Sunday, October 31, 2010

Dream girls like me

I'm glad I started reading romance after the era of swooning, helpless damsels.
I like heroines who are brassy, like Kathleen Turner in V.I. Warshawski. (Turner was fantastic in this and other roles, especially playing opposite Michael Douglas.) V.I. is tough and beautiful, hot-tempered and sarcastic, self-reliant and smart.
Everything I am. Er... try to be...Ahem...want to be.

Friday, October 29, 2010

Friday Friend Pauline Holyoak

Paranormal Suspense Author – Pauline Holyoak

Merryweathger Lodge – Ancient Revenge…”A supernatural thriller that keeps you on the edge.” A perfect read for the Halloween season!

About me….

I grew in Southeast England, in a mining village my husband calls, “The place that time forgot.” I came to Canada as a nanny, when I was 21. This vast and majestic country has served me well, but England will always be home. I live in Alberta (western Canada) with my sports crazy husband, adorable Sheltie dog and cantankerous ginger cat. We have two grown children. I love this part of the country, except for the winters. It can be a chilly minus -30 for days on end. Burr…..
Every summer, when I was a child, we would visit my aunt and uncle at their quaint little cottage on Salisbury Plain. It was called Scotland Lodge and was situated not far from the historical Stonehenge. My uncle worked as a farm hand for the local squire. My aunt tended the manor house. It was there as I roamed free, deep within the English countryside, that I experienced joy, enchantment and some very strange and frightening occurrences. It was like a fairytale kingdom with a sinister twist. The memories of my summers at Scotland Lodge have stayed with me as a sort of nagging unsolved mystery all my life. A few years ago I revisited my childhood wonderland (the old place still emanates a strange and eerie essence) and was lead by some mysterious force into concocting this story and writing this book. It is from my mystifying experiences at Scotland Lodge that this book has emerged.

My life has been a fascinating journey so far but nothing compares to my mystifying summer holidays at Scotland Lodge.

Book blurb…..

When Emily Fletcher meets the gorgeous Jonathan McArthur she is infatuated and consumed with passion. Will he go with her to the dreaded wood-lot, to remove the bloody ancient curse, before it’s too late? In the first half of my story Emily is fourteen years old. In the second half she is forced to return to the cottage, at the age of twenty. My novel contains elements of horror, humor, fantasy, romance and sex. I have created a world into which my readers can escape and an atmosphere that will evoke their imagination, stir their emotions and engage their senses.

Excerpt….

“It was the 31st of October. The day I had dreaded for the past week. I loved this time of year as a child; the thrill of dressing up in scary costumes, carving jack-o-lanterns and going trick or treating door to door. Spooky decorations adorned our homes, both inside and out. The trees were bare, piles of brittle brown leaves lay on the lawns, inviting little ones to run and jump. The air was crisp and cold, and sometimes the odd snow flake would fall, signaling the long cold winter ahead. Skye’s mom spent weeks making her the best costume, and it was always something incredibly gruesome. I always wore store bought costumes and had to go as a princess or fairy. I wish that Skye was here with me now. She’d know exactly what to do and wouldn’t be a nervous wreck, like me. Besides Christmas, Halloween was my favorite time of year; but there were no signs of little ghosts and goblins, jack-o-lanterns, or celebrating at Merryweather Lodge, only the rustling of half naked trees and the gloom and foreboding of the cool autumn air. I reach for my journal…If I don’t come out of this alive I leave you, my confident, to my best friend Skye. She is the only one who will understand the content of your pages. I am scared, so utterly scared.”




Merryweather Lodge – A quaint little cottage, steeped in history, shrouded in secrets, its aura a paradoxical essence of heaven and hell. Go into this book if you dare and experience my protagonist’s strange and eerie journey there…. . Available at www.whiskeycreekpress.com

Thank you Margaret, for letting me share this with you and your friends. Come visit me at www.paulineholyoak.com

(My profound apologies, Pauline. I was not able to upload your picture or your cover. Grrr.
Ana)

Friday

Paranormal Suspense Author – Pauline Holyoak

Merryweathger Lodge – Ancient Revenge…”A supernatural thriller that keeps you on the edge.” A perfect read for the Halloween season!

About me….

