I'm pleased to welcome Darlene Fredette, whose latest book Trickster launched just launched a week ago. It looks like a fabulous story, as do the rest of the books in the Mortar and Pestle series. Paranormal romance, anyone? Yesss! Those are some talented ladies. Congratulations, Darlene! Cheers to you and your fellow authors! The Color Behind the Covers The Mortar and Pestle series took a lot of planning. Once we decided on the design of the cover - I’m inserting a shout-out to group member Sydney Winward for the awesome design – we thought each cover should be a different color and somehow reflect the story. Here’s how we selected our cover color. Selkie - Sydney Winward: “I chose the color silver for Selkie because it reminded me of metal. Shields, weapons, ruthlessness, and strength. I thought it was a good color and texture to portray, especially on the cover, to add to the aesthetic of the book.” Seeker - Jean Grant: “Purple immediately came to mind because of purple thistles which are found throughout the Scottish Highlands, and the thistle is a symbol of Scotland. Then, I soon discovered that the Montgomerie clan tartan is purple.” Quartermaster - Marilyn Barr: “My heroine’s eye color is gold. ‘Blimey, I say, with my fists clenched at my sides so I don’t touch her again. Those large, sandy brown eyes hold me captive as the fear drains from them. On some level, she must trust me.’” Sea Hunter - D.V. Stone: “I wanted my cover to reflect the colors of the ocean. There are so many variables from steely gray to blues and greens.” Revamped - Shirley Goldberg: “I wanted orange because Dante loves oranges. When he’s transitioning to real food instead of sucking up energy, oranges are one of his go-to foods. He eats several daily.” Trickster - Darlene Fredette: “Jade, the heroine in Trickster, has eyes the color of jade stones, so it only made sense to choose that shade of green.” Artist - Ginny Frost: “My book features a meadow full of fireflies at the artist retreat. It inspires both my female characters.” Can she heal the trickster before he breaks her heart? Working for a top modeling agency is Jade Parsons’s dream job until her boss suffers a heart attack, and his son temporarily fills his position. Eric’s push-pull approach fuels her frustration. While anticipating the troublemaker’s imminent departure, Jade’s destiny is revealed through a magical mortar and pestle, leaving her heart tormented by whispers of a different fate. World-renowned photographer Eric Martini returns home to restore his relationship with his estranged father, but wounds from the past haunt him. Enchanted by his father’s feisty assistant, he masks his heart and refuses to give in to desire. Convinced his destined future is already written in the stars—and doesn’t include Jade, Eric’s only choice is to walk away. Will Jade and Eric find the courage to trust the mythical and smokey signs before their paths are severed forever? Excerpt Two weeks ago, Eric had aired his family’s dirty laundry. Probably unintentional on his part, but he revealed the reason behind his frustration toward his father, and Jade gave her unwelcomed input. Today she exposed her secret, which felt exhilarating. “I only wanted you to understand you have to let go of the past to be present in the future.” “And I’m trying. My father and I are on a good path to rebuilding our relationship and for that, I thank you. You forced me to see the error of my ways. I’m sorry for taking out my problems on you. You didn’t deserve my grouchy moods. I was rude and obnoxious.” He raised a brow. “Can you forgive me? Can we start over?” Smiling, she squinted. “Who are you?” He strode forward and held out a hand. “I’m Eric Martini. Nice to meet you.” “No.” Jade pointed a finger. “You, sir, are a trickster.” “Excuse me?” “A trickster is someone who has many sides. Disruptive and helpful, troublemaker and hero. I know the man in the office. But I don’t know the man standing in front of me.” She clasped his hand, and a flurry of tingles surged the length of her arm. Warmth flushed her cheeks. Without thinking, she leaned up on her toes and kissed Eric’s cheek. “Thank you for being my hero today.” Trickster on Amazon. About the Author Darlene resides on the Atlantic Coast of Canada where the summers are too short, and the winters are too long. Retired from a career as Director of Administration and Marketing, she now has eleven published contemporary romance books and is an artist at heart. When she isn’t researching her next book or having a pencil, paintbrush, or a cup of hot chocolate in her hand, she’s with her husband, daughter, and one-hundred-pound yellow Labrador. But wait! There’s more! I’m giving away a free PDF copy of The Mortar and Pestle Preview. This preview document is similar to the free prequel offered in Book Funnel, but the preview has tons of additional fun stuff – more graphics, book teasers, an inside look at how the series came to life, and much more! To get this free preview, pop over to my author website http://darlenefredette.blogspot.com/ and send me a note using the Contact Form on the left sidebar. No rafflecopter, no contest, and no drawing of names. Just send me a note through the secure Contact Form. It’s that easy!
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I'm delighted to welcome multi-published author Margot Johnson. Her romances are like a big, warm hug -- with chocolate! Her latest book, Let It Simmer, is a sweet and hilarious rom-com. We'll talk about the book and her Merilee Tours series, but first let's get to know Margot a little better. 1) What sort of books did you enjoy reading as a child? Did you have a favorite book or series? I read every Nancy Drew book available as well as series books like Trixie Belden, the Hardy Boys, Cherry Ames, and Donna Parker. I loved The Secret Garden. I also enjoyed reading to my girls when they were young. We read the Little House on the Prairie series and classics like Charlotte’s Web and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I adored the Little House books when I was a child. 2) What sort of books do you enjoy reading nowadays? I read a variety of things. I still love a good mystery/thriller. Chick lit books are fun. I like historical fiction, too. When I’m in the middle of writing a book, I can’t read other romances because I don’t want to influence my voice. My book club gets me to read things I would necessarily choose, which is good. Our current book is The Midnight Library. 3) Around what age did you realize that you liked to write? And when did you know that you wanted to write books? Around grade 2. I come from a family of writers. I remember my dad sitting at the dining room table clicking away on an old, manual typewriter. 4) What’s the first thing you wrote that you remember being proud of? In grade 2, I made a small, illustrated storybook. I didn’t show promise as an illustrator! It must have been so cute! 5) Tell us about the creative force within you. What inspires you to write, to create? I just feel like writing is in my genes and something I’m meant to do. When I read a really good book, I want to enthrall readers in the same way. 6) What’s your writing space like? It floats around the house. I could set up an office in a spare room, but I like to move my little, rolling desk around to where the sun shine in or near the fireplace when it’s cold. I use different notebooks to help keep me organized (doesn’t always work!). LOL! At first, I thought you were referring to a laptop! How great to be able to move your whole desk around! That must be super-convenient! 