Jerrie Alexander's Blog, page 10

Writer’s Wednesday with Sheniqua Waters

First let me welcome Sheniqua Waters. Shen is a member of North Texas Romance Writers and one of the nicest woman you’ll ever meet. That smile you see in her picture is there all the time. She writes beautiful contemporary romances! Let’s learn more about her.

[image error]

Sheniqua Waters is an author whose work can best be described as passionate and entertaining. Upon reading her work, you will notice she has a writing style which will engage your emotions. She is a dedicated writer who loves to read and write and spends much of her free time doing both.

Check out her new novel, Seduced by the Pharaoh by Sheniqua Waters and you will find a fast paced page turner that you will not want to put down.

To find out more about Sheniqua Waters, check out http://www.TheWorldsBestBook.com

Q. What made you pick your particular genre?

Reading historical romance novels led to me deciding to write historical romance novels. I remember reading a romance novel as a teenager and thinking I could probably write a story that was just as good as the one I was reading. After giving some thought to it, I picked up a pen and began to write.

Over the years, I have worked to improve my writing skills and I hope readers find that improvement evident in the stories I have written.

Q. What are you working on right now? Can you tell us about it?

Seduced by the Pharaoh by Sheniqua Waters is the third novel I have completed. It was recently released as a paperback and an ebook. At the time of this interview, I am very excited to say Seduced by the Pharaoh by Sheniqua Waters is selling exceptionally well and is a part of one of the lists for the Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store on Amazon.com.  I have readers to thank for that and I am glad they find the book to be an entertaining read.

Q. Do you ever hit the wall or find you’ve written yourself into a corner? How do you turn that around?

I find my biggest challenge is writer’s block. Most of the scenes I write come easily to me. However, sometimes I cannot think of a thing to write. When that happens, I find I have to stop writing and do something else while my muse takes a break. Eventually, my muse decides to return and then I began to write again.

Okay…enough with the business questions! How about some fun stuff. You know, just between the two of us.

Q. The opportunity to go on a surprise vacation arises. You have 90 minutes to pack and get to the airport. Where will you go?

I have been on many exciting vacations. I have been to a lot of places in the United States and to more than one island paradise like St. Thomas, Hawaii and St. Croix. I have been overseas to Germany and backpacking in some exotic places like Turkey, Israel, Egypt, Jordan and Cyprus.

However, I find the vacation I like the best is the one I spent with my husband at a bed and breakfast in a small Texas town. When I went there, I found it to be serene, beautiful and the epitome of perfection.

Q. Are you more likely to be spotlighted on the TV show Hoarders or Fashion Police?

Neither show… I would more likely be spotted on one of the following three shows (I cannot decide which one):

The Bold and The Beautiful (as Brooke’s psychologist), Keeping up with the Kardashians (as Kim’s best friend) or Love and Hip Hop Atlanta (as the mediator between Mimi and Joseline).

Q. If they make a movie about your life, who do you want to play your part?

Tika Sumpter is a beautiful actress. She seems like a diverse actress who I hope can play a good girl as well as she plays the bad girl on Tyler Perry’s new show The Haves and The Have Nots.

If Tika Sumpter is busy, maybe Logan Browning of Hit the Floor would be available.

Q. Tell us one thing about you that might surprise us…it can be a secret…we won’t tell.

Finding that readers who read my books enjoy reading my work makes me very happy. Over the years, I have worked to improve my writing skills and I hope readers find that improvement evident in the stories I have written.

[image error]

Seduced by the Pharaoh Blurb:

Latifa, the courageous daughter of the King of the Nubians, shuns her privileged life to take a vow of chastity and become a fierce female warrior. Her desire is vengeance against the Pharaoh of Egypt who she believes deceived and killed her father then destroyed her village.

Tariq, the newly appointed Pharaoh, has spent his life fighting against the Nubians as Commander of the Egyptian military. While journeying to Thebes, he unexpectedly confronts Latifa and makes a wager that he can conquer her hardened heart and make her willingly share his bed. Latifa vows to resist Tariq’s advances and is taken aback when she realizes he is the man she has sworn to destroy.

After long days and nights spent traveling beside the Nile River, will love seize the hearts of these two sworn enemies? Or will Latifa refuse to be seduced by the Pharaoh?

Seduced by the Pharaoh Preview

Monday Musings-Stepping off the cliff and into self-publishing

If I can control my enthusiasm and remain coherent, I’m going to share my news.

I’m putting on my big girl panties, hitching up my jeans, pulling myself up by the bootstraps…okay, enough with the giddiness. I’m going to self-publish the Lost and Found, Inc series!

HELL OR HIGH WATER (be sure to sign up for my newsletter for the big cover reveal and contest) is currently in the hands of the awesome Joyce Lamb for proofreading. That means the book has been edited three times, copy edited, and soon, proofread. I won’t bore you with details, but suffice it to say, I’ve taken all the necessary steps to ensure I have a quality product to sell.

Because that’s what I do as an author. I sell my words, my stories, to entertain my readers. Believe me, presenting my very best is my most important goal. Always has been.

Even back when I had folks reporting directly to me, I’d tell them to pretend their mother was inspecting their work. They’d want it as close to perfect as they could get it for her, and that’s what they should want for our  customer.

