Jerrie Alexander's Blog, page 17

Amber Polo and The Shapeshifters’ Library

 

Welcome Amber Polo to the blog! Amber is a fellow animal lover. Today she shares a true story from her childhood and then gives us the scoop on her new series THE SHAPESHIFTERS’ LIBRARY.

 
Dog Bites Girl by Amber Polo
 

I sat on the wooden porch steps looking out at blue slivers of Wisconsin’s Little Muskego Lake peeking between oak tree trunks, while my mother scrubbed my grandfather’s log cottage getting it ready for summer.

I’d been told not to move off the porch and I was being very good—until a blur of black and white flew across the lawn, bounded up the steps, jumped at all two and a half feet of me. The black pug nose and bulgy eyes of the Boston Terrier next door bumped my face. I stood up. One of his teeth stuck into my cheek. I screamed.

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Grandpa came running, saw blood, wrapped me in a scratchy army blanket, and carried me to his black Ford. He drove to a country doctor—later he called him a horse doctor. My grandfather insisted the doctor apply a bandage so big it covered half my face to be sure the dog’s owners couldn’t miss it. Back home, he walked next door, carrying his shotgun, and suggested the “Boston bulldog” be destroyed.

As a petless kid, I had always loved dogs—at a distance. After that day, I shrieked at the sight of any dog, any size.

Every day for the rest of that summer, Grandpa, sweat re-staining the brim of his brown Fedora, wheeled my walker along the rutted country road. I whimpered every time we approached the yard with a barking dog. He always stopped and so stood close I inhaled the comforting smell of the old wool suit pants he wore for fishing. “It’s OK,” he told me. “The doggie’s behind the fence.”

Grandpa must have been right about that doctor. My scar stayed visible for the next thirty years. The fear mixed with fascination stayed until I got my first dog, a golden Cocker Spaniel who only looked dangerous when someone pretended to hurt me. 

When I found the picture of me on the steps, I guessed it was about the time of the dog bite. After I scanned it, for fun I zoomed in, and in and in. And I found my cheek was swollen, proving it must have been right after the bite. My mother must have removed the bandage for the photo.

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The second picture must be my dog talking to me or me reading to her.

 

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As a quirky librarian I love bringing to my books a look into another world with a little humor and a story to keep pages turning. My new series “The Shapeshifters’ Library” features a library full of librarians and dog-shifters trying to stay one step ahead of the book-burning werewolves. Book One “Released” is out. [image error]

 

Book Two “Retrieved” is coming later this month. Lots of dogs and lots of fun.

Blurb for “RELEASED” Book One of the Shapeshifters’ Library

Love dogs? Love books? Love libraries? Hate Book-burning werewolves?

Once long ago the Shipsfeather Academy was a training ground for an ancient race of dog-shifters whose mission was to protect the world’s knowledge. A powerful curse sealed these librarians in the basement of their building and gave the control of the town to a pack of book-burning werewolves. 

Librarian Liberty Cutter watches in horror as the town’s public library goes up in flames and plans to re-establish the library in the abandoned Shipsfeather Academy building. Chronus, the Old English Sheepdog headmaster of the academy and leader of the dog-shifters, knows he must make some changes to continue to keep his pack safe. But even if he could persuade Liberty to believe in a talking sheepdog, how far can she be trusted? And will she ever be able to care for him as a man. He has to try, because Liberty Cutter and her staff of zany librarians may hold the key to the dog-shifters’ freedom…and the future of the town.

 

“Released” is Book One of the Shapeshifters’ Library.

Book Two “Retrieved” is due out in late November.