7) Do you have a favorite time of day to write? Any habits or little rituals that put you in a writing mindset? I like to get started early in the day before other things distract me. Right now, I’m trying to find the right balance between writing a new novel, editing, and promotion. I set a target word count (minimum of 1,000 words a day) to keep me focused and make steady progress. 8) Time to talk about Let It Simmer (rubbing hands together). But first, how did you come up with the idea for the series? Are there any interesting tidbits you’d care to share with us? The Merilee Tours series started a novella for The Wild Rose Press Christmas cookie collection. I wanted to inject humor and had fun with starting each chapter with a humorous quote or corny joke that relates to the story. A little background on Let it Simmer… Merilee’s tour visits Waskesiu, located in beautiful Prince Albert National Park, Saskatchewan, Canada. Our family holidays there every summer, and it’s one of my favorite places. 9) I comprehend that you’ve just recently published a book. I know what that takes. Still, I can’t help but ask – do you have anything waiting in the wings? My next novel is in the editing stage with TWRP. It’s another small-town story with characters pursuing their dreams. I’ll share more details as it progresses. I also have Merilee’s next adventure planned. As well, I’d like to write more stories about mature characters because I think a lot of woman would like to read about people closer to their own ages finding love later in life. I think you're right about that (the more mature characters) and that it's a lovely idea. 10) Is there anything else you’d like to share with us? Many people tell me they have an idea or would like to write a book. My advice is to sit down and do it! I find characters take on a life of their own, so the writing process leads to more creativity and interesting, fun surprises. I couldn't agree more. Thank you for sharing your time and talent with us today, Margot! Congratulations again on your new release! And now for Let It Simmer! He crashed her holiday…but will he break her heart? A sensible, mature widow like Susan doesn’t belong on a tour bus seated next to her high school crush. Thirty years later, Phil is as charming and handsome as ever, but she doesn’t need a new partner, especially not a love-’em-and-leave-’em guy. Happily single, Phil tags along to celebrate his matchmaking mom’s eightieth birthday. She’s embarrassingly persistent, but maybe she’s right he should, finally, settle down with the right woman. Susan only wants a little family time with her two cousins and a scenic vacation to Northern Saskatchewan…so why does she feel like a fluttery teenage girl? Can Phil spark even more excitement than games, scenery, and wildlife? Excerpt from Let It Simmer Phil swam to greet her. “You didn’t dunk your head.” “I like to keep my head above water.” She smiled and tilted into a side stroke, but with a huge, open lake in every direction, why did she choose to drift so close? Next to the shade of the water, his eyes glinted azure, and with droplets of moisture sprinkled over his face, he glistened youthful, refreshed…and more handsome than ever. Slowing, he flipped upright and faced her just a few feet away. She treaded in place and watched him float closer and sweep his gaze over her face and shoulders. Her body tingled, and she imagined the touch of his warm, gentle lips. Without a doubt, he wanted to kiss her…but was now too soon for a romantic interlude? She hadn’t kissed a man in eight, long years, and she’d only become reacquainted with Phil mere days ago. She hardly knew the man, except she felt this deep, unexplained connection. The holiday freed and unburdened her—like a woman who deserved a new kind of happiness. Should she allow a kiss? Could she? She closed her eyes, parted her lips, and…tasted a faceful of musty water. Sputtering, she snapped open her eyes, spewed it into the lake, and wiped her drenched face. What just happened? About the Author Margot Johnson writes feel-good stories about dreams, family and romance. She is the author of five romances--the novels LOVE TAKES FLIGHT and LOVE LEADS THE WAY and three novellas in the Merilee Tours series--LET IT SNOWBALL, LET IT MELT, and LET IT SIMMER. Her characters can't possibly find their happy endings...or can they? Before turning her focus to the fun writing life, Margot held leadership roles in human resources and communications. Her motto is "Dream big and work hard." When not writing, she loves to connect with family and friends, volunteer with SK Writers Guild, and walk at least 10,000 steps a day (except when it's minus 40!) She lives with her husband in the Canadian prairies. Website: margotjohnson.ca Facebook: MargotJohnsonAuthor Twitter: @AuthorMargot Readers say…
"Between the delicious-sounding meals, beautiful scenery, and sparkle of romance, this book is a page-turning joy!" “What a fun and entertaining read!” “A funny, cute, and romantic story” “Full of sweet anticipation and laugh-out-loud moments.” “A story as sweet and warm as summertime at the lake.” Happy Medieval Monday!
Good news! This past weekend, I finally sent All Shook Up off to my wonderful editor! Oh, but it's an emotional story! How about a teeny, tiny, peek? Scottish Highlands, 1336 “Gall Ghàidhell!” Foreigner Gael. Rónán winced as Aonghas shoved Lachlann hard. Why did they call him that? He had a Gaelic name and he’d been born here in the highlands, just like the rest of them. Why couldn’t they just leave him alone? But the push that would have sent Rónán flying across the grass hardly moved Lachlann. He just stood there, still and silent as a stone. His blond hair hung around his face, his gray eyes wide and cold. He was as tall as Aonghas, and their shoulders looked about the same. But Aonghas was thicker and meaner and had his friends with him. Rónán drew closer to the little circle on the hill. “Gall Ghàidhell!” Aonghas pushed Lachlann again. “Are you a mute, now?” He snickered. “No one wants to hear you talk anyway, dumb ox! You don’t know how!” “Shut up, Aonghas!” Rónán knew he would regret it, but he couldn’t help himself. Lachlann was his friend. Aonghas was a bully. “He speaks Gaelic better than you do and he speaks Norroena!” Aonghas hardly spared him a glance. “You have a defender,” he told Lachlann, then started laughing. “A dumb ox and a cripple!” He snorted. “Good team!” Swiftly, without a word, Lachlann punched Aonghas right in the nose. Rónán’s mouth dropped open. Suddenly, everyone was fighting. He hesitated, itching to jump in and not sure how. Then, he just did. He jumped in. Soon he was kicking, punching, and pushing like the rest of them. He even used his teeth a few times. It felt good to fight back. And Lachlann proved that he was an ox after all, just not a dumb one. Nothing stopped him as he fisted his way through the throng. One by one, Aonghas’ friends fell away. As Rónán lay on the ground, trying to catch his breath, Aonghas and Lachlann stood staring each other down. “I’ll get you next time, a dhaimh! Dumb ox! Your little friend won’t be able to help you.” “We’re the same age, stupid,” Rónán grumbled, sitting up. He and Lachlann were nine. Aonghas the Ass was ten. The bully took a step towards him but stopped when Lachlann stepped up. “I’ll take care of you later, cripple,” he snarled. “I know.” Without another word, Aonghas turned and stalked off down the