But back to the series, I’m shooting for mid-July to release book one. Book two, COLD DAY IN HELL, is complete. It has been through my critique partners, I’ve completed the revisions, and the book is now in the hands of my toughest critic. Only then will this book start its rounds with my editor.

I’m excited, nervous, and a little scared. All those emotions are, I think, normal. Change and diving into unknown waters makes most people nervous. It’s how we stretch and grow.

I hope you’ll take this journey with me. I’m learning but still have a long way to go. If you have knowledge and are willing to share, please offer suggestions, solutions, methods, just anything you’d like.

Stay tuned for the release date!

 

 

 

 

Writer’s Wednesday with Catherine Cavendish

I’m thrilled to have Catherine Cavendish with me today. If you like a good book you’ve come to the right place!

[image error]Hi Jerrie. Thank you for inviting me over today.

Cat, your books delve into the supernatural. What made you pick your particular genre?

 To answer your question, as a child I was fascinated by a short story we read at school called The Monkey’s Paw. I recently blogged  about it http://www.catherinecavendish.com/2013/05/the-man-behind-monkeys-paw.html

This got me hooked and I started to devour everything I could in the supernatural and horror vein – Dennis Wheatley, M.R. James, Edgar Allen Poe – the list grew and grew. I loved being scared and diving under the bedcovers, too frightened to come out in case something lurked in the shadows.

As an adult, this love affair continued with James Herbert, Stephen King, Anne Rice et al. Yet I wrote historical fiction. Then one day, I thought, since I love to read it so much, why not try my hand at writing paranormal horror? I did and I love it.

Q. What are you working on right now? Can you tell us about it?

I am working on a full length novel called Saving Grace Devine. It’s a timeslip and involves a girl (Grace Devine) who drowned in 1896. As she died, she cursed the stepbrother who was responsible for her death. Because she died with a curse on her lips, her soul is doomed and cannot pass over. She must seek forgiveness from the descendant of the one she cursed. She connects with Caro, a young woman in the present day. Caro promises to help her, little knowing that in saving Grace Devine, she will put her life, and even her very soul, in jeopardy.

Q. Do you ever hit the wall or find you’ve written yourself into a corner? How do you turn that around?

Funnily enough that happened with my latest. I was on the first draft and, while I had the idea and main characters plotted, I was, as usual, letting the story take over. I had this great idea and just went with it. I loved it, but it posed some real logistical problems. I have found the best way is just to carry on and, usually late at night, my unconscious brain works away at the possible alternatives until one – usually the most obvious – suddenly pops up. Then I have to note it down or, by morning, it will have evaporated. I did so in this case – and it worked!

Q. Do you do any special research into the paranormal field for your novels?

Quite often. A lot comes from years of reading and watching horror movies but the old phrase ‘the devil’s in the detail’ applies. To cite a couple of examples:  For The Demons of Cambian Street, I needed to brush up on Wiccan practices. For another novel, I needed to do far more research, into the Pendle Witches’ trials and some of the associated legends and 17th century superstitions. I’m happy to do whatever is needed. I actually enjoy research!

Okay…enough with the business questions! How about some fun stuff. You know, just between the two of us.

Q. The opportunity to go on a surprise vacation arises. You have 90 minutes to pack and get to the airport. Where will you go and what will you pack?

[image error]I have never been to Pompeii and Herculaneum in Italy and fully intend to visit there one of these days. I’d probably stay somewhere like Sorrento. There’s a bit of walking on uneven surfaces and some (hopefully) warm, balmy evenings, sipping Chianti Classico after a fine meal.

So, I’d open my suitcase and throw in underwear (of course!) jeans, trainers, sandals,T shirts, a pashmina for the later evening chill, a couple of dresses for the evenings and loads of sun cream. Oh,. And my camera, phone and charger. And my Kindle of course.

Q. Are you more likely to be spotlighted on the TV show Hoarders or Fashion Police?

I’m not actually familiar with either of these programmes but I’m no follower of fashion so, judging from descriptions of the Fashion Pollce, Joan Rivers would probably refuse to do a programme with me on it. She’d throw her hands up, exclaim ‘Oh, please!’ and that would be the end of it. No, I’m more likely to be accused of hoarding – but only where books, DVDs and Music CDs are concerned. I even have a reasonable collection of old vinyl LPs I won’t part with!

Q. If they make a movie about your life, who do you want to play your part?

Who wouldn’t want Meryl Streep?

Q. What’s the name of your favorite love song.

Just one? That’s really difficult. I love many different styles of music, so it largely depends on my mood. Nights in White Satin by The Moody Blues is a favourite from many years back. Someone Like You  and Make You Feel My Love by Adele are both achingly poignant. Then there’s my favourite artist, Richard Hawley. For Your Lover Give Some Time is beautiful and he wrote it for his wife

Q. Tell us one thing about you that might surprise us…it can be a secret…we won’t tell.

Hmm, now then. Well of course, there’s always…no, I couldn’t possibly tell you that. Or, maybe… no I DEFINITELY couldn’t tell you that. You’d be shocked. I’d be sued.