Amazon Buy links for Released

Barnes and Noble Link

I’m also really good at relaxing people, so my latest book Contains all the tips a librarian/yoga teacher wants writers and readers to know. I wrote “Relaxing the Writer – Guidebook to the Writer’s High” to help everyone to sits to read and writes and recorded my relaxation CDs “Relaxing the Writer Relaxation” and “Relaxing the Writer Hand Meditation” to offer a way to learn to release stress!
I’ve written 2 romance novels, one with a paranormal twist a “Romancing Rebecca” and another “Flying Free” about living on an airpark (as I do) and a couple of shorts. Find me at www.amberpolo.com and my blog Wordshaping

 

Monday-Monday How Shemar Moore fits into my WIP

 I was tagged to share information on my current Work in Progress by these to lovely authors. Stop by their place and say hello! http://Allyshields.com  and http://susantaylor-wip.blogspot.com

Q. What is your working title of your book?

A. His To Lose

Q. Where did the idea come from for the book?

A. Ty Castillo was a secondary player in Hell or High Water, book one in the Lost and Found, Inc. series. I wanted to take him and me out of our element, so I plunked him down in the jungle in Colombia. Took a lot of research to pull this book off.

Q. What genre does your book fall under?

A. Romantic Suspense

Q. Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

A. Shemar Moore and Eva Mendes 

Q. What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

A. An assignment in the Colombian jungle goes rogue when an ex-Army Ranger is tasked to rescue a woman who doesn’t want to be rescued.

Q. Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

A. Neither. It’s on submission to an epublisher

Q. How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

A. I don’t track that but I’d guess six months. I edit as I go, so when the book is finished there’s not a lot of rewrites to do.

Q. What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

A. Can do it. I think all writers are uniquely different in the style.

Q. Who or what inspired you to write this book?

A. The desire to get out of my comfort zone and stretch. Researching and learning about Colombia, the jungle, the people and their fight against the drug cartels took a lot of effort but I think it was worth it.

Q. What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

A. It’s the clash of two cultures, the coming together of two people who are willing to fight for what they believe in, but ultimately sacrifice everything for love.

Okay, here’s the picture my critique partner sent…she said she’d found a picture of Ty in the shower scene in the book.

Tell us about your WIP!!

I tagged:

P.L. Parker at http://plparker.com

Clover Autrey at http://cloverautrey.org

Chrissy Szarek at http://www.caszarekwriter.blogspot.com

 

Wednesday Coffee – Vicki Batman shares one secret!

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To say I’m happy Vicki stopped by for coffee would be the understatement of the decade. She’s one of the nicest authors I’ve had the privilege to meet. Vicki’s wonderful sense of humor comes through in her writing and has resulted in reviewer comments like this one. “This story was such a fun read. I enjoyed the verbal sparring between the characters. Ms Batman writes such humorous tales and this one once again delivers. A quick read that will leave you smiling.”

Let’s get to some Q&A before she tells us about her new Christmas book. Go. Enjoy.

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

A. Since I write stories mostly, it is interesting to say yes, I do. I’ve researched plumbing, Christmas trees, Enid Collins holiday handbags, guns, gunshots, stolen car parts, stores, maps of places.  

Q. You write with a great sense of humor, which I think is a true art form. What made you pick this genre?

A. You know, I had no idea I had funny in me until long ago, a friend said you are so funny. I was like really? She said yes and so did the other girl with us. I think drips and drabs come out. I work over a manuscript until I get the perfect word to convey humor. So I say humor…came naturally.

Q. What is your schedule when you not writing?

A. I’m up by 6:20, out by 7:30 for workout, return, clean up, and sit butt in chair. Lunch, errands, and more in chair time. But I try to finish up by 5 and don’t do much on weekends. After Handsome had cancer, I really make sure we have time together. That’s more precious than anything, even my stories.

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

A. I’m working on a holiday story for next year! LOL. And it is giving me fits. It’s about a store owner who has to find a specific vintage handbag for a former high school classmate’s mom for Christmas. It isn’t easy and there’s a mean sister involved.

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

A. See new holiday story. All of the sudden, the couple was so lovely dovey and I went ick! I had to carry the conflict on longer and threw them together with the problem between them. Still hammering on it.

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

Favorite pastime when you’re not writing? Two-needlepoint and reading!

Cook in or eat out? Whatever!!

Do you have a pet? What did you name it and why? Two malti-poos, Champ and Jones.  Champ because he is littler and is the alpha. Jones from the last name-Indiana Jones. Scooter is my 18 year old kitty. I don’t even remember why we named her that except for my cats usually end with “er” names.