hill towards their village. That's all for now, folks! For more Medieval Monday, be sure to visit lovely medieval ladies Mary Morgan and our birthday girl Barbara Bettis. Best wishes, Barb! Wishing you a wonderful week ahead! Cheers! Her latest book has me creeping around corners in my own house -- in broad daylight! But there's romance, too. I love it! Welcome, Christine! Congratulations on Forging Forgiveness. We're eager to learn more about it, but first let's talk about you. Thank you for inviting me. I’m thrilled to be here. 1) What sort of books did you enjoy as a child? Did you have a favorite book series? I’ve always loved reading mysteries. Trixie Belden, Nancy Drew, and Hardy Boys were some of my favorites. I read every Nancy Drew mystery book I could get my hands on. 2) What sort of books do you enjoy reading nowadays? I have an eclectic taste in reading, and I’ll read pretty much anything…thrillers, mysteries, romantic suspense, paranormal…I like them all. 3) Around what age did you realize that you like to write? And when did you know you wanted to write books? When I was a pre-teen and all through my teens, I wrote my most intimate thoughts in a diary. I also enjoyed writing long letters to friends, but it wasn’t until I had a year off work for a medical reason that I attempted to write an entire book. It took me ten months to finish three hundred-and-thirty pages, but I was on the top of the world at the accomplishment. That first manuscript has never been submitted for publishing and rests amidst the dust bunnies under my bed, but since then, I’ve written and published eight romantic suspense novels. To my way of thinking, ten months to write three hundred thirty pages isn't so long. But the important thing is that the experience paved the way for future, award-winning books. 4) Tell us about the creative force within you. What inspires you to write, to create? I find ideas for my stories in many different places…the Classified section of newspapers, overheard conversations, on-line community buy and sell sites…snippets that make you wonder what if? Recently, I found a beautiful sterling silver opal ring in a campfire pit amidst the blackened coals. Now there’s an intriguing situation. 5) What’s your writing space like? I have an office with a view of the forest behind my house. The walls are covered with dozens of sticky notes where I’ve scrawled plot points, story ideas, and character notes. Old-time country and western music plays in the background, and my dog lays on her bed beside me. There’s something about the twang of a guitar and a song of lost love that sets my creative juices bubbling. 6) Do you have a favorite time of day to write? Any habits or little rituals that put you in the writing mindset? My brain is more open to creativity first thing in the morning. Add a cup of strong tea and I’m all set. 7) Time to talk about Forging Forgiveness (rubbing hands together). But first, how did you come up with the idea for the book? Are there any interesting tidbits you’d care to share with us? I was hiking in the forest in late November, and I came across a set of bare human footprints impressed in the frozen mud. The tracks, in such an isolated spot at a cold time of year, got me thinking and led to the premise behind Forging Forgiveness. I just got chills. 8) Now let’s hear about Forging Forgiveness. Here’s the Blurb: When small-town college instructor, Candace Cooper discovers bloody, bare footprints in the snow while running in a state park deep in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, it brings back the nightmare of her sister’s long unsolved kidnapping. After a botched investigation forced Detective Aiden Farrell to quit his job and move to Colorado, he’s determined to redeem himself, even if that means ignoring his growing feelings for the beautiful professor. His fear that the footprints are connected to a recent spate of missing teens, is confirmed when Candace is assaulted on campus, and the perpetrator reveals a secret only her long-lost sister knew. Aiden and Candace join forces, but the closer they come to unraveling the truth, the closer they get to each other, and to a killer who’ll stop at nothing to achieve his nefarious goal. Caught between duty and love, Aiden fights in a race against time to save the woman he loves. So good! Talk about suspense! 9) I comprehend that you’ve just recently published a book. I know what that takes. Still, I can’t help but ask…do you have anything waiting in the wings? I’m working on another romantic suspense that involves intrigue and adventure with an archaeologist at a remote Indigenous site in northern British Columbia. That sounds fabulous and delicious! Why do I have the feeling that you've been there personally -- or someplace like it? Christine, thank you for sharing your time and talent with us today. You're a scary-good storyteller! Congratulations again on your latest book. Looking forward to the next! Time for Forging Forgiveness. When small-town college instructor, Candace Cooper discovers bloody, bare footprints in the snow while running in a state park deep in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, it brings back the nightmare of her sister’s long unsolved kidnapping. After a botched investigation forced Detective Aiden Farrell to quit his job and move to Colorado, he’s determined to redeem himself, even if that means ignoring his growing feelings for the beautiful professor. His fear that the footprints are connected to a recent spate of missing teens, is confirmed when Candace is assaulted on campus, and the perpetrator reveals a secret only her long-lost sister knew. Aiden and Candace join forces, but the closer they come to unraveling the truth, the closer they get to each other, and to a killer who’ll stop at nothing to achieve his nefarious goal. Caught between duty and love, Aiden fights in a race against time to save the woman he loves. Excerpt from Forging Forgiveness Candace Cooper’s breath fogged out in plumes in the frosty, late afternoon air as she pumped her arms and loped along the narrow trail. Yesterday’s rain had turned to sleet, and overnight, two inches of fresh snow blanketed the path and weighed down the limbs of the tall pine trees. Hey, what was that? She slowed to a stop, turned around, and walked back three yards. What the heck? Indentations—a heel, the pad of a big toe, and the four, smaller indents of the other toes—were clearly formed in the smooth dusting of snow. The set of small, narrow footprints tracked along the snowy trail, veering into the deeper shadows of the forest. Someone had walked in his or her bare feet down the cold, snow- covered path. The wind gusted against her damp face, and she shivered. Late November was too cold for anyone in their right mind to be out in the mountainous backcountry of northeast Colorado walking around without proper footgear, let alone barefoot. She squatted for a closer look. A smear of dark red, stark against the white snow, marked the heel depression of each left footprint. She touched the red splotch with the tip of her gloved finger. A rust-colored smudge stained the light blue cotton. Her heart rate kicked up. Blood! Sinking back on her heels, she peered into the forest’s deepening shadows and shuddered. Only four o’clock in the afternoon, and the sun was already disappearing behind the mountains. Nothing stirred. Even the squirrels were quiet, as if the silent forest watched and waited. She knew this area of the park, ran the trails in the summer