Mini Book Reviews: D. Benton Frank, P. Callahan Henry, L. Penny, K. White

Writers are told that the first thing they should do to prepare to write is to read. No one can accuse me of skimping on that step. ;-)

SULLIVAN'S ISLAND Dorothea Benton Frank--Women's Fiction
I haven't read any of Benton Frank's books before and I will definitely seek out her other titles after reading Sullivan's Island. This book is a pitch-perfect rendering of the Lowcountry of South Carolina and the author's deft weaving of Susan Hamilton Hayes' live in 1963 and 1999 is a story to remember full of the history of Civil Rights and human pain.

THE STORIES WE TELL Patti Callahan Henry--Women's Fiction
This is Callahan Henry's best book to date. The deftly perfect title sets up a great stories about we tell ourselves and each other. Lovely, rich characters and true to life situations makes this a great read.

STILL LIFE Louise Penny--Mystery
The mystery and its unfolding are very good, but the constantly shifting POV was hard to read. I kept having to go back and figure out whose head I was inhabiting. I liked Inspector Gamache very much, and would read more in this series if not for the POV issue.

A LONG TIME GONE Karen White--Women's Fiction
A Long Time Gone is one of Karen White's best. The interwoven stories of three of the Walker women of Indian Mound, Mississippi is a captivating. All of the stories come together in Vivien's story of loss, redemption, and renewal.




DOOMS DAY BOOK Connie Willis--SF
This deft handling of a time travel story will keep you on the edge of your seat. Willis is a multiple Nebula and Hugo Awards winner and her craft shows through loud and clear. This isn't a new book and some of the technology is a bit dated, but that doesn't hold the story and great characters back.


Pick a book and enjoy your summer!

<><><><><>

Next Week: Don't miss my author interview with Normandie Fischer! You'll love her books. 

Setting--World Building Shouldn't be a Stumbling Block...

...but for many writers it is. I'll admit to having to learn how to physically plant my stories. I'm a dialogue first sort of writer. Setting has been one of those craft items that I've had to seek information about and make myself practice. ;-)

Instead of summarizing another blogger's post, I reblogged a great one. Here's Charlotte Rains Dixion's "Build Your Fictional World" from June 28. Charlotte is a writing teacher and coach, free-lance journalist, ghost writer and author. Her debut novel, Emma Jean's Bad Behavior is a delight.

Recently, I was the judge in fiction-writing contest.  My job was to review the finalists in the novel first chapter portion of the contest, and select the top four winners.  It was fascinating because every entry had a good concept for a story.

But.

Every entry but one had viewpoint issues (a topic I'll address in a separate post soon), and the other big problem I saw in nearly every chapter was a failure to adequately develop the fictional world.

While the set-up was interesting and the characters good (though also undeveloped) what I saw over and over again was not enough care taken to fully create the world of the story.  And I don't care if you are writing a contemporary novel, an historical story, or a science-fiction novel set on another planet, every novel has a world of its own that the reader will inhabit for the length of the book.  And it's your job to write that world so that we, the reader, truly feel as if we've stepped into it.
Some thoughts (in no particular order):