Beer or wine? Champagne cocktails

Steak or pizza? I have to choose?

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

It’s not a secret, secret any more. Once, I was Miss Oak Lawn Moped.  I won’t say much more except thank God it ended quickly and I did write a story with it. LOLOL.

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Blurb from Twinkle Lights: A do-gooder joins forces with a reformed delinquent turned lawyer to run a Christmas tree stand benefiting the children’s hospital. When the money goes missing, fingers are pointed.

Excerpt from Twinkle Lights:

         “I don’t believe it.” Hands on hips, I stood in front of the large, white tent. No happy shoppers bustled in and out. No All I Want For Christmas is You blasting from a boom box. No holiday cheer at all.

         Instead, I found under the same ol’ Axel’s Christmas Trees neon sign, which wasn’t flashing, a notice, which looked to be hastily printed and stuck on the tent flap with gray duct tape: Closed. Heart attack. And as an afterthought:  Pray.

         I shook my head, saying to the nippy wind whipping my hair, “Poor Axel. This is horrible. Where will the funds for the Sommerville Hospital come from?”

         My stomach kinked into a hard knot as I hugged my tote to my waist. I’d been buying my Christmas tree here since…forever. Definitely since I was a blossoming idea in my parents’ mind. Mom and Dad brought my brother and me to Axel’s the first Saturday in December every year for the family tree. Who could forget the ensuing arguments over the perfect one—Mom usually won—and the joy of trimming it.

         All grown up, I continued the tradition. Axel had the most beautiful trees. The stand benefited the hospital; this year, the children’s cancer wing where his grandson had undergone treatment for leukemia. He always-always-always stashed aside a seven-foot Fraser fir for me. Nothing spelled Christmas better than a fresh, North Carolina Fraser fir.

         Now what do I do? Where do I go? Should I call Axel’s son and see if he needs anything?

Monday-Monday Critique Partner or Jethro Gibbs?

Critique Partner or Leroy Jethro Gibbs?

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*sigh* Isn’t he gorgeous?

While writing The Green-Eyed Doll, I was fortunate enough to have more than one critique partner. They come in all shapes and sizes. Some have red hair, some brunette, and a few are blonde. (I have noticed a trait, they all seem to be a lot shorter than me) Collectively and individually, they encouraged me, corrected my grammar and punctuation, talked me through plot points, and in general, kept me sane.

Critique partners don’t just add commas or correct grammar. They talk plots and bounce ideas off each other. Share all the angst, pains, and joys that come with writing and getting a book published.

 In addition and most importantly, and this is for me only, as it might not work for you. I need an occasional metaphoric slap to the back of my head when I drag my feet, doubt myself and need a gentle push.  

For example, I received an email this morning, asking if I was using this article to avoid working on my book.

Seriously? Is there a spy cam hidden in my office?

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 Don’t tell her I said it, but this particular partner reminds me a little of Jethro Gibbs on NCIS. *smack* Not in appearance, she’s quite lovely, but you get the idea. 

Here are a few things, in my humble opinion a great critique partner brings to the table.

Honesty: I love it when someone tells me my work is good. But when a zillion different ideas are percolating around in my head, I need the truth. Feedback of the brutal kind is important to me. Is my heroine too stupid to live? My hero a jerk?

OMG! My daughter, my own flesh and blood, once wrote in the margin of my WIP…”There’s a great big ‘DUH’ here!” Grrrr. Darn it all…She was right!

Does my plot sound contrived? I try hard not to make these mistakes, but if I do.*smack*

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A keen eye: As many times as I read the page, I still miss things. A good critique partner watches for errors in punctuation, repeated words, typos, and run on sentences. I apparently love to leave out those annoying little words. Such as on, in, and at, those words just fly by my brain. Now I know the difference between of and off, but my finger only wants to hit that ‘f’ one time.

Feedback: A critique partner will read and reread the same pages while keeping an eye on the big picture. If I’ve strayed from the original idea, I’m challenged. She watches for things like does the book sag in the middle. Oh, and the ‘why’ question? It’s a great question. And if I don’t have a good answer? Yep…*smack*

Celebrate: Of course your family, friends, editor, agent, etc., want you to be successful. They cheer you on, bolster your ego, cook supper, and some even read your stories. And Lord knows, we love them and their support.