and snowshoed over the flatlands in the winter. Nothing manmade existed out there—no houses, no cottages, nothing but trees and wild animals. Most visitors to Creighton Springs State Park stayed on the well-groomed gravel walkways and didn’t venture far from the parking lot. She never saw anyone on the hilly trail, not in winter. Yet, as recently as this morning, or early afternoon, someone had gone this way—and in bare feet. They’d left a blood trail. If that person was injured, maybe they needed help. She slipped off her gloves and traced her finger along the impression. Too small to be an adult male or female’s footprint. Her gut clenched. A child? God, no! Please don’t let it be a child. The unspeakable horror of the past reared over her like an attacking beast, and she sagged onto her knees, her heart pounding as if threatening to burst from her chest. A piteous moan escaped her lips. Not again. Dear Lord, please, not again. Hot tears burned her eyes. A loud crack reverberated throughout the silent forest. She bit back a scream and surged to her feet. Gunshot? An instant later, another sharp boom filled the air. The piercing sounds of distant rifle fire were unmistakable. But no way would anyone be shooting. It was illegal to hunt in the park. Besides, it was too dark for a hunter to see his target. Her heart thundered, her breath frozen in her chest. Seconds passed, turning into minutes. Her back tingled with the certainty she was being watched, but she couldn’t move, could only stand there and listen, waiting for the next shot. The forest remained hushed. The sun dipped behind the mountains, and the valley filled with dark shadows as night settled in. A snap of a branch breaking shook her out of her paralysis. The breath she’d been holding whooshed out, and she fumbled in her backpack and drew out her headlamp. Slipping the elastic strap over her forehead, she switched on the light. Following the thin beam of light cast by her headlamp, she jogged down the trail. Her legs wobbled, and she stumbled over slippery roots and rocks, staggering, almost falling, but she dug deep and kept running. The parking lot where she’d left her car was an hour’s walk, but if she ran, she could make it in half that time. Heart thumping, her lungs burning, she raced around a bend in the trail but lurched to a stop at a flicker of movement in the trees on her right. A large shadow separated from the trunk of a fir tree and formed into the shape of a man. She shone her headlamp into the forest. The beam of light revealed a tall man with broad shoulders wearing a camouflage-patterned coat and baggy, green cargo pants. A gray woolen toque hung low over his forehead, and a thick black beard covered the lower half of his face. A rifle was strapped over one shoulder. “He...hello?” Her voice was thin and reedy. He wasn’t a park ranger. Not in that getup, but he had to be the person shooting, considering the enormous rifle slung over his shoulder. Not one part of his body moved. He didn’t even blink. Hands shaking, she peeled off her gloves, letting them fall to the ground, and yanked out the can of pepper spray she carried in a canvas holster strapped around her waist. Sliding off the safety guard, she held the can up, the nozzle pointed at the unsettling stranger. “Who are you? What do you want?” The man remained still and unspeaking. Her heart thundered in her ears. “Hey, I asked you a question. What do you want?” Behind the beard, he smiled, his lips stretching wide, his teeth gleaming in the headlamp’s beam. In the encroaching darkness, his muscular frame appeared larger, his demeanor even more threatening. Fear clawed her throat, and her primal instincts kicked in. Run! The urgent command roared through her, but her knees locked and refused to obey. Her breath puffed in and out in frantic huffs. Don’t come any closer.” Gripping the can of pepper spray so tight her hand ached, she shifted her finger on the trigger. About the Author Forging Forgiveness is award-winning author, C.B. Clark’s eighth novel published by The Wild Rose Press. When she’s not busy traveling around the globe or hiking and camping in the wilderness near her home in northern British Columbia, she can be found in front of her laptop plotting her next story. Blog Goodreads Amazon Author Page BookBub I'm pleased to welcome Jennifer Wilck, whose love and appreciation for life as well as her kindness and compassion for others shine in her beautiful books. Jennifer, congratulations on your upcoming release, A Heart Restrained. We'll talk about the book -- yesss, we have an excerpt -- but first let's get to know Jennifer a little better. 1) What sort of books did you enjoy reading as a child? Did you have a favorite book or series? I loved reading Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden. I also read my mom’s favorites from her childhood (Cherry Ames, etc). Plus, classics like A Secret Garden, Anne of Green Gables, etc. I remember going to the library weekly and coming home with stacks of books. 2) What sort of books do you enjoy reading nowadays? My favorite books to read are historical romance, women’s fiction, and time travel. I still like mysteries, too. Sounds like my kind of reading list! 3) Around what age did you realize that you liked to write? And when did you know that you wanted to write books? I always liked writing. When I was younger, I had a really hard time writing dialogue, and since everyone said, “write what you know,” and I didn’t think I knew anything interesting enough to write about, I put off writing fiction for a while. But English was always my favorite subject. I wrote for my university’s newspaper and worked in PR and journalism after college. When I had kids, I started writing for “fun” and decided I wanted to see where I could go with it. 4) What’s the first thing you wrote that you remember being proud of? I was always proud of my school writing. I think the first fiction that I wrote that eventually got published (A Heart of Little Faith) was what I was proud of first, simply because someone other than me (or my parents) liked it. 5) Tell us about the creative force within you. What inspires you to write, to create? “Force” is a great description. I’m not sure how to explain it, but I just get an urge to write something down when a snippet of something pops in my head—it might be some dialogue, or a scene, or a character. From there, I flesh it out and see if I can turn it into a story. Sometimes I’ll see something during my errands or travels that will inspire me. Other times it might be something I see on TV that makes me think, “I wonder what would happen if…” It’s kind of fun! 6) What’s your writing space like? I don’t have a “writing space” per se, since I write on my laptop and can go anywhere with it. But I have a desk and a sofa in our living room where I sit when I need to get away from others in my house. I love sitting at my dining room table where I can look outside while I write. And in the nice weather, the deck is a special treat. 7) Do you have a favorite time of day to write? Any habits or little rituals that put you in a writing mindset? I tend to write in the late morning or early afternoon, after I’ve finished my daily marketing chores. Without anything hanging over my head, I can relax and get into my pretend world. 