I really did take the time to write a decent blog post for this week. Unfortunately, my effort to poke fun at my experiences with the medical profession came off sounding like a cruel dig at the doctors so I deleted it. Instead I'll summarize without the humor and hope you don't have similar experiences.
My OBGYN insists that I'm pre- menopausal (whatever that means . . .) also advised me to stop stepping on my bathroom scales. The other advise given doesn't warrant mention more than it felt all wrong. So I got a second opinion.
The second opinion recommended that I make a drastic diet change to meat and veggies and when asked for how long he merely smiled.
Following their advice, I've experienced what a family member calls an anorexic weight loss.
Two months later, I've quit taking the prescriptions, decided to ignore the diet changes and FINALLY start to feel better. Of course the doctors are both fuming---how dare I take my health into my own hands?
The moral to all this? Don't let doctors meddle with nature. It will, at its own pace take care of itself. Will the weight come back on? Oh, I'm sure I'll find it over the coming years!
August 9, 2011
August 3, 2011
Latest WIP Update
While His Precious Treasure cools so that we (I and a friend who has consented to line edit it) can come back and attack it with fresh eyes for the polishing process, a new story is unfolding in the living room of my mind. This is a much more complex story.
In the mean time you will notice the first two chapters here on my blog (I'm playing my Daisy Petal Pulling Game to decide just how much will be posted.) I know, real scientific . . .
One week in and I've reached the 8,500 word count in the new WIP (Even after gutting 600 words of unneccessary back story and fluff.) As of yet the novel is untitled without even a hint of an idea for such tapping at the edges of my mind. My other half has suggested "Hand-off."
This new piece is a Time-travel of sorts with a few twists and turns. The opening chapters remind me of a resent favorite, Blackberry Crumble by Josi Kilpack.
Mimicing is the greatest form of flattery . . . or something like that. I love Josi's writing, what can I say?
Visit next Saturday for the next installment of His Precious Treasure and let me know if you're dying to read more here. Otherwise I'll save it for the publisher.
In the mean time you will notice the first two chapters here on my blog (I'm playing my Daisy Petal Pulling Game to decide just how much will be posted.) I know, real scientific . . .
One week in and I've reached the 8,500 word count in the new WIP (Even after gutting 600 words of unneccessary back story and fluff.) As of yet the novel is untitled without even a hint of an idea for such tapping at the edges of my mind. My other half has suggested "Hand-off."
This new piece is a Time-travel of sorts with a few twists and turns. The opening chapters remind me of a resent favorite, Blackberry Crumble by Josi Kilpack.
Mimicing is the greatest form of flattery . . . or something like that. I love Josi's writing, what can I say?
Visit next Saturday for the next installment of His Precious Treasure and let me know if you're dying to read more here. Otherwise I'll save it for the publisher.
August 1, 2011
He Loves Me . . . He Loves Me Not . . .
So it's taken me a little longer than I thought it would to pull all the petals off the daisy (yeah, two whole weeks.)
But, since this past weekend I shared the first scene of His Precious Treasure I decided that you might want me to share the why in the title.
A brief overview of our story:
When a surgeon’s mistake leaves Kimmy Langley in a wheelchair, she must demonstrate her assertive nature in spite of her disability.
Trevor Palmer comes to town determined to find his grandfather’s hidden mine. His world literally caves in on him when his mine collapses, leaving him in a wheelchair of his own. If Kimmy is to follow her life-long dream of training horses and riders, she must move hundreds of miles away. Sure that her feelings for Trevor are misplaced, she leaves him to cope with adjusting to his life without her. Young and free spirited, Kimmy falls in love with another. Soon fate turns the tables, threatening her life and her chance at true love. Only Trevor cares enough to save her life, if he can.
(You might choose to read the first scene in the previous post on July 29, 2011.)
At the time we join the story in the following snippet, Kimmy is HIS (Trevor's) house guest. (I know--How did that happen?) Let's see what's happening . . .
“You’re kidding!”
“No, I’m not kidding. But it’s getting late and it’ll get cold in here, too. Since you seem to want the bed, get. Or I might change my mind and make you sleep in the truck!”
“Will you tuck me in?” Kim begged.
“Go brush your teeth and I’ll come tuck you in on my way back to this overly comfortable chair.”
Trevor waited five minutes before hobbling into the bathroom to brush his teeth. It wouldn’t do to have bad breath when he tucked her in. He took longer than usual, planning his strategy.
He wore his usual manner as he entered the room, not wanting to give her the slightest clue to his plans. He sat on the edge of the bed without a word, securely tucking her in on both sides. A hint of mischief curled the corners of his lips seconds before he commenced his tickle attack.
Kim writhed out of control unable to get very far in her cocoon. “Oh, you skunk! This isn’t fair! I asked you to tuck me in not torture me.”
“Torture? That isn’t torture, this is.” He leaned over her kissing her deeply. As Kim came up for air, he made another pass. His hands went under her, searching . . . Unable to get under the blankets without paying close attention to his hands, Trevor stopped and scooted to the foot of the bed. He sat still, taking several deep breaths to regain his self-control. “Now, stopping is the torture. Goodnight my Princess.”
Unlike the previous night, he locked the door and pulled it closed behind him. His precious treasure would remain safe from the nearest danger on this night. He steeled his nerves, returning to the bathroom for a cold shower.
Hooked yet? Let me know what you think . . .
But, since this past weekend I shared the first scene of His Precious Treasure I decided that you might want me to share the why in the title.
A brief overview of our story:
When a surgeon’s mistake leaves Kimmy Langley in a wheelchair, she must demonstrate her assertive nature in spite of her disability.
Trevor Palmer comes to town determined to find his grandfather’s hidden mine. His world literally caves in on him when his mine collapses, leaving him in a wheelchair of his own. If Kimmy is to follow her life-long dream of training horses and riders, she must move hundreds of miles away. Sure that her feelings for Trevor are misplaced, she leaves him to cope with adjusting to his life without her. Young and free spirited, Kimmy falls in love with another. Soon fate turns the tables, threatening her life and her chance at true love. Only Trevor cares enough to save her life, if he can.
(You might choose to read the first scene in the previous post on July 29, 2011.)
At the time we join the story in the following snippet, Kimmy is HIS (Trevor's) house guest. (I know--How did that happen?) Let's see what's happening . . .
“You’re kidding!”
“No, I’m not kidding. But it’s getting late and it’ll get cold in here, too. Since you seem to want the bed, get. Or I might change my mind and make you sleep in the truck!”
“Will you tuck me in?” Kim begged.
“Go brush your teeth and I’ll come tuck you in on my way back to this overly comfortable chair.”
Trevor waited five minutes before hobbling into the bathroom to brush his teeth. It wouldn’t do to have bad breath when he tucked her in. He took longer than usual, planning his strategy.
He wore his usual manner as he entered the room, not wanting to give her the slightest clue to his plans. He sat on the edge of the bed without a word, securely tucking her in on both sides. A hint of mischief curled the corners of his lips seconds before he commenced his tickle attack.
Kim writhed out of control unable to get very far in her cocoon. “Oh, you skunk! This isn’t fair! I asked you to tuck me in not torture me.”
“Torture? That isn’t torture, this is.” He leaned over her kissing her deeply. As Kim came up for air, he made another pass. His hands went under her, searching . . . Unable to get under the blankets without paying close attention to his hands, Trevor stopped and scooted to the foot of the bed. He sat still, taking several deep breaths to regain his self-control. “Now, stopping is the torture. Goodnight my Princess.”
Unlike the previous night, he locked the door and pulled it closed behind him. His precious treasure would remain safe from the nearest danger on this night. He steeled his nerves, returning to the bathroom for a cold shower.
Hooked yet? Let me know what you think . . .
July 29, 2011
His Precious Treasure
His Precious Treasure is rated PG-13 for brief violence.
This excerpt is approx. 750 words
“I’m never going to walk again.” Kimmy said avoiding Lee’s eyes. She couldn’t let him see her pain. She must be strong. The sun set, shooting its last brilliant rays through the few clouds, giving a peaceful evening glow to her birthday. Kimmy watched the sunset paint the mountains beneath varying hues of orange and purple.
Lee folded his arms in disbelief. “You’re kidding, right?”