But the one person or group who’s pushed and prodded, read that book a dozen times, put their work on the back burner to critique yours, who talked you down off the ledge when you were certain nobody would buy your book, wiped your tears of disappointment, and screamed with joy when you have good news, is your critique partner. They care. Care almost as much as you do.

I pray that I give back in kind what I’ve received.

So if you’re a writer, do you have your own Jethro? Or two?  

 

 

Wednesday Coffee with Barb Han

Barb Han Gives Away More Than Her Secrets

There are times when I just have to admit I’ve lost control! Today is one of those times as I happily turn over the reins to newly published author, friend, and my critique partner Barb Han!

We interrupt this regularly scheduled blog post for the following special announcement:  Barb’s publisher has just informed her that Seducing Avery can be downloaded to Kindle FREE today! The promotion ends Nov. 4th.

Regular programming will resume in 3…2…1…

Q. Your stories are full of interesting locations. How do you research for your novels?

A. First of all, thanks for having me here, Jerrie. I love your blog! Traveling to new places is one of my very favorite things and I wish I could visit all the locations I write about. While I haven’t been to Hainan, the lighthouse scenes in Seducing Avery were inspired by an actual place I visited in Antigua. I rode horseback to the lighthouse with the red stripe that overlooked incredible surf. Beautiful beyond description, the experience left an indelible mark. I knew I’d use the site in a story some day. Ryker takes Avery there on the back of his motorcycle. For places I haven’t been and/or wish to go, I rely on Internet research. It’s fun. I can spend a whole day lost in the cyber world.

Q. What about your current release excites you the most?

A. It’s my debut. How exciting is that? There’s so much I love about the story. The people for one. Ryker has had the sort of childhood that could destroy a lesser man. His loyalty and love for his father is challenged in the worst possibly way at a very young age. When he discovered his mother was cheating, his love for his father kept him from revealing the truth. And yet, it also makes him unable to trust. He’s dark, edgy. He worked hard to make it on his own, despite having family money he could’ve relied on. Taking the easy way out was never an option for Ryker. He rose to the absolute top of the business world, standing on his own two feet. The thing about being at the top of anything means he’s alone. I love that Avery is the one woman who has the power to change him.

Q. Out of all your novels, which hero and heroine are your favorites? Why?

A. That’s a lot like asking me to choose which one of my children I love the most. I love them all. Writing about people I find interesting enough to want to spend time with…enjoy a nice cold beer or glass of wine…is an important aspect of character for me. Plus, books take a long time to write. If I didn’t invest my time with people I found interesting, that might feel a lot like being stuck on a transatlantic flight sandwiched between a guy who hasn’t bathed and my crazy cousin Ed who sells soap. I’d be reaching for my parachute so fast… What? No chute? That’d be one lo-o-ong flight.  

Q. What are you working on right now?

A. Thanks for asking. I’m working on another dark and dangerous billionaire story. I can’t share the details just yet but this guy has it all…wealth…power… He has no idea the woman who is about to walk into his office is the one who will turn his world upside down. *rubs hands together* I love heroes who live on the edge and can only be brought back by one woman, don’t you?

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

A. Sure, all the time. I loosely plot so that helps with not writing myself into a corner but there isn’t a wall I haven’t hit. Most of the time, I make a note and move on because I have a general idea of what the next main plot point is going to be. If that doesn’t work, I brainstorm ideas. Then, if that fails, I call in my critique partner. You might know her actually…her name is Jerrie.

Okay…enough with the business stuff. How about some personal information? You know just between the two of us.

Q. Cook in or eat out?

A. It’s grocery day at my house, (meaning: there’s no food in the house) so I’d have to say eat out. Cooking is fun and relaxing. I love spending time in the kitchen. My problem is time. With young kids, sports practices, homework, and my career, I end up feeding people. Not so fun. Feeding people is totally different than cooking. Cooking involves creating, getting messy, and using too many pans. I’d rather be in the kitchen playing. I made cherry turnovers from scratch this weekend. They weren’t pretty, but they sure tasted good.  