1.  Don't rush.  In many of the contest chapters, I felt like I was being escorted through the scene in a whirlwind.  Don't be afraid to slow down, to share description and details (see #4), to evoke the senses (see #7).  I guarantee that your problem is not writing too much, but too little.  Lay it on thick and write more than you think you should and you'll come out about right.
2.  Root the reader in the scene.  A simple technique is to continually hark back to the physical world in a scene to keep the reader reminded of where she is.  Otherwise, your reader will feel like she's floating in the air.   Use simple references to accomplish this--She leaned against the counter, or He set his coffee mug down on the table.  Doesn't have to be anything fancy.
3.  Fast is slow and slow is fast.  I learned this from a friend who learned it from the late Gary Provost. When you're writing a scene that would pass slowly in real life (such as an afternoon lolling on the couch) do it quickly.  We don't need the details.  And when you're writing something that would happen really fast in real life (like a car accident), slow it way down and note every detail.
4.  Telling details are your friend. Details are what bring a scene alive, such as the red rose petal on the wood kitchen table, or the solitary raindrop sliding down a window pane as a storm begins. But, don't include every single detail, the trick is to choose the ones that will illuminate the scene.  And that's something for you to decide.
5.  Setting is more than just location.  Setting is, of course, your friend when you're creating your fictional world, because it is what your characters walk through.  But it is much more than just the lovely ocean they live beside, it is all the furniture and accessories that fill the house they live in.  And guess what else it is?  Time.  Big difference between San Francisco 1906 and San Francisco 2014.
6.  Characters interact with their worlds in unique ways.  A man who grew up in Manhattan is very different than a farmer from Iowa.  The unique worlds of characters influence them in specific ways, and in return, causes them to exist in their worlds in certain ways.  Take advantage of this.
7.  Use your senses.  Obvious, yes, but also easy to forget.  One of the least under-used senses is smell.  Noting the aromas or odors of your world can be very evocative.  And how about touch?  When was the last time your character described the feel of a fabric beneath his fingers?  Or taste?  (Which reminds me, food can be very specific to different worlds also.) We get accustomed to our primary senses of sight and sound.  Adding in the others will bolster your world.

Photo by an ciss

<><><><><>

And now the nifty link of the month:
Nathan Bradford: How to Plan a Novel without Actually Outlining

<><><><><>

Next week's blog is the ever popular Mini Book Review featuring Dorothy Benton Frank, Karen White, Connie Willis, Patti Callahan Henry, and Louise Penny. Don't miss it! 

Poems and Snips Week

July comes in the Tuesday the first and I had to find a bit of my own words for you.

Here's a favorite poem to go with the season of gardening and in honor of my very own gardening guru, my hubby. ;-)

 Hidden Timber

Hidden timber,
Bones of a flowerbed,
Limiting untamed growth;
Producing Flowers and Beauty;
Roots directed, and
Guided deep.

Hidden man,
Bones of the soul within,
Limiting untamed whim;
Producing Honor and Courage;
Strength directed, and
Guided deep.

--Zan Marie Steadham
April 5, 2009

<><><><><>

Here's a snip of what I've been writing for FRIENDLY FIRE this week:

“So, why did you discourage me when I wanted to help her?”
 

Her jaw tightened then she let out a sigh. “You’re not going to like this.”
 

I bit my lip. “Go on.”
 

Her eyes glistened with tears. “You’re on your own. Tom’s not here any more.” Her shoulders dropped. “I didn’t think you would be able to take care of her by yourself. She’s not an angel, no matter how many times you call her one.”
 

I stared at the dregs of my tea. 
 

So. That’s what she thought of me after decades of friendship. I thought she respected me. But no. All she saw was weakness now that I was without Tom.
 

Dragging my gaze from the tea, I met her eyes. Flames of anger rose and I felt my face heat. “Really? You think I’m so lost. After all this time—” My voice shook and I turned from her as hot tears began to roll down my face.
 

I rose and headed for her back door. It would be a long time before I came back. “Thanks for the tea, but I’ll leave your opinion of my abilities to help Samantha with you.”
 

My hand was on the doorknob when she touched my shoulder. “Laura Grace, stay. Listen to me.”
“Why? So you can make me feel like an inconsequential nothing?” I turned the knob. “Thank you, but I’ll pass.”
 

I was out of the door and halfway to my house, when she caught up with me. “Laura Grace! I said you’re doing a wonderful job.” Her voice shook. “You asked me why I discouraged you. I answered truthfully. Now, I know better.”

<><><><><>

Have a safe and happy Fourth of July! ;-)

Author Interview: Elle Druskin

I met Elle Druskin at my favorite online writing hangout—the Books and Writers Forum. She’s a great friend and a wonderful writer. Check out her website for “a little mystery, a touch of humor, and dash of romance.”

Elle writes humorous romance and I promise you’ve never met a more intriguing and fun cast of characters then those who populate her Liberty Heights (NJ) series.

Here’s the blurb from the latest Liberty Heights installment that published June 20--Wait Watchers.

