Robin Patchen {Writer Wednesday}

A little bit about Robin...

Robin Patchen is an award winning multi-published author, but only because she can't pursue her other dream.

If time and money were no object, Robin would spend her life traveling. Her goal is to visit every place in the entire world--twice. She longs to meet everybody and see everything and spread the good news of Christ. Alas, time is short and money is scarce, and her husband and three teenagers don't want to traipse all around the world with her, so Robin does the next best thing: she writes. In the tales she creates, she can illustrate the unending grace of God through the power and magic of story.

Connect with Robin...

Website: http://robinpatchen.com 
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5187882.Robin_Patchen
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RobinPatchen/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/robinpatchen
Purchase: Twisted Lies

Get to know Robin...

You and Writing 

It takes courage to write.

I’ve wanted to be a writer since I was a young girl taking in the world of beauty—the towering oaks, the bluest skies, the whisper of the breeze through the trees of my small New Hampshire town. I longed to capture those impressions with words, but I had no idea how. I grew older, and my vocabulary improved as my confidence waned. By the time I reached high school, I believed I could never be good enough to make a living as a writer. I went to college and studied Hotel and Restaurant Management. That lasted precisely one semester, during which I decided that if calculus was required for a business degree, then business wasn’t for me.

I transferred and switched to journalism. It wasn’t exactly the writing I wanted to do, but it was a step in the right direction. Journalism morphed into public relations and landed me a marketing job after college. Marriage happened, then children and quitting work and home schooling. Something else happened in those years. God pulled me out of that hole of self-doubt and infused me with the belief that He created me for a purpose, and I was valuable even if I failed.

I was forty years old when I started my first novel. Even at that age, with all that God-confidence, it still took courage to try it, more to let anybody read it. I finally had the courage, and it came when I realized that whenever I fell—and I inevitably would—I would always land in God's strong arms.

Your Writing

Let's talk about your book. Why did you write it?
Twisted Lies is the second in a romantic suspense series, and I wrote it because in the first book, Convenient Lies, I became enamored with a secondary character. Nate Boyle is a man who nearly died to protect a woman who’d dumped him, an old friend he hardly had any contact with. What were the long-term ramifications of that decision? This book opens with Nate moving out of his house in New York, planning to escape to New Hampshire, hoping for a life devoid of excitement and danger. That’s what he longs for. So of course, I had to wreck it.

Do you have a favorite character in this work? If so, why?
I started the book for Nate’s sake, but Marisa, the heroine, quickly rooted herself in my heart. It’s her love for her daughter that hooks me, that and her blind determination to do what she has to do, regardless what that means for her personal safety. Her four-year-old daughter, Ana, is another of my favorites.

What is one take-away from your book that you hope readers identify with?
Nate feels like he will never be a hero, because of something that happened in Convenient Lies—I won’t give it away. I hope readers learn along with Nate that courage isn’t fearlessness. Rather, courage is doing what’s right, despite that fear. Heroes are regular folks who decide to act in the face of their own terror. We all have the ability to be heroes.
What was a challenge you faced while writing it?

I’ve tried to keep the faith element in these books very subtle in the hopes of appealing to a broader audience. I would dearly love to stay comfortably in the Christian book world, but I have felt for a while the Lord encouraging me to step out, to reach readers who aren’t yet believers. I’m not sure yet what that’s going to look like, but I’m trusting God with the results.

For me, the biggest challenge with this book and its predecessor was filtering in truth without being blatant about it. I want to stir the reader’s soul, to create soft soil the Lord can plant into. I hope I’ve accomplished it.
Did you get to do any fun research for the book?

I had to do a lot of research on the 2008 real estate crash—that wasn’t fun at all, and the vast majority of what I learned didn’t end up in the book. (To my readers: You’re welcome. I didn’t want to bore you as I had been bored.) But since many of the early scenes take place in Acapulco, I got to spend some time on a cyber tour of that Mexican city. Someday, I’d love to visit it and the little towns in central Mexico I spent so much time researching.

Writing

What’s your encouragement for younger writers aside from “keep writing”?
If you’ve done any writing at all, you already know how hard it is. And you already know you have to keep writing, because practice makes perfect. Except I don’t think that’s true. I think practice makes patterns, and if the patterns are bad, then the results will be, too. So your job is to make sure your writing patterns are excellent. How do you do that? A few ways:

Read great books, read them with an eye for story and prose, and read both inside and outside the CBA. There are excellent writers in the general market, and if you steer clear of romance, you can find plenty that are relatively clean. I recommend this because the general market has a much broader scope of books, writing styles, and talent than the Christian market does, simply because it’s so much larger.