8) Time to talk about your A Heart Restrained (rubbing hands together). But first, how did you come up with the idea for your Scarred Hearts series? Are there any interesting tidbits you’d care to share with us? I came up with the Scarred Hearts series idea at RWA in NYC in 2016 (I think that was the year). I wanted to write about four extremely wealthy men who used their money for good. I talked about it with one of my author friends (she’s great at helping me plot things out) and the series was born. Each book stands alone, although characters from previous books make an appearance. I love writing about wounded characters, so I gave each man a “wound” he had to get past. Then I had to figure out his perfect match. The plots sort of took care of themselves once I had the characters developed. They are wonderful romances and those men... #swoonworthy 9) Now let’s hear about A Heart Restrained. A Heart Restrained is book 3 in the series. Caleb is a media mogul who refuses to show his emotions. Fiona owns the most successful lifestyle website and consulting service that Caleb wants to buy. She, of course, refuses to sell. And she’s his complete opposite. If you like opposites attract, this is for you! Here’s the blurb: Caleb Zeno, a wealthy and successful media mogul, refuses to allow emotions into any aspect of his life, especially his entertainment corporation. When his company’s lifestyle website runs into competition from a small boutique company, the most logical solution is to buy out his rival. Fiona Hamilton’s lifestyle website succeeds due to her loving and caring treatment of her clients, who have become like family to her. She has no desire to sell to anyone, much less a tattooed, muscled, automaton. At odds professionally, Caleb and Fiona come together as a favor for Caleb’s sister. Sparks fly and sexual chemistry abounds. But Caleb can't let go of his abusive past and be the man Fiona needs, and she is unwilling to risk independence and financial security for anything less than a perfect happily ever after. Can they put their differences aside to find a viral kind of love? 10) I comprehend that you’re about to celebrate a book launch. Still, I can’t help but ask – do you have anything waiting in the wings? Yes! I’ve contracted a three-book series with Harlequin Special Edition. The first book, Home for the Challah Days, releases in September, just in time for Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. I’m so excited about this series, as it features Jewish characters in stories other than just Hanukkah. Harlequin has been on my bucket list, and I’m thrilled to find out they are as excited about this series as I am. Congratulations! It sounds like a marvelous series! 11) Is there anything else you’d like to share with us? Just that with as crazy as the world is today, I love writing characters who bring out the best in us. Being able to create worlds where love wins, and where everything works out in the end, is a great way to disappear from the stress all around me. I love, love, love that. I hope you know that your books have the same effect on your readers. They not only offer a respite from today's stresses; they give joy. Thank you for sharing your time and talent with us today, Jennifer. Congratulations again on your upcoming release! And now, A Heart Restrained. She refuses to sell him her company; will she give him her heart? Caleb Zeno, a wealthy and successful media mogul, refuses to allow emotions into any aspect of his life, especially his entertainment corporation. When his company’s lifestyle website runs into competition from a small boutique company, the most logical solution is to buy out his rival. Fiona Hamilton’s lifestyle website succeeds due to her loving and caring treatment of her clients, who have become like family to her. She has no desire to sell to anyone, much less a tattooed, muscled, automaton. At odds professionally, Caleb and Fiona come together as a favor for Caleb’s sister. Sparks fly and sexual chemistry abounds. But Caleb can't let go of his abusive past and be the man Fiona needs, and she is unwilling to risk independence and financial security for anything less than a perfect happily ever after. Can they put their differences aside to find a viral kind of love? Excerpt from A Heart Restrained Wouldn’t you enjoy this more if it were in English?” She paused and shifted so she faced him, one leg bent under her, the other dangling off the edge. “Absolutely not! Telenovelas are so much more emotional than American TV.” “Why don’t you at least research online to find a plot summary?” “I’m happy with the way things are,” she said. “I don’t need to hear the words to feel the story.” “But…you’re crying.” She smiled through her tears and wiped her cheeks. “I know.” Staring at her, his heart rate increased, and he tamped the panic her tears caused. At first, he thought pain caused her tears, but her rapt attention to the screen made him realize otherwise. Why would she want to do this to herself? And how could she enjoy a show she couldn’t understand? He should leave, before she recognized his complete lack of comprehension. But her rapt attention to the screen fascinated him. She was smart—his business dealings with her had proven it. Yet she focused as if she understood her show. She stared at the TV screen, but he couldn’t take his gaze off her. Her skin, despite its bruising, was luminous. Her lips were parted, and she gripped the edges of the sofa cushions until her knuckles turned white. This close to her, heat radiated from her body. He could hear a faint sigh. If she were this passionate about a television show, how passionate would she be if he kissed her? Purchase here. About the Author Jennifer started telling herself stories as a little girl when she couldn’t fall asleep at night. Pretty soon, her head was filled with these stories and the characters that populated them. Even as an adult, she thinks about the characters and stories at night before she falls asleep or walking the dog. Eventually, she started writing them down. Her favorite stories to write are those with smart, sassy, independent heroines; handsome, strong and slightly vulnerable heroes; and her stories always end with happily ever after. In the real world, she’s the mother of two amazing daughters and wife of one of the smartest men she knows. She believes humor is the only way to get through the day and does not believe in sharing her chocolate. Jennifer Wilck is an award-winning contemporary romance author for readers who are passionate about love, laughter, and happily ever after. Known for writing both Jewish and non-Jewish romances, her books feature damaged heroes, sassy and independent heroines, witty banter and hot chemistry. Jennifer’s ability to transport the reader into the scene, create characters the reader will fall in love with, and evoke a roller coaster of emotions, will hook you from the first page. You can find her books at all major online retailers in a variety of formats. March 20, 2023: Vernal Equinox