Q. Do you have a pet? What did you name it and why?

A. I have a big ole party dog by the name of Shaq. If he were in college, he’d be the frat boy wearing the beer bong on his head. His personality is, shall we say, even bigger than he is, and he’s 25 pounds heavier than most goldendoodles (but he wears it well). Anyway, he showed up with the name and we decided to keep it. It doesn’t hurt that we’re big into basketball.

Q. Beer or wine?

A. Yes. On a hot summer day, there’s nothing better than a cold beer, especially Blue Moon or Corona. I switch over to red wine when the temperatures cool outside.

Q. Steak or pizza?

A. Normally, I’d say both, but I have to admit I’m leaning toward pizza right now. We moved to a new house over the summer and there’s this amazing pizza place on the corner that takes deep dish to ‘out of this world’ status. Mmmm. Pizza. Is anyone else hungry right now?

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

Okay, but only if you promise not to tell anyone. Seriously! Because I’m really going to open up here. All right. *deep breaths* Here goes: I can recite all the states in alphabetical order. Okay, that’s not exactly true. I can sing them. I know what you’re thinking, and the answer is no. American Idol isn’t ready for me. And yet, I can’t stop myself. There’s no twelve-step program to help for it either. *sighs*

One last thing, please visit me at: www.barbhan.com, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, my newsletter has prizes and cool things just for subscribers.

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Blurb:

 

Avery McAdams believes in order to truly be herself she needs to keep her head down, her guard up and her focus on her career. Until she’s hired by sexy, charismatic Ryker Li to pull off the event of the century, and he shows up personally to convince her to handle his next party. When she meets him face-to-face, she realizes a piece of her wants him to see her as attractive, which goes against everything she’s convinced herself she believes.

Rich, powerful Ryker has made an art form of getting what he wants, when he wants it, and then moving on. But something about Avery makes him want to stick around. When he finds everything he never dreamed to look for in a woman, can the billionaire playboy commit to the biggest deal of all?

Or will a lifetime of mistrust and suspicion turn them forever into rivals?

 

 

 

The Next Big Thing -Tag you’re it

Welcome to The Next Big Thing  

The awesome author Larissa Reinhart tagged me in this interview game. Her new novel PORTRAIT OF A DEAD GUY, combines humor, mystery, and suspense. You can check her out at http://www.larissareinhart.com

I tagged some other authors at the bottom, so be sure to check out their answers and their books too.

Q. What is the title of your book?

A. The Green-Eyed Doll available December 7th, 2012

Q. Where did the idea come from for the book?

A. The ‘what if’ and ‘why’ questions. I wanted a story about a survivor, a woman who took control of her life. So I gave her obstacles to overcome. I’d researched profiles of serial killers and found tons of interesting information. The idea a doll might trigger his break with reality came one night during a discussion with my daughter.  

Q. What genre does your book fall under?

A. Romantic Suspense

Q. Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

A. Alex O’Loughlin and Nichole Kidman

 

Q. What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book? 


A. A woman running from her past and a Texas sheriff battle a killer who wants her for his next green-eyed doll.

Q. Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

A. Neither. The Wild Rose Press will publish this book.

Q. How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

A. Close to six months. I wish I could write faster but that method doesn’t work for me. Each morning, I edit yesterdays work before I move on. The plus side to my style is when the first draft is complete, I don’t do a lot of rewriting.

Q. What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

A. Wow…that’s a tough one. My stories tend to have a lot of passion, and I don’t only mean the sex.  But let’s be honest, each author is a little different. When I grow up, I want to be Linda Howard!

Q. Who or what inspired you to write this book?

A. As I said, the seed for the killer came from research. I wanted my heroine to have been through a really bad time, but to have survived and become stronger.

Q. What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

A. Aside from the really hot sex, I hope readers will find the heroine’s determination and resiliency inspiring. She goes through a lot in order to reach her happy ever after.