I grew in Southeast England, in a mining village my husband calls, “The place that time forgot.” I came to Canada as a nanny, when I was 21. This vast and majestic country has served me well, but England will always be home. I live in Alberta (western Canada) with my sports crazy husband, adorable Sheltie dog and cantankerous ginger cat. We have two grown children. I love this part of the country, except for the winters. It can be a chilly minus -30 for days on end. Burr…..
Every summer, when I was a child, we would visit my aunt and uncle at their quaint little cottage on Salisbury Plain. It was called Scotland Lodge and was situated not far from the historical Stonehenge. My uncle worked as a farm hand for the local squire. My aunt tended the manor house. It was there as I roamed free, deep within the English countryside, that I experienced joy, enchantment and some very strange and frightening occurrences. It was like a fairytale kingdom with a sinister twist. The memories of my summers at Scotland Lodge have stayed with me as a sort of nagging unsolved mystery all my life. A few years ago I revisited my childhood wonderland (the old place still emanates a strange and eerie essence) and was lead by some mysterious force into concocting this story and writing this book. It is from my mystifying experiences at Scotland Lodge that this book has emerged.

My life has been a fascinating journey so far but nothing compares to my mystifying summer holidays at Scotland Lodge.

Book blurb…..

When Emily Fletcher meets the gorgeous Jonathan McArthur she is infatuated and consumed with passion. Will he go with her to the dreaded wood-lot, to remove the bloody ancient curse, before it’s too late? In the first half of my story Emily is fourteen years old. In the second half she is forced to return to the cottage, at the age of twenty. My novel contains elements of horror, humor, fantasy, romance and sex. I have created a world into which my readers can escape and an atmosphere that will evoke their imagination, stir their emotions and engage their senses.

Excerpt….

“It was the 31st of October. The day I had dreaded for the past week. I loved this time of year as a child; the thrill of dressing up in scary costumes, carving jack-o-lanterns and going trick or treating door to door. Spooky decorations adorned our homes, both inside and out. The trees were bare, piles of brittle brown leaves lay on the lawns, inviting little ones to run and jump. The air was crisp and cold, and sometimes the odd snow flake would fall, signaling the long cold winter ahead. Skye’s mom spent weeks making her the best costume, and it was always something incredibly gruesome. I always wore store bought costumes and had to go as a princess or fairy. I wish that Skye was here with me now. She’d know exactly what to do and wouldn’t be a nervous wreck, like me. Besides Christmas, Halloween was my favorite time of year; but there were no signs of little ghosts and goblins, jack-o-lanterns, or celebrating at Merryweather Lodge, only the rustling of half naked trees and the gloom and foreboding of the cool autumn air. I reach for my journal…If I don’t come out of this alive I leave you, my confident, to my best friend Skye. She is the only one who will understand the content of your pages. I am scared, so utterly scared.”




Merryweather Lodge – A quaint little cottage, steeped in history, shrouded in secrets, its aura a paradoxical essence of heaven and hell. Go into this book if you dare and experience my protagonist’s strange and eerie journey there…. . Available at www.whiskeycreekpress.com

Thank you Margaret, for letting me share this with you and your friends. Come visit me at www.paulineholyoak.com

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Hunky Heroes and Heart-Throbs

My first celebrity crush was Erik Estrada...Ponch from CHiPs. I think I was in fifth grade! In junior high and high school I was all about Rick Springfield (still am) until Jon Bon Jovi hit the scene. My heart still stutters when I see him. If anything, he's even better looking now than back in the 80s. (Although I really was into the hair band guys.)

James Bond is the ultimate hero, especially if he's played by Pierce Brosnan - who I will watch in just about anything. Although Sean Connery gets big points for that role as well. He's really a sexy older man these days still.

Others making my "list" these days are: Brad Pitt (without the straggly beard...thank goodness he FINALLY shaved that awful thing!) and Matthew McConaughey. I've used both as inspiration for heroes (looks-wise) in my own books.

I have, of course, been head over heels for all of my heroes at one time or another. Why write them if they weren't falling in love with?

In books these days, as you may well know, I am all about the vampires. Edward from "Twilight" and Eric from the Sookie Stackhouse series are both devine. They've translated well to the big/small screen, too. Robert Pattinson is the ideal Edward, and I've enjoyed some of his other work as well (although lusting after him does make me feel a little courgarish), and Alexander Skarsgard has the character of Eric down to a T in "True Blood". Not to mention both men are sexy as all hell. (I use posters of both my favorite vampires in front of my treadmill as motivation for working out.)