Springtime! For gardeners and farmers, it's a busy time of year. It always has been. I've been busy preparing the manuscript for All Shook Up, so I thought to celebrate today with a simple post, an springtime excerpt from Tremors Through Time. “ ‘The sun hung midway between heaven and earth, the great loch silver beneath it, as Lachlann An Damh plowed his field.’ That sounds good, don’t you think? Must you do that?” Lachlann stopped in his tracks to glare at Rónán, who sat on a rock, sketching and watching him work. “Must I do what?” “It would be much more picturesque, and my drawing would look a lot better, if you would guide your oxen like any normal tuathanach. But no, you can’t be like other farmers. You have to pull the plow yourself, like one of your beasts.” “At the moment, I have more land than beasts,” grunted Lachlann, straining as he pulled the heavy, wooden plow over a deep rut. “One day, I’ll have more oxen. In the meantime, if you wish to draw a picture of my team, they’re in the next field with Fearghus.” “Unfortunately, you’re my subject, not the oxen,” Rónán murmured as he sketched. Lachlann sighed. He had too much on his mind for senseless banter. “I’m to get married,” he announced abruptly and continued down the field. “What? Wait!” He glanced back, satisfied to see his friend hastily unfolding his long, lean form from the boulder. “You’re getting married?” Rónán questioned as he joined him. “I am.” “To whom?” “To your cousin, the chief’s niece.” “The chief’s…do you mean Allasan?” Lachlann nodded. “Allasan.” He glanced at the bard. Rónán looked stunned. “But…she’s not your type! She’s half your size!” “I know.” “She’s not even friendly!” “You mean that she doesn’t like Norsemen. Believe me, I know.” “She doesn’t like anyone. Whose idea was this?” “Your chief’s. He and Allasan’s father approached my father.” “Are they forcing you?” Lachlann had to smile. Rónán sounded appalled. He shook his head. “No one’s forcing us.” “Then why are you marrying her?” “It will be another bond between our people.” Lachlann paused to adjust the plow. “And I’ve no one else in mind. Why offend the chief and upset my family?” “A bond between our people? What about the bond between you and your wife?” Rónán was almost shouting. “You worry too much, my friend.” “I would wish you happiness.” Happiness… We know that this good man and tuathanach extraordinaire does find happiness where he would never expect to. For more Medieval Monday, be sure to visit amazing medieval ladies Mary Morgan and Barbara Bettis. May springtime be a time of joy and renewal for all. Terry Newman writes the most extraordinary books! Heartquake was surprising enough. Lion shifters! I love shifter romance. But Rewrites of the Heart? Completely different and wow! Welcome, Terry! 1) What sort of books did you enjoy reading as a child? Did you have a favorite book or series? I read all sorts of books as a kid. But one series that stuck with me was The Happy Hollisters. It was so very 1960s-ish, but it stirred not only a love of reading, but a desire to write. My favorite all-time book I read as a child was A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeleine L’Engle. I loved that story so much I read it to my daughter. 2) What sort of books do you enjoy reading nowadays? At the moment, I’m reading a lot of romantic comedies. But I discovered Becky Chambers. She’s a sci-fi author. I love her novella A Psalm for the Wild-Built. It’s a Monk and Robot book and why, yes, the two main characters are a monk and a robot. I had to then read the second book, A Prayer for the Crown-Shy. Equally as good. These books aren’t just science fiction. They hold marvelous and moving life lessons. 3) Around what age did you realize that you liked to write? And when did you know that you wanted to write books? I’m developing this theory that writers (at least some of us) knew we wanted to be writers at a young age whether we actually had the courage to voice it or not. But the trick with writing, is that it doesn’t always translate into serious writing immediately. Sometimes, it’s delayed for decades. But that gnawing need to write stays with you and eventually you have to. I suppose the signs were pretty clear when I took an assignment in grade school to write a sentence for each spelling word and I created a complete story. Everyone else had 10 sentences. I had the entire back of my spelling word sheet covered. Oh, I love both your theory and that story! 4) What’s the first thing you wrote that you remember being proud of? A short story I wrote as a junior or senior in college. It filled a requirement for a history essay, actually. I had asked the professor instead of writing a regular essay, if I could submit a short story. It was an American social history class of the early twentieth century. I wrote about a woman who went to the 1920 Republican convention and tried to show the social trends of the day. I thought it was pretty darned good. I got an A minus on it. 5) Tell us about the creative force within you. What inspires you to write, to create? I’m not sure where my creativity comes from. It comes from everywhere and nowhere. I can get an idea for a story or even a scene from an off-hand remark or an incident. Writing is almost a need for me. It’s like I have a Storyteller App in my head, where information goes in and comes out as a tale. Writing is just so much a part of who am I. 6) What’s your writing space like? I have this large office with a great view and it…oh, wait. That’s the writing space of my dreams. Sorry. I live in a small efficiency apartment. My desk sits on one side of my small kitchen. But…I don’t use it. The chair isn’t comfortable, so I end up in my recliner with a TV tray butting up against one arm of it. My laptop and my coffee are always on the tray. And I have a large external monitor hooked up to the computer to lessen eye strain. And why yes, my monitor is larger than my television. It’s unconventional but it works for me. 7) Do you have a favorite time of day to write? Any habits or little rituals that put you in a writing mindset? I love to write in the morning. While I don’t write as soon as I get up, I do write as early as possible, depending on the day. I have more energy in the morning. Not only that, but the world seems to be filled with limitless possibilities in the morning. I love the idea of limitless possibilities. That is one more reason to love the morning! Beautiful. 8) Time to talk about your latest release (rubbing hands together). But first, how did you come up with the idea for the book? Are there any interesting tidbits you’d care to share with us? Years ago, I was in a community theater production of Jake’s Women, a Neil Simon play. I played the psychiatrist and was totally a figment of Jake’s imagination. So was every other actor in the play, except for his current wife. Jake was writer. I turned that idea around and created a writer whose characters come to life. At first, I wasn’t sure who would be able to see them, but finally decided it’d be more fun if they were fully formed and interacted with everyone. 9) Now let’s hear about Rewrites of the Heart. This is the story: JJ Spritely, historian-turned-romance-author, a talented writer who writes characters that jump off the page. Figuratively, of course. Until one day, she wakes up to find Alex Zurich and Blake Teesdale, the heroine and hero of her work in progress, sitting in her home office. And they’re on a mission: To help JJ writer her own love story with the man of her dreams. There’s only one problem with that. JJ has already met the man her characters think is the love of her life, Kennedy King Cooper. She believes he’s an arrogant jerk who, by the way, think romance novels are trash and those who write them, well, “bimbos.” His words. If that weren’t the only complication in JJ’s life, it seems her characters can’t find their way back to their own pages. They’re stuck in her world. And believe me, they try some inventive ways to return. 