Okay, for all you authors out there…here are the rules:

Give credit to the person/blog that tagged you
Post the rules for this hop
Answer these ten questions about your Next Big Thing on your blog
Tag two or more writers/bloggers and add their links so we can hop over and meet them.

I tagged these two wonderful authors.

http://www.ellisvidler.com

http://www.alysonreuben.com

 

 

 

 

Wednesday Coffee with Larissa Reinhart

Welcome! Grab a cup of coffee, have a seat, and let’s get to know Larissa Reinhart author of PORTRAIT OF A DEAD GUY. [image error]

I recently read this book and can honestly say, I loved it. To make a reader laugh out loud is a real talent. Larissa made me laugh, fall in love with her characters, and cheer to learn one special guy has his own book coming. Let’s ask Larissa a few questions.

Welcome, Larissa.

First, thanks so much for having me on your blog, Jerrie! Can’t wait for the Green Eyed Doll to come out!

Thank you!

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

A. My research is scattershot. I try to not get too involved in research, or I’ll be sucked in for hours and not write or want to put too many details in just because I learned something interesting, which may not be necessary in the story. However, in my second Cherry Tucker mystery, I took a toxic forensics class because there’s a poisoning incident. Loved that class and I learned so much!

 Q. You write with a great sense of humor, which I think is a true art form. What made you pick this genre?

A. The characters come to me before the genre, so the genre is almost accidental. I thought I was writing a romance, but dead bodies kept cropping up! So I later learned from my editor PORTRAIT is a “amateur detective mystery.”

Q. What is your schedule when you not writing?

A. What? I don’t understand your question. You mean when the kids are at home? My schedule is kids and writing and sometimes we go on vacation. LOL.

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

A. I’m starting my edits for STILL LIFE IN BRUNSWICK STEW, Cherry Tucker’s second mystery that comes out in May. Two other Henery Press writers — Terri L. Austin and LynDee Walker — and I have started writing a Christmas anthology with our characters, Rose Strickland, Nichelle Clarke, and Cherry Tucker. That’s a fun experience brainstorming with other writers. I’m also developing another mystery series that takes place in Japan with another Southern redneck. And I’m rewriting a paranormal romantic suspense that’s a bit darker than the mysteries.

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

A. Of course! Sometimes it’s at Chapter Three and sometimes it’s at the climax. Generally, it’s because I took the story in the wrong direction and need to back up and try again. So, that’s what I do. Reread what I’ve written and try to figure out what went wrong.

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

Q. Favorite pastime when you’re not writing?

A. Hanging out with my family, particularly while traveling. I also love to read and watch Sons of Anarchy.

Q. Cook in or eat out?

A. Eat out. Always.

Q. Do you have a pet? What did you name it and why?

A. Biscuit the Cairn Terrier. My kids named him Biscuit (we do live in the South). I wanted to name him Steve and got voted down.

Q. Beer or wine?

A. Beer. Used to be wine, but it goes straight to my head.

Q. Steak or pizza?

A. Pizza! Although I do like steak.

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

A. Ha ha. My mother loves to tell everyone I’m brain damaged. And she uses my inability to do math to prove it. Just kidding. Actually, I had a slight case of cerebral palsy when I was young and worked through it with physical therapy. My mother blames the forceps (which in her story sounds more like salad tongs) and does seem to enjoy telling me I’m brain damaged. But mostly when I tick her off.

Bio:

Larissa considers herself lucky to have taught English in Japan, escaped a ferocious monkey in Thailand, studied archaeology in Egypt, and survived teaching high school history in the US.  After moving around the midwest, the south and Japan, she now lives in Georgia with her husband, daughters, and Biscuit, a Cairn Terrier.

She loves small town characters with big attitudes, particularly sassy women with a penchant for trouble. PORTRAIT OF A DEAD GUY (Henery Press, August 28, 2012) is a 2012 Daphne du Maurier finalist, a 2012 The Emily finalist, and a 2011 Dixie Kane Memorial winner. Cherry Tucker’s second mystery, STILL LIFE N BRUNSWICK STEW, will release in May 2013. When she’s not writing about southern fried chicken, she writes about Asian fried chicken at her blog about life as an ex-expat at theexpatreturneth.blogspot.com. You can find Larissa chatting on Facebook; Twitter; and Goodreads. You can also find more information on her website at larissareinhart.com.