MY latest hunky hero is now available in paperback from The Wild Rose Press. This Can't Be Love is Zach's story. Zach is sexy, fabulous, and crazy about Jessica. (Digital release is November 5.) My cover artist did a FABULOUS job of depicting him, don't you think?!




Until next time,

Happy Reading!

Debra
www.debrastjohnromance.com

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Heart-throbs

I have a few, but most have changed over time. I think my first heart-throb, in the 50's, was Pat Boone (don't laugh!)
Others have included Paul Newman - I'm a sucker for blond hair and blue eyes, and also Christopher Plummer in 'Sound of Music' but not in anything else.
I also like the tall, dark and handsome guys - Hugh Jackman in 'Australia' was wonderful, and in 'Kate and Leopold' (a time-travel movie), and also as Curly in the National Theatre production of 'Oklahoma' (the guy can really sing too!), but I'm less keen on his rippling-muscled Wolverine.
Colin Firth is another gorgeous guy - I fell for him, not in the much publicised 'Darcy exits the lake in wet shirt' scene, but when he was watching Elizabeth playing the piano. My God, those dark eyes of his said everything - hot, hot, hot! I had to stop the DVD and play it back several times while I drooled. Actually I fell in love with Darcy originally when I first read P&P in my teens. Mr. Rochester was another of my teenage favourites. Anya Seton's 'Katherine' inrtoduced me to the wonderful John of Gaunt, and who could fail to love Richard III in Sharon Penman's 'Sunne in Spendour'.
But of course my all-time favourite (as you know) is Martin Sheen. I fell for him way back in the 70's when he played John Dean in the Watergate mini-series 'Blind Ambition.' I now have over 100 of his movies on DVD or video, some brilliant, some appallingly bad (although his performance never fails to impress, however bad the movie as a whole). In the 1980's he was especially attractive (for that read: "totally gorgeous") and he made some good movies during that period. And I fell in love with him all over again when he played President Jed Bartlet in 'The West Wing' (the "best President America never had"). I owe Jed Bartlet a debt of gratitude because it was wrting West Wing fanfic that got me back to writing novels again.
As far as my own writing's concerned, I've been in love with each of the heroes in my stories. I think you have to be, otherwise the reader won't fall in love with them either.

Handsome Hunks

Favourite Heroes in Moves and/ or fiction


My first ever favourite hero in fiction has to be Mr Rochester (see the name of my hero in A Fatal Flaw) I just fell madly in love with this enigmatic man. I remember seeing the old film with Joan Fonteyn and Orson Welles – Orson Welles is still my perfect Rochester!


I never liked Bruce in Forever Amber. I just could not see what a spirited gusty heroine like Amber could see in him. He was not at all heroic. Just loathed him!

There have been many heroes in books that I have fallen for, I mean if you can’t fall in love with the hero you’re wasting your time reading the novel, aren’t you? A latest hero of mine is Harry Bosch, Michael Connolly’s detective. I love this guy, I feel he always falls in love with the wrong woman and I just know the right woman for him is me!

I loved Harrison Ford in Witness, I could really fall for him (do you think I have something for cops???. Also I fell in love with the, to begin with, cold and calculating Humphrey Bogart in Sabrina Fair. Ah, but he melts so deliciously.

Robert Redford, in navy whites, in The Way We Were…sigh and he is always to me the perfect Jay Gatsby (another of my novel heroes).

I could go on and on but I really must stop. If I start thinking about it I could be here all day and that way my own hero will not be created!

Ta ta…

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Hunky Heart-throbs

I would run away with Cary Grant. After him, I'm fickle. If I like the book or film, I am temporarily in love with the hero. If he's my leading man, I'm definitely in love.
A few standouts:
Ben Browder's character, John Creighton, in the sci-fi Farscape series. (Miss it.)
Jim Caveziel in The Count of Monte Cristo. (Just watched it again.)
Jeremy Dumont, aka Jermande du Monfort, in my WIP.

Friday, October 22, 2010

Our Friday Friend - Celia Yeary






Welcome to Celia Yeary, author of Texas Promise, who's going to tell us about her very interesting promotion idea - a "Texas Tea and Book Party".



