Linda Rawlins's Blog, page 2

Misty Point

New Release - Misty Point
Still reeling from her grandmother's death, Megan Stanford is shocked when her father, Dean, returns to Misty Manor with real estate developer, Randall Douglas. As Randall's business partner, wife and assistant arrive shortly thereafter, it becomes clear he intends to sell his mother's estate at all costs. When a body is found floating in the surf, Megan and her friends realize there is more at stake than the Grand Victorian. Can they work to stop a killer before it's too late? Or will the sale of Misty Manor be the only closure in the books?

http://bit.ly/MistyPoint

Books, Beaches and Brine

It’s been a busy couple of weeks. I’d like to thank Kinnelon Public Library for a great book signing. Many thanks to Kim for her hospitality and it was great meeting Lorraine, Linda and an actual Grandma Rose! Many others attended and we had a spirited discussion about writing, publishing and reading books. They have a great program!
“

I also was very welcomed at Breakfast with the author at the Belmar Public Library, Belmar NJ. Once again we had a great discussion about writing, reading and activities at the shore. It was great meeting everyone.

I will post additional book signings as they are scheduled.

The next novel in the Misty series is well underway. I received the proof of the new cover. I love it and am very excited, I hope to share it soon.

In the meantime, we get ready for the holidays! The craziness of Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas – all within the next 9 weeks! Many readers are now reading books with holiday themes. If you haven’t yet read Sacred Gold – it takes place around the Christmas Holiday. A secret journal reveals hidden treasure buried underneath St. Francis Cathedral. Against the backdrop of snowy Rocky Meadow, Vermont, bustling during the Christmas holidays, the St. Francis family scrambles to secure a soup kitchen, solve a murder, find a killer and locate hidden Sacred Gold.

Thanks again and make sure you take time to relax, breathe and read!!

Riverbench Ramblings

I was on the boardwalk this week and found the perfect bench to do some reading! Great view of the Ocean, fantastic breeze, and smell of the brine, except it was Hot, Hot, Hot. The heat was solved with an early morning walk or after the sun dropped a bit. I like to walk the boards and look at the titles of various books being read! I want to thank everyone who has read Misty Manor. I am humbled by all the positive feedback and well wishes. And yes, the next book in the series is well underway, scheduled for Spring 2017! In the meantime, Riverbench Ramblings will bring you information on various characters from both my series and the type of places they would visit or live near. Sign up for my newsletter at my website and tell your friends! www.lindarawlins.com

My next Book Signing is Saturday, August 20th, 10am – 1pm at the Book Barn, also now known as

Thrift Barns of Morris County

Pocono Road

Denville NJ.

They are still non-profit and donate all their proceeds to their local community charities. If you’d like to pick up a barn full of books for a very low price or if you have some to donate, come visit the book barn. The other rooms have many other items as well!

Beyond that, I’ll see you at the Beach!

Misty Manor Giveaway

July 30th is the last day of my Giveaway for Misty Manor - enter now on Goodreads!

Misty Manor is now available on Amazon and BN in Print and Kindle!
"A Summer Blockbuster!" Perfect Beach Reading!
Three years have passed since Hurricane Sandy devastated the New Jersey Shore as Megan
Stanford returns to her childhood home to find her elderly grandmother and the family Grand Victorian home in a state of shocking neglect. As the town threatens to sue to ensure demolition of the guest cottages behind Misty Manor, mystery unfolds in the once quiet town of Misty Point, NJ. A dead body found in the debris, threatening messages, and vandalism, combined with an eerie sixty year old photograph, bring the investigation closer to home. Megan continues to dig for the truth and unwittingly begins to unravel a decades old secret, which threatens her and the future of Misty Manor.
www.lindarawlins.com


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HLIJJLO/

MISTY MANOR

I am excited to be able to reveal the cover of my next book, scheduled to be released in a couple of weeks. The title is Misty Manor and the story takes place at the New Jersey Shore. A perfect summer reading, beach book. www.lindarawlins.com

Three years have passed since Hurricane Sandy devastated the New Jersey Shore as Megan Stanford returns to her childhood home to find her elderly grandmother and the family Grand Victorian home in a state of shocking neglect. As the town threatens to sue to ensure demolition of the guest cottages behind Misty Manor, mystery unfolds in the once quiet town of Misty Point, NJ. A dead body found in the debris, threatening messages, and vandalism, combined with an eerie sixty year old photograph, bring the investigation closer to home. Megan continues to dig for the truth and unwittingly begins to unravel a decades old secret, which threatens her and the future of Misty Manor.

Release date to be announced soon!