Straight laced literary agent Portia Hart is hiding out in Liberty Heights from a crazed writer. She’s sprained her ankle, minus her eyeglasses and can’t see a thing. Newly widowed Truman Wilder is home after a mystery surrounding his wife’s death. The last thing he needs is Portia but this is Liberty Heights where lunacy and romance abound. Portia’s stuck at LouAnn Freedbush’s bed and breakfast. Sister BettyAnn is hysterical due to her eviction from Registered Witches of America. Uncle Rupert Freedbush is big game hunting in the backyard. Why? Because Uncle Rupert insists he’s Ernest Hemingway.

The Valentine clan snatched the property Truman needs for his optometry business. They want to be florists. The Valentines are experts thanks to attending loads of funerals only nobody knows where the bodies are buried. This is New Jersey, after all.
Portia isn’t sure how it happened but Elmo, an Alaskan Malamute, has been left in her custody. Elmo’s diet consists of her shoes. What does Wayne, the psychic beagle say about this? How did everyone end up at 1920s Parisian Lost Generation party?  Will Elmo eat the town out of footwear?
Men definitely make passes at gals who wear glasses or are nearly blind without them. Romance rules in Wait Watchers!

You can imagine the fun I had with this. Anything that involves a Freedbush is bound to be entertaining. Of all the eccentrics in Liberty Heights, any Freedbush inevitably wins the grand prize.

<><><><><>

ZM—How did you discover that humorous romance was the genre for you?

Elle—First of all, thank you so much for inviting me to visit here. I really appreciate it.
Okay, here it goes. My first book To Catch A Cop, was my practice book. More or less, to figure out how to write a book. I wasn’t concerned with genre, but more interested if I had a viable story.  Just trying to see if I had anything remotely resembling a novel. No further ambition and I certainly wasn’t thinking about publication.

Fast forward to publication. I found it interesting that the book was reviewed as a romance and mystery. I never saw the mystery myself and I still don’t but that probably doesn’t matter. Let readers decide. They’re smart people and will figure it out. As I wrote, I found humorous material creeping in. Didn’t plan it. It just happened. Humor is subjective and I wasn’t sure if the things I thought were funny would be to other people. Since I wasn’t setting out to write humor, I didn’t think it mattered all that much.

Over the years, I think I have improved in terms of craft but also I’ve allowed my voice to truly express itself rather than suppress my natural instincts. That voice apparently translated into romantic humor. First of all, I like romance books. I like courtship stories which is essentially the romance formula although there can be lots of sub-genres such as romantic suspense, historical romance and so forth. I like the idea of people discovering each other and themselves in the process. Fine. That’s the romance side.

I come from a family with some excellent raconteurs (and a few who think they are and definitely are not <g>. Don’t tell them, they will be crushed). Undoubtedly that helps because I think of myself as a storyteller. Quite a few of those family members were not only great storytellers, but incredibly funny. Terrific timing. Snappy. Witty. The kind of people who can read the phone book and you roar with laughter.

I think I absorbed some of that by osmosis and it became part of my life view. Laugh as much as you can because it beats crying. I laugh harder at myself than anyone else and I laugh a lot.  I also come from a long line of eccentrics and that fits nicely with humor too. So yeah, I think being true to myself, creating a world within a book that has humor and quirky characters seems to be where my natural voice works best.

That doesn’t mean everything I write is funny, nor would I want it to be. There has to be something serious to balance it out, to make the humor appropriate and a relief from tension.  I do tend to have a “straight” man (or woman) as a character. The other characters provide the humor, the zany behavior, the quirks that whirl around that “straight” character. You can think of it like any comedy duo—there’s the partner who feeds the lines and the funny one.  I also don’t think you can force humor, it has to happen naturally.

ZM—Your books are delightful. Tell us about your journey from draft to publication. How do you like working with Muse It Up Publishing?

Elle—Draft to publication? Hmm. Most of the time I start with a germ of an idea. I don’t sit down and plot, write character sheets or anything like that. I allow the story to unfold in my head. This generally starts with a scene and almost always, as I am in the process of writing that scene, another one will start to form. Eventually, I have a story, a story that might need filling in to link those scenes, but a story. I do know what I am writing toward although not necessarily all the twists and turns to get there.