Three years ago, the release of my first novel excited me, yes, but it also threw me into a dither. A dither, if you’ve never been in one, is similar to mild hysteria and confusion. All other authors I knew at the time talked about book signings, and I attended a couple of them. In my opinion, this might not work for me, as they don’t seem to work very well unless you are the author of Harry Potter. How many readers would drive to a bookstore and buy my book? I fear not many, and there I’d be, all alone in public, people walking past me, ignoring the books on the table. The thought of buying a big stack of books and not selling them didn’t make me comfortable either.

So, I wondered what else I might do. I decided to have the book signing at my house, instead. I know many people in town since we’ve lived here thirty-five years. I’ve had gatherings at my house, and we have a lot of parking space—near the house and out on the road.

First, I created a half-page invitation on Word and printed it on pink paper. I explained about the book: title, genre, a brief plot, price, and a link to buy it in eBook or print from my publisher. On a separate line, with a different font, I explained I would be happy to order it for them, give a one-dollar discount, and I’d pay the postage. With my publisher’s generous author discount, I’d still make a little over three dollars on each book. Besides, I was more interested in numbers of books, not the dollar amount.

I instructed the reader to send a check for the amount to me, or send an e-mail to reserve one and pay later, or tell me in person and make sure I wrote down the name. I said I would place the order in two weeks.

As an added incentive, I invited each buyer to my house on a certain date and time for a Texas Tea and Book Party! Instructions included my address — which almost everyone knew — and look for the Lone Star Flag out by the road.

Everywhere I went, I left a small stack of the half-page notices. If someone picked one up, fine, if no one did, fine. I didn’t even look. At the end of the two weeks, I had orders for sixty books.


Now, about the party. The food was easy: Texas-shaped chips, salsa, nuts, Texas Pecan Cookies, assorted cheese tidbits, and peach iced tea. I shopped at a warehouse with highly discounted everything!—and bought plastic cups, and small paper plates and napkins the color of a Texas bluebonnet. All this cost about twenty-five dollars.

My husband worked as the parking lot attendant, and he stayed on our wide front porch and greeted people, too.

Before the party, since I had everyone’s name, I pre-signed all sixty books. That alone took a long time.

With the release of my second book, I sent out almost the same announcement, except I did not have a party. Instead, I delivered the books, or took them along when I knew I’d see some of the buyers at a meeting or gathering.

I now have a reader base that waits for my next book—if it’s available in print. Since I live in Texas, I write about Texas, whether it’s a Western Historical or a contemporary. Each time I send an announcement, some of the readers will ask: “Will you have another party?” Maybe with my next release in print, I’ll consider another party.

Thank you for reading today, and my heartfelt thanks to my host and new friend, Paula Martin.

TEXAS PROMISE:Buy Link:
http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-109/Celia-Yeary-Texas-Promise/Detail.bok

Celia Yeary-Romance...and a little bit 'o Texashttp://www.celiayeary.blogspot.com/
http://www.celiayeary.com/

New ReleasesTexas Promise-eBook-Desert Breeze Publishing
Making the Turn-print & eBook-Wings ePress

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Happy, Happy to Us!

We're celebrating our first anniversary here at Heroines with Hearts this week. I haven't been with the group since its inception, but I'm certainly glad to be aboard now! I'm really enjoying working with my fellow bloggers, Paula, Ana, and Margaret! So here's to us and many more years of partnership.


Of course a celebration isn't complete without presents, so I have one for a lucky guest. Leave a comment telling us about a memorable celebration of yours (birthday, anniversary, promotion, etc.) and you'll win a PDF of my new release This Can't Be Love when it comes out November 5. (Be sure to leave your e-mail addy so I can get the book to you.) We'd love to have you become a follower of our blog, too!



For me, a recent memorable celebration was my 40th birthday. I wanted to do something special, and I'm a huge Disney fan, so we decided a trip to Disney World was called for. We hadn't been there in forever, and I was really itching to go. While watching tv one night, I caught a commercial advertising free admission to Disney in '09 on your birthday. That clinched it. We were officially in.

From there, the stars aligned and everything fell into place. We had points on our credit card to pay for our hotel; my birthday was on a Friday and the flight schedule lined up perfectly with a Thursday afternoon departure and a Sunday afternoon return; my boss graciously gave me time off for the long weekend; and I had some royalty money to pay for a portion of the trip.