You are not perfect - polish, polish, polish

No one can be a heart surgeon, accomplished writer or any other profession in a day. We are all born with certain talents – some are a passion and some are a job. Regardless of what we choose or follow – we need to spend a significant amount of time polishing our knowledge, approach, and style. For instance, writing your first manuscript has you bursting with joy, anxiety and pride, until someone else begins to edit or critique. They don’t understand your baby. But as time goes by and your experience matures, you realize that “first cut” was the first step to higher learning and education. You can see the road much better from the top of the mountain then you can the base. Your baby may never be perfect – flaws may still show – but the polish highlights them and shows individuality and meaning, instead of lack of experience. Whatever your goal, desire or profession – spend the time to learn, deepen your experience, and always, always continue to polish to create a gem from a stone!

Rocky Meadow Mystery Series

Yay!!! Featured on the book blog tour today - http://www.angelabchrysler.com/linda-... - plus meet my characters at www.lindarawlins.com

Rocky Meadow Mystery Series -

Welcome to Rocky Meadow, a fictitious town in VT where we meet many interesting people. Dr. Amy Daniels was a trauma surgeon in Boston. She was often called in on an emergency basis to treat trauma victims, stories unknown. She saved a man and later found out he was shot by police after he had killed her sister in a home invasion. Dr. Amy had serious difficulty dealing with the death of her sister and her role in saving the life of a murderer. She decides to leave the trauma arena and flee to a rural hospital in Vermont in hopes she can find the peace and quiet to understand the meaning of this horrendous event in her life.

Father Michael Lauretta is the pastor of St. Francis Church. He was sent to Vermont, to run the retreat in order to serve his fellow clergy as a psychologist when their personal issues became too much for them to handle. In The Bench, we meet several priests being counseled for issues such as alcoholism, coping with end of life, and anger. One day, Father Michael meets Dr. Amy on a bench on the edge of the St. Francis grounds. They help each other work on their personal issues, while finding a ray of hope and reason to believe in their journey.

Katie Novak is the rectory cook and housekeeper. She accepted the position, sold her farm, and moved in to the rectory after her husband passed away from cancer. Katie keeps everyone together and is the heart of St. Francis.

Willow Davis is a teenager who was abandoned by her parents and raised by her grandmother. She had a wonderful relationship with her grandmother. After being home schooled, they would sing as they cooked and her grandmother would brush Willow’s hair as they shared stories about their day. Grandmother died one day after receiving her insulin, however an investigation reveals the drug may have been tampered with. Willow becomes a very rich teenager due to her inheritance, but someone decides it might be better if they dispense with Willow and collect the money for her.

Tony Noce is a former cop with the NYPD who inherits Hasco’s Bar and Grill when his partner was killed in the line of duty. Tony decides to leave NYPD and run the bar where he helps the St. Francis family deal with some real nasty people.

All the lovable characters come together to find a killer, solve a mystery and protect Willow in The Bench. The series continues as the loving makeshift family continue to solve mysteries while working on their personal issues in subsequent books in the series. Each book can be read as a stand alone or start with the beginning and get to know them as they grow. Available at Amazon, B&N and wherever books are sold. Featured on the Braintobook blog on July 31st, 2015 – http://www.amazon.com/Bench-Linda-Raw...

Does your mood affect your writing?

I recently attended a book discussion where the topic was the latest release in a popular series. The concern was the protagonist did not seem like herself. The normally affable character was cranky, rude and egocentric throughout the book, which was a change. There was no indication of a contributing author and the plot did not require the protagonist to act in that manner. One reader made an interesting comment. “Maybe the writer was cranky this year.” So, how often does our mood affect our writing? Whether writing emails at work, working on our novel or corresponding with friends, how does our mood affect our writing, tweets or posts? We normally want our business emails professional and to the point, but are they clipped, rude or devoid of concern? Our tweets are shorter so we dispense with civilities and get right to the point. Does our character’s dialogue translate the mood we experience while writing? I do believe it is entirely possible and have now reread emails, tweets, and posts a second time before posting, preferably several hours later if time allows. A good editor will be able to pick up a change during review of a manuscript and all will be corrected before the final draft. All moods can be translated, despite our best intentions, whether through dialogue, exclamation points or happy faces. However, upon review we may find we only need one happy face, instead of six. Reread your work. Let me know if it makes a difference and have a great day!!!!!! :) http://www.lindarawlins.com

Make a Bigger Hole in Life

Yesterday was 96 degrees according to the thermostat on my car dashboard. I finally arrived home for dinner. Someone had purchased a bag of ice and several of us went for drinks at the same time. There was a small hole torn in the bag through which we had difficulty retrieving the cubes. I pointed out the hole was too small, quickly ripped the bag open and suddenly we were all happy. “Our experience would have been different if we originally made a bigger hole.” Just like life. Make a bigger hole in your life. Expand your horizons. Be more flexible. Get out of the box. Join the social club you have always been interested in. Write the second book. Reach out to your favorite charity or volunteer at your church. From the child taking extra dancing lessons to my ninety seven year old neighbor knitting blankets for the homeless and veterans, you will have a different experience if you expand your efforts. Make a bigger hole. Not only can you reach further, you will receive more in return.