MuseItUpPublishing was a brand new company when I started with them. The founder and owner, Lea Schizas, was someone I had had contact with previously. She was timely, supportive and always kept her word. I thought a small publisher would be best for me and submitted Animal Crackers to Muse not realizing it would evolve into a series. I have found the “Musers” to be a terrific group of people. The company has grown tremendously with over 200 writers in a number of genres but the flip side is that it still is not too big to get personal responses from Lea and often,  very quickly. That says something about her work ethic. I also appreciate that she gets my voice and my editors are devoted to Liberty Heights. They urge me to keep writing the series because there always seems to be a loose thread of a story somewhere and they want to know what happens next in town. That’s pretty good and I’m happy with that.

I do have several beta readers although increasingly, I feel less need for them but nevertheless, they too are devoted to all things Liberty Heights. Once I am sure I have completed a manuscript, I send it to them for feedback. Without fail, they find scenes that require tightening and point out typos. They ask questions that force me to look critically at my own work. Inevitably, that leads to a much better, tighter manuscript before I submit.

ZM—I’ve read TO CATCH A COP and OUTBACK HERO, but I think you’ve found your stride in the Liberty Heights series. What’s in the water in Liberty Heights? Everywhere you turn there’s a new zany character or romance springing into bloom. What inspired your wonderful New Jersey town?

Elle—Good question. I was originally writing Animal Crackers as a stand-alone book. Basically, I liked the idea of a laid back veterinarian (I’ve met a lot of vets through my pets and they are always really nice people) and a stressed out workaholic. Opposites attract—a fairly common theme. Nothing unusual about that. I knew immediately his name was Jake Marx and Animal Crackers had to fit in somehow with that allusion to all the zany antics of the Marx Brothers.

Around the same time, I was discovered, or more correctly, found by my high school classmates. From New Jersey. I’ve spent my adult life outside the US. Couldn’t wait to travel, have adventures and experiences and I did. I still don’t know how they found me in Australia at the time but I am so glad they did. I never dreamed anyone thought about me or missed me but it seems they did and I was overwhelmed by the volume of emails begging me to come to the next reunion since I had never been to one. I gave my word that okay, wherever I was in the world I would come. Rash promise.

A few years later, that promise came back to nag my conscience. At the time I was living in Israel but I kept my word and flew over to Jersey with some trepidation which was totally misplaced. I had the time of my life, the most wonderful weekend of reunion activities. It was as if there had been no huge gap of missing years. It’s not a great leap to figure out that setting the book in New Jersey, in the fictional town of Liberty Heights had something to do with all those memories and reconnections that were happening.

Why Liberty Heights as a name? New Jersey has a fair amount of colonial history and I thought that name fit in those terms but also I  had the idea in the back of my head that relationships might entail giving up some things—previous ideas, beliefs, even one’s life view but that can also be liberating and provide a new sort of freedom. Liberty, right? Of course, it takes effort and self-examination, a bit of a climb. Heights. Yeah, corny but I still liked it.

As I was writing Animal Crackers, Jake Marx, that cutie veterinarian, kept talking to his cousin Ellie. The problem was Ellie Marx wasn’t in the book. No matter what I did, she kept getting in the way. I could see and hear her very clearly. I understood there was another story, another book that would arise from Animal Crackers and it truly pleased me because I didn’t want to leave Liberty Heights.
As the series evolved, several fortuitous things happened. In writing a series, even just the first two books, (I still didn’t know if it would go beyond two books at that point), I had created quite a few peripheral characters in Liberty Heights. I liken these characters to packages left by Arctic explorers in the event of an emergency. You can pick them up and use them later. Those characters were my packages and each one had a story to tell. The most interesting thing to me was my acceptance that Liberty Heights itself is a character too and I love that. I love the town, everyone in it, especially the more eccentric people and there are quite a few. I love that these books are not exactly traditional romance novels in the sense that characters grow and develop and reappear in the series so we find out how their lives are progressing.