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Blurb:

In Halo, Georgia, folks know Cherry Tucker as big in mouth, small in stature, and able to sketch a portrait faster than buckshot rips from a ten gauge — but commissions are scarce. So when the well-heeled Branson family wants to memorialize their murdered son in a coffin portrait, Cherry scrambles to win their patronage from her small town rival.

As the clock ticks toward the deadline, Cherry faces more trouble than just a controversial subject. Her rival wants to ruin her reputation, her ex-flame wants to rekindle the fire, and someone’s setting her up to take the fall. Mix in her flaky family, an illegal gambling ring, and outwitting a killer on a spree, Cherry finds herself painted into a corner she’ll be lucky to survive.

Buy Links:

Amazon Kindle     B&N Nook     Kobo

Amazon Paperback     B&N Paperback

 

What Real Men Wish Women Knew

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Occasionally, I troll the internet reading different articles on how to better myself. Huh? Okay, I didn’t think you’d believe that line. Truth is, I’d hit a tough spot while working on revisions of HIS TO LOSE, the second book in the LOST and FOUND, Inc series, and I was avoiding tackling the problem.

One particular article caught my eye. Could it be? Had someone actually learned what men wished women knew about them! Woot!

This information would be invaluable. I’d gather these pearls of wisdom, commit them to memory, and use my newly discovered knowledge when I write. All my heroes are alpha males, and for Sheriff Matt Ballard in THE GREEN-EYED DOLL, I worked hard to portray those characteristics. Armed with this new insight, I could ensure the male point of view in my current work in progress would be off the chart realistic.

Well, not all of my bright ideas work out. Really. Just ask my husband about the time I bought twenty baby chickens.

No on second thought…don’t mention it around him. Anyway…

The fifteen men who’d answered this brilliant and insightful question were football stars, movie actors and singers. Now, I’m not against getting their opinion. I’m just not sure they were giving their honest opinion. Okay, a couple of them were. The rest gave nothing away. Their answers were politically correct.

I particularly questioned the truthfulness of the guy who’s never seen without a drop-dead, pencil-thin, gorgeous babe on his arm. He wants us to know that looks aren’t the only thing that matters. Another said we shouldn’t try so hard to impress.

Anyway, I decided to do my own pole, promising anonymity to the ‘real everyday’ men if they nswered my email. My question went to average guys who work regular jobs, some are married, but to keep things fair, I tossed in a few single guys.  

Okay, one’s not average. He’s a retired SEAL and there’s nothing average about these men. But heroes have opinions and this one shared his with me. I’ll leave it to you to guess which answer is his.

This was my question. What do you wish women knew about men?

1.) Men don’t like to talk.

2.) The words “Let’s share” shuts him down.

3.) Men are not natural communicators verbally. We communicate through action. Things don’t always come out in words.

4.) There’s a lot of strategy and thought in football…it’s not just men sitting around drinking beer.

5.) We want women to realize we are simple creatures. Feed us, have sex with us and we are happy. Everything after that is gravy.

6.) I wish women wouldn’t ask us a question if they didn’t want the answer.

7.) When we don’t say anything, it’s ok. When we say insensitive things, we didn’t mean it.

8.) That men do care what women think.

9.) That men have emotions too.

10.) Women are not the boss.

11) That men do not like to be judged.

12.) Don’t compare your current significant other to ones from your past. We are all different. We are not someone you used to know. Don’t compare and judge us.

So, what do you think your man  would say?

Can you guess which one came from the SEAL? The retired grandfather? The hospital administrator?

 

Forgive the blatant self promo. The blog tour is in December. I’ve have a schedule soon, and I’m hoping you will join me. Maybe you’ll win one of the gift cards.

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When a rescue dog rescues you.

Monday-Monday-When a rescue dog rescues you.

Or when the universe spoke – we listened!

