was the joking tone from moments before.

That was one thing about her he truly liked while she was one of the first to join in on some playful banter she was a big believer in the idea but there was a time for work and it’s time for play.

Play time was over for cat. Bo didn’t mind the shift he was curious to see what Jake had going and eager to get started

“Well you guys remember Stan Brookshire from the homicide department well he contacted me yesterday with an offer I couldn’t refuse” Jake looked at his watch, “Stan should be here in a few minutes so I’ll leave it for him to explain it to you.”

“alright you’ve heard the man guys get your paper and crayons and let’s get organized to make sure we do this right Paul head clapping his hands.

Bo continued to sit there staring at Paul. Paul was a good guy but he was a Fed through and through. They had a goofy almost cheerleader stout way of rallying the troops and it tended to get on his nerves sometimes. That and the fact the boat was never one to take notes for anything every inch of this time it was committed to memory as it was related to him.

Paul passed Bo on the way to his own desk.  

“that’s right you don’t need to take notes” Paul smiled and patted him on the shoulder is he went by.

Bo continued to watch the others preparing themselves a quick glance at the clock show it was about 5 minutes to 8 he hope that Stan would not be late like he had been in the past or otherwise it was going to be a long day.

“wait has anyone seen Sebastian?” Jake is getting the room before his eyes landed on Sebastian’s empty desk.

“nope. I don’t think he isn’t as yet.” Rudy said without looking up from his computer screen.

Jake muttered something under his breath and returned to what he had been doing.

‘Sebastian is better hurry up or he had best better have a really good explanation if he gets any later’ Bo thought looking at the clock again.

 

Teaser Tuesdays: The Widowmaker

Did you enjoy last weeks tease? I know this has been one of my favorite Stan Brookshire novels. When I wrote it during National Novel Writing Month it all came tumbling out in just about two weeks. Yes! You read that right… I wrote this book in TWO WEEKS!

I guess I’ve kept you waiting long enough…here is this weeks tease! Enjoy!

*****

The squad room was a buzz with activity as Detective Stan Brookshire made his way through it and into his office, closing the door behind him. They had been pushing hard for the last couple of days on a case that no one could wrap their heads around. It was just too senseless to begin with and there were things that simply were not adding up or making sense.

Newlyweds Tyler and Brea Hamilton had just returned home from their honeymoon and the night they had come home the husband had been killed by what seemed to be a random act of violence. But the woman had been left alive and unharmed in the bedroom. And although they went through every item in the house, there was absolutely nothing missing. There were signs that someone had stayed in their home for an undetermined amount of time. Food had been cooked and eaten. Dishes had been washed and were left in the drain board. A bed had been slept in.

That was the part that Stan couldn’t understand as he looked out the window to the busy downtown street below. Why lie in wait for a long time, attack and kill the husband, leave the woman alive and unharmed, and then in the end take nothing.

At first, he thought that it might be that the woman had had an ex-boyfriend who had not taken kindly to the fact that she had married someone other than him. But as far as Stan and Jane had been able to see, there was no animosity between her and her former boyfriends, in fact a few had actually put in an appearance at her wedding with ladies of their own.

There was also the possibility of a lover on the side that had gotten jealous and killed Tyler. But that theory went right out the window as they talked to the family and friends of the victims. The couple had been totally in love with each other. They had spent every waking moment of their courtship together. Inseparable is the word most people used to describe them.

To Stan that did not sound like a couple that would have lovers on the side. Even though he had seen every kind of person imaginable, the way that this couple was described there wasn’t a chance of adultery. That left not a single doubt in Stan’s mind that this was completely monogamous couple.

That’s why it was so hard to put a finger on who this person was that had come after this couple and had left their new life together destroyed with no chance of repair.

What the hell was this person after? Stan asked himself for the hundredth time in the past few days as he turned away from the window and settled into his desk, picking up his notes again to look them over.

“You look a little lost there, my friend,” he started; he had not even heard the door open.

Stan looked up from his notes in time to see his partner and best friend, Jane Trinity, sit down in a chair across the desk from him.

“Yeah, this case has really done in my head. Nothing here is making sense; there seems to be absolutely no motive for the crime at all. All the usual ones have been ruled out for one reason or another,” he said shaking his head and running his hands through his thick dark hair.

“I know what you mean,” Jane empathized, reaching for the papers on his desk. “Did you hear back from the lab yet on those finger prints? Maybe we will get lucky and the guy will already have a record and we can get this one in the bag early.”

Stan started to laugh. “That’s the thing Jane. I did get the lab results back, and yes, I was hoping for the same thing you were and no there was nothing there. Not a single blip or anything. If this guy has done anything illegal before he has never been caught.”