I especially like the age range of characters. Because it is a series, I’ve had the chance to develop senior citizens as characters (and Liberty Heights seniors are pretty feisty, Must be something in the water. Or the air. Or it’s a Jersey thing <g>). I’ve also enjoyed having kids as characters and slowly watching them grow up. Quite a few readers have written to me telling me how much they enjoy the Liberty Heights kids and I’m so glad they do.

Is Liberty Heights a real place? Yes and no. Mostly no, although it’s real to me. It’s situated in Bergen County and all the towns mentioned in the book are real. Ft. Lee, Teaneck, Oradell. Real places. Check on any map.

My mom grew up in Englewood. I was raised in a town not far away so I know the territory even if I haven’t lived in Jersey for years. Jersey is a state of mind. Jersey people do things their own way and my experience of growing up Jersey included more than its fair share of feisty, funny and quirky people. I’m so glad Liberty Heights gives me the chance to tell those stories. The series is my love letter to a New Jersey childhood. BTW, the park and lake for skating in the winter are based on my childhood home town. We all did that every winter, watch for the flag (the one that looks like the Japanese flag—it appears in Hanky Panky—I honestly couldn’t make that up), and head to the lake with our skates.

ZM—Many craft books stress that writers must read and read a lot. Who is your favorite author, or what is your favorite genre? What draws you to a book you read for enjoyment?

Elle—Reading is absolutely required. Not even negotiable. I read pretty much anything and everything and have a long list of authors I love. This is not a full list, just a few. Diana Gabaldon tops the list. Who doesn’t love Outlander? :-D

ZM--I hear you on Outlander!

Elle--I also love Amy Tan, Louise Penny, Rhys Bowen, Lawrence Block, Sharon Penman, Shelby Foote, Thomas Friedman, Dee Brown, Larry McMurtry, R. F. Delderfield, Bill Bryson, Faye Kellerman, Janet Evanovich, Jennifer Crusie and many, many others.

I read fiction in many genres. Mystery. Romance. Historical. Thriller. Fantasy. Young adult. A great story is a great story and will suck the reader in and I love getting yanked into a compelling story.

I read quite a bit of non-fiction too and I’m particularly partial to history. American history. World history. Medieval history. Pretty much anything. I find it all fascinating. To me, hardly anything tops a great book. It’s the ultimate pleasure (okay, there might be one or two things that top a great book but not more than that!) Thanks to Kindle and other devices, I always have a book with me. Everywhere. On the beach, on a bus, lounging around the pool, in waiting rooms. Give me a great book and I’m a happy camper.


ZM--Thank you, Elle! This was a ton of fun, just like your books.

<><><><><>

A well-known academic and nurse by profession, Elle turned to fiction thinking that To Catch A Cop was just for practice, never dreaming it would end up nominated as Best Romantic Comedy of 2010 by The Romance Reviews.  Her many travels to all parts of the world and adventures occasionally feature in her books but her students are either relieved to disappointed to learn they are NOT characters in any of them!  To Catch A Cop is the first book in the To Catch series featuring Lindy Kellerman and Detective Fraser MacKinnon.  To Catch A Crook is the second book in the series.  Both are published by Red Rose Publishing. Outback Hero is a contemporary romance in tribute to the beautiful romantic Australian Outback and its wonderful people and is from Red Rose Publishing. Going To The Dogs--can a dog hating cop and cute dog trainer have a chance for love—was published by Muse It Up Publishing.  The Liberty Heights series, a contemporary series set in New Jersey where things are just a little bit different, debuted in 2012 and has five novels and two novellas so far.  It’s New Jersey like you never imagined. Elle should know, being the original Jersey Girl!

Mini Book Reveiws!

I love letting y'all know about some great reads. Enjoy the mini book review.

BLACK AND BLUE Anna Quindlen--Women's Fiction

Quindlen shows her talent for getting deep into her characters with BLACK AND BLUE. It's a harrowing story of an abused wife who finally finds a measure of peace. This is a serious read, but its unvarnished look at a great social ill of our day deserves to be read and shared.