OK here goes. I’m a secret Monkees fan. Yes, I admit it. Loved them as a child and still listen to their music. So there!

Thank you, Jerrie. This has been fun. We must do it again some time. Lovely coffee too!

About Catherine Cavendish:

Cat lives in Wales with her husband and a slightly eccentric tortoiseshell cat. She has had a lifelong fascination with the paranormal which intensified when she saw an apparition which no-one has ever been able to rationally explain. When not slaving over a hot computer, she can usually be found trying to untangle her latest main character from some impossible predicament.

[image error]Here’s some information about her latest novella, The Second Wife:

 Emily Marchant died on Valentine’s Day. If only she’d stayed dead…

When Chrissie Marchant first sets eyes on Barton Grove, she feels as if the house doesn’t want her. But it’s her new husband’s home, so now it’s her home as well. Sumptuous and exquisitely appointed, the house is filled with treasures that had belonged to Joe’s first wife, the perfect Emily, whom the villagers still consider the real mistress of Barton Grove.

A stunning photograph of the first Mrs. Marchant hangs in the living room, an unblemished rose in her hand. There’s something unnerving and impossibly alive about that portrait, but it’s not the only piece of Emily still in the house. And as Chrissie’s marriage unravels around her, she learns that Emily never intended for Joe to take a second wife…

And now for an extract:

At some stage, a wall had been knocked down and two sizeable rooms had become one. Through a simple archway, the second half of the room was dominated by a framed photograph of a beautiful blonde woman, which hung above another marble fireplace. I was drawn to the photograph and moved closer, until I stood within a few feet. “Who is she?”

Joe sighed and ran his hand through his hair. “Emily. My late wife. I told you about her.”

I nodded. I had only known Joe for a short time, but I felt as if I had known Emily for years. I knew her nickname had been Willow, and could now see why. The face that stared back at me was undeniably beautiful, with high, aristocratic cheekbones and thick golden blonde hair that cascaded way below her shoulders. Her eyes were a vivid violet and her mouth, shaded a delicate pinky apricot, perfectly complemented her peaches-and-cream complexion. If the portrait had been full figure, I know I would have been looking at a slender, graceful woman with perfect poise.

Damn her! I thought to myself. I was keenly aware of what a contrast I must have been with my short dark hair, olive skin, and penchant for wearing jeans and T-shirts. After such perfection, what on earth did Joe see in me?

Maybe the photographer had used an airbrush, but I couldn’t see one blemish on that beautiful face. The shot had been taken from an angle so that she wasn’t quite full face. She was unsmiling. The set of her mouth and the way her eyes stared out at me gave her an enigmatic air. One hand was raised to her cheek, its long, perfectly manicured fingers clasping an exquisite cream-colored rose.

I stared long and hard at that photograph, taking in every detail, hardly aware of Joe telling me about the furniture and where Emily had found it all, who had decorated for them and the dinner parties she had hosted to raise money for all the worthy charities within a fifty mile radius.

Perfect Emily. Saint Emily, I thought, as she gazed lifelessly down at me.

And then…

I stared, unblinking, sure I must have imagined it. Had that been a flicker of recognition? But this was a photograph. Emily was in her coffin six feet under St Matthew’s churchyard. By now she was hardly more than a moldy skeleton. So why was I certain—just for a fleeting second—that she had looked back at me?

The Second Wife is available from:

Amazon.com

Amazon.ca  

Amazon.co.uk
Omnilit 

Barnes and Noble

Kobo 

Cat loves to connect with people here:

www.catherinecavendish.com

http://www.facebook.com/CatherineCavendish

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4961171.Catherine_Cavendish

http://twitter.com/#!/cat_cavendish

https://plus.google.com/u/0/109439758903132910470/posts

 

Jerrie – here are some You tube links for the songs I cited above!

For Your Lover Give Some Time

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oG6itlFun5A

Make You Feel My Love

http://youtu.be/0put0_a–Ng

Nights in White Satin

http://youtu.be/9muzyOd4Lh8

Someone Like You

http://youtu.be/hLQl3WQQoQ0

 

 

Monday Musings- Unplugged and wondering how we got here!!

Truth is stranger than fiction. Isn’t that the most accurate statement you’ve ever heard?

Turn on the news or pick up a newspaper. The stories I see and read break my heart. Make my insides clinch and tears fill my eyes. I can’t wrap my head around how we got here.  

My heart broke for the mother whose thirteen month old baby was shot in the face because mom didn’t have any money. And for the victim of rape, where others filmed and posted video and comments on social media.

I can’t carry on a conversation about those three women in Ohio would were kidnapped and tortured for TEN years! I get too angry that anyone in our society could treat another human being that way.

The animals! Don’t let me get started about the cruelty to animals. The punish for crimes against helpless creatures should be a lot more severe than it is.

Yesterday, I finally read some good news. Last summer, a female dog was found wandering in the 100 degree heat. Her tongue had been pulled out and then her muzzle taped shut. They couldn’t tell how long she’d been that way, but she was dehydrated and her tongue so swollen she couldn’t drink or eat. She couldn’t retract it into her mouth and they feared her tongue would have to be removed. If that wasn’t enough for the poor thing to endure, she had been stabbed multiple times.