Read craft books. It’s amazing to me that people will spend hundreds of dollars to attend a writers conference but will balk at the cost of a book. I attended an all-day seminar by a great writing coach last year. In it, he barely scratched the surface of his book, which you can get on Amazon for $14. The exercises are in there, and if you do them, you’ll improve. Also, check out online courses available through ACFW and other organizations. They’re very affordable and can teach you so much. (I’ll make some recommendations below.)

Join a critique group. I’m a freelance editor, and you’d be surprised at how many people will offer to pay me to read manuscripts that nobody else has ever seen. Most of the mistakes I see, especially from newer writers, would be addressed in a good critique group. ACFW’s Scribes is where I met most of my critique partners, and I wouldn't publish a book without them.

Finally—you knew I was going to say it—write all the time. Not long after I became a Christian in the nineties, I started journaling. Twenty-plus years later, I still do it. In fact, I don’t just journal, I write my prayers. I have boxes and boxes of used journals, loose leaf paper, and spiral binders filled with my ramblings to God. Even though I know no human will ever read them, I try to write well. The Audience I’m writing for deserves my best. I believe that the practice of writing my prayers daily has vastly improved my writing ability. That’s not why I did it, of course, but what a great benefit.

Are there any books or resources you could recommend to younger writers looking to grow in their craft?

• Every book by Donald Maass
• Plot and Structure and other books by James Scott Bell (I haven’t read all of his books, but the ones I have read have been excellent.)
• Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Brown and Dave King
• Story Genius by Lisa Cron
• On Writing by Stephen King
• Save the Cat by Blake Snyder
• Margie Lawson’s online courses (I’ve only done one, but it was excellent)
• 5 Editors Tackle the 12 Fatal Flaws of Fiction Writing. (The caveat here is that I’m one of those five editors. The other four are excellent, and I love how this book is set-up, with before and after examples.)

You

All right, let’s keep things real: Flowers or chocolate? …Or books?
Books, definitely! But some chocolate to go along with them is always nice.

What’s your most memorable (good or bad) Valentines date or gift?
My husband proposed on Valentine’s Day, so I’d have to say my engagement ring is the most memorable gift.

What are you currently reading?
I just started Stranger Things by Erin Healy. I’m about to start The Emotional Craft of Fiction by Donald Maass. I’m also reading Stumbling on Happiness by Daniel Gilbert.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Core of Characters by Jennifer Slattery | Guest Post

Emilie here: This month the blog's focus is on characters in reading and writing. To kick us off we have the lovely Jennifer Slattery talking about the core of her character creation! I know you're going to enjoy this.

The Core of Characters

Some characters develop slowly. Maybe I’ll catch a glimpse of their career or whom they spend most of their time with. But other characters seem to unveil themselves rapidly in my brain. In my latest release, Bianca was very much the latter type.

That isn’t always the case, however, so when I begin to sketch out new characters, there are certain steps I normally take.

One might think I start with the easy stuff—hair color and style, eye color, and build. But I’ve found, I can’t determine those things until I know about my character’s core. The first and most important thing I need to know is, what do they want and why do they want that?

The why needs to be significant enough to pull my reader in and cause them to root for the character.

In order to answer this question, I need to know the character’s inner lie, because once I know this, I land on the why behind every action, reaction, dream, and fear.

For example, in Restoring Love, Angela believes she’s a failure. She’s made some incredibly big (and hurtful) mistakes that would have resulted in her being homeless—had her daughter not taken her in. But then she encounters Christ, begins to change, completes a college degree, and takes steps toward creating a new life.

Only problem—that nasty inner lie won’t leave her alone. It haunts her, increases her insecurities, and at times, causes her to perceive rejection when there isn’t any.

In an effort to throw off her lie, she determines to get a job as an educator. This is an admirable goal and one many share, but the goal alone wouldn’t be enough to keep women turning pages. Readers need to know why it’s so important that a character reach that goal. That, as I said, is where the inner lie comes in.

Once I know a character’s internal (to prove herself competent) and external (to gain a teaching position) goals, I need to figure out what keeps them from that. In Angela’s case, she has internal and external challenges. Internally, past failures make her reluctant to take healthy risks. When an opportunity arises, the moment she begins to step forward, her inner lie begins to rise up, whispering incessantly, “You can’t do that. They won’t hire you. You’re not good enough for that.”

But she also faces some hefty external challenges, the biggest of which is that she has zero teaching experience. This roadblock is compounded by the fact that she lives in a competitive job market where there are plenty of experienced teachers are seeking the same jobs that she is.