 THE PIRATE'S SECRET BABY Darlene Marshall--historical romance

Darlene Marshall has another smasher for you! I loved it. I figured out Robert's secret, but Lydia's caught me by surprise. All of the clues were there. Well done!

 STARGAZEY POINT Shelley Noble--women's fiction

This fabulous story brings the fight of tradition vs. progress into clarity. Noble populates Stargrazey Point with wonderful characters with important stories to tell. By the way, I want to ride the carrousel. ;-)

Stargazey Point is the WFWA book club choice for June at Goodreads.

SAVING GRACE Barbara Rogan--Literary

Rogan's book, SAVING GRACE, is a tour de force look into politics, family, and relationships. It's a great read. One you'll not soon forget.





And I saved the long-awaited latest from Diana Gabaldon for last.

 WRITTEN IN MY HEART'S OWN BLOOD Diana Gabaldon--
historical, adventure, military, SF/fantasy, and indescribably good

Diana Gabaldon has again crafted an amazing story, a masterpiece, that ties up the threads from its predecessor, AN ECHO IN THE BONE, with a roller coaster of a ride. She writes every single one of her POV characters' hearts, minds, and souls with humanity. WRITTEN IN MY OWN HEART'S BLOOD is my second favorite of all the Gabaldon books. But be forewarned: There's more coming in this story. If you haven't read Diana Gabaldon's books before, start at the beginning with OUTLANDER. You won't be sorry. The STARZ TV production of the first book debuts on August 9 at 9 p.m. 

Happy Reading! Next week I have a new Author Interview for you. Come to the Shade and meet Elle Druskin. ;-)

Back Story and Flashbacks

What's the difference? That's a good question. One all writers need to understand. My writing buddy Claire defined the difference in the following way:

• A flashback puts you in the head of the POV character at the time of the memory they're recalling; back story exposition keeps you in the head of the POV character now, as they look back and remember. Or as I like to think of it: flashbacks are active, they show an event from the past. Back story tells about the past.

She's on to something that others agree with. Tabitha Olson defines them in her post on Flashback vs. Back story:

• Back story: a summary of an incident that has happened in the character’s past.
  Flashback: taking the reader to the past incident and showing it to him through action and dialog.

 Lately, I've been trying to start my WIP at a different place, using my first scene as a flashback. I thought about starting in scene three and using scene one as a flashback there. Then I read Randy Ingermanson's post (linked below) and he said the following:

• Back story is a necessary part of any story. Strong back story makes a strong story. But in writing fiction, practice the fine art of withholding information. That creates mystery. It creates suspense. It keeps your reader reading.
  
  Can you hold off on showing any flashbacks until at least 25% of the way into your story? If not, then maybe the real story isn’t your story. Maybe your real story is the back story and you should have started sooner.
  
  Can you hold off on showing any flashbacks until you’re 75% of the way into your story? If so, you might have a real killer of a story. Remember, as long as you’ve got a secret, your reader wants to know it. Once you’ve told the secret, your reader no longer wants to know it.

That settled the question for me. The first scene, the one I've always seen as the beginning of the story, needs to be mentioned long before 25% in. Whew! That's a to-do I can scratch off the list. ;-)

<><><><><>

Here are some links you might find useful on this topic:

• Rachel Houck:  Back story,  Flashback, and Memory Moments: The Difference
• Randy Ingermanson "the Snowflake Guy": What Makes a Flashback Sizzle?
• Holly Robinson: Revising Your Novel: Is Back Story Clogging Your Narrative Flow
• Kristin Lamb: Why Flashbacks Might Be a Warning of Deeper Story Problems 
• Kristin Lamb: The Hidden EVIL of Flashbacks

 If your interested in a writing exercise on Flashbacks, check out this one at the Book and Writers Forum 

<><><><><>

Happy Writing! May your flashbacks and back story work out smoothly. ;-)  

<><><><><>

Pssst! It's here! Guess what I'm doing? ;-)

Snip Week--a poem and an update on FRIENDLY FIRE

It's the first week of the month and I promised you some snips, poetry, or something of the sort. I thought I'd share a "found poem". The rules are to read anything and collect phrases and then try to construct a poem from them. This is an exercise from Sara Crawford's THIRTY DAY WRITING CHALLENGE.