I was thrilled to see her picture and read a story about her recovery. Her new name is, Hope an there’s a huge reward out for the person who hurt her. Hope beat the odds. She triumphed over her injuries and was adopted by a loving family. They say she knows she was saved from death and repays it with tons of kisses.

I believe that. Our rescue dog looks at us with gratitude and unyielding affection in his eyes.

I used Buddy’s picture since I don’t have the rights to a picture of Hope. But Google…Parker County a dog named Hope.

But how the hell did we get here? What happened that we can maim and cause such pain without batting an eye?

Don’t answer that. Please.

I promised not to turn my blog into a platform, political or otherwise. Yet here I am, stunned, but not into silence. I’m questioning our humanity.

I’m a romantic suspense author. My characters suffer, struggle, fight, and lose everything, only to rise up and fight again. But in real life, I can’t fathom the pain and anguish these innocents go through.

So I’ll keep writing, because in my imaginary world, the people heal, get justice, fall in love, and live happily ever after.

I can only pray for my fellow human beings and our animals in real life.  

 

 

 

 

 

Writer’s Wednesday with…me and my short story

Today’s guest is under the weather, so I’m covering for her and sending her get well wishes!

As you may know, Someone To Watch Over Me released June 7th. It’s a romantic suspense, of course.

Here’s how this endeavor got started. My editor asked if I could write a short story. Shoot, piece of cake, so I ripped off a quick, “You bet.”

Oh my goodness. Those two words started an adventure, which at times I was sure I wouldn’t survive! It’s twenty-three thousand words. Truth be told, I have trouble saying hello in less than fifteen thousand words. But I’d mouthed off andaccepted the challenge, so I buckled down and went to work.

Writing this short story turned out to be the best thing that’s ever happened to me. Gathering together all the elements that make up a romantic suspense and shaping them into a fast read while giving my reader a great ride taught me that the old saying, ‘Less is more’ means just that.

This is a life and death story that required tension, fear, anger, and passion. Each sentence had to be tight, to the point, and yet had to convey the emotions of the scene. Useless words had to be cut. I read and reread. Whittling away and paring back was like throwing away my babies!

During edits I was pleased that my editor didn’t find much for me to redo, but the senior editor kicked the story back. I had written a sex scene that she felt cast the heroine in a harsh light. Looking back on it, I decided she was right. After I rewrote that scene the story hummed.

It’s a reunion story filled with danger and forgiveness. I hope if you read it, you’ll let me know what you think. An honest review, an email directly to me, something to let me what you think, because believe me when I tell you writing that short story was tough…and fun at the same time.

So tell me, do you read short stories? Like the fast, easy read? Or do you prefer a full eighty thousand word book?

Tag Line

Sometimes, hiding from danger draws a crowd. Sometimes, hiding can get you killed. 

Blurb

Stacey McKinney returned to her home town to escape a stalker. When people around her turn up dead, she fears he’s found her. Is the maniac keeping his threat by killing off anyone who gets close to her?

A different kind of risk is also in town. The man who broke her heart has also come home. Their attraction is stronger and hotter than ever, but he walked away once. Will he do it again? 

A bullet ended Cash Butler’s career as an Army Ranger. His life on his horse ranch is without complications until he hears Stacey is back in town. He was a kid when her dad used his wealth and power to drive him away. He’s not that kid any longer.

When Stacey goes missing, a search proves her stalker had followed her to Oak Hill. But he’s dead. Who killed him? And who has Stacey?

Excerpt

Focused, Stacey headed across the building on a mission. She skirted the two pool tables, moving faster the closer she got to ladies’ room door handle. A chilled raced down her arms. She sensed someone moving in step directly behind her.

A scent stirred something in her memory. Awareness churned through her, warming her skin. Heat rushed to her lower belly. How did her body know to react? She turned to find Cash Butler smiling down at her from under the brim of his black hat.

“Would you look at who I found,” his whiskey-toned voice flowed over her skin like caramel over ice cream.

An old familiar zing of desire ricocheted through her nervous system. Twenty-eight was a good year for him. His black hair and stormy gray eyes still framed a chiseled jaw, sharp nose and a mouth made to kiss. Ten years had added a maturity, a road warrior expression to his face.

First loves should never look this good. Never smell this good. And never stand this close.

He leaned down and buzzed his lips across her cheek, liquefying her knees. Blood coursed through her veins, revving her heart rate to race track speeds.

“Hey.” Her attempt at casual caught in the back of her throat. “Why aren’t you off saving the world or fighting in the war or something?”

“Turns out I’m not bulletproof.” His gaze raked over her, settling on her face. “You’re looking well.”

“So are you.” She hated how her body reacted to his nearness. “I need to get back to work. So if you’ll excuse me.”

“Wait.” He stepped between her and the door. “You’re the reason I’m here tonight.”

She pretended his strong hands sliding up and down her arms had no effect. Truth be told, seismic waves scorched their way to the ends of her fingertips.

“Unless you want your boots wet, you’ll leave me alone.”

“Then meet me at the Cactus Club tomorrow at two.” One corner of his mouth lifted. “You remember how to get there?”