There are numerous other aspects to each character I come to discover, sometimes before I begin writing, other times as they face struggles or change. These include things like unique personality traits, quirks, fears, close relationships, and favorite ice cream. (All my characters must love ice cream if they ever want page time. It’s a rule.) And those things are important, but they’re secondary to the character’s inner lie, internal and external motivation, and internal and external obstacles.

How about you: Do you write? How do you develop your characters? Do you prefer to start surface level then go deeper, or do you go straight for the jugular as I do? Do you have any craft books on character development that you’d recommend? Share your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions in the comments below, because we can all learn from one another.
_________________

Novelist and speaker Jennifer Slattery has a passion for helping women discover, embrace, and live out who they are in Christ. As the founder of Wholly Loved Ministries, (http://whollyloved.com) she and her team put on events at partnering churches designed to help women rest in their true worth and live with maximum impact. She writes devotions for Internet Café Devotions, Christian living articles for Crosswalk.com, and edits for Firefy, a Southern fiction imprint with Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas. When not writing, reading, or editing, Jennifer loves going on mall dates with her adult daughter and coffee dates with her hilariously fun husband.

Visit with Jennifer online at JenniferSlatteryLivesOutLoud.com and connect with her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/JenSlatte

Book Description for Restoring Love

Mitch, a contractor and house-flipper, is restoring a beautiful old house in an idyllic Midwestern neighborhood. Angela, a woman filled with regrets and recently transplanted to his area, is anything but idyllic. She's almost his worst nightmare, and she s also working on restoring something herself. As he struggles to keep his business afloat and she works to overcome mistakes of her past, these two unlikely friends soon discover they have something unexpected in common, a young mom who is fighting to give her children a better life after her husband's incarceration. While both Mitch and Angela are drawn to help this young mother survive, they also find themselves drawn to each other. Will a lifetime of regrets hold them back or unite them and bring redemption along with true love?

Purchase: Restoring Love 

Candace Calvert, Dana Mentink & June Foster | New Novel News

Maybe It's You
by Candace Calvert

Published: February 3, 2017
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers
Purchase: Maybe It's You


ER nurse Sloane Ferrell escaped her risky past—new name, zip code, job, and a fresh start. She’s finally safe, if she avoids a paper trail and doesn’t let people get too close. Like the hospital’s too-smooth marketing man with his relentless campaign to plaster one “lucky” employee’s face on freeway billboards.

Micah Prescott’s goal is to improve the Hope hospital image, but his role as a volunteer crisis responder is closer to his heart. The selfless work helps fill a void in his life left by family tragedy. So does a tentative new relationship with the compassionate, beautiful, and elusive Sloane Ferrell.

Then a string of brutal crimes makes headlines, summons responders . . . and exposes disturbing details of Sloane’s past.

Can hope spring from crisis?

Get to know Candace...

Who is your favorite secondary character?
I must confess I particularly enjoy writing “dark” secondary characters, sometimes crawling into their minds to write from their point of view: a twitchy, dangerous drug dealer, a Gulf war veteran with PTSD, a ruthless sniper, or—in Maybe It’s You—a slick, crafty chameleon of a con-man. Great fun!

What actor/actress would play you if your life was a movie? 
(And, doing a complete 180 from that last answer) While I’d love to say I’d require some edgy “warrior” of an actress (think Hunger Games) the better fit would be a perpetually perky-quirky (and admittedly vintage) type like Meg Ryan, Sally Field . . . or Doris Day. Sigh. It’s in the DNA.

Favorite place you’ve traveled to? 
I’ve been blessed to travel to some amazing places and still get goose bumpy every time I see a photo of myself in Egypt among the pyramids--standing front of the Sphinx. Oddly, we have similar profiles.

Connect with Candace: www.candacecalvert.com

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Paws for Love
by Dana Mentink

Published: February 1, 2017
Publisher: Harvest House
Purchase: Paws for Love

There's no quiet on the set when over-the-hill screen star Lawrence Tucker brings his naughty terrier, Jellybean, on location to the beachside town of Albatross, California. When Jellybean develops a rapport with Tucker's violin tutor, the painfully shy, socially awkward Misty Agnelli, her arm is twisted into minding the mischievous animal. Trailing Jellybean leads Misty into the candy store of Bill Woodson, a handsome chocolatier with a painful secret and a three-year-old niece to raise. Misty must deal with the unstable Tucker, a temperamental Jellybean, her budding feelings for the mysterious Bill, and the high-pressure atmosphere on the set. Though she wants nothing more than to flee, how can she tell her Grandma, Lawrence Tucker's biggest fan, that she abandoned the star and his dog? It's actors, animals, and antics galore when Jellybean gives his own heartwarming performance.

