Tuesday, September 29, 2020

Fright in the Night, a Scary Read for October! #MFRWHooks

 

Book Hooks Blog Hop #MFRWHooks
Hello and welcome to the Focused on Story Blog. Today we're joining the Book Hooks Blog Hop sponsored by the Marketing For Romance Writers Group. Each participating blogger shares an excerpt from their book. I'm sharing my scary novel, Terror on Sunshine Boulevard. It's the perfect read for this frightul time of year, Halloween!

Mystery, horror

Back of the Book: Rescuing a naked woman lying in a geranium bed? Investigating mysterious murders Not the usual calls for first responder Jim Hart. He expects slip and fall accidents or low blood pressure emergencies in his retirement community of Citrus Ridge Senior Community and Golf Resort. The ghastly crime scenes turn the winter time fun into a terrifying season of death and mystery when the authorities cannot track down the predator responsible.

Jim and his wife Gloria could escape the horror and grief by returning to their northern home, but concern for their friends and residents keep them in Florida. With the entire community in a dither over the deaths, the Harts participate in the normal winter activities of golfing, dancing, and pool parties with their friends to distract them from sadness and loss.

Can Jim and Gloria work with the authorities to discover who or what is killing the seniors on Sunshine Boulevard and stop the increasing body count?

Excerpt: Chapter Four, Terror on Sunshine Boulevard

Meet Jingles, Mr.Tweeble's Dog

Doris set aside her cereal bowl on the end table. She pulled her frail body from the deep seat ready to make a phone call to Ralph Tweeble to complain about the dog. Of course, once she was up, the pet quit yapping. She looked out the window to scan Ralph’s yard to see if he had let the dog out into the backyard, but the motion light wasn’t on. She cocked her good ear toward his house and listened. Ah, silence from next door. Maybe now she could watch her movie without that annoying barking.

Doris picked up her cereal bowl and returned to the kitchen to fill it with more raisin bran and milk. She settled down in front of the maple TV console. As she brought a spoonful of her midnight snack to her lips, the terrier next door began raising the roof with his howls and yelps again.

She had enough of that damn dog. She wrestled herself up from the recliner as fast as her stiff body would allow and spied out the window. She stood mesmerized by a dazzling yellow light blazing through Old Man Tweeble’s house. Momentarily blinded by the amazing brightness, she scrambled out to her screened-in porch to get a better view and caught a whiff of the most putrid odor she had ever smelled in her seventy-nine years on this earth.

Doris moved as quickly as her legs tolerated to call 911. Where was that dad-burned phone? Whoever thought of cordless phones anyway? When there were phones hooked up to the wall with a cord on the handset, no one ever missed a call because they couldn’t find the damn thing. She was exasperated, but she was more scared the house next door might explode into flames if she didn’t call right away.

Doris checked the kitchen table, the couch cushions and the nightstand by the bed for the phone. Finally, she found it where it should be…on the desk in the charger. She grabbed it and called 911.

“Come quick! There was a flash of bright light next door. Something’s on fire!” Doris clutched her chest, unable to breathe. “Hurry!” Everything turned black as she passed out and fell to the floor, the phone clattering down next to her.

* * *

 In that early morning, the first responders discovered two bodies in their respective homes on Sunshine Boulevard—Mr. Ralph Tweeble and Mrs. Doris Hadley. The aura of death and mystery overshadowed the dazzling sunny day.

* * *

Click here to download your digital copy of Terror on Sunshine Boulevard by J.Q. Rose from your favorite online bookstore.

Click here to order your paperback copy.

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Thank you for stopping by. Please join in the fun by clicking below to visit more authors and discover entertaining books for your fall reading!




 


Tuesday, September 22, 2020

Readers Circle: Helen Henderson's Windmaster Legacy

Readers Circle Guest Helen Henderson

 Hello and welcome to the Readers Circle. Sadly, summer is just a memory now, so no longer the Summer Readers Circle. I have had a wonderful time hosting guest authors this summer and giving away prizes. 

Talented author Helen Henderson finishes up this season's round of Readers Circle get-togethers. She explains why she wrote her book and shares an excerpt from the books to hook you on that story. Leave a comment below to enter the drawing for the eBook, romance fantasy novel, Windmaster Legacy, so be sure to leave a comment below! The deadline to enter is Sunday, September 27 at 9:00 PM EDST.

Welcome, Helen!


Windmaster Legacy by Helen Henderson
romance fantasy
Choose between magic, survival, or the life of a loved one.