10) I comprehend that you’ve just recently published a book. I know what that takes. Still, I can’t help but ask – do you have anything waiting in the wings? My paranormal novella, The Wizard of her Heart, releases July 3. Our hero, Wyatt Ginn, meets our heroine, Sydney Thomas, when his car rear-ends hers in front of the post office. They both think they’ll never see each other again. She’s his new employee and on her first day of work, Wyatt is asked to cast a love spell over a bag of jelly beans. Sydney is just emerging from a bad marriage and bitter divorce. She doesn’t believe in romantic love or magic. So why does she keep thinking about him? It sounds like such a fun romance! 11) Is there anything else you’d like to share with us? Heartquake, my first novel with The Wild Rose Press, turns one year old this month. It’s hard to believe it’s been that long. This story centers on Charlee Lightheart, a coffeeshop owner, and her boyfriend, Riley Brockton, a very wealthy businessman. Riley doesn’t know how to tell her he’s a lion shifter and, well, he believes she’s his lioness. At the request of a local anti-fracking group, Charlee runs for city council to oust the incumbent who is pro-fracking. But there’s someone who wants Charlee out of the race and keeps sending her threatening messages. A rogue reporter, with a history of hounding Riley, reveals the one secret that can destroy the anti-fracking movement and Riley and Charlee’s relationship. Happy book birthday to Heartquake! I so enjoyed it. Terry, thank you for sharing your time and talent with us. Congratulations again on Rewrites of the Heart! I wish you all the best! Thank you, Anastasia, for your hospitality. I enjoyed my visit. JJ Spritely, romance author, writes characters that jump off the page. Figuratively, that is. She never expects them to make a literal leap off the page and smack dab into her world. But Alex Zurich and Blake Teesdale do just that. And they’re on a mission to help JJ write her own personal love story with a man she recently met, Kennedy King Cooper. A history professor, Cooper doesn’t see the value of romance novels and he has even less regard for those who write them. Until he meets a woman who haunts his thoughts. There’s only one small snag in Alex’s and Blake’s plan…okay…two rather large snags. JJ wants nothing to do with Cooper. The other snag? Alex and Blake aren’t able to return to the pages of their own book. Will JJ ever write her own love story? And will it be with Cooper? Will Alex and Blake return to the pages of their own book? Excerpt Just my luck, she thought, bedraggled ex-history professor meets hunk at bookstore. Hunk yawns, excuses himself in a panic, and breaks the sound barrier running in the opposite direction. Surprisingly, he didn’t run. Instead, he struck up a conversation. They chatted politely about history. It seemed like the obvious topic with World War II flashing at them from the shelves and the Civil Rights movement towering before them. Then he made a remark about the book signing. She listened, amused, and then she slowly became irritated as he rambled on about the absurdity of the “trash” of romance novels (his exact words, she recalled). “It’s refreshing to see a woman who appreciates the finer points of an education,” he told her, “and doesn’t stoop to reading such mindless garbage. Only a hopelessly mindless bimbo would read that stuff. And I couldn’t imagine what type of woman would actually lower herself to such depths to write that drivel.” Just at that moment, as fate would have it, a fan walked up to her. “Excuse me, Ms. Spritely, I hate to bother you, but the clerk said you wouldn’t mind. Would you please sign my copy of Love’s Revenge?” She smiled, retrieved all the details needed for the autograph, chatted for a few moments with her fan, and then turned back to the gentleman. “And you were saying?” The man’s jaw hung open wider than the entrance to a cavern. She, however, glowed. “Yep, that’s me,” she said. “And by the way, you know what this hopelessly mindless bimbo—those were your words, weren’t they?—did before she became a fulltime author?” She paused for the sole purpose of creating a dramatic moment. “This bimbo was a history professor.” She abruptly turned on her heel, smiling broadly as she headed for the in-store café. She bought her favorite coffee, a caramel mocha, grabbed an asiago pretzel as a treat, and went back to her seat at the book signing table. Oh, yeah. Life was good. Later, the man stopped by the booth to apologize. She smiled graciously. Her thoughts, though, were anything but gracious. What a waste of a sexy, attractive body. It’s stuck in the mindset of an arrogant Neanderthal. Just my luck, she thought. To meet a guy with some chemistry to him—and even similar interests—only to find he’s not just the proverbial frog, but the pompous ass as well. And that’s my modern fairy tale. “May I make this up to you?” he offered. He had asked for her phone number, but she declined to give it to him. Not to be brushed aside quite so easily, he handed her his business card. “Kennedy King Cooper, Professor of History, University of Northern Ohio.” She read it briefly. “If you should like to go for coffee some time and help me remove my foot from my mouth, I’d be grateful.” She held the card for a moment, almost tempted to take it. He did look attractive there in a boyish sort of way, part pouting, part pleading for a second chance on making a first impression. And, yes, she really did feel some type of attraction to him, pompous ass or not. But something told her not to take the card. She politely handed it back to him. “No, thank you. I don’t think we have much more to talk about.” Thankfully, an individual with a book to sign walked up, signaling the end of the conversation. “But he didn’t mean to be such a sexist, elitist egotist, JJ.” Alex pleaded the professor’s case for him. “Remember the absolute bozo Blake was when I first met him? And we overcame it.” Blake’s eyebrows scrunched together, his lower lip jutted out as he quietly muttered, “Bozo? I was a bozo?” Alex calmly shook her head and took his hand. “You were a loveable bozo, honey.” The characters’ banter shook her out of her reverie, and she discovered they were peering at her, apparently still expecting an answer. Purchase here. About the Author Two things you should know about me: I have an offbeat sense of humor and characters are constantly talking to me, trying to get me to tell their stories. Other than that, I’m a normal person. I’ve spent most of my adult life writing in some fashion, from small-town reporter, to editor-in-chief and ghostwriter for a national natural health publishing firm. The last decade and a half I’ve worked as a freelance writer, penning ebooks that range from starting a doula services business to Native American herbs. I’ve finally took the plunge to fiction after pushing oh, so many doubts aside. My first novel with The Wild Rose Press, Heartquake, won a 4.5 crowned heart review with Ind’tale Magazine. All my books are set in fictional towns in northeast Ohio, where I grew up, and I write about things I love—like coffee. I have a daughter, a son-in-law, and a grandpuppy and live in North Lima, a real town in northeast Ohio with all my characters. Yes, it does get crowded. I'm proud to showcase this cozy mystery that looks absolutely marvelous, Venus Rising by Tammy D. Walker. Almost as soon as recent divorcee Amy Morrison begins her dream job as librarian aboard the world's most expensive luxury cruise liner, she nearly sinks it. She's tasked with hosting the debut of a painting celebrated but hidden for nearly sixty years. But the artist claims the painting isn't hers. And then, the artist goes