“Sunday is my day for scullery maid duties.” Her brain issued a stern warning. His tone of voice said he was glad to see her, but his eyes gave nothing away. Meeting him wasn’t a good idea. Unfortunately, her heart wasn’t in the mood to listen.

“Since when do you do housework?”

“A lot’s changed since…” She bit off the sentence. Confiding in Cash served no purpose.

Letting him touch her had been a mistake. Did she pull away? Nooo. She stood there while his hands traveled down until his fingers twined through hers.

“I’ll be there tomorrow at two. I hope you’ll come.”

Available for your Kindle:

http://www.amazon.com/Someone-Watch-Over-Me-ebook/dp/B00D5Z4NK0/ref=sr_1_4?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1370617079&sr=1-4&keywords=someone+to+watch+over+me

You can find me here on the website or at:

http://www.twitter.com/jerriealexander

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jerrie-Alexander /121521571355959?ref=hl

http://www.goodreads.com/jerriealexander

http://pinterest.com/jerriealexander/

 

 

 

Monday Musings My tips for attending a conference.

I love attending conferences. Spending time sharing ideas with other authors. Smaller conferences are fairly easy to survive. The larger ones, for me at least, take some planning. Are you attending RomCon or maybe RWA’s conference in Atlanta this year? Sadly, I will miss both, but thought I’d share a few tips I gathered at previous conferences. They are in no particular order, but I personally think you can make you trip fun and educational.

1. Rest! What, you ask? I just got here.

The first time I attend one of the larger conferences, I was determined to take in every possible workshop, gather every pearl of wisdom, and make the most of my limited time. By the second day I was exhausted. I learned quickly to pace myself. I gave myself permission to go to the  room and enjoy the silence. I rested with a good book or chatted with my roommate, who had discovered taking a break was a smart move.

2. Dress in layers and wear low heeled shoes.This is just me, but I find some meeting rooms to be meat lockers. I doesn’t matter that it’s July outside, I take a wrap, jacket, or sweater. Nobody loves shoes more than I do, but there’s a ton of walking in a large conference. I surrendered and wore comfortable shoes.

3. Smile.

The first year I attend an RWA conference my name came with a ribbon indicating I was a newbie. Want to know who spoke to me and made me feel welcome? Other newbies. No doubt, we all had the deer in the headlight stare at seeing so many women gathered in one place. I made some great friends wearing that ribbon. But at the next conference, I made an effort to smile and speak to folks wearing that ribbon.

4. Learn where the restroom are located. (I skipped the picture )

This is a biggie. The hotel in Orlando converted a few of the mens’ restrooms to ease the lines. I had around ten to fifteen minutes between workshops and lines  got long!

5. Books.

The afternoon before I started home from the RWA conference in California I carried all the books I’d been given to the Federal Express office in the hotel and sent them home. Now I didn’t go to any of the free book signings (which is another post all together because I can’t describe how long those lines were) but I had at least 25 books.

6. Have fun.

Above all, I enjoyed myself. It’s difficult for me to meet strangers, but I put myself out there and made some wonderful new friends. At the same time I honed my craft, learned tons from successful authors, agents, and publishers.

Go. Learn. Enjoy.

Have you been? Have any pointers to share?

 

 

Writer’s Wednesday with Shehanne Moore

Welcome Shehanne! Wait until you folks see the cover of her book. I posted it below but first she has a question…What Lies Beneath?

Okay, two things. Firstly Jerrie Alexander, thank you for giving me the opportunity to be here today, I truly appreciate the kindness of a fantastic lady.

Two,  answers on a postcard, what do the following have in common? Apart from being an interesting dinner party combo? Ulysses S Grant, Jack the Ripper, Mary Shelley–author of Frankenstein–and Captain Kydd. 

Nope. They never shared star signs, the same disease, middle names, birthplaces, shoes, stockings, medical instruments, or partners. You wouldn’t need to keep the bread knife handy for all of them if you guested at that table. Even Jack only had certain predilections. And Captain Kydd was quite nice when it came to New York church-building. Of course he was probably trying to impress a certain well-heeled widow. 

None of them played the ukulele. The bass fiddle neither. Hated soup for the first course, so don’t serve it. Or were related to George Washington…at least I hope not. I don’t want complaints from any of the societies dedicated to his name. Am I tweaking your nerves here?

Okay.  The answer is simpler than that. At one time or other they each had an association with a certain city. Mine.  Ulysses S. Grant visited it. Mary Shelley stayed in it. William Bury, a Jack the Ripper candidate, didn’t just stay in it, a stone’s throw from where Mary once did and found inspiration for Frankenstein. No, he caused quite a stir, keeping his murdered wife in a box, playing cards and serving sandwiches on it, cut with the murder weapon no less, to his new-found friends. It was a crime  for which he was duly hung, there.

A city is nothing, if not rich in inspiration.

Captain Kydd, either the most notorious pirate in the history of pirating, or the most unjustly accused privateer, was a native.  

Before you think this is a oh do come and visit bonnie Scotland, its fourth largest city shout out, it’s not. Come if you want. But let me tell you now, with the exception of the rail bridge, described by President Grant, with true US grandeur as a big bridge for a little city—it was, it fell down shortly afterwards, taking 75 people and a train engine with it–you won’t find a reference to Captain Kydd or the others.