Kimmy shifted uneasily in her chair her long auburn hair falling over her shoulder. “Do I look like I’m kidding?”
“But the therapist . . . she said that there has been improvement.” Lee cocked his head as if to claim his twenty-one years of experience a wealth of knowledge.
Kimmy dropped her gaze to her hands. The evening had started so wonderfully. She had planned and waited almost a week for this perfect setting on the back porch to share this news, including her new shirt of soft blues and light chocolate brown jeans. It wasn’t going well.
“The therapist isn’t a doctor. Dr. Buzzy, the quack, referred her. For all we know her license is as squeaky clean as his,” Kimmy scoffed.
“Maybe your folks should take you for a second opinion.” Lee looked like a scared jackrabbit.
“A second opinion? Dr. Mason is the second opinion. He is recognized as the best in his field.”
“Every doctor makes mistakes. Maybe . . .”
“Dr. Buzzy made the mistake! And I’m the one that gets to pay for it. Maybe you think I asked for this?” Kimmy asked in disdain, indicating her wheelchair.
“I didn’t mean . . .”
“What did you mean?” Her hand settled close to the empty pitcher on the table beside her, her mother’s best.
Lee shook his head. “What about our plans? Are you just going to throw them away?”
His lack of support angered Kimmy. She needed to release her frustrations. Almost without thought she reached for a glass of lemonade but stopped, her hand resting against the nearly empty crystal pitcher.
“I haven’t changed the plan Lee. Have you?”
“You’ve got to be kidding!” He stood, stepping away from her. “Look at you. You aren’t going anywhere.”
Kimmy huffed in frustration. His expression seemed cold almost distant, less supportive somehow. She wanted to tell him she loved him even if it meant from her wheelchair the rest of her life. Wasn’t that enough?
“Lee, I haven’t lied to you. As soon as we knew I might not walk again, I told you. Dr. Mason has monitored my nominal improvement since then. I’ve worked hard. Last week he stated his findings before the judge in my case against Dr. Buzzy. I’m not going to get better. This is the best it’s going to get.”
“What you said was that you might be in a wheelchair. You didn’t mention anything about forever,” Lee argued.
“I’ve shared every update with you. I never said I was going to get out of this chair. You assumed when you thought this was temporary. I still love you. We can change our dreams to fit. We can still get married,” Kimmy said, trying to rein in her frustration.
“What about all the things we were going to do, places we want to see? Don’t you want to walk on the beach with me?” Lee’s positive balloon of support over the past four years quickly deflated.
“It’s not the end of the world. We can still do some of those things.”
“From a wheelchair? Not likely,” Lee huffed.
“You aren’t in this chair. I am. You do, I’ll watch and cheer you on.”
“You’re not a cheerleader.”
Kimmy’s world cracked. Not a cheerleader? She was the head cheerleader at the local high school! Or was going to be . . . before the accident.
“Lee,” her words came out sounding strained. “Don’t you love me? I’m the same girl. I haven’t changed.”
“You’re not the same Kimmy. We’re not the same.” Lee stepped closer to the screen door and his exit route before turning back to face her. “Maybe it isn’t the end of the world, but it has to be the end of us. I don’t want a wife in a wheelchair. I’m sorry.”
Lee opened the screen door, making his escape. The front door slammed behind him.
Kimmy grasped the nearest thing, throwing the pitcher at Lee’s retreating form. “Son of a bitch!” The pitcher hit the doorframe, shattering.
This excerpt is approx. 750 words
“I’m never going to walk again.” Kimmy said avoiding Lee’s eyes. She couldn’t let him see her pain. She must be strong. The sun set, shooting its last brilliant rays through the few clouds, giving a peaceful evening glow to her birthday. Kimmy watched the sunset paint the mountains beneath varying hues of orange and purple.
Lee folded his arms in disbelief. “You’re kidding, right?”
Kimmy shifted uneasily in her chair her long auburn hair falling over her shoulder. “Do I look like I’m kidding?”
“But the therapist . . . she said that there has been improvement.” Lee cocked his head as if to claim his twenty-one years of experience a wealth of knowledge.
Kimmy dropped her gaze to her hands. The evening had started so wonderfully. She had planned and waited almost a week for this perfect setting on the back porch to share this news, including her new shirt of soft blues and light chocolate brown jeans. It wasn’t going well.
“The therapist isn’t a doctor. Dr. Buzzy, the quack, referred her. For all we know her license is as squeaky clean as his,” Kimmy scoffed.
“Maybe your folks should take you for a second opinion.” Lee looked like a scared jackrabbit.
“A second opinion? Dr. Mason is the second opinion. He is recognized as the best in his field.”
“Every doctor makes mistakes. Maybe . . .”
“Dr. Buzzy made the mistake! And I’m the one that gets to pay for it. Maybe you think I asked for this?” Kimmy asked in disdain, indicating her wheelchair.
“I didn’t mean . . .”
“What did you mean?” Her hand settled close to the empty pitcher on the table beside her, her mother’s best.
Lee shook his head. “What about our plans? Are you just going to throw them away?”
His lack of support angered Kimmy. She needed to release her frustrations. Almost without thought she reached for a glass of lemonade but stopped, her hand resting against the nearly empty crystal pitcher.
“I haven’t changed the plan Lee. Have you?”
“You’ve got to be kidding!” He stood, stepping away from her. “Look at you. You aren’t going anywhere.”
Kimmy huffed in frustration. His expression seemed cold almost distant, less supportive somehow. She wanted to tell him she loved him even if it meant from her wheelchair the rest of her life. Wasn’t that enough?
“Lee, I haven’t lied to you. As soon as we knew I might not walk again, I told you. Dr. Mason has monitored my nominal improvement since then. I’ve worked hard. Last week he stated his findings before the judge in my case against Dr. Buzzy. I’m not going to get better. This is the best it’s going to get.”
“What you said was that you might be in a wheelchair. You didn’t mention anything about forever,” Lee argued.
“I’ve shared every update with you. I never said I was going to get out of this chair. You assumed when you thought this was temporary. I still love you. We can change our dreams to fit. We can still get married,” Kimmy said, trying to rein in her frustration.
“What about all the things we were going to do, places we want to see? Don’t you want to walk on the beach with me?” Lee’s positive balloon of support over the past four years quickly deflated.
“It’s not the end of the world. We can still do some of those things.”
“From a wheelchair? Not likely,” Lee huffed.
“You aren’t in this chair. I am. You do, I’ll watch and cheer you on.”
“You’re not a cheerleader.”
Kimmy’s world cracked. Not a cheerleader? She was the head cheerleader at the local high school! Or was going to be . . . before the accident.
“Lee,” her words came out sounding strained. “Don’t you love me? I’m the same girl. I haven’t changed.”
“You’re not the same Kimmy. We’re not the same.” Lee stepped closer to the screen door and his exit route before turning back to face her. “Maybe it isn’t the end of the world, but it has to be the end of us. I don’t want a wife in a wheelchair. I’m sorry.”
Lee opened the screen door, making his escape. The front door slammed behind him.
Kimmy grasped the nearest thing, throwing the pitcher at Lee’s retreating form. “Son of a bitch!” The pitcher hit the doorframe, shattering.
July 28, 2011
Killer Carrot Cake
Coulda sworn I had this recipe buried deep in this blog, but it ain't here and so, since I invited friends to come visit and find the recipe, here it is.
1 box commercial spice cake mix.
1-2 cups left over "Mormon Carrot Salad" (you know the one with shredded carrots, raisins and good ol' Miracle Whip)
Follow directions on cake mix box. Bake a little longer and frost with your favorite cream cheese frosting. Easy!
Hint: If you like knowing you've got raisins in your cake, don't use an electric mixer.
1 box commercial spice cake mix.
1-2 cups left over "Mormon Carrot Salad" (you know the one with shredded carrots, raisins and good ol' Miracle Whip)
Follow directions on cake mix box. Bake a little longer and frost with your favorite cream cheese frosting. Easy!
Hint: If you like knowing you've got raisins in your cake, don't use an electric mixer.
Part 3 of Interview with Liz Adair
Tell us about your all time favorite character of your creating.
I think Spider Latham is my favorite character. He’s an ordinary man having a tough old row. He’s put in situations where he has to do heroic things, but he certainly doesn’t see himself as a hero. He’s just a likeable guy.