When I walked down Main Street toward Cinderella's Castle, I actually had tears in my eyes. It truly is a magical place.


So, now it's your turn. Share your stories of celebration. Anyone who comments will have their name put into a drawing for my new book. Good luck!

Until next time,

Happy Reading!

Debra
www.debrastjohnromance.com

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

First Anniversary

Congrats to my fellow bloggers on our first anniversary. A year ago, we really had no idea what we were actually going to do on this blog. Losing our 'initiator' early on threw us in at the deep end, but we worked together, came up with topics to discuss, started our 'Friday Friends' and gained a good number of followers too.
I've enjoyed getting to know my fellow bloggers and quite a lot of our followers too, and I've also enjoyed my weekly 'slot' on the blog, especially the weeks when the agreed topic has really made me think about some aspect of my writing.
I'm sure we'll now go from strength to strength, sharing with and supporting each other. Here's to our second year together!

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Anniversary

First Anniversary


This is the first anniversary of the blog. I am a late comer having only just joined. However, I know you other ladies have been here from the beginning.

I have been a follower though and think we are expanding, (hopefully not around our middle) for instance we are having guest bloggers and that is a positive.

Let us hope by next anniversary we have even more good news.

Sunday, October 17, 2010

We're 1 and proud of it!

This week marks our first anniversary. We started not knowing each other. Four writers, eager to be published in mainstream, modern romance. We lost our initiator right off, rallied, and found another 4th. A bit more transitioning and we're still strong, determined, and still darn interesting, in my opinion.
We've strong opinions. Even stronger skills.
We speak and write British and American English. (I'd love to catalogue the variations. They're quite extensive, even for allies in love and war.)

This winter I will finish my historical romance and submit it. Then I'll polish my past-lives romance and submit that. By our second anniversary, I hope to have more than thanks to give away!

Thursday, October 14, 2010

My Semi-Villian

Although I wouldn't necessarily refer to one of my in-the-background minor characters as a villian, I did use him as a catalyst for several events, past and present, which shaped my characters and added to the conflict between my hero and heroine in my first book, "This Time for Always". Apparently for a reviewer from "The Long and Short of It", he did stand out in a fairly villianous way:

I quote: "I hated Sharlie’s father, Robert Montgomery with a vengeance."

So there you have it.

Until next time,

Happy Reading!

Debra
www.debrastjohnromance.com

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Villains
What’s a villain?
In detective, thriller and horror stories, there are obvious villains – low-down disreputable characters, sordid underworld characters, people with a vendetta, generally nasty creatures – or even genteel characters who turn out to be not what they seem.
But in a romance novel? It’s more subtle, I think.
The ‘villain’, I think, is not an obvious one, but just someone who endeavours to keep the hero and heroine apart – for whatever reason.
Personally, I don’t like villains, per se. I think there can be people who are vindictive, jealous, scheming – whatever. If that makes them a villain, then so be it. They can add to the tension – what are they going to do next to put a spoke between the hero and heroine?
But I don’t think that every romance story necessarily needs a villain. The tension between the hero and heroine can be as powerful (or maybe even more so) than anything created by a villain.

Villains

Favourite Villain…

There really is only one villain for me but I am not sure if he is a villain. I mean of course, Emily Bronte’s Heathcliffe. He is a bad boy, intent on revenge, ooh but he gives me the shivers. I wonder is it a case of me wanting to tame the man? Isn’t that what a lot of women think, to their cost, that they can redeem the guy?

Heathcliffe is a one-woman man; I think that is what makes him so attractive. But when you look at how he treats his wife and Hareton and Cathy’s daughter, also called Cathy (just to confuse matters!) well can you even like him? I guess not, but there is something in his passion for Catherine Earnshaw, for his wildness and his maleness that attracts me.
I think most of us would like Heathcliffe to have some kind of revenge on Edgar Linton, but he goes too far. Nevertheless, he is an intriguing villain and one who stays in your mind forever.

As to my villains, I have had manipulative people in my historical novels, and the bad ones have usually been “factual” villains. I save all my ire for Henry the Seventh! However, recently in my romantic suspense novels I have “bad” people who are not necessarily villains. Although, my dictionary gives the description of a villain as a: scoundrel, or rascal or criminal. I should amend my statement; my bad people fit those descriptions, to a more or lesser degree. So they are villains. Confused? So am I!