 Why Helen Wrote Windmaster Legacy by Helen Henderson

Windmaster Legacy is the second book set in the world of Windmaster. The series began as a short story. The story of the archmage Dal and Ellspeth, captain of Sea Falcon, haunted me enough that I again put pen to paper. The short story served as the synopsis. Add in some storyboarding, a few images for inspiration and the romance fantasy, Windmaster, came into being. I didn’t want to leave the world of the falaire, and even though I don’t like the deep blue, I liked hanging out with mages and stayed with them.

Since Windmaster did not end on a cliff-hanger, imagination had to work overtime to come up with another story to tell. Eventually, Lord Dal and Captain Ellspeth told of their plans to journey to his mother’s homeland. A documentary on the Australian outback and a picture of Uluru (also known as Ayer’s Rock) provided the setting. While I know I will never visit Australia in person, the research for and writing of Windmaster Legacy allowed me to visit there vicariously.

A series is more than two books, and while there is already a third novel set in the world of Windmaster, there is another one that deserves a mention. Coming October 2020, Windmaster Golem covers the story of the archmage and his lady and takes it to the next generation.

Excerpt: A short excerpt from Windmaster Legacy that introduces the reader to Lord Dal, on the occasion of his formal petition for a handfasting to Ellspeth.

 A man’s ringing tones overshadowed whatever else Mirrim intended to say. “I request permission to speak to the council of the House of Cszabo.”

 A sigh of relief escaped Ellspeth at the recognition of Dal’s voice. She turned and saw him standing in the open doorway of the council chamber. For a moment his eyes, filled with pride, rested on her. Before she took a step, the minute shake of his head squashed her urge to rush to his side. What is going on? Dal’s here before my guild council…in ceremonial garb.

 He’s still the dockworker you thought he was at your first meeting, even though he is in formal wear. How could Dal be there and not say anything? A question ringed with anger rushed forward. How long has that bilge rat been standing there?

 Dal’s smile flashed.

Long enough to share in your joy. Within a heartbeat, that smile disappeared. Even without the difference in his clothing, Ellspeth could tell the dockworker had been replaced by the son of a chieftain. A suspicion as to why Dal had come solidified when Fraunces moved to stand at the wizard’s left, his plain clothes a striking contrast to Dal’s embroidered, fur-trimmed leather tunic. Another old friend, Timmel, the head of the Bard Guild, was in the doorway at Dal’s other side. When Fourth Seat waved the trio forward, Ellspeth wondered how many of the council were in on whatever Dal had planned. They accorded a first-time visitor full courtesies.

 With a stern glare, Mirrim quieted the room. “I have been in negotiations with Lady Eilidh, chieftain of Clan Daimh, ruler of three holds in the Mtwan Mountains. On behalf of her son, Dal, Archmage of the World, member of the ruling council of wizards, and former lieutenant of Telarim the Red, Lady Eilidh has petitioned a handfasting between Lord Dal and my daughter, Ellspeth.”

 Fear mixed with questions swirled in Ellspeth’s mind. Why is my mother doing this in public? What if the council denies the request? She steeled herself to bear the council’s ruling. Formal ceremony or not, approval of the council or not—Dal is yours for as long as you both shall live.

Click on the links to download Windmaster Legacy from your favorite online bookseller. Amazon  Kobo  additional ebook sellers

UPDATE: Helen Just found out that Windmaster Golem, the next book in the tale of Ellspeth and Dal, is being released on October 10th! 

# # # #

About Helen:

Although the author of several local histories, and numerous articles on the topics of American and military history, antiques and collectibles, my first love is fiction.

My work in the museum and history fields enables a special insight into creating fantasy worlds. The descendent of a coal-miner's daughter and an aviation flight engineer, my writing reflects the contrasts of my heritage as well as that of my Gemini sign. My stories cross genres from historical westerns to science fiction and fantasy. In the world of romance fantasy (or if you prefer more romance with your action, fantasy romance), I authored the Dragshi Chronicles and The Windmaster Novels. I invite you to join me join on travels through the stars or among fantasy worlds of the imagination. Happy Reading!

 

 Connect online with Helen:

Helen's Website 

BooksWeLove Publishing Author Page  

Amazon Author Page  

Facebook  

Twitter  

Goodreads  

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Your Words, Your Life Story: A Guide for Sharing Memories


You can write your story.
How many times have I preached to you on this blog to write your story? Your life story? I don't mean the overwhelming task of writing about your whole life from the time you were born to the present. Your life story is made up of lots of stories. I bet you can think of one right now that you tell around the family dinner table. Doesn't it always get a laugh or spark more tales of comforting memories? That's where you start writing--the familiar stories of your life.

Why? Look at the image below for reasons why you should share your story with family and friends and perhaps, publish it for the whole world to read!