Get to know Dana...

Coffee or tea? 
Coffee, please. I really try to like tea, but it just doesn't taste enough like coffee.

Cats or dogs or both? 
Dogs. Junie the terrier/doxie was the inspiration for the fictional Jellybean.

Favorite dessert? 
I really never met one I didn't like except marzipan. If it's chocolate, I'm going to love it!

Connect with Dana: http://www.danamentink.com/

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Restoration of the Heart
by June Foster

Published: January 27, 2017
Publisher: Forget Me Not Romance, a division of Winged Publications
Purchase: Restoration of the Heart


Though a Christian, Luke Chamberlain ignored his values and indulged in his beautiful fiancé's world of alcohol, parties, and nights at her apartment. After rededicating his life to the Lord, he vows never to fall into the lifestyle again. When the state of Idaho's Tourism Department offers his construction company the contract to renovate Silver Cliff, an 1890's silver mining ghost town, he accepts.

Janie Littleton studied history in college because life in the past is simpler than the uncomfortable reality of the present. With her extra pounds, eye glasses, and mousy brown hair, no man would find her attractive. When she's offered the job of project historian at the restoration of Silver Cliff, she accepts. But as Luke Chamberlain shows an interest in her, she doubts his sincerity. To make matters worse, someone claiming to be the miner who founded Silver Cliff in 1890 intimidates her with frightening midnight visits.

Can Luke convince Janie he's in love with the godly woman she is? Can Janie hold onto her faith as she's harassed by frightening appearances of old Ezra Barclay who died a hundred years ago?

Get to know June...

If your book became a movie, who would you cast for your main characters?
America Ferrera would play frightened Janie Littleton who's trying to do her job as the historian, and Nathan Fillion would portray the hunky contractor renovating the old buildings at Silver Cliff ghost town.

Who is your favorite secondary character? 
In Restoration of the Heart, Hector Dowling is the villain with bushy eyebrows, deep-set dark eyes and lanky frame. Is he the long-dead miner's impersonator or is it someone else?

Do you have a nickname? Care to share? 
Ever since I was a little girl, my mom always called me June Bug. Now my brother still does. Funny thing, I don't like bugs!

Connect with June: http://junefoster.blogspot.com/

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Wedding Shop by Rachel Hauck | Re:View

A tale of God's perfect timing that spans the ages. 

***

She's done it again. I don't know what kind of magical mojo Rachel Hauck weaves into her stories but they get me right in the feels every time. Every. Time. Yes, I spent a good portion of this book crying...In a reflective, happy, sad, mixed-emotions and feelings kind of way. I'm pretty sure not everyone will be affected in this way, but somehow this book hit me right in a soft spot and pressed in. Deeper and deeper.

This book--and the characters journey--reminded me that God is powerful, influential, and working in this world (yes, even though it is a fictional book). It's one of the many things I admire about Rachel's writing - her ability to gently remind us of the fact that God is a BIG God and capable of doing amazing things. He's a God of miracles. I remember one line hit me especially where Haley says, "...but I'm not going to let a little thing like money stand in my way." What truth! And what a great theme--considering the fact that God's will is bigger than money or our ability to plan things out (but I digress).

This story, like The Wedding Dress and The Wedding Chapel, is "dual time" encompassing a story from history with the present. I'm not a huge fan of this in general, but the stories have really grown on me. If I were to choose which story I liked best between Cora Scott and Haley Morgan I'm not sure that I could pick. Both were well thought out, developed, and enticing in their own right.

Haley reminded me a lot of myself - not exactly in personality, but at the core of who she is and what she focused on in this book. Her devotion to opening The Wedding Shop and her appreciation for its history is also something that resonates deep in me. I love history and want to see it cherished and preserved. I loved Cora's character and storyline, though I was frustrated with her at times for being "blind". Then again, aren't we all blind to things we don't want to see sometimes?

And the ending. *sigh* I won't share much here other than the fact that I was at around 50% one night and finished the rest of the book (staying up until 2 am) just to see what happened. And I loved it!

If you like present day romance, historical romance, or (like this book) a combination, you are going to love this book! It gives you the best of both worlds and a woven story that will pull you through until the end and have you rooting for The Wedding Shop.

Rating: 5*
Purchase: The Wedding Shop 

Book Description
(from Amazon)

Two women separated by decades. Both set out to help others find their dreams when their own have crumbled.