Some of my villains are psychologically scarred – that is my destructive characters in Breaking the Clouds and A Poisoned Legacy and Eden’s Child. I have a good old-fashioned villain in Shadows of the Past, where only the heroine, Alva, recognizes him for what he is! And this can also apply to my latest novel A Fatal Flaw!

At other times nasty people have turned up, the mother of Helena in Fortune’s Folly, who breaks up the happy marriage of her daughter and Andreas. The friend of the family in Bitter Betrayal, who is a really nasty piece of work.

I love writing about these dreadful people but they must never overshadow my hero and heroine, otherwise it would be a different kind of book. No, they do their worst but I try to keep them in their box and only let them out when I want to, and not when they want. And if you think that’s easy, I have to tell you it’s not. These people must fascinate the author, then they will most certainly fascinate the reader – and that’s what it’s all about, a partnership!

Cheers.

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Love those Villains!

I love bad guys, especially when, at first, I don't know how bad they are.
Maybe I like a touch of mystery, or maybe I'm just one of those people who was born to learn not all people are good. My husband can spot a hustler a mile away. I've needed an empty wallet or bruise marks.
I character sketch my villains as thoroughly as any hero and heroine. He needs to be a worthy opponent who makes a happy life impossible for my main characters. Sidetrack the hero. Nearly seduce--or kill-- my heroine. Trigger emotional responses in me, and a reader.
Until he is completely and thoroughly exposed, ruined, and destroyed.
Justice, good, and love triumphs over evil.
Happily Ever After.

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Makin' Out and Makin' Love

Okay, here's my list: (presented in a very non-romantic way. I promise, the actual situations were far more romantic - I hope! - for my heroes and heroines!)

Logan and Sharlie from "This Time for Always":
kisses - rodeo, storage room, house
doing it (which also involved plenty of kissin') - in front of the fire, Logan's truck, bed

Noah and Abby from "Wild Wedding Weekend":
kisses - outside a restaurant, bridal room, bed, bus
doing it (ditto on the kissin') - cruise ship (bed) twice, beach, bed

Zach and Jessica from "This Can't Be Love" (coming November 5):
kisses - deck, kitchen, gravel bar
doing it (kissin' included) - Jessica's bed (twice), creek, Zach's bed

Chase and Erika from "Family Secrets": (mss is in the submitting stage)
kisses - kitchen (twice), Chase's truck
doing it (with kisses of course) - Erika's bed, Chase's couch, kitchen

Jake and Amber from "This Feels Like Home" (WIP)
kisses (so far) - out by Jake's truck
doing it (so far and yada yada on the kisses) - Jake's bed

I guess looking back...nothing too exotic. But all of those scenes were really fun to write!

Until next time,

Happy Reading!

Debra
www.debrastjohnromance.com

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Unusual Places to Make Out

Oh dear, my couples so far have been very unadventurous, making out in bed. The nearest I got to somewhere interesting was in my short elevator story, posted a while back on this blog.
In my defence, I will say that, in ‘His Leading Lady’, Kyle and Jess’s first foray into lovemaking was at Kyle’s Scottish tower house on the shores of Loch Awe, while in my about-to-be submitted ‘Fragrance of Violets’, Jack and Abbey consummated their love in the penthouse suite of a very upmarket hotel in Paris.
So far, in my WIP, I’ve had Lisa recalling the time she and Paul made love in a secluded copse on Hampstead Heath in London! Maybe I can think of somewhere interesting for them when they finally get together again. A yacht on Lake Windermere – but we don’t want it to capsize, do we? At the top of a Lake District mountain? But not sure how I could get them to either of those places. So how about love against the desk in Lisa’s room at the college where she teaches? Hmm, that’s a possibility.
I look forward to reading your ideas – but a paradise beach somewhere doesn’t really appeal – unless they have a very large blanket. Think of all that sand getting in – erm – places where it shouldn’t (ouch!).
And even on grass somewhere – what about the ants? (another ouch!)
I’ll be in Egypt when Margaret posts this blog for me – so maybe our Nile cruise ship will give me some ideas. Forget ‘Death on the Nile’. ‘Romance on the Nile’ could be a good title – maybe I’ll meet this gorgeous man on the cruise ship?? I’ll let you know!