missing. With the help of a retired academic couple lecturing aboard the ship, a dashing IT manager, and a housekeeping staff with a love of literature, Amy tries to solve the art fraud and kidnapping while rediscovering the adventurous side of herself. Excerpt Guests swirled around her. For the first time in her career, and maybe in her life, Amy Morrison stood in the middle of the sort of event she'd dreamed about hosting since starting her library science degree over two decades earlier. She spotted Brent at the doorway. Brent excused himself from the guests with whom he'd been speaking. "Ten minutes until the unveiling. We want Venus out the window for the official portrait. Memoir, Diane, Venus, and, well, Venus." "Will the photographer be able to do that? Get Venus with everything else?" Brent shook his head. "We can edit it in. It's the experience we want to create for everyone here. It'll be the story everyone takes away and tells their friends, their social media connections, the world. Trust me." "Oh, I do." "Everyone will be talking about how impressive the painting is alongside the rebirth of Venus, so to speak." Brent checked his watch, a sleek digital band that barely rose above his wrist. "I hesitate to ask,” Amy said in a low voice. “But isn’t Venus technically setting right now?” “Details.” Brent waved his hand. “It doesn’t matter which way the planet is going. It’s the story that’s important.” "But not the book?" "The book." Brent seemed to stop himself from saying something. Which is what Neil did too often. Amy pushed her pale coral thumbnail into her bare ring finger and told herself to stop it. No thinking about the divorce tonight. No thinking about Neil. "The book is what it is." "All part of the magic, right?" Which was Neil's favorite thing to say when things were going not as well as planned. She pushed her thumbnail into her ring finger again. https://www.tammydwalker.com/ From the Author My main character, Amy Morrison, is a Texan who loves her tea. We have that in common. I realized in writing Venus Rising that I'd need a better handle on British etiquette. So I consulted Debrett's Guide to Hosting and Entertaining, of course. Main character Amy had copies of this book and Debrett's Handbook at her library back in small town Dawville, TX. Writing Venus Rising was my staycation in 2020. I reread a lot of travel books, including Rick Steve's London, and this from my first trip to London and Paris, How to Pack, by Lauren Cardone. It's from 1998, so I ejoyed reading about how to pack older media. I certainly brought cassette tapes and a personal player on my trip in 1999! As part of the extended "staycation", I dreamed about cruises such as Cunard's Transatlantic Crossings. I also got into the spirit of things by baking some of Cunard's recipes, including their fantastic scones! Meet Tammy Tammy D. Walker writes cozy mysteries, poetry, and science fiction. She's the author of Venus Rising (The Wild Rose Press 2023). As T.D. Walker, she’s the author of the poetry collections Small Waiting Objects (CW Books 2019), Maps of a Hollowed World (Another New Calligraphy 2020), and a forthcoming collection of sonnets about radio communications. When she’s not writing, she’s probably reading, trying to find far-away stations on her shortwave radios, making poetry programs, or enjoying tea and scones with her family. Website Instagram Amazon Newsletter I'm proud to welcome award-winning author Jennifer Ivy Walker today! I recently started reading The Lady of the Mirrored Lake. Talk about intense! Jennifer will tell us more about her latest release, but first let's learn a little more about her! 1) What sort of books did you enjoy reading as a child? Did you have a favorite book or series? I enjoyed stories about medieval knights and ladies, such as tales of King Arthur, Lancelot, and Robin Hood. 2) What sort of books do you enjoy reading nowadays? I love paranormal, medieval, and historical romance! 3) Around what age did you realize that you liked to write? And when did you know that you wanted to write books? I discovered I had a knack for writing when I was eleven—the same year I started studying French. I realized I had a passion for the French language, history, literature, and culture as well. 4) What’s the first thing you wrote that you remember being proud of? A short story about my cocker spaniel in seventh grade. 5) Tell us about the creative force within you. What inspires you to write, to create? Growing up, I lived far from friends, so Nature was my companion, and being alone a lot fostered my imagination. Later on, I learned to sew, so in addition to writing, I also create couture (which I sell on Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/bohemienneivy. As a French teacher, I used creative methods—such as puppets, Theater in the Classroom, music, dance, and literature to enhance my students’ learning. Beautiful shop -- seriously boho! What it must be like to be so creative ... 6) What’s your writing space like? I redecorated a spare bedroom, furnishing it with light aqua French antique furniture, huge pink roses, and lots of plants! So lovely! Thank you for sharing your space with us. 7) Do you have a favorite time of day to write? Any habits or little rituals that put you in a writing mindset? I prefer to write during the day when it’s quiet and peaceful. I always work out plot developments or character backgrounds on my daily beach walks. Nature--especially the ocean-- inspires me so much! 8) Time to talk about The Lady of the Mirrored Lake, which I am reading at the moment (rubbing hands together)! But first, how did you come up with the idea for the series? Are there any interesting tidbits you’d care to share with us? When I earned my MA in French literature, I discovered the medieval legend of “Tristan et Yseult”. I have always loved Arthurian myth, and when I discovered that Tristan was a Knight of the Round Table and friend of Lancelot, it gave me the idea to do a paranormal fantasy adaptation of that medieval French legend, incorporating the French version of Arthurian myths. You've done it beautifully. 9) Now let’s talk about… A recent five-star review said this about my new release, The Lady of the Mirrored Lake (book 2 of The Wild Rose and the Sea Raven trilogy). “Decidedly more dark and decadent…the author deftly weaves some daunting new enemies into this magical tale, creating a rapturous fusion of myth, lore, and wizardry. 10) I comprehend that you’ve just recently published a book. I know what that takes. Still, I can’t help but ask -– do you have anything waiting in the wings? “The Emerald Fairy and the Dragon Knight”—the conclusion of my trilogy—will be published on June 21st. “Winter Solstice in the Crystal Castle” – a passionate romance between a fiery French princess descended from Vikings and the sullen, solitary knight who suffers an impossible love for her--will be published later this year. I just submitted the completed manuscript for “Flames of Flamenco”, an exotic romance set in Montmartre, the bohemian heart of Paris. I hope it lands another contract! Finally, my current WIP (work-in-progress) -- “Amour in Avignon”—is a Cyrano de Bergerac kind of love story where a lonely American divorcée falls for a romantic French actor when she goes to the Festival of Theater in Avignon (a city in Provence, in the south of France). Wow! Bravo! Seriously, do you write in your sleep? 11) Is there anything else you’d like to share with us? I am THRILLED to share the news that my debu |