I used a review of the recent movie remake of Godzilla. Really. ;-) The not-so-good review turned into a commentary on a bad marriage. Yep, you read that right. Here goes. The found phrases are in Italics.

She’d gotten the short end of the stick.
Again.
Of course.
He looked like someone who
Everyone thinks is a standup guy—
One communicating with a slow burn—
With the tone and character
To counter balance
Life’s pains.

Only the worried wife
Knew the disastrous truth—
He was the world’s most famous monster—
A man dedicated to thunderous applause
And spectacular blows.

Her life would be vastly improved
If she only existed for his short attention span
Instead
Of awakening his dormant,
Meticulous, cool notes
Of prolonged disdain.
 (copyright May 15, 2014)

<><><><><>

FRIENDLY FIRE Update:

I've reworked two scenes using this month's B&W Forum exercise on details. Making them count and tying them to the POV character's emotions is a big craft item for me. I've loved every minute of it. It's like the idea of setting details has finally clicked for me. 

I've also been working on digging deeper into my secondary characters--Rosemary and her son Dean. This is as eye-opening as the digging I did on Samantha earlier this year. It's all necessary to make FRIENDLY FIRE the best it can be--a layered story that will hook readers into my world of Cherry Hill.

Author Interview Updates: Where Are They Now?

I'll be interviewing Elle Druskin the last Tuesday in June, and thought it was a good time to catch up with the five authors I interviewed in 2013. They all have some wonderful news to share. ;-)

Amara Royce

(Check out Amara's interview HERE.)

"It's hard to believe that it's been a year since my debut historical novel NEVER TOO LATE was released by eKensington, and I'm so fortunate to have such wonderfully supportive Forumites like Zan Marie cheering me on! This has been quite a busy and eye-opening year! I'm pleased to announce that my second historical romance, ALWAYS A STRANGER, was released recently by eKensington. Like NEVER TOO LATE, my second book is set at the time of London's Great Exhibition of 1851 and features a relatively unusual heroine for historical romances. I've been very happy working with Kensington Publishing, and I was thrilled last year when my editor offered me a contract for an additional two books! I hope to release them in 2015 and 2016 respectively, which means I have a steady schedule of writing ahead of me! It's a daunting but exciting time!"

ALWAYS A STRANGER:
When two worlds collide, anything is possible. . .

An international affair, London's Great Exhibition has taken the city by storm. As its newest Royal Commissioner, Lord Skyler Ridgemont must ensure the performers are properly contracted. Among them is the delicate and graceful Hanako Sumaki. Draped in vivid silk robes, Hanako's exotic Japanese fan dance captivates Skyler--and he longs to learn more about her. . .

But Hanako's enigmatic employer keeps his exquisite charge very close. The consummate artist, she shows the handsome nobleman many faces, but never her true heart, which holds a desperate secret. When Skyler learns the real reason Hanako has been brought to London, he will risk his entire world to win her trust--and save her from losing both body and soul. It's a feat that will require the type of courage only love can give. . .

Amy Sue Nathan

(Check out Amy's interview HERE.)

 

"I can't believe it's been a year since THE GLASS WIVES hit bookshelves. Since then I've visited bookstores, libraries, book clubs, and I even spoke about The Glass Wives in a bakery (best idea EVER)! I saw my face in newspapers and magazines and heard my voice on the radio. It has been a really wonderful year of "debut."

In addition to book events, I wrote my second novel, Finding Izzy Lane, and have just started editing it to get it ready for publication in 2015. I'm really excited about sharing Izzy's story with readers!

FINDING IZZY LANE is about  a divorced mom, Izzy Lane, who moonlights as a dating expert for a popular website, even though she hasn’t dated in years.

In real life, Izzy has moved back to her childhood home with her five-year-old son, is still hung-up on her unemployed ex-husband, and spends weekends hanging out with an eighty-five-year-old neighbor who harbors secrets of her own.

When Izzy discovers some lies can last a lifetime, she must decide if telling the truth and being herself, is worth risking the friendships, love, and job she’s come to count on.