It's the early 1930s, but Cora Scott is walking in stride as a career woman after having inherited her great aunt's wedding shop in Heart’s Bend, Tennessee, where brides come from as far away as Birmingham to experience her famed bridal treatment. Meanwhile, Cora is counting down the days until her own true love returns from the river to make her his bride. But days turn into months and months to years. All the while, Birch Good continues to woo Cora and try to show her that while he is solid and dependable, he can sweep her off her feet.  

More than eighty years later, former Air Force Captain Haley Morgan has returned home to Heart's Bend after finishing her commitment to military service. After the devastating death of her best friend, Tammy, and discovering the truth about the man she loved, Haley is searching for her place in life.

When Haley decides to reopen the romantic but abandoned wedding shop where she and Tammy played and dreamed as children, she begins a journey of courage, mystery, and love.

As Cora’s and Haley's stories intertwine through time in the shadow of the beloved wedding shop, they both discover the power of their own dreams and the magic of everyday love.

______________

I received this book for free but was under no obligation to post a review. I do so under my own motivation and the opinions I have expressed in this review are honest and entirely my own.

Raging Storm by Vannetta Chapman | Quotes

Welcome author Vannetta Chapman to the blog today, friends. She's going to share some quotes from her new release, Raging Storm. See the book description below and find out more about Vannetta at the bottom of the post.

Raging Storm
by Vannetta Chapman

In the Darkness,

Anarchy Awakens

When a massive solar flare wiped out all modern technology across the globe, the small town of Abney, Texas, was thrown into chaos. Shelby Sparks and her teenage son, Carter, have found refuge, but Shelby knows she can't simply remain hidden forever. Carter is a type 1 diabetic in need of insulin—and Shelby will risk her life traveling to Austin to make sure he gets it.

Shelby's best friend and high school sweetheart, Max Berkman, won't even consider letting her make the perilous journey alone. Together, they manage to get to the capital—only to discover that while things are desperate in Abney, Austin has turned into an urban nightmare on the brink of anarchy.

Shelby and Max's search for medical supplies will lead them into terrifying territory, where the only thing more uncertain than finding what they need is the hope of making it out of the city alive.

* * *

In this second book in an eerily plausible, action-packed dystopian series, survival will be threatened and faith will be put to the ultimate test as a raging storm engulfs America.

* * *

Thank you so much for having me on your blog. I’m thrilled to talk to you today about my newest release, Raging Storm. This is the 2nd book in my Remnant series. It’s a story about a world where most technology has been destroyed by a massive solar flare, and how a small group of friends from Abney Texas learn to survive.

I’d like to share with you a couple of quotes from the story.

They found a room that had been set up with tables and chairs. Several lanterns sat darkened on the middle of the tables. Shelby glanced at her watch—it was only ten o’clock, but the room was empty. Everyone was in bed. Funny how their sleeping patterns had reverted back to a farmer’s lifestyle. They were up at sunrise and asleep by the time it was good and dark. No more late nights scouring the Internet, watching television, or reading one more chapter. She was reminded again that life had changed, and they had changed with it. Surviving took every ounce of energy they had.

There’s so much in this excerpt that I like. People’s lives have fallen into a natural rhythm again. I imagine much of our problems with insomnia would be gone, because we’d be physically exhausted from a day of labor. Plus we wouldn’t have the technological noise that has become a constant background to our lives. I enjoy many of these things as much as anyone--social media, digital music, an endless supply of movies at my fingertips--but I do wonder if perhaps these things have come at a great price. At the end of this excerpt, Shelby realizes that life has changed. That they are stronger than they’ve ever been.

He leaned in toward her, his hand tracing the outline of her jaw, his lips finding hers. Softly, gently, he kissed her.
She pulled away first, laughing nervously. “That didn’t settle me down.”
So he reached for her hand and pulled it between his. “Your hands are always so cold.”
“Low blood pressure.”
“Even as the world is ending.”
“Even then.”
“You were so happy just a few hours ago. What happened?”
“Fear crept in.”

This short romantic scene between Max and Shelby makes me laugh. I can see it in my mind. Shelby has held her emotions at bay for a long, long time. She loves Max, but she’s afraid to admit that--afraid of being hurt, afraid of being abandoned, afraid. Her emotions somersault between joy and fear. Max sees it, and Shelby finally acknowledges it, and that’s a turning point for her. Because she begins to understand that fearful is not what we’re called to be. As Christians, our trust is in the Lord, and so we can afford to be bold in our faith and in our relationships.