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Unusual Places to Make Out

I must not be very adventurous, judging by Ana’s posting yesterday. Most of my outdoors making out, in my books I hasten to add, has been on a beach. Come to think of it that might not be too comfortable, I mean think of all that sand! In A Sprig of Broom my first novel, my two main characters frequently made out on one of those wild and wonderful beaches in Wales, and in Eden’s Child, a beach on the Coral Sea, Australia was a chosen venue. A Saxon Tapestry too, being set near a beach, gives ample opportunity for this kind of thing…oh my goodness and so does A Substitute Bride, what is it with me and beaches?

I’ve had shower scenes, always a good one and it seems like fun. My heroine in A Fatal Flaw tries to tempt her boyfriend to make out in the car but being a cop, he isn’t having any of that!

I think back to the old days – those big Chevy’s and Chrysler motors, they must have given many an opportunity to an adventurous couple, so roomy. I doubt today’s cars would be as good for, er, making out. I once had a Chrysler de Soto, but no never made out in it! Great car though.

I guess the list of places is endless really, I love Ana’s idea of the rocking chair and on a horse…oh my goodness, I am an innocent! I must get to be more adventurous, but one thing I don’t particularly like is the mile high thing…squashed in that mucky little space, no way is that going to feature in one of my books. I’ve had to wait too long to use the darn thing for the purpose it’s designed for to write enjoyably about that!

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Kissing and Hugging

Where have my characters made out?
In a barn loft, on a porch, in a rocking chair, on horseback (Could you guess this was a western romance?)
Against a tulip tree during a picnic.
In a sports car.
On a magic tree in the Foret de Brocelainde, alongside a river bank, in a copper bathing tub, under the stars.
I refuse to say which places I tested out in real life.

Friday, October 1, 2010

Welcome to Guest Blogger John Lindermuth


Being Someone Else, fourth in the Sticks Hetrick mystery series, is set in a fictional rural village near Harrisburg PA. Hetrick is a retired police chief who has been called back to service as consultant to his less experienced successor.

Blurb: When an out-of-state reporter is found murdered in the restroom of a disreputable bar the tendency to violence spirals and the investigative trail keeps bringing Hetrick and his team back to the family of a wealthy doctor who has come back to his hometown in retirement.

But, in keeping with the theme of this blog, I’d like to focus on Flora Vastine, one of Hetrick’s protégés. She warranted only a few paragraphs in Something in Common, the first of the series.

She wasn’t a police officer then and had a minor role in that novel. In fact, I didn’t even see her as a recurring character at the time. In Cruel Cuts I had need of both another protégé for Hetrick and a love interest for Corporal Harry Minnich. Flora, who had expressed interest in a police career in the first novel, fit the requirements.

Hetrick was still mourning the loss of his wife Sarah and I didn’t anticipate his falling in love with some one else at that point (though he almost did succumb to the charms of old friend Melissa Kline). Still I thought a little romance was necessary to broaden interest in what I now envisioned as an ongoing series. Even in the darkest of crime novels characters need to have interest in a little more than just catching the villain in order to be fully developed. Flora and Harry were the obvious choices for my purpose.

Since then Flora has become a major player. In fact, she warrants nearly as much space in Corruption’s Child and Being Someone Else as does Hetrick. Flora is young and energetic. She has enthusiasm and genuinely cares about other people. Occasionally she makes mistakes and gets in trouble. All of which make her very human.