Anything else you want to share . . .
Well, yes, actually. I have a new book coming out this fall in August or September, though I don’t have an exact date or even a title, yet. It’s set in Northwest Washington in the fictional town of Limestone, a small, backwoods town on the (fictional) Hiesel River. It’s my valentine to the small town of Concrete, upriver from where I live here in Washington. I taught school there years ago—probably before you were born, Shaunna.
You're not that old.
During the early part of the 20th Century, a great number of people migrated from North Carolina to work in the timber industry around here. They brought a lot of their traditions with them and still proudly call themselves Tarheels. My new book is about a young woman who comes from an urban area to work in the rural school system upriver and meets up with an alien culture. It’s a romance with a bit of intrigue—one of those cheap vacations.
Thank you so much for interviewing me. You do a great service to writers by having us over to your blog. I hope I can return the favor some day.
Liz, it's been a pleasure! I understand that the new release is "Cold River" coming out this fall. I'll be watching for it and hope many of my readers look for it as well.
From one Washingtonian to another . . . thank you!
I think Spider Latham is my favorite character. He’s an ordinary man having a tough old row. He’s put in situations where he has to do heroic things, but he certainly doesn’t see himself as a hero. He’s just a likeable guy.
Anything else you want to share . . .
Well, yes, actually. I have a new book coming out this fall in August or September, though I don’t have an exact date or even a title, yet. It’s set in Northwest Washington in the fictional town of Limestone, a small, backwoods town on the (fictional) Hiesel River. It’s my valentine to the small town of Concrete, upriver from where I live here in Washington. I taught school there years ago—probably before you were born, Shaunna.
You're not that old.
During the early part of the 20th Century, a great number of people migrated from North Carolina to work in the timber industry around here. They brought a lot of their traditions with them and still proudly call themselves Tarheels. My new book is about a young woman who comes from an urban area to work in the rural school system upriver and meets up with an alien culture. It’s a romance with a bit of intrigue—one of those cheap vacations.
Thank you so much for interviewing me. You do a great service to writers by having us over to your blog. I hope I can return the favor some day.
Liz, it's been a pleasure! I understand that the new release is "Cold River" coming out this fall. I'll be watching for it and hope many of my readers look for it as well.
From one Washingtonian to another . . . thank you!
July 25, 2011
A Wheelchair - not Deaf, Dumb or Blind
Why is it that when I occupy my wheelchair, people assume that I’m deaf, dumb, and blind? Are you?
I am not deaf. I hear things you miss every day, my child’s tears for example. When was the last time you listened, really listened to anyone’s tears?
I am not dumb. Dumb, according to Merriam-Webster’s 11th Edition means lacking the power of human speech. That doesn’t mean yelling or even raising one’s voice. Hopefully it means the ability to communicate with the family member or friend who’s tears you’ve just listened to.
I am not blind. I see the pain on the child’s face when you ignore him. I see the friend, whose chair you appear frightened of. I see their pain at your lack of acceptance. I see you pull into the handicapped parking space and jump out of your car to run, yes run, into the store. I see the sweet old man that is forced by your disregard to limp twice as far to reach the store front. I see you dodge around the corner, apparently embarrassed to acknowledge me.
Oh yes, I may occupy a wheelchair, but I am very able. Able in ways you cannot conceive.
I am not deaf. I hear things you miss every day, my child’s tears for example. When was the last time you listened, really listened to anyone’s tears?
I am not dumb. Dumb, according to Merriam-Webster’s 11th Edition means lacking the power of human speech. That doesn’t mean yelling or even raising one’s voice. Hopefully it means the ability to communicate with the family member or friend who’s tears you’ve just listened to.
I am not blind. I see the pain on the child’s face when you ignore him. I see the friend, whose chair you appear frightened of. I see their pain at your lack of acceptance. I see you pull into the handicapped parking space and jump out of your car to run, yes run, into the store. I see the sweet old man that is forced by your disregard to limp twice as far to reach the store front. I see you dodge around the corner, apparently embarrassed to acknowledge me.
Oh yes, I may occupy a wheelchair, but I am very able. Able in ways you cannot conceive.
July 21, 2011
Oops! My Bad!
Apparently Blogspot isn't letting you leave messages. But one of you has my email address and asked:
Today I was perusing your blog looking for the clean Regencies you mentioned. Could you point the way more specifically? I couldn't quite track them down.
The Wild Rose Press has a lot of regency romances as well as contemporary romance and I believe they even rate the novels as to how steamy/hot they are.
The link to their home page is: http://wildrosepress.us/publisher/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1
Donna Hatch is an LDS Writer who has written a couple of my favorites that I downloaded/ uploaded to my kindle. Her info is as follows:
Reed and Amy's story is called Constant Hearts, also available on Smashwords. Released it a few months ago. It's available here
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/56421
She also has a novella on the Wild Rose Press site--they are the same company that pubbed her full length Regencies. You can find Troubled Hearts here http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=86_73&products_id=1198
Donna Hatch
Romance Author, Editor, Workshop Presenter, Copywriter, Business Writer
http://www.donnahatch.com/
http://donnahatch.blogspot.com/
http://www.linkedin.com/in/donnahatch
Just a note. Donna is a busy lady and we are working on an interview right here for you.
Today I was perusing your blog looking for the clean Regencies you mentioned. Could you point the way more specifically? I couldn't quite track them down.
The Wild Rose Press has a lot of regency romances as well as contemporary romance and I believe they even rate the novels as to how steamy/hot they are.
The link to their home page is: http://wildrosepress.us/publisher/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1
Donna Hatch is an LDS Writer who has written a couple of my favorites that I downloaded/ uploaded to my kindle. Her info is as follows:
Reed and Amy's story is called Constant Hearts, also available on Smashwords. Released it a few months ago. It's available here
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/56421
She also has a novella on the Wild Rose Press site--they are the same company that pubbed her full length Regencies. You can find Troubled Hearts here http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=86_73&products_id=1198
Donna Hatch
Romance Author, Editor, Workshop Presenter, Copywriter, Business Writer
http://www.donnahatch.com/
http://donnahatch.blogspot.com/
http://www.linkedin.com/in/donnahatch
Just a note. Donna is a busy lady and we are working on an interview right here for you.
July 19, 2011
Second of Three Part Interview with Liz Adair
Liz, tell me what your favorite genre is, and why?
My favorite genre is Romance with a bit of intrigue. Why? First, because it’s so fun to write. Secondly, I feel that I’m doing good for mankind. Or, make that womankind. A good romance is like a cheap vacation from life’s stresses. That’s what I want to write. Cheap vacations. It’s my service to harried mothers on a tight budget.
Of all the wonderful pieces you’ve written (Please list them all so I don’t miss one or worse, misspell one), which is your favorite?
I’ll list them all, and you can decide if they’re wonderful or not when you read them. My first books published were the first two Spider Latham mysteries, The Lodger and After Goliath, which came out at the same time. They were followed the next year by the third in the series, Snakewater Affair. After that, my publisher wanted a woman as a main character, so I wrote the stand-alone romance/intrigue The Mist of Quarry Harbor. Sometime in there, I edited and published the letters my mother wrote from Afghanistan when she lived there in the 1960’s. The book is called, natch, Lucy Shook’s Letters from Afghanistan. My last book, Counting the Cost, came out in 2009. It won the Whitney Award in the romance category for that year and was also a finalist for the Willa Award and for two categories (literary and regional) for the Arizona Publishers Association’s Glyph Award.
Which is my favorite? Probably Counting the Cost, as it’s based on family history, although I think I’m proudest of Letters from Afghanistan. Proceeds from sales of the book go to SWAN (Serving Women Across Nations), a charitable foundation founded by my daughters and me that gives microcredit to poor women in Bolivia and Kenya to start small businesses. My daughter Terry is the force behind SWAN. I just sit on the board and look wise. You can go to www.swanforhumanity.org to read about what has been accomplished there.
Link to Counting the Cost book trailer. www.sezlizadair.blogspot.com
Thanks Liz. We'll do more next week!
My favorite genre is Romance with a bit of intrigue. Why? First, because it’s so fun to write. Secondly, I feel that I’m doing good for mankind. Or, make that womankind. A good romance is like a cheap vacation from life’s stresses. That’s what I want to write. Cheap vacations. It’s my service to harried mothers on a tight budget.