 

Not a cold trail of the places they once walked, a brick of the buildings they lived in. A plaque to say they ever did.

It’s just not how Dundee markets itself. It never has, for all the place of these four in history is pretty well assured.

 The forgotten history of a town, city, village, place, county, state, whatever, is often the best history of all. For writers it’s a seam worth mining, because you never know what little nugget will result, that you can fling back onto the world stage. 

Bridges and trains—well, they may have to wait this time round. But boxes, bodies, places, pirates, are you kidding? I hauled them all on board and gave them a sort of airing in The Unraveling of Lady Fury .  

And I’m astonished by the ones I haven’t used. William Wallace, the tree of liberty, Arthur Conan Doyle’s father.  The list is pretty endless. And it’s just for one city.

So, next time you’re on a heritage trail of your own backyard, don’t just look at what the tourist promoters want you to see. Get on the magic tour glasses.

Ask yourself, what lies beneath? 

Buy links

Amazon
Barnes and Noble
All Romance Ebooks

Blurb:

Rule One: There will be no kissing. Rule two: There will be no touching…

Widowed Lady Fury Shelton hasn’t lost everything—yet. As long as she produces the heir to the Beaumont dukedom, she just might be able to keep her position. And her secrets. But when the callously irresistible Captain James “Flint” Blackmoore sails back into her life, Lady Fury panics. She must find a way to protect herself—and her future—from the man she’d rather see rotting in hell than sleeping in her bed. If she must bed him to keep her secrets, so be it. But she doesn’t have to like it. A set of firm rules for the bedroom will ensure that nothing goes awry. Because above all else, she must stop herself from wanting the one thing that Flint can never give her. His heart.

Ex-privateer Flint Blackmoore has never been good at following the rules. Now, once again embroiled in a situation with the aptly named Lady Fury, he has no idea why he doesn’t simply do the wise thing and walk away. He knows he’s playing with fire, and that getting involved with her again is more dangerous than anything on the high seas. But he can’t understand why she’s so determined to hate him. He isn’t sure if the secret she keeps will make things harder—or easier—for him, but as the battle in the bedroom heats up, he knows at least one thing. Those silly rules of hers will have to go…

Extract. (Slightly….murderous one.)

     Lady Margaret was not one to show her enthusiasm, for Fury in particular. She was hot, she was bothered, and her ruched bonnet was not the thing to wear in this heat. On either side of the ribbon her cheeks drooped so fantastically, Fury marveled she could speak. Although she was not the least surprised it was rudely.

    “Things are very different here from in England, Mama.”

     “Frankly I don’t care what they are. When in England one should do as in England. And when in Italy, one should do as in England too.”

    “Which is why I am so astonished to see you here, Lionel.” It would help matters greatly in terms of what Fury should play here if she just ignored Lady Margaret and proceeded to glean some inkling of what exactly they were doing here together. Or whether they were here together at all. Perhaps it was simple chance, an unlucky throw of the dice, which had somehow caused them to career into one another. “Did you somehow meet Mama here in Genoa? Are you already acquainted?”

   “I met her by chance when she disembarked from one of my ships looking for Thomas.”

     Did she imagine it, or had the room become stuffier all of a sudden?

    “Is he back yet from visiting his father?”

    Lady Margaret started up in shock. “His father?”

    Lady Margaret swiveled her head. It spun so fast, Fury made a gesture of denial even as Fury expected it to grace the tiled floor, followed by herself. She seemed to stand there forever feeling their eyes feasting upon her. Although, in reality, no more than five seconds passed, during which time she quashed her desperate need to escape. Not to mention the dark contorted images that rose of herself dangling at the end of a rope.

     “His Grace has been dead these twenty-three months.”

      And didn’t Fury know every blasted moment of it?

     “How can Thomas be visiting him?”

 

 

 

Monday Musings- Stubby the war hero dog

Woot! Can I tell you my big news? THE LAST EXECUTION released on Barnes and Noble and Amazon Friday June 7th! And my short story, SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME released early the same day. I’m off promoting on a blog tour with Sizzling PR for the next three months. Celebrate the first day with me by commenting today at http://indieauthorsbooksandmore.blogspot.com

Now back to today’s post..I think you’ll enjoy learning about Stubby!

A while back I blogged about an injured stray dog that turned up in our back yard. Buddy is an integral part of our family. My husband laughs more now that Buddy is with us. So obviously, I’m a bit partial to strays.

[image error]A friend of mine sent me an email telling a little about a stray named Stubby. Well, maybe it would be more accurate to say a war hero named Stubby. I decided to learn more about Stubby. Then decided to share what I read with you.

Stubby the war dog’s story starts with the beginning of the Great War in Europe. From 1914 to 1917 the French, Germans and others struggled with each other for control of France and Europe. In April of 1917, America entered the war and mobilized its National Guard forces.

STUBBY wandered into a training encampment and befriended the soldiers. In October 1917 when the unit shipped out for France, STUBBY, by this time the “UNOFFICIAL – OFFICIAL” mascot, was smuggled aboard the troop ship S.S. Minnesota in an overcoat and sailed into doggy legend.