She saved Max for last. When she moved to slap his hand, he pulled her into his arms and whispered in her ear. “Carter’s going to be fine, and he’s lucky to have you for his mother.”
She touched his cheek once and started to answer. Changing her mind, she kissed him on the other cheek and whispered “thank you” before pulling away.
Something inside of Max blossomed, something he hadn’t felt in a long time. Certainly not since the flare, and maybe even before that. Maybe it was something he’d smothered well before the sun changed their world.

For the first time in many years, Max experienced hope. That they would get the supplies of medication back to the people who needed them and that Carter would be fine. He caught a glimpse of a future with Shelby, one that was more than friendship. He allowed himself to dream about the next day and the next one after that with Shelby in his arms, by his side, completing his life. And in that moment the thought crossed his mind that just possibly the life they were building could be better than the one they’d left behind.

And there is another theme of the book, that sometimes the things we fear, the things we would never wish for, give us joy that we couldn’t imagine. No one in this story would have wished for a solar flare, to lose all modern conveniences, to be thrown back into the lifestyle of their grandparents. But once these things happen, they find joy. They find hope in the future that God has planned. “The life they were building could be better than the one they’d left behind.” I think this is a truth for each of us, because God’s grace is always sufficient.

________________________

Vannetta Chapman writes inspirational fiction full of grace, including romantic suspense and Amish romance novels. She is the author of seventeen novels, including the Pebble Creek Amish series, The Shipshewana Amish Mystery series and Anna’s Healing, a 2016 Christy Award finalist. Vannetta is a Carol award winner and also received more than two dozen awards from Romance Writers of America chapter groups. She was a teacher for 15 years and currently resides in the Texas hill country.

Connect with Vannetta:
http://vannettachapman.com
https://twitter.com/VannettaChapman
https://www.facebook.com/VannettaChapmanBooks
https://www.instagram.com/vannettachapman/
Purchase: Raging Storm

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Julianna Deering {Writer Wednesday}

A little bit about Julianna...

Julianna Deering has always been an avid reader and a lover of storytelling, whether on the page, the screen or the stage. This, along with her keen interest in history and her Christian faith, shows in her tales of love, forgiveness and triumph over adversity. A fifth-generation Texan, she makes her home north of Dallas with three spoiled cats and, when not writing, spends her free time quilting, cross stitching and watching NHL hockey. Her series of Drew Farthering mysteries set in 1930s England debuted from Bethany House with Rules of Murder (2013) and is followed by Death by the Book and Murder at the Mikado (2014), Dressed for Death (2016), Murder on the Moor (2017) and Death at Thorburn Hall (Coming Fall 2017). Also, as DeAnna Julie Dodson, she has written a trilogy of medieval romances (In Honor Bound, By Love Redeemed and To Grace Surrendered) and six contemporary mysteries for Annie’s Fiction. She is represented by Wendy Lawton of the Books & Such Literary Agency (www.booksandsuch.biz).

Connect with Julianna...

On the web:
www.juliannadeering.com
www.deannajuliedodson.com
On Facebook:
https://business.facebook.com/AuthorJuliannaDeering/
https://www.facebook.com/julie.dodson.9659
On Twitter: @DeAnnaJulDodson
On Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6565151.Julianna_Deering
Purchase: Murder on the Moor 

Get to know Julianna...

You and Writing

Tell us a little bit about you and writing... 
I started writing because I was bored in one of my accounting classes in college. I’ve always loved to read, but I never saw myself as a writer. I certainly never thought I’d be published. Still, I always loved drama and stories. I think I’m a wannabe director, but since paper and pencil are so much cheaper than costumes and sets and actors, I ended up writing novels. Why do I keep writing? It’s just what I do. I can’t imagine not working on something, even if it’s just a fun takeoff on a classic book or movie. I absolutely love having finished a project, especially when I hold a “real” book in my hands. Murder on the Moor is my fourteenth published book, and it just never gets old.

Your Writing

Tell us a little bit about your book....

Why did you write it?  
I wrote Murder on the Moor to continue Drew and Madeline’s sleuthing adventures. Each book in this series has a literary inspiration, and for this one I used the moody and atmospheric works of the Brontes with just a touch of Doyle’s The Hound of the Baskervilles for spice.

Do you have a favorite character in this work? If so, why?
I love Drew, Madeline and Nick the very best in the series. But for this particular book, I have to admit that Rhys Delwyn, the Welsh gamekeeper, is my favorite. It doesn’t hurt that he just happens to look like Aidan Turner in Poldark either. Of course, that doesn’t mean he’s not a murderer. Just sayin’.