Of all the wonderful pieces you’ve written (Please list them all so I don’t miss one or worse, misspell one), which is your favorite?
I’ll list them all, and you can decide if they’re wonderful or not when you read them. My first books published were the first two Spider Latham mysteries, The Lodger and After Goliath, which came out at the same time. They were followed the next year by the third in the series, Snakewater Affair. After that, my publisher wanted a woman as a main character, so I wrote the stand-alone romance/intrigue The Mist of Quarry Harbor. Sometime in there, I edited and published the letters my mother wrote from Afghanistan when she lived there in the 1960’s. The book is called, natch, Lucy Shook’s Letters from Afghanistan. My last book, Counting the Cost, came out in 2009. It won the Whitney Award in the romance category for that year and was also a finalist for the Willa Award and for two categories (literary and regional) for the Arizona Publishers Association’s Glyph Award.
Which is my favorite? Probably Counting the Cost, as it’s based on family history, although I think I’m proudest of Letters from Afghanistan. Proceeds from sales of the book go to SWAN (Serving Women Across Nations), a charitable foundation founded by my daughters and me that gives microcredit to poor women in Bolivia and Kenya to start small businesses. My daughter Terry is the force behind SWAN. I just sit on the board and look wise. You can go to www.swanforhumanity.org to read about what has been accomplished there.
Link to Counting the Cost book trailer. www.sezlizadair.blogspot.com
Thanks Liz. We'll do more next week!
July 6, 2011
First of Three Part Interview with Liz Adair
Q: Tell be about your dream of becoming a writer.
A: I don’t think I had one. I’m not an analytical person, so I never thought, “I want to be a writer. Thus, I will do A, B and C to become one.” I’ve always had a love affair with words, and I’m still finding long letters I wrote to friends years ago and never mailed. I realize now that the correspondence wasn’t the driving force behind those letters, it was the need to write. I dream in narrative, and I’m constantly putting the things I see and experience into words and then mentally editing them. I think I just finally tumbled to the fact that I am a writer and went with it.
Q: Wow, I never considered describing dreams as narrative, but yeah, I dream that way too, sometimes. So, when did you discover you are a writer?
A: It was late in life. I had done lots of writing in my church involvement—plays, skits, poems, lessons—but I began writing fiction about the time AARP started sending junk mail. My first novel (my 5th one published) was written as part of the grieving process after my mother died. The story welled up from my heart and mind and forced itself out my fingers.
Q: I agree that writing is very healing. It has been so for me, too. How does it feel when you write?
A: As with any task, it feels really good when you complete it, though is a manuscript ever really complete? There’s always some way it could be changed. You finally have to just declare that it’s done.
I’ve never again had a book flow like that first one (Counting the Cost) did, so writing is now a chore. I love reading what I’ve written (when it’s good). I love my critique group and learning the craft through their comments. I love seeing the finished product in my hand. I love hearing from a reader who ‘got’ what I was trying to say. Conceiving the ideas in my head and spinning the story there is fun, but it’s hard to discipline myself to plant my backside in my chair and grind it out on the keyboard.
Liz, I really enjoyed Counting the Cost. I wasn't sure I would at first, but as I read my own memories played close at the heals of your character's experiences, not the budding career, but the ranches and cattle, the horses and real rodeos.
Come back next week to learn about Liz's favorite genre and more of her writings.
A: I don’t think I had one. I’m not an analytical person, so I never thought, “I want to be a writer. Thus, I will do A, B and C to become one.” I’ve always had a love affair with words, and I’m still finding long letters I wrote to friends years ago and never mailed. I realize now that the correspondence wasn’t the driving force behind those letters, it was the need to write. I dream in narrative, and I’m constantly putting the things I see and experience into words and then mentally editing them. I think I just finally tumbled to the fact that I am a writer and went with it.
Q: Wow, I never considered describing dreams as narrative, but yeah, I dream that way too, sometimes. So, when did you discover you are a writer?
A: It was late in life. I had done lots of writing in my church involvement—plays, skits, poems, lessons—but I began writing fiction about the time AARP started sending junk mail. My first novel (my 5th one published) was written as part of the grieving process after my mother died. The story welled up from my heart and mind and forced itself out my fingers.
Q: I agree that writing is very healing. It has been so for me, too. How does it feel when you write?
A: As with any task, it feels really good when you complete it, though is a manuscript ever really complete? There’s always some way it could be changed. You finally have to just declare that it’s done.
I’ve never again had a book flow like that first one (Counting the Cost) did, so writing is now a chore. I love reading what I’ve written (when it’s good). I love my critique group and learning the craft through their comments. I love seeing the finished product in my hand. I love hearing from a reader who ‘got’ what I was trying to say. Conceiving the ideas in my head and spinning the story there is fun, but it’s hard to discipline myself to plant my backside in my chair and grind it out on the keyboard.
Liz, I really enjoyed Counting the Cost. I wasn't sure I would at first, but as I read my own memories played close at the heals of your character's experiences, not the budding career, but the ranches and cattle, the horses and real rodeos.
Come back next week to learn about Liz's favorite genre and more of her writings.
June 23, 2011
DOCTORING BEE STING
A- Amputate toe (being sure to severe nerve bundle. Mark each nerve different color.)
B- Be sure #%*%# bee is DEAD.
(This part doesn't get its own letter.)- Remove bee stinger while toe is unconscious and unable to squirm away from you. Plaster with Denver Mud or the modern version, baking soda paste. Wrap toe with roll of gauze and anchor with surgical tape.
C- Connect nerve endings to appropriate nerve of corresponding color and stitch toe in place making sure to double check surgical knots.
D- Done.
Sound over zealous or even difficult?
Try doctoring your own toe when you step on the dang bee.
Mid-year's resolution--wear shoes, or at least sandals.
Next day check-up.
The toe did survive. The bee was carried away by ants or maybe a slug. Bedding needs washing after gauze, tape and baking soda were found playing between the sheets.
--Knotty, knotty--
June 21, 2011
Interview with JOSI KILPACK Part two
I know, it's been a long month to wait for the second half, but here it is (and two days early at that!)
Josi, tell me about your dream of becoming a writer.
I didn’t dream of being a writer for long—not as a child, teenager or young adult. The dream never really started for me until I finished my first book—something I thought would be a short story but turned into a novel length women’s fiction novel. I’d enjoyed writing assignments in high-school and loved my college writing classes, but being an author was about as realistic as becoming a brain surgeon and I spent the same amount of time thinking about both possibilities (i.e. no time at all) When I did finish that first book and got feedback from friends I thought I was about the coolest thing since individual cheese slices. I dreamed, then, that my first royalties check would take me and my entire family on an Alaskan cruise before buying me a writing cabin in the woods.
Nice dream, so when did you decide you wanted to write, for real? I mean did that one novel serve as your catalyst?
I was on bed rest with my third pregnancy and in the middle of a two-a-day habit of books my sister picked up from the library for me. I got this idea for a short story and started writing it. Six months later I submitted it to publishers, a year after that I held the finished book in my hand. The feedback I started getting was that though they liked the story, the editing was awful. My first royalty check was for $154.00 dollars. I was embarrassed and decided I needed to do more than just write a good story—I had to learn more about the structure of a novel and the mechanics of fiction. And so I did. My second book came out three years later and it was a story I could be truly proud of. I was later able to go back and revise that first book, which was a blessing.
What does it feel like when you write?
Sometimes it feels like I’m going in circles and trying to distract myself from less desirable chores around the house. Other moments feel like work—simply completing a task. (I'm nodding since I feel the same way at times.) Now and then, however, it feels as comfortable as an old pair of sweats and I get this sensation that writing is one of the reasons I was sent here and that God is pleased with the fact that I have taken this gift and, with His help, turned it into a talent and ability I can be proud of and humbled by. In those moments, I get completely carried away in the world I’m creating—that’s the moments I write for and I hold on to the memory with both hands when it happens.
Wow, either I’m a sucker or that really touch my heart strings. How is that you decided that mystery—cozy mysteries at that, are what IMHO you do best?