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Chapter 2.
The best thing about a double shift was that it eventually ended. Tired as she was, Flora Vastine found solace in that thought. She loved her job but this had been a tough week and Flora was grateful, realizing tomorrow she would be off duty. She’d been on cruiser patrol Friday night and now, well into Saturday morning, Flora was ready to head home and get to bed. Fortunately her night had been boringly uneventful. Earlier she’d been a bit jealous the call for the DOA at Vinnie’s Bar had gone to Fred and not her. Now the thought that her fellow officer might still be at the crime site while she was at the end of her shift was cause for something akin to pleasure.
Flora stifled a yawn and rolled down the cruiser window. Though there were still a few gray patches of snow in the field opposite, the air wafting in through the opening felt warm, even muggy. She recalled seeing a robin yesterday morning while on her run and remembered there was a misty green haze of buds about to pop on the trees. Spring was definitely in the air.
Tomorrow she and Harry would spend time together for the first time in weeks. He’d promised a surprise. Flora had a suspicion. Her birthday was approaching and Harry and her father had been closeted in secret conversations several times in recent weeks. Were they planning a party? She hoped not. That was for kids. But a surprise gift would be…
The whine of a motor interrupted her thoughts. Motorcycle. Not loud enough for a Harley. Maybe a Yamaha or Suzuki. Her brother Ed used to have a Suzuki. It made that same pinging sound as it accelerated. She saw it then. The driver hunched low over the bars, veered off the street, cut diagonally across the field behind her and disappeared into a stand of trees. There was a trail back there; narrow but wide enough for a bike. She hoped he knew where he was going. Bad to take a spill in those woods late like this when few people would be available to help if you were hurt.
Flora switched on the ignition and put her vehicle in gear.
Headlamps flashed through the trees and she heard the approach of another vehicle. Fast, too. Too fast, even if it was late and no other traffic on the road. There were some dangerous curves on this stretch.
The vehicle flew past, tires whomping in ruts, kicking up a cloud of dust and flinging stones. Flora pulled out in pursuit. She turned on her overheads and hit the siren once in warning. High-speed chases were against department policy. Flora hoped the driver would heed her warning.
And he did.
Squealing its brakes and throwing up another veil of dust, the car fish-tailed to a halt at the bottom of the grade. The driver revved the engine but didn’t move again as she pulled in behind him. The moon was bright enough overhead she could clearly make out a red Mazda Miata convertible. Late model. Maybe a 2006. Nice ride. Fast on the take off and plenty of speed. What did the ads say? Zoom, zoom. Right. Maybe it was a good thing the driver pulled over. She wasn’t sure her cruiser had the stuff to catch it if he hadn’t.
Flora took her Mag-lite and got out, approaching the driver’s side cautiously. She could see the driver watching her in the side mirror. He turned his face up and smiled as Flora stepped up beside him. “What’s the trouble, sweet-thing?”
Flora felt her face go hot with the remark. Some people just didn’t respect the uniform. “License and registration, sir,” she snapped.
“Sure. What’s the problem?”
“You were speeding, sir.”
He grinned as Flora shone the light in his face and across the interior. Mid to late-thirties, tanned—at this time of year—blond, tousled hair a bit on the long side. His green eyes sparkled in the light. “Yeah. Guess I was going a bit fast. But there’s nobody else out and I know this road like the back of my hand.”
“I’ll need to see your license and…”
“Sure, sure.” He reached a hand to the glove box and pulled out the documents.
Flora took them to the rear of the vehicle, held the light up and scanned them. Philip Donahue, Turkey Hollow Road. She didn’t know the driver but the road wasn’t far from here.
“Everything okay, sweetie?” Donahue called.
Burning, Flora stalked up to his side. “Sir, have you been drinking?”
“Okay. I confess. I had a couple beers. Can I go now if I promise to take it slower. I just want to get home to bed.”
“Would you step out of the car, please.”
With a sibilant sigh, Donahue opened the door and slid out. He was taller than her, athletic looking. “You wanna do the Breathalyzer?”
She was half inclined to put him through the whole routine. Instead, she said, “Let’s just see if you can walk a straight line.”
He gave her a smile and took off, walking fast, one foot in front of the other. He turned and came back again. “Shall I touch my nose with my forefinger now?” he asked.
Flora was forced to grin. “I see you’ve been through this before.”
“A few times.”
“You realize I’m gonna have to give you a speeding ticket.” She could have went for a DUI but she was tired and that inclined her to leniency.
He shrugged. “Write away, my dear. Only don’t take too long, okay? I just want to get this tired ol’ body home to bed.”
She wrote out the ticket, gave him his copy and documents. “Go on home, sir, but take it a little more cautiously.”
Donahue glanced at the ticket, gave her a salute and started to get back in the Mazda. Then he swiveled round to face her. “Does Officer Vastine have a first name?”
Flora scowled. “Just go home, Mr. Donahue.”
He nodded and got in the car. “Okay, pretty Officer Vastine. See you around.” He put the Mazda in gear and pulled out, spraying dirt and pebbles which clattered against Flora’s cruiser.

Thank you so much, John for sharing with us. I am sure your book will be very successful. More about John and his books can be found at www.whiskeycreekpress.com