STUBBY did his part by providing morale-lifting visits up and down the line and occasional early warning about gas attacks or by waking a sleeping sentry to alert him to a German attack.

In April 1918 the Americans, and the 102nd Infantry, finally got their chance to prove their mettle when they participated in the raid on the German held town of Schieprey.

[image error]After the recapture of Chateau Thierry the women of the town made him a chamois blanket embroidered with the flags of the allies. The blanket also held his wound stripe he’d earned during a raid, three service chevrons and the numerous medals, the first of which was presented to him in Neufchateau, the home of Joan of Arc.

In the Argonne STUBBY ferreted out a German Spy in hiding and holding on to the seat of his pants kept the stunned German pinned until the soldiers arrived to complete the capture. STUBBY confiscated the Germans Iron Cross and wore it on the rear portion of his blanket for many years. The Iron Cross unfortunately has fallen victim to time and is no longer with STUBBY but many of his other decorations and souvenirs remain and are displayed with him today.

STUBBY was also gassed a few times and eventually ended up in a hospital when his master, Corporal J. Robert Conroy, was wounded. After doing hospital duty for awhile he and Conroy returned to the 102nd and spent the remainder of the war with that unit. STUBBY was smuggled back home in much the same way as he entered the War, although by this time he was so well known that you have to suspect that one or two general officers probably looked the other way as he went aboard ship to sail home and muster out with the rest of the regiment.

Oddly enough this not the end of the story, but rather in some ways the beginning. STUBBY became something of a celebrity.

He was made a lifetime member of the American legion and marched in every legion parade and attended every legion convention from the end of the war until his death. He was written about by practically every newspaper in the country at one time or another. He met three presidents of the United States Wilson, Harding and Coolidge and was a lifetime member of the Red Cross and YMCA. The Y offered him three bones a day and place to sleep for the rest of his life and he regularly hit the campaign trail, recruiting members for the American Red Cross and selling victory bonds.

[image error]In 1921 General Blackjack Pershing who was the supreme commander of American Forces during the War pinned STUBBY with a gold hero dog’s medal that was commissioned by the Humane Education Society the forerunner of our current Humane Society.

So famous was he that the Grand Hotel Majestic in New York City lifted its ban on dogs so that STUBBY could stay there enroute to one of many visits to Washington.

When J. Robert Conroy went to Georgetown to study law, STUBBY became the mascot for the football team joining a long list of Georgetown Hoya’s. Between the halves he would nudge a football around the field much to the delight of the crowd.

This little trick with the football became a standard feature of the repertoire of Georgetown mascots throughout the 20’s and 30’ and is thought by some to be the origin of the Half Time Show.

In 1926 STUBBY finally passed on. His obituary in the New York Times was three columns wide by Half a page long. Considerably more than many notables of his day.

He was eulogized by many from “Machinegun Parker” his old regimental commander to Clarence Edwards the wartime commander of the 26th Division. They all mourned his passing.

His remains were preserved and presented for display purposes to the Smithsonian.

Although “Stubby” is widely regarded as the Grandfather of the American War Dog he was not the first by any means. Dogs were commonplace during the Civil War as companions for the soldiers and during the Spanish-American War, “Jack Brutus” became the official mascot of Company K, First Connecticut Volunteer Infantry.  

Dogs were formally used during World War II, Korea and Vietnam in such roles as guards, and patrolling scouts but whether the dog is employed in a formal program or not you can be sure that wherever there are soldiers in need of comfort and companionship there will always be a faithful dog nearby.

Information for this post was taken in part from…http://www.ct.gov/mil/cwp/view.asp?a=...

Photographic Evidence Supplied by: The Smithsonian Institute and the 102nd Infantry Regimental Museum

Do you have any dog stories to share today? Any fun memories? 

Writer’s Wednesday with Kimberly Kincaid

 

 I am thrilled to have Kimberly Kincaid here today! [image error]  You’ll love getting to know her. Wait until you see the two covers!

Kimberly writes contemporary romance that splits the difference between sexy and sweet. When she’s not sitting cross-legged in an ancient desk chair known as “The Pleather Bomber”, she can be found practicing obscene amounts of yoga, whipping up anything from enchiladas to éclairs in her kitchen, or curled up with her nose in a book. Kimberly is a 2011 RWA Golden Heart® finalist who lives (and writes!) by the mantra that food is love. She has written two digital novellas, Love On The Line and Drawing The Line, about hot cops and sexy chefs, with a third novella, Outside The Lines, due this summer. She is also thrilled to have collaborated on a Christmas anthology with Donna Kauffman and Kate Angell, titled The Sugar Cookie Sweetheart Swap, to kick off her Pine Mountain foodie series with Kensington this October. Kimberly’s first full-length novel, Turn Up the Heat, will follow in February 2014. She resides in northern Virginia with her wildly patient husband and their three daughters. Visit her any time at www.kimberlykincaid.com or come check her out on Facebook (www.facebook.com/kimberly.kincaid1) and Twitter (@kimberlykincaid).