I started the first culinary mystery, Lemon Tart, in order to enter a contest a friend was doing (Jeffery S. Savage). He’d asked for a mystery that involved food and so I wrote that one chapter with very little thought about chapter two. It was something totally new to me, as everything else I had written was LDS based, and although I didn’t win the contest (I took 2nd place, though :-) I really enjoyed the story. Over the next two years I worked on it here and there as I continued my LDS market books and had a good time with the challenge of taking on something different. It was my publisher (Deseret Book) who suggested adding recipes and making it an actual culinary mystery. I suggested a series and they agreed to three...and then five...and then eight...and right now it’s open ended so we’ll see where it takes us.
And they are yummy recipes! Where do you find these recipes and have you made most or all of them in your kitchen?
Several of the recipes are ones I’ve made, and pretty much everything that appears in the book has been cooked in my kitchen. I also have a test kitchen who has given me many wonderful recipes and who cook everything and help me get it just right. I could never do this without them!
A recipe expert, huh? And with your very own testing kitchen, wow. Is there a secret recipe to writing a good mystery?
Mysteries have long been known as a very ‘recipe’ driven genre. You have a dead person, a sleuth, some red herrings, a little foreshadowing, unsuspected bad guy, and then you tell the story by working backward from the discovery of the crime until you get back to the moment of ‘impact’ which was actually the inciting incident of the story. It’s all a little bizarre, really, and yet readers of a mystery have very specific expectations when they pick up your book. The challenge is to stick to the recipe but still make it your own; add a little extra kick here and blend the flavor differently there but still present the expected dish to your readers. I’ve really enjoyed writing in this genre and learning all the little tricks to make it work.
Josi, you write so well. thank you for spending this time with us.
Here's a reminder of Josi's published work. (I just finished Key Lime Pie and can't wait to try some of the recipes!)
Earning Eternity (CFI 2000)
Surrounded By Strangers (CFI 2003)
Tempest Tossed (CFI 2004)
Star Struck (CFI 2005)
To Have or to Hold (CFI 2005)
Unsung Lullaby (Deseret Book 2006)
Sheep’s Clothing (Deseret Book 2007)
Her Good Name (Deseret Book 2008)
Lemon Tart (Deseret Book 2009)
English Trifle (Deseret Book 2009)
Devil’s Food Cake (Deseret Book 2010)
Key Lime Pie (Deseret book 2010)
Blackberry Crumble (Deseret Book 2011).
Coming soon:
Pumpkin Roll (Fall 2011)
Banana Split (Spring 2012)
Josi, tell me about your dream of becoming a writer.
I didn’t dream of being a writer for long—not as a child, teenager or young adult. The dream never really started for me until I finished my first book—something I thought would be a short story but turned into a novel length women’s fiction novel. I’d enjoyed writing assignments in high-school and loved my college writing classes, but being an author was about as realistic as becoming a brain surgeon and I spent the same amount of time thinking about both possibilities (i.e. no time at all) When I did finish that first book and got feedback from friends I thought I was about the coolest thing since individual cheese slices. I dreamed, then, that my first royalties check would take me and my entire family on an Alaskan cruise before buying me a writing cabin in the woods.
Nice dream, so when did you decide you wanted to write, for real? I mean did that one novel serve as your catalyst?
I was on bed rest with my third pregnancy and in the middle of a two-a-day habit of books my sister picked up from the library for me. I got this idea for a short story and started writing it. Six months later I submitted it to publishers, a year after that I held the finished book in my hand. The feedback I started getting was that though they liked the story, the editing was awful. My first royalty check was for $154.00 dollars. I was embarrassed and decided I needed to do more than just write a good story—I had to learn more about the structure of a novel and the mechanics of fiction. And so I did. My second book came out three years later and it was a story I could be truly proud of. I was later able to go back and revise that first book, which was a blessing.
What does it feel like when you write?
Sometimes it feels like I’m going in circles and trying to distract myself from less desirable chores around the house. Other moments feel like work—simply completing a task. (I'm nodding since I feel the same way at times.) Now and then, however, it feels as comfortable as an old pair of sweats and I get this sensation that writing is one of the reasons I was sent here and that God is pleased with the fact that I have taken this gift and, with His help, turned it into a talent and ability I can be proud of and humbled by. In those moments, I get completely carried away in the world I’m creating—that’s the moments I write for and I hold on to the memory with both hands when it happens.
Wow, either I’m a sucker or that really touch my heart strings. How is that you decided that mystery—cozy mysteries at that, are what IMHO you do best?
I started the first culinary mystery, Lemon Tart, in order to enter a contest a friend was doing (Jeffery S. Savage). He’d asked for a mystery that involved food and so I wrote that one chapter with very little thought about chapter two. It was something totally new to me, as everything else I had written was LDS based, and although I didn’t win the contest (I took 2nd place, though :-) I really enjoyed the story. Over the next two years I worked on it here and there as I continued my LDS market books and had a good time with the challenge of taking on something different. It was my publisher (Deseret Book) who suggested adding recipes and making it an actual culinary mystery. I suggested a series and they agreed to three...and then five...and then eight...and right now it’s open ended so we’ll see where it takes us.
And they are yummy recipes! Where do you find these recipes and have you made most or all of them in your kitchen?
Several of the recipes are ones I’ve made, and pretty much everything that appears in the book has been cooked in my kitchen. I also have a test kitchen who has given me many wonderful recipes and who cook everything and help me get it just right. I could never do this without them!
A recipe expert, huh? And with your very own testing kitchen, wow. Is there a secret recipe to writing a good mystery?
Mysteries have long been known as a very ‘recipe’ driven genre. You have a dead person, a sleuth, some red herrings, a little foreshadowing, unsuspected bad guy, and then you tell the story by working backward from the discovery of the crime until you get back to the moment of ‘impact’ which was actually the inciting incident of the story. It’s all a little bizarre, really, and yet readers of a mystery have very specific expectations when they pick up your book. The challenge is to stick to the recipe but still make it your own; add a little extra kick here and blend the flavor differently there but still present the expected dish to your readers. I’ve really enjoyed writing in this genre and learning all the little tricks to make it work.
Josi, you write so well. thank you for spending this time with us.
Here's a reminder of Josi's published work. (I just finished Key Lime Pie and can't wait to try some of the recipes!)
Earning Eternity (CFI 2000)
Surrounded By Strangers (CFI 2003)
Tempest Tossed (CFI 2004)
Star Struck (CFI 2005)
To Have or to Hold (CFI 2005)
Unsung Lullaby (Deseret Book 2006)
Sheep’s Clothing (Deseret Book 2007)
Her Good Name (Deseret Book 2008)
Lemon Tart (Deseret Book 2009)
English Trifle (Deseret Book 2009)
Devil’s Food Cake (Deseret Book 2010)
Key Lime Pie (Deseret book 2010)
Blackberry Crumble (Deseret Book 2011).
Coming soon:
Pumpkin Roll (Fall 2011)
Banana Split (Spring 2012)
June 20, 2011
Gut Wrench
Gut Wrench--the feeling an aspiring author (me) gets when a publisher rejects a manuscript, representing several months to years of work.
Treasure has been rejected by Covenant Publishing after six months of consideration... Okay, so I didn't succeed this time. Give me a day to grieve then I can take the time to recoup and decide what to do with the manuscript from here.
Treasure has been rejected by Covenant Publishing after six months of consideration... Okay, so I didn't succeed this time. Give me a day to grieve then I can take the time to recoup and decide what to do with the manuscript from here.
June 13, 2011
Congrats Amy Wheelwright!
It's so exciting and rewarding for me to see an acquaintance win one of these prizes. And one of Donna Hatch's romances at that!
June 11, 2011
May 23, 2011
INTERVIEW WITH MYSTERY WRITER JOSI KILPACK
I love cozy mysteries and have since Murder She Wrote enraptured me as a teenager. Today I’m visiting with Josi Kilpack, author of some rather yummy culinary mysteries. Come on in a take a seat or hang on the wall! Josi is a facinating lady and we had so much fun, I'll have to share more with you later this summer.
Josi, what is your favorite genre? And why?