Charlotte Rains Dixon

(Check out Charlotte's interview HERE.) 

"I'm working on a novel I'm in love with, hoping to be finished with the first draft by the end of June.  It's women's fiction, of course, about a young woman who gets plucked out of her everyday life by a chance meeting with a mega-movie star and entrepreneur who bears a bit of a likeness to Richard Branson, with a dash of Tom Cruise thrown in. Oh, and there are sweets involved--as in the luscious French confection, the macaron. 

I've also entered the world of indie publishing with the recent posting of my short story, Blue Sky, available on Amazon for just 99 cents!"

BLUE SKY
 Nell Malone's life is changing, big time. Still grieving over the death of her husband two years earlier, she grapples with the empty nest syndrome as her daughter leaves for college. But a visit to Santa Fe yields new insights into herself--and the tantalizing prospect of a relationship with an intriguing artist. A short story about loss and love.

Kerry Lynne

(Check out Kerry's interview HERE.)

"My writing life... Hmm... writing, writing and..... writing. <g> But then, isn't that what it's all about?

I'm still fascinated by the process of "peeling the onion," discovering the undiscovered layers which exist in every character. I'm more convinced than ever that characters are everything. Luckily, I'm still gobsmacked by mine every few weeks (Nathan, especially, although Thomas has dropped a few bombs on me) and that is always a real shot in the arm."

The pub date for NOR GOLD (if everything holds together) is late June, 2014."

“Not all treasure does silver, nor gold make.”
Nor Gold picks up where the first book left off, with Cate Mackenzie, a woman who has lost hearth and heart to the Jacobite Uprising, still searching for what she desires above all else: a place to belong. Nathanael Blackthorne’s, captain of the pirate ship the Ciara Morganse, past catches up with him. As he is embroiled in a quest of revenge, he goes from playing guardian angel to an avenging one. Thomas, captain of the pirate ship Griselle, must choose between a best friend and a best hope for happiness. 

Lori Benton

(Check out Lori's interview HERE.)

“April was an eventful month. The 15th saw the release of my sophomore novel, The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn, set in the 1780s against the backdrop of an overlooked bit of North Carolina history—the secession of the State of Franklin, in what is now eastern Tennessee. On the day that book released I received news that my debut novel, Burning Sky, was a double finalist in the 2014 Christy Awards (Historical and First Novel categories). Burning Sky has also made the shortlist in the Debut Fiction category for the 2014 Inspy Award, the Blogger’s Award for Excellence in Faith-Driven Literature. Early in the month I signed a new contract with my publisher, WaterBrook Press, for a 2-book series set along the Mohawk River in New York, 1757—1777. April 20 was the due date for the first of those (working titled The Wood’s Edge), and now I’m hard at work on the sequel, which should keep me busy, along with editing the first novel, for the rest of 2014.”

THE PURSUIT OF TAMSEN LITTLEJOHN
In an act of brave defiance, Tamsen Littlejohn escapes the life her harsh stepfather has forced upon her. Forsaking security and an arranged marriage, she enlists frontiersman Jesse Bird to guide her to the Watauga settlement in western North Carolina. But shedding her old life doesn’t come without cost. As the two cross a vast mountain wilderness, Tamsen faces hardships that test the limits of her faith and endurance.

Convinced that Tamsen has been kidnapped, wealthy suitor Ambrose Kincaid follows after her, in company with her equally determined stepfather. With trouble in pursuit, Tamsen and Jesse find themselves thrust into the conflict of a divided community of Overmountain settlers. The State of Franklin has been declared, but many remain loyal to North Carolina. With one life left behind and chaos on the horizon, Tamsen struggles to adapt to a life for which she was never prepared. But could this challenging frontier life be what her soul has longed for, what God has been leading her toward? As pursuit draws ever nearer, will her faith see her through the greatest danger of all—loving a man who has risked everything for her?

Thanks to Amara, Amy, Charlotte, Kerry, and Lori for taking time from their packed writing days to give us an update. I promise you can't go wrong with anything by these five ladies!