Four reasons to tell your story.

I began leading workshops on writing life stories in 2003.  In the chapters in this eBook I share all that I have learned while presenting the lessons to participants.  The exercises and writing prompts will spark your memories. 

Begin today writing down your experiences during this COVID crisis. Yes, you are an eyewitness to history. Let future generations hear the real story of the 2020 pandemic. Don't let the media spin what they want people to know. 

If you are not a writer, in the book I suggest websites to help you use video and audio to tell your stories.

Remembering the good old days makes the winter fly by. Grab this book and get started. When you're finished, please leave a short review on your bookseller's page so readers will find this guide to help them tell their stories. Thank you.


My Facebook group, Your Life Story and Memoir Circle, is another way of helping you along the path to writing your story. Click here to join the group.

Your friendly Lifestorytelling Evangelist,
JQ Rose

Click here to download the guide now at your favorite online bookseller.

Click here for the paperback version which includes a journal to record the exercises in the eBook and to jot down memories. 
# # # #
Please leave a comment below and you will be entered in the drawing to win.


Wishing you a Happy Fall Season!!




 

 

Tuesday, September 15, 2020

Go, Go, Grammarly for Editing Your Writing, #AuthorToolboxBlogHop

 

#AuthorToolboxBlogHop

Hello and welcome to the Focused on Story Blog and to the Author Toolbox Blog Hop #AuthorToolboxBlogHop which meets every third Wednesday of the month to 
share resources and tips for authors. Thanks to Raimey Gallant for hosting this venture. 
Please join us to learn more about the craft of writing and to meet bloggers who are dedicated to helping each other become the best writers possible. Click here to visit other blog hop participants.
🛠🛠🛠🛠

Go, Go, Grammarly for Editing Your Writing by J.Q. Rose

One of my most favorite tools I keep in my Author Toolbox is Grammarly, an online spelling and grammar checker. I only use the free version, but the program always tells me how many advanced issues I am missing because I am not a premium member. So I have been considering joining the premium program since I am editing a nonfiction book for girls, Girls Succeed! Stories Behind the Careers of Successful Women and my memoir, Arranging a Dream.

Grammarly does a fine job of finding typos, misspelled words and punctuation errors. That's what I really need, but the premium program can help find awkward sentences, a wrong word by reading the context of the sentence e.g. there or they're and I bet dangling participles too--whatever that is! I imagine many writerly concerns such as tautology can be pointed out by the AI bot. 

When I am tired and I have read a chapter over and over and over, I can get into Grammarly and it will underline even more words that I missed. I feel more at ease about the editing after using this inhuman tool.

I am looking into more free tools for grammar checking, such as Pro-Writing Aid, and will report on them for you next month.

Below is part of the weekly writing update from Grammarly. (Ha, I find it interesting that the program underlined grammarly as an error when that is its logo spelling without the capital G!) I like the Tone section of the report especially when I'm writing a book for 10-13-year-old girls. I don't want it to be formal sounding.

Take a peek to learn about grammarly besides just the grammar corrections.

 
Grammarly
 
 
SEPTEMBER 06 - SEPTEMBER 13
 
Your Weekly Writing Update
 
Check out the big vocabulary on you! You used more unique words than 92% of Grammarly users. Keep it up!
 
 
 
 
GRAMMARLY WRITING STREAK
 
44 weeks
52
Next Achievement
See all achievements 
 
 
 
PRODUCTIVITY
 
You were more productive than
92% of Grammarly users.
 
 
  Share
 
  Tweet
 
12,231
words checked
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AUG 2330SEP 0613
 
 
 
MASTERY
 
You were more accurate than
55% of Grammarly users.
 
 
  Share
 
  Tweet
 
166
alerts shown
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AUG 2330SEP 0613
 
 
 
VOCABULARY
 
You used more unique words than
92% of Grammarly users.
 
 
  Share
 
  Tweet
 
1,589
unique words used
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AUG 2330SEP 0613
 
 
 
TONE
 
Some of the tones that were detected in your writing last week:
 
 
1.Formal
  
28‌%
+8%
 
2.Joyful
  
22‌%
-3%
 
3.Encouraging
  
16‌%
+14%
 
4.Informative
  
14‌%
-4%
 
5.Appreciative
  
6‌%
-8%
 
6.Neutral
  
5‌%
+2%
 
7.Uncertain
  
5‌%
+2%
 

What is your process for proofreading your writing? Please leave a comment below.
 Thanks so much for stopping in. I hope you'll visit more bloggers and pick up tips and inspiration along the hop. 
Click here to visit blog hop participants.
 


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September issue of the Rose Courier








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