To write, I really enjoy mysteries, specifically the cozies that don’t have the gratuitousness some other subgenre’s have. I like it when the ‘gore’ gets to be hidden but is still intense. To read, I enjoy lots of genres so long as they have strong characters. Characters make or break a book for me and I find some authors do better with characters than others. I love Sue Graphton, who writes suspense thrillers, but I also love Leif Enger who writes literary pieces. I’m also a John Grisham and JK Rowling fan, with a little Susan Evans Phillips thrown in now and again. I’m eclectic in my genres, but picky in the books I’ll actually finish. I would guess I only finish about 1/3 of the books I pick up these days—it really has to grab me to make it worth investing my time into the story and its characters who grab me more than plot.
Picky reader—I’ll have to remember that. Of all the wonderful pieces you’ve written (Please list them all so I don’t miss one or worse, misspell one), which is your favorite?
So far I’ve published 13 novels: Earning Eternity (CFI 2000), Surrounded By Strangers (CFI 2003), Tempest Tossed (CFI 2004), Star Struck (CFI 2005), To Have or to Hold (CFI 2005), Unsung Lullaby (Deseret Book 2006), Sheep’s Clothing (Deseret Book 2007—Whitney Award Winner), Her Good Name (Deseret Book 2008), Lemon Tart (Deseret Book 2009—Whitney Award Finalist), English Trifle (Deseret Book 2009), Devil’s Food Cake (Deseret Book 2010), Key Lime Pie (Deseret Book 2010), and Blackberry Crumble (Deseret Book 2011). There is something about every one of them that I love and there isn’t a single one that when I reflect back to it doesn’t stand out as an essential part of my journey. Tempest Tossed was a very personal book for me as I explored some things that have influenced my life personally. To Have or to Hold was the fulfillment of a challenge I’d made to myself to write a common historical romance theme (marriage of convenience) in a modern setting. Lemon Tart was an important growth spurt for me where I really put myself into a new think tank and changed my career. I love Devil’s Food Cake, though, because I just kept upping the ante with myself and the story really captured me. I guess that’s a lousy answer to your question, sorry.
Maybe you didn’t tell us your fav, but that is an impressive list of work, an even dozen to date. For those of my readers that may not know, CFI is Cedar Fort Inc. A publishing house in Springville, Utah.
Tell me about your all time favorite character (of your creating.) Sadie, of your mystery series, perhaps? Is she modeled after a real person?
Another tough question! I do love Sadie, but she wears me out and sometimes I’ll be writing and just shaking my head at her. She isn’t patterned after any one person, but has attributes of several people I know or have encountered. She’s very much her own person, but a lot of fun to write. I’ll always have a deep bond with Kim (Earning Eternity), the first character who ever became real in my mind and Andrew from To Have or to Hold has many features of my husband, so he’s always someone I’m warm and fuzzy toward. Again, each of my characters holds something special—often an aspect of me or my life that I hope other people can relate to as well so it’s hard to choose any one above another.
Sadie wears me out as a reader and as a writer I doubt I could generate her energy. Well done. I’ll have to meet Kim and Andrew in the near future. A hint to the next title? . . .
I’ve just turned in Pumpkin Roll, which will be out this fall (2011). It takes place in Boston and has a Halloween feel to it. As soon as that was handed in, I got to work on book seven, Banana Split which will be out in spring 2012. Banana Split takes place on the island of Kauai in Hawaii and so far is a lot of fun.
You’re quite a prolific author, Josi. Readers, did you here? Not one but two new titles to watch for…
Anything else you want to share . . .
Here’s a link to all my books on Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Josi+S.+Kilpack&x=0&y=0
I promise to share Josi's recipe for writing wonderful murder mysteries later this summer. You're welcome to drop me a line (comment) and pester me for it sooner than later, I won't mind.
Josi, what is your favorite genre? And why?
To write, I really enjoy mysteries, specifically the cozies that don’t have the gratuitousness some other subgenre’s have. I like it when the ‘gore’ gets to be hidden but is still intense. To read, I enjoy lots of genres so long as they have strong characters. Characters make or break a book for me and I find some authors do better with characters than others. I love Sue Graphton, who writes suspense thrillers, but I also love Leif Enger who writes literary pieces. I’m also a John Grisham and JK Rowling fan, with a little Susan Evans Phillips thrown in now and again. I’m eclectic in my genres, but picky in the books I’ll actually finish. I would guess I only finish about 1/3 of the books I pick up these days—it really has to grab me to make it worth investing my time into the story and its characters who grab me more than plot.
Picky reader—I’ll have to remember that. Of all the wonderful pieces you’ve written (Please list them all so I don’t miss one or worse, misspell one), which is your favorite?
So far I’ve published 13 novels: Earning Eternity (CFI 2000), Surrounded By Strangers (CFI 2003), Tempest Tossed (CFI 2004), Star Struck (CFI 2005), To Have or to Hold (CFI 2005), Unsung Lullaby (Deseret Book 2006), Sheep’s Clothing (Deseret Book 2007—Whitney Award Winner), Her Good Name (Deseret Book 2008), Lemon Tart (Deseret Book 2009—Whitney Award Finalist), English Trifle (Deseret Book 2009), Devil’s Food Cake (Deseret Book 2010), Key Lime Pie (Deseret Book 2010), and Blackberry Crumble (Deseret Book 2011). There is something about every one of them that I love and there isn’t a single one that when I reflect back to it doesn’t stand out as an essential part of my journey. Tempest Tossed was a very personal book for me as I explored some things that have influenced my life personally. To Have or to Hold was the fulfillment of a challenge I’d made to myself to write a common historical romance theme (marriage of convenience) in a modern setting. Lemon Tart was an important growth spurt for me where I really put myself into a new think tank and changed my career. I love Devil’s Food Cake, though, because I just kept upping the ante with myself and the story really captured me. I guess that’s a lousy answer to your question, sorry.
Maybe you didn’t tell us your fav, but that is an impressive list of work, an even dozen to date. For those of my readers that may not know, CFI is Cedar Fort Inc. A publishing house in Springville, Utah.
Tell me about your all time favorite character (of your creating.) Sadie, of your mystery series, perhaps? Is she modeled after a real person?
Another tough question! I do love Sadie, but she wears me out and sometimes I’ll be writing and just shaking my head at her. She isn’t patterned after any one person, but has attributes of several people I know or have encountered. She’s very much her own person, but a lot of fun to write. I’ll always have a deep bond with Kim (Earning Eternity), the first character who ever became real in my mind and Andrew from To Have or to Hold has many features of my husband, so he’s always someone I’m warm and fuzzy toward. Again, each of my characters holds something special—often an aspect of me or my life that I hope other people can relate to as well so it’s hard to choose any one above another.
Sadie wears me out as a reader and as a writer I doubt I could generate her energy. Well done. I’ll have to meet Kim and Andrew in the near future. A hint to the next title? . . .
I’ve just turned in Pumpkin Roll, which will be out this fall (2011). It takes place in Boston and has a Halloween feel to it. As soon as that was handed in, I got to work on book seven, Banana Split which will be out in spring 2012. Banana Split takes place on the island of Kauai in Hawaii and so far is a lot of fun.
You’re quite a prolific author, Josi. Readers, did you here? Not one but two new titles to watch for…
Anything else you want to share . . .
Here’s a link to all my books on Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Josi+S.+Kilpack&x=0&y=0
I promise to share Josi's recipe for writing wonderful murder mysteries later this summer. You're welcome to drop me a line (comment) and pester me for it sooner than later, I won't mind.
May 16, 2011
Interview with Owens Family Saga author, Marsha Ward
Reviewing books is not enough. Let me share my conversations with a few of these awesome authors. We've already chatted with Heather Moore, let's visit with Marsha Ward. Come on in and be a fly on the wall!
Marsha, tell me about your dream of becoming a writer.
I actually didn't ever dream about being a writer, as my efforts were focused around a career in music. I did begin a novel on the side, because I had always written something or other, all my life. When I had to back away from the music career, I became a wife and mother, which actually was always my dream. Writing was simply something I did because I enjoyed it. Then I read a really badly written novel, and knew I could do better.
No wonder we click! My first love is music as well. Then too, I remember the awful novel that spurned me to write. When did you decide you wanted to write?
When I read that badly-written and inaccurate novel, I became interested in writing for money. Coincidentally, I was presented with an opportunity to write newspaper articles, which brought in good money for quite a few years. In the meantime, I began to send out queries on the novel. The market was dropping for Westerns, so I didn't get any offers, although I got good comments. I eventually became an independently published author (indie-author).