“And just how sure are you that this is a he?” Jane said raising an eyebrow. “It could be some female stalker type you know.”

“Oh don’t get started on that women’s lib crap again. Seriously. I know women are just about as bad as men for causing trouble; if I have learned anything over my years in the department, it’s just that. But in this case I just don’t see a woman having done this. She would have had to be pretty strong to have taken out the man.”

“Remember what the medical examiner said – that the perp had used ether on the victims. That could be how she did it. I mean it wouldn’t take much for a woman to walk up behind a man, catching him off guard. One deep breath of shock would have been all that it would have taken for him to go down like a sack of potatoes and as for the woman, same thing. That could have been why the person used the ether, because they were not strong enough to take on the man one on one.”

“I know, I know. But something about this doesn’t seem to fit. I am not sure why. But it is just the way I feel. Call me crazy but I just don’t see a woman doing this. I mean look at what she did to the man.”

“I would rather not have to look at the photos again. I mean seeing the body in person was bad enough to permanently burn the images into my mind’s eye,” Jane remembered, obviously adverting her eyes from the stack of photos on Stan’s desk.

Whomever it was had done a real number on the man. They had not only slit his throat, effectively killing him, but had desecrated his body by slicing off his genitals and shoving them into his mouth. Almost like they were trying to feed it to the dead man. It was an image even Stan had a hard time handling and he had seen some pretty gruesome sights over the years.

Maybe it has a little something to do with the fact that I am a male and the person cut the guy’s balls off and fed them to him, he thought. At least he wasn’t alive when it happened.’

He said as much to Jane.

She nodded. “Thank God for small favors.”

“So where do we go from here? We have gone over every one of the couple’s family and friends. We have branched out to their co-workers, and even down to their acquaintances. Who else?”

“At the moment, we have guys out canvassing the street they lived on. They are talking to the people that frequent the shops along there and the shops that they went to. We have people out in every area we can think of, checking and rechecking every angle.”

“That’s the whole problem with this. We have checked out all the usual angles and nothing is fitting like it should. It is almost as if there is no motive.”

“Well… at least not one that we can easily see at this point. But there has to be a reason. Did you check with the woman again?  Did she say anything?”

Stan shook his head. “She is still almost comatose. She still won’t talk to anyone at all. Not even her mother. She’s a wreck. Even if we could get anything out of her there would be no chance in hell of us getting it to stand up in court now. She’s so far gone that it would take no time at all for a defense attorney to rip her and her testimony to shreds on the stand.”

“True enough but at the same time she might be able to point us in the right direction. Give us a motive or something to explain what happened to them,” Jane pointed out, her brow creased as she spoke.

Stan knew that her heart went out to the victims and their families and that she hated to see someone hurt. Which was one of the reasons she had decided to pursue a career in the police department, so that she would be able to find a way to stop some of Lake City’s people from hurting by putting away the people who were causing the pain.

He admired her for that. She had a huge heart for everyone and everything and no matter how badly things got on the cases that they worked on day after day, night after night, she never lost that about her. She still had the strength to care after all was said and done. She was still able to go home to her husband and two sons and show them all the love in the world. Sure there were some days that the tortures of the job got in her way and she did her best to keep it from them, but for the most part she was able to separate the emotions from the job, and still have it all left when she walked in the door at home.

“What can I say? The doctors have no idea how long it is going to take for her to come back to the rest of the world. There is nothing that they can do for her at this point but make her comfortable and make sure she continues to look after herself adequately.”

“She is up and walking around still?” Jane asked, an eyebrow raised. He knew what she was thinking that maybe Brea had slipped backwards into the comatose state that she had been in when she had arrived at the hospital.

“Yes, she’s up and doing for herself. But she still walks around, looking around and at you, but at the same time through you. It’s almost like she doesn’t see you, doesn’t hear you. And if she does hear us, I don’t know if there is anything left in her to answer us. I have tried everything I can. I just can not seem to get through to her at all,” Stan said shaking his head.

“It’s sad. Makes this case all the worse,” Jane said picking up the case file on his desk and flipping idly through the pages, almost as if she was hoping for something to pop out at her.

“Know what? I have gone over that file ten times today and I still haven’t seen anything. I am beginning to think that if I don’t get food in the near future, I am going to start eating that file,” Stan joked. His stomach was starting to growl, that much was true, but at the same time he also wanted to get out of the station and away from the case just for a bit. To clear the air and his head and he knew that Jane could use it as well.

“Alright I’m game,” Jane agreed standing up and turning to walk out the door. “I’ll grab my coat and meet you downstairs in the garage.”

“Done.” Stan stood up and shrugged on his own jacket before heading towards the door.

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