 Q. Do you do any special research for your novels?

I do a lot of food research, including creating and taste-testing the recipe in the back of each book (sometimes, there are disasters, but usually things turn out okay!) For the police research is Drawing The Line, I did email interviews with a police officer who was gracious enough to put up with my odd questions. And I also have a retired firefighter friend and a paramedic he knows who give me all the goods for injury-related stuff (and I tend to put a lot of those in). So yes—I research a lot!

Q. What made you pick your particular genre?

To be honest, I think it picked me. Foodie contemporaries just feel “right” to me, like a comfy pair of yoga pants or a great pair of heels. I like a lot of drama-based stories (both on TV and when pleasure-reading), so adding that element of suspense wasn’t a huge leap for me. I get very clear pictures of things in my head, and that makes the rest easier.

Q. What are you working on right now? Can you tell us about it?

I can! I’ve got two projects going right now. The first is the third and final “line” novella, Outside The Lines, which will be out at the end of July (it’s Dr. Blake Fisher’s story for those of you paying along at home). I’m also about halfway done with my fourth Pine Mountain book (my print series). I’ll tell the truth—it’s my favorite one yet! More suspense in that one, too.

Q. Do you ever hit the wall or find you’ve written yourself into a corner? How do you turn that around?

Oh, yeah. Usually when I’ve got writer’s block, I drive. No radio, just me and my characters. I know it sounds hokey, but having something rote to focus on while my imagination can turn things over helps wonders. Most of the time, I end up having to pull over to scrawl out an idea. Works like a charm for me!

Okay…enough with the business questions! How about some fun stuff. You know, just between the two of us.

Q. The opportunity to go on a surprise vacation arises. You have 90 minutes to pack and get to the airport. Where will you go and what will you pack?

I’m headed to Italy, no doubt! I’d pack notebooks, wine tour travel guides, and elastic pants. Then I’d eat my way across the country!

Q. Are you more likely to be spotlighted on the TV show Hoarders or Fashion Police? Haha, probably Hoarders for my book collection. My nephew built me the most gorgeous set of built-in bookshelves last year, and they go floor to ceiling across an 11-foot wall…and they’re full. I actually started an overflow shelf. But I can’t part with my books! It’s like giving away your children…

Q. If they make a movie about your life, who do you want to play your part?

You know, this is funny, because I dreamcast all of my books in detail, but the only person I could see being me is…well, me! But if Zooey Deschanel ‘s not busy, it wouldn’t be uncool to have her do it!

Q. Tell me one thing about you that might surprise us…it can be a secret…I won’t tell.

You do have that trustworthy look about you Let’s see…okay, this is something my friends tease me over. I have this unnatural fear of clowns. They freak me *right out*. I saw Stephen King’s “It” when I was probably too young for it, and man. That just did me in. I can write about conflict and life-or-death bad guys all day long, but that red, squeaky nose? Nope. Can’t do it!

Here’s the blurb!

[image error]When Detective Jason Morgan is tasked with keeping a local restaurant owner safe as part of a make-or-break case, he rises to the challenge. The job is his first priority, and he owes it to the memory of his father, a detective killed in the line of duty, to do it at any cost. But Jason never expected Serenity Gallagher to be so beautiful, so serious…or so tough to protect.

Serenity has moved from place to place at the whim of her capricious mother all her life. The last thing she wants is to leave the diner she finally calls home, even if it means being stuck with a sexy blue-eyed detective. But she’s the only witness to a horrible crime, and the man behind it wants her very, very dead. Going into protective custody means survival, no matter how much Serenity hates hiding.

As Jason and Serenity bide their time together, they are shocked to discover they have much more in common than the surface reveals. But keeping her safe is Jason’s number one priority, no matter how much he’s drawn in by the woman beneath the witness, and Serenity’s past makes it difficult to trust. As the stakes get higher and the spark burns hotter, can Jason and Serenity draw the line?

[image error]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monday Musings – Can we talk?

Can we talks about reviews?

I’m reading Cherry Adair’s latest release, AFTERGLOW. OMG. This woman can write. If you haven’t read one of her books go now! It won’t take but one, and you’ll be as addicted as I am!

She’s only one of my favorite’s and there’s a possibility, I may never meet her and that’s probably be just as well. Why? Because I’m too old to be having fan girl moments like I’d have.

But I’ll tell you what I am going to do. I’m going to take time to review the book.

 

 

So tell me, after you’ve purchased and read a book do you write a review, posting it on Amazon and Goodreads? Maybe even Barnes & Noble?

Do you think what you have to say isn’t important? Well, it is to me! Your comments mean more to me as an author than you probably realize. I value what my readers have to say. It’s you I want to please. You’re my gauge to success. So don’t ever think I don’t want to read what you have to say…to me, your opinion is invaluable.

Not only am I energized and rejuvenated by a good review, I learn from your comments. Other potential readers learn from you too. I noticed on Amazon where twelve people clicked on one review stating it was helpful to them prior to purchasing. Your words count.

I value and appreciate each individual who takes time out of their busy life to read my books and I look forward to their reviews.

Speaking of books. THE LAST EXECUTION officially releases and can be purchased at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and the other usual places. SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME, my 24,000 word short story releases October 9th, but will be on Amazon very soon in early release.

[image error]

 So how important are reviews to you? As a writer? A reader?