What is one take-away from your book that you hope readers identify with?
One of the major themes of the book is that only God knows what’s inside a person’s heart. No matter how things look, we can’t see what’s really inside. Drew has to be especially careful this time out and not jump to conclusions based on his own prejudices.

What was a challenge you faced while writing it?
I wanted very much to get the sound and the feel and the look of the Yorkshire moor right for this book. I was fortunate to have someone who lives in that part of the world describe for me the little things that don’t come up in the usual descriptions in books or on websites. And she sent me some very helpful photos that added a whole new dimension to the plot. I am forever grateful for her help.

We're your characters easy to pin down or did you discover them along the way as you wrote the book?
When I start planning a story, the characters are just placeholders. I know what function I want each of them to serve (murderer, victim, innocent suspect, etc.), but it’s only as I write that I get to know them and really add the details that makes each of them unique.

What made you choose the setting for the book?
I don’t know how I could have a Bronte-inspired book without setting at least most of it on the moor, especially if I was going to add a spectral hound to the story.

What's the most random thing you had to Google for the story?
I was looking for an animal that might kill sheep out on the moor, and I found out that there are no wolves in England anymore. At least there weren’t in Drew’s time. I think they might be reintroducing them now.

What was one thing (or character) that surprised you while writing this book?
One of the characters is blind. I hadn’t planned on that, but it worked out really great for the story. They’re always throwing me little curve balls like that, and it makes for some interesting writing.

What’s your favorite snack while writing?
Chocolate, hands down. But not white chocolate.

Writing

Let’s talk about your writing life...

What’s your encouragement for younger writers aside from “keep writing”?
Don’t dismiss constructive criticism. That’s not to say a writer should make every change a reader mentions. It’s your book. You have the last say on what is in it. But don’t be so in love with each and every one of your words that you miss the opportunity to tell your story in the best way possible. (tweet this -quote abbreviated-) No one, no matter how talented or experienced, can see his own writing with the same eyes as a first-time reader. Listen. Listen, listen, listen. Then decide what changes will make your story stronger and still be true to the vision you have for it.

How many rejection letters did you get before being accepted by a publisher?
I was accepted on my third query, but that was a total surprise and a total miracle. I really never expected to be published at all.

Are you a Panster or Plotter?
I guess you could call me a hiker. I know where I’m starting and I know where I need to end up and I know a few major stops along the way. Other than that, I walk along and see what happens.

What does your writing process look like?
It seems to be different with every book. Sometimes I write from front to back. Sometimes I write the middle and then figure out what leads up to that and what happens afterward. Lately though I seem to have settled on using the fourteen plot points outlined in James Scott Bell’s excellent craft book, Write Your Novel from the Middle. It keeps me from having structural problems as I’m growing my plot.

Where do you find inspiration for your story/characters?
Everywhere. Everybody and everything has some kind of story. Wherever you are, you can look around you and play “what if.”

Do you listen to music when you write? If so, have a favorite artist or playlist to share?
I almost never listen to music when I write. If I do, it’s probably some sort of movie soundtrack or even water or rain sounds. Songs with words interfere with the words I need to be hearing in my head.

What advice would you give to aspiring authors for writing and/or publishing?
Read, read, read, especially in the genre you want to write. Read wonderfully written books, and you’ll know what good writing looks and sounds like. (tweet this) Then you’ll know what to aspire to.

Are there any books or resources you could recommend to younger writers looking to grow in their craft?
Just about anything by James Scott Bell, especially the aforementioned Write Your Novel from the Middle. He’s an excellent teacher and gets right to the point.

How do you balance your writing life with “real” life? Any tips or tricks to share?
I find it’s too easy to get distracted. It’s too easy to lose a day or a week by letting non-writing interests or problems steal my attention. Some of that is inevitable, of course, but if I’m going to meet my deadlines (and often I have several deadlines at once), I have to have a schedule. I make sure to build in some “life happens” time, but I do my best to stay on track. It’s amazing how the words add up over time.

You

All right, let’s keep things real: Flowers or chocolate? …Or books?
Flowers are too short lived and, while sending them is a sweet and thoughtful gesture, they’re just not my thing. You can’t go wrong with chocolate and books.

What are you currently reading?
I’ve just started The Captivating Lady Charlotte by Carolyn Miller. I’m not far into it yet, but I enjoyed her first book, The Elusive Miss Ellison, so much, I’m sure this one will be a delight, too.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Pamela S. Meyers & Christine Meunier | New Novel News

Second Chance Love
by Pamela S. Meyers

Published: January 24, 2017
Publisher: Bling!/Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas
Purchase: Second Chance Love


Chicago lawyer Sydney Knight and Texas bull rider Jace McGowan have nothing in common but everything to lose when they are thrust together during a weekend rodeo in rural Illinois. Neither one of them would have imagined two years ago that the deep attraction they sensed during a day-long outing would resurface when Sydney’s boss assigns her to Jace’s legal case.