How does it feel when you write?
Do you want the truth? This may get censored. When I'm in the zone, and the writing is coming out as smoothly as butter flowing down the sides of a hot biscuit, it's better than sex. It's an all-encompassing blanket of warmth, a bubble of pure pleasure.
I love your description of writing, and no, I will not censor you! But tell me, what is your favorite genre?
My favorite genre to write is historical novels set in the 19th century: Westerns is the broad category; post-American Civil War tales of Western migration is more specific. Why? Because I've always felt I was born in the wrong century. That time just resonates in my soul. I have to tell about it. We, as an American people, are in danger of forgetting our past. That is very dangerous. I need to bring the values of that period back to our remembrance. I also want to let readers know that they can survive terrible things, and come out at the other side of the experience with hope.
Because I'm contrary, my favorite genre to read is mysteries.
Of all the wonderful pieces you’ve written (Please list them all so I don’t miss one or worse, misspell one), which is your favorite?
Oh my. I can't possibly list all the 900+ articles I've written, so I'll list the novels in The Owen Family Saga. I have several short stories and collections listed as ebooks on Smashwords.com and Amazon.com, also. The novels are The Man from Shenandoah, Ride to Raton, and Trail of Storms. I'm writing Spinster's Folly, which is the fourth book in the series. Asking which book is my favorite is like asking which is my favorite child, but I'll say that Spinster's Folly is my current favorite. How's that for sidestepping the issue?
Add a little dance to that sidestep. It seems that most author's "current baby" are always favorites. Tell me about your all time favorite character (of your creating).
I'd have to say my favorite character is James Owen. I've made him suffer a great deal, and he's survived, and become a better man for it. I'm letting him rest a bit now.
You're to deliciously cruel. Anything else you want to share . . .
My novels are available in many ebook formats at Smashwords.com: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/marshaward; and as trade paperbacks and ebooks at Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Marsha-Ward/e/B003RB9P9Q/, and at BarnesandNoble.com: http://productsearch.barnesandnoble.com/search/results.aspx?ATH=Marsha+Ward&STORE=BOOK. Come visit my website at http://marshaward.com, and my blogs at http://marshaward.blogspot.com (Writer in the Pines) and http://charactersinmarshashead.blogspot.com (The Characters in Marsha's Head).
Thank you for interviewing me, Shaunna! It was a great pleasure to be on your blog.
Marsha, tell me about your dream of becoming a writer.
I actually didn't ever dream about being a writer, as my efforts were focused around a career in music. I did begin a novel on the side, because I had always written something or other, all my life. When I had to back away from the music career, I became a wife and mother, which actually was always my dream. Writing was simply something I did because I enjoyed it. Then I read a really badly written novel, and knew I could do better.
No wonder we click! My first love is music as well. Then too, I remember the awful novel that spurned me to write. When did you decide you wanted to write?
When I read that badly-written and inaccurate novel, I became interested in writing for money. Coincidentally, I was presented with an opportunity to write newspaper articles, which brought in good money for quite a few years. In the meantime, I began to send out queries on the novel. The market was dropping for Westerns, so I didn't get any offers, although I got good comments. I eventually became an independently published author (indie-author).
How does it feel when you write?
Do you want the truth? This may get censored. When I'm in the zone, and the writing is coming out as smoothly as butter flowing down the sides of a hot biscuit, it's better than sex. It's an all-encompassing blanket of warmth, a bubble of pure pleasure.
I love your description of writing, and no, I will not censor you! But tell me, what is your favorite genre?
My favorite genre to write is historical novels set in the 19th century: Westerns is the broad category; post-American Civil War tales of Western migration is more specific. Why? Because I've always felt I was born in the wrong century. That time just resonates in my soul. I have to tell about it. We, as an American people, are in danger of forgetting our past. That is very dangerous. I need to bring the values of that period back to our remembrance. I also want to let readers know that they can survive terrible things, and come out at the other side of the experience with hope.
Because I'm contrary, my favorite genre to read is mysteries.
Of all the wonderful pieces you’ve written (Please list them all so I don’t miss one or worse, misspell one), which is your favorite?
Oh my. I can't possibly list all the 900+ articles I've written, so I'll list the novels in The Owen Family Saga. I have several short stories and collections listed as ebooks on Smashwords.com and Amazon.com, also. The novels are The Man from Shenandoah, Ride to Raton, and Trail of Storms. I'm writing Spinster's Folly, which is the fourth book in the series. Asking which book is my favorite is like asking which is my favorite child, but I'll say that Spinster's Folly is my current favorite. How's that for sidestepping the issue?
Add a little dance to that sidestep. It seems that most author's "current baby" are always favorites. Tell me about your all time favorite character (of your creating).
I'd have to say my favorite character is James Owen. I've made him suffer a great deal, and he's survived, and become a better man for it. I'm letting him rest a bit now.
You're to deliciously cruel. Anything else you want to share . . .
My novels are available in many ebook formats at Smashwords.com: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/marshaward; and as trade paperbacks and ebooks at Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Marsha-Ward/e/B003RB9P9Q/, and at BarnesandNoble.com: http://productsearch.barnesandnoble.com/search/results.aspx?ATH=Marsha+Ward&STORE=BOOK. Come visit my website at http://marshaward.com, and my blogs at http://marshaward.blogspot.com (Writer in the Pines) and http://charactersinmarshashead.blogspot.com (The Characters in Marsha's Head).
Thank you for interviewing me, Shaunna! It was a great pleasure to be on your blog.
May 10, 2011
Ammon by H.B.Moore
A huge round of applause to Heather Moore (H.B.Moore) for winning Best of State.If you enjoyed any of her others, The Out of Jerusalem Series, Alma, Abinadi and Alma the Younger then you may hold your breath for Ammon (pre-order at Deseret Book). Available June 2011.
Heather recently took time out of her busy schedule to chat. Wanna listen in?
...Me: History is intimidating to me. What made you decide to write these amazing historical fiction pieces?
Heather: I decided to write historical fiction on the Book of Mormon because I felt it was a niche that could be filled in the LDS market, and I love to think about the "behind the scenes" of the Book of Mormon.
Me: I love the “behind the scenes” that you have captured. What can we expect from you in the near future?
Heather: My next 2 books are:
Not as the World Giveth: Christ's Gifts to Women, which is a non-fiction book that I co-authored with Angela Eschler. It will be released Spring 2012.
Daughters of Jared, a Book of Mormon novel that takes place during the era of King Jared II. It will be released Summer 2012.
Me: Both sound intriguing. But for those fascinated with your Book of Mormon series, will there be a Captain Moroni?
Heather: I haven't decided which Book of Mormon prophet to write on next. I'm currently drafting a women's fiction series about a group of women who are in a book club in Newport Beach.
Me: Whatever you do, I’m sure it’ll be awesome. Keep us posted and thank you for taking the time to answer these impromptu questions.
April 27, 2011
April 22, 2011
Haunts Haven by Joan Sowards
Callie Wilford inherited a century-old inn in southern Arizona. She didn't believe in ghosts although many of the town people told her about the ghost who guards the inn. She is determined to turn her inheritance into a bed and breakfast no matter what she comes up against. Callie meets a handsome cowboy and a charming rancher and now her heart is in trouble. Which man will she choose?
Haunts Haven is a great story to just curl up on the couch and get away from the world. A ghost story that is not scary but has twists and turns with a few surprises. Joan Sowards is a great story teller and I enjoyed this book tremendously. A mystery, romance I didn't want to put down.
To buy Haunts Haven see:
http://www.amazon.com/Haunts-Haven-Joan-Sowards/dp/1935217313/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
April 12, 2011
Unfinished Business by Susan Law Corpany
Review by Valerie J. Steimle
Unfinished Business is the first book of a trilogy of three books about Beverly who lost her dear husband, David early in their married life. Heartbreaking as she delivers their son without her husband with her. It is the unfinished business of her love that she must continue on living and raising her son which is expressed in Susan Corpany's writing.
As a widow myself, I was hesitant to read this book but as I read, it helped me to heal. Susan Corpany captures the essence of what a young widow feels after the passing of her husband. The story holds you captive to the end and then you want to read more. Very clean and not slobbery in romance but a good read to escape your world.