I’ll confess right up front. I’m animal lover. Granted most of them have been horses. And at one time the Alexander place housed two kids, eleven horses, two dogs, and one cat. (Except for the time I bought twenty baby chickens, but that another post)                                                                              

So while working on The Green-Eyed Doll, I wasn’t too surprised when a big mixed-breed yellow Lab turned up in the book and befriended Sheriff Matt Ballard. Distrusting and hungry, he adopted Matt, showing up to eat but shying away from any contact. The scene worked. They needed each other. So the no-name dog stayed.

Now meet Buddy. I found him out back, flat on his side, too weak to raise his head. Unable to go any further, he’d gone down and had given up. His wounds weren’t visible under all that hair, but we rushed him to the vet where she uncovered bite marks from a much larger dog. Of course, with him weighing in at seven pounds, most dogs were bigger. He was dehydrated and malnourished. He needed to be neutered and wormed, but his system wouldn’t tolerate harsh medicines. So Buddy came home with us while I set out to find his owner.

We were without pets and liked it that way. Okay, we thought we liked it that way. I called every establishment I could think of, printed pictures, and put up posters everywhere I could get permission.

I called the humane society and asked if anyone had been by looking for a lost dog. They hadn’t. The woman said if I brought him to them, they’d keep him two weeks and then euthanize him if unclaimed. That was sooo not happening.

I expected a kid, tears running down his cheeks, to show up at our door clutching the dog’s picture to his chest wanting his pet back. Of course, we were going to give him over.

This coming Thursday, October 18, Buddy celebrates a year as a permanent member of our household. His bed is next to ours, his doggie door is in place and a good part of 2 acres is fenced. He loves it out there, but most of the time he’s close by stretched out enjoying life.

I can’t say we rescued Buddy. It’s more like he rescued us. He brought unconditional love with him. If you ever need assurance that a rescue dog knows who stepped up and saved its life…adopt one. You’ll be a believer.

 

Buddy’s come a long way, taking us with him. We’re assuming he came to us for a reason. We needed him. The universe spoke, and we listened. How about you? Ever been given a gift by the universe that you didn’t know you needed?

Monday-Monday Jerrie’s Hats and More Hats

It’s All About POV!

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What do hats have to do with my writing? Okay. Close your eyes. Imagine me sitting in front of my computer. Got it? I have my writing hat on, and I’m searching for my next victim. 

Soon I’m killing off character’s who refuse to do what I want. People who don’t understand that I will not tolerate them not bending to my will. People who don’t realize how damaged I am inside. People who die for not bending to my will.

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Then I slip on my heroine’s hat of mystery. How’d she get into this mess? Strong willed and brave, she’ll do what it takes to solve the mystery and survive. Maybe, as she fights her way through her story, she’ll fall in love on the way.

 

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Ah, the hero. *sigh* Okay, so he doesn’t have a hat. Getting into the mind of a hundred percent kick ass male, who doesn’t think he needs love to survive, is great fun. Hat or no hat. If I struggle with his persona, I’ll turn to my standby song, Holding Out For A Hero. If you don’t know this one, please, go to iTunes and look up Bonnie Tyler. 

 

While writing The Green-Eyed Doll, as with all of my books, I wore many different hats. Now, I don’t really have a wall of hats that I swap back and forth, although I do think I look quite good in one. It’s all in my head and done metaphorically. For me it’s a method. It’s my way to dig deep into the characters persona and tell the story from his/her point of view without my ideas or morals interfering.

Not that I’d be opposed to putting on a black fedora or silver belly Stetson if I thought it would get me past a particularly hard scene to write.

Shoot, I’d write naked if it worked. But that’s another post.

After all of my research is complete and I understand their motivations, immersing myself in a character, trying to feel and react as he or she would, is the best way for me to develop separate and distinguishable personalities for each person in the book.

What about you? Maybe you have a trick you can share. You don’t have to be a writer to slip into a character’s point of view. Maybe at the movies you lose yourself. Ever become Merle Streep? Or Alex O’Loughlin?

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Come on, not even as a kid? Maybe John Wayne?

One announcement today! I’m two months away from the release of THE GREEN-EYED DOLL. I’m doing a virtual book tour and will have more information soon.

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