Sydney has been through a world of hurt since losing her dad when she was sixteen, then being dumped the morning of her wedding. She’s sworn off romance and instead devotes her time toward a partnership in her father’s law office.

Jace has found faith in God and wants out of his sponsor contract with a risqué restaurant chain that requires him to pose with scantily-clad women. He’s about to bail on the contract and pay steep penalties—something he can ill afford, given that his deceased father left the family with unpaid taxes.

Sydney is determined she’ll get Jace out of his contract and return to Chicago with her heart intact, but Jace is just as determined to help her see they are meant to be together. Can a city girl with roots deep in Chicago and a bull-riding rancher with roots deep in Texas give themselves a second-chance love?

Get to know Pamela...

What are the names of your pets? If you don't have any, what would you name your pets? 
I have two rescue cats that I adopted about 2-1/2 years ago. They are named after my main characters in my novel, Love Finds You in Lake Geneva. Wisconsin, Jack and Meg (I often call her Meggie though). I have had cats most of my life and I had already decided to name my next male cat Jack. As I was driving to the cats’ foster home I agonized over what to call the girl and then it hit me. It was a no-brainer. They both know their names, but they have no idea who they are named after LOL.

Coffee or tea? 
Coffee, absolutely. I consider myself to be kind of a “coffee snob.” I used to buy coffee beans and grind them at home. That way I could blend two different types together. Then I discovered a marvelous invention called the Keurig and I said goodbye to my coffee grinder. But I still blend two different types. I found a great online coffee supplier that sells the cups a lot less than the stores do and I usually blend their Donut Shop and Columbian or Kona, depending if I need a strong jolt in the morning or a milder one. I usually only drink coffee in the morning unless I’m really dragging. Then I might even run down the road to one of those famous coffee shops and get a double shot mocha.

Which of your characters do you secretly have a crush on? 
I think I usually develop a crush on whomever is the hero in my current WIP. But I have to say that Jace McGowan, the leading man in Second Chance Love tweaked my heartstrings more than any of my other characters. It’s the cowboy mystique I think. I’ve had people who have read my story already tell me they are in love with Jace. Sandie Bricker, who sadly passed away last November of brain cancer, was my acquiring editor on this book, and when she read my manuscript, almost her first words to me were, “I’m in love with Jace.” I giggled when I read that. What did it matter that we were both old enough to be his mother. 😀

A native of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, author Pamela S. Meyers lives in suburban Chicago with her two rescue cats. Her novels include Thyme for Love and her historical romance, Love Finds You in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Her novella, What Lies Ahead, is part of a novella collection, The Bucket List Dare, which is now available at Amazon in both print and Kindle formats. Second Chance Love from Bling!, an imprint of Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas, releases in January 2017. When she isn’t at her laptop writing her latest novel, she can often be found nosing around Wisconsin and other Midwestern spots for new story ideas.

Connect with Pam: 

Website: www.pammeyerswrites.com Blog: www.pamelasuemeyers.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/pamela.meyers www.facebook.com/PamelaSMeyersAuthor/ Twitter: pamelameyers

Recessive
by Christine Meunier

Published: January 8, 2017
Publisher: Independently Published
Purchase: Recessive

Savannah Reynier isn’t sure how she should classify her relationship with Craig Pieters. They’re not dating but she’s keen to spend as much time with him as possible. As she learns about his beliefs, that desire increases.

November proves to be a busy month at work for Savannah. The days fly by as she celebrates the Melbourne Cup, deals with a damaging storm and turns a year older. All the while Savannah is learning more about horses and breeding; more about the South African man who has come into her life.

As Craig helps her to increase her horse knowledge and challenges her to live out her faith, Savannah finds herself wanting more than friendship. But after Jackson, is she willing to make herself vulnerable again?

Get to know Christine...

What's your favorite chore?
Mowing the lawn! I love how it looks afterward; when I was working with horses I really enjoyed picking up paddocks – they look so much cleaner once they’re done!

Coffee or tea?
Tea – Irish Breakfast tea to be exact.

What’s one thing you must have/do in the morning?
Read my bible over a cup of tea.

Connect with Christine:

http://www.horsecountrybook.com/ - horse books with the Christian faith for adults

http://www.facebook.com/HorseCountryBook - Facebook page