Susan Corpany continues the saga in the next book called Push On and the last book is called Are We There Yet? Susan then wrote a prequel called Brotherly Love that tells the story of how Beverly and David got together.
To buy Unfinished Business see:
http://www.amazon.com/Unfinished-Business-Susan-Law-Corpany/dp/0971291500/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1302656285&sr=8-1
Unfinished Business is the first book of a trilogy of three books about Beverly who lost her dear husband, David early in their married life. Heartbreaking as she delivers their son without her husband with her. It is the unfinished business of her love that she must continue on living and raising her son which is expressed in Susan Corpany's writing.
Susan Corpany continues the saga in the next book called Push On and the last book is called Are We There Yet? Susan then wrote a prequel called Brotherly Love that tells the story of how Beverly and David got together.
To buy Unfinished Business see:
http://www.amazon.com/Unfinished-Business-Susan-Law-Corpany/dp/0971291500/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1302656285&sr=8-1
April 7, 2011
Hometown Girl by Michele Ashman Bell
Review by Valerie J. Steimle
The second book of the Butterfly Box Series, Hometown Girl focuses on Jocelyn Rogers' life. Jocelyn inherits her grandmother's house in Milford Falls, Washington which is many miles away from where she lives in St. George, Utah.
The house must be taken care of or sold. Her "Butterfly" friends encourage her to move there and start a new life. How will she survive? Who will she meet? With no employment or friends or family, Jocelyn must take a leap of faith to go. The time she spent there when her grandmother was alive was troubling and her family life was not happy. What will happen to her?
Mrs. Bell writes a wonderful story which takes you right to the heart of our heroine, Jocelyn and her trials of an unstable mother and a terrible secret she has kept to herself for many years. A story of self-forgiveness and finding love as well as a wonderful clean, LDS romance of taking chances, and finding friends.
You will find Hometown Girl at http://www.amazon.com/Hometown-Girl-Michele-Ashman-Bell/dp/1598119222/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1302183174&sr=8-2
You will find Hometown Girl at http://www.amazon.com/Hometown-Girl-Michele-Ashman-Bell/dp/1598119222/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1302183174&sr=8-2
April 2, 2011
Simply from Scratch by Alicia Bessette
This Women’s Fiction novel was not a book that I plowed through, reading it in one sitting. I took the time to consider the differences and similarities in Zell’s mourning process and my own. Granted when we mourn, we all traverse each of the five stages of the mourning process. And believe it or not, we all travel at a different rate and often in a different order across the stages of denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance.
I enjoyed Zell’s “widow style,” wondering if I could pull off khaki green or if I would look like the loved one I mourned. I enjoyed the unexpected friendships Ms. Bessette introduced. (No, I won’t introduce them here.)
In Simply from Scratch, Zell seems to stay longer in a stage of depressed denial than I have. Mind you, Ms. Bassette’s writing is not depressing. It is carefully crafted to include just the right mixture of humor and warmth with a generous dose of hope. Take the time and travel with Zell. Find pleasure in the little things, for one day they might be gone. Of course it never hurts to hope.
If reading is your pleasure…if you have ever had a friendship that spanned the participant’s years of experience… if you have ever lost one you love… read and enjoy.
This novel does not contain gratuitous sex or violence—just a scrumptious recipe with a ‘pinch of love.’
I enjoyed Zell’s “widow style,” wondering if I could pull off khaki green or if I would look like the loved one I mourned. I enjoyed the unexpected friendships Ms. Bessette introduced. (No, I won’t introduce them here.)
In Simply from Scratch, Zell seems to stay longer in a stage of depressed denial than I have. Mind you, Ms. Bassette’s writing is not depressing. It is carefully crafted to include just the right mixture of humor and warmth with a generous dose of hope. Take the time and travel with Zell. Find pleasure in the little things, for one day they might be gone. Of course it never hurts to hope.
If reading is your pleasure…if you have ever had a friendship that spanned the participant’s years of experience… if you have ever lost one you love… read and enjoy.
This novel does not contain gratuitous sex or violence—just a scrumptious recipe with a ‘pinch of love.’
March 29, 2011
Book Review: Angel and the Enemy
Angel and the Enemy is Marnie Perhson's fifth romance novel so far and it does not disappoint in the least. This wonderfully written historical romance is set against the backdrop of the Civil War. Angelina Stone has to be strong to overcome her Georgia home invaded by Yankee Officers and her father sitting helpless in an Union prison. She is promised to a confederate soldier but the twists and turns of the story soon tells us that her life will never be the same when one of the Yankee soldiers staying in her home takes notice of her.
This story takes off from the first pages in the midst of conflict and we follow Angelina to the last page as the story of love, honor and betrayal is told. A good book to escape from our modern world.
Find Angle and the Enemy at http://www.amazon.com/Angel-Enemy-Marnie-L-Pehrson/dp/0972975098/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1301445804&sr=8-1
March 22, 2011
Book Review: Awakening Avery
book review by Valerie J. Steimle
For those who love a good story woven around a widow losing and finding love then Awakening Avery by Laurie Lewis is the book for you. Though you might not be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS) the story rings true for any widow of Christian or Jewish faith.
For those who love a good story woven around a widow losing and finding love then Awakening Avery by Laurie Lewis is the book for you. Though you might not be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS) the story rings true for any widow of Christian or Jewish faith.
I am a widow. Avery’s a widow. My husband died at 50. Avery’s husband died in his 50’s. I have nine children. Avery has 3 children. I am of the LDS faith. Avery is of the LDS faith. I have a lot in common with Avery. Laurie Lewis’s new book called Awakening Avery could have been my journal entry for the first year I lost my husband. There are many similarities and it is incredible to see how this story unfolds for Avery and her family.
This is an amazing story of one woman’s journey for peace after losing her husband too early. Avery has to deal with her life post husband’s death and then pick up the pieces of her children’s life with the grief of their father. I laughed and I cried.
Laurie Lewis wrote about an incredible journey of healing and love. Take a break from your life for 344 pages of travel fromUtah , to Baltimore , Maryland to Sarasota , Florida
This is an amazing story of one woman’s journey for peace after losing her husband too early. Avery has to deal with her life post husband’s death and then pick up the pieces of her children’s life with the grief of their father. I laughed and I cried.
Laurie Lewis wrote about an incredible journey of healing and love. Take a break from your life for 344 pages of travel from
You will find Awakening Avery here:
Hope you enjoy the read.
March 21, 2011
JULIET by Anne Fortier
Review written by Amy Wheelwright I loved this book! This book has adventure, a little romance, and a historical story of Romeo and Juliet. The text alternates between Julie's modern day adventures, discoveries in Italy, and the historical background of the story of Romeo and Juliet. As you get into the story and start each chapter, you have to really watch the dates at the beginning of each to keep track of what you're reading about - the present or the past.
Julie learns that she is a distant relative of the famous “Juliet". She and her twin sister, Janis, were raised by their Aunt in the US. When their Aunt dies, everything is left to Janis, and Julie is sent on an adventure to Italy to find a “treasure” that their mother left.
This book kept me very involved and I didn’t want to put it down.
GARDEN SPELLS by Sarah Addison Allen
I love Sarah's writing style and yet I must caution the more conservative reader. (Sexual and Homosexual content, some harsh language.)
I love the beautiful garden at the center of this tale, with its unexpected secrets. Even the house held a mystery that I couldn't pull myself away from, at least not for very long. If you enjoy the enchantment of the South, as I do after calling it home for a time, you just might enjoy this novel with its spells, secrets, and legacies engrained deep in southern families and communities. You might even find yourself wishing you and yours protected a legacy similiar to that of the Waverley family.
I love the beautiful garden at the center of this tale, with its unexpected secrets. Even the house held a mystery that I couldn't pull myself away from, at least not for very long. If you enjoy the enchantment of the South, as I do after calling it home for a time, you just might enjoy this novel with its spells, secrets, and legacies engrained deep in southern families and communities. You might even find yourself wishing you and yours protected a legacy similiar to that of the Waverley family.
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This wreath I just finished. For sale at $25.00. Comment if you are interested in buying or if you were looking at another of my creations! ...
