I've Been Nominated for the Mystery Blogger Award!

Click here to listen to this blog post.

_Okoto Enigma is the creator of this award.

A FUN BLOG HOP

Thank you, Juneta Key for this nomination.  Thank you for being the spark and driving force behind the quarterly short story blog hop, Storytime Blog Hop. I'm glad you challenge us to share our stories because having a deadline helps me sit down and do it! I love Juneta's blog.  She is a champion for writers and shares wonderful tips on writing.  You should check it out here.

Storytime Blog Hop spearheaded by Juneta Key.

The Rules:

Rule 1:  Put the award logo/image on your blog. (ABOVE)

Rule 2:  List the rules. (You’re Reading Them)

Rule 3:  Thank whoever nominated you and provide a link to their blog. 

Rule 4:  Mention the creator of the award and provide a link as well. (ABOVE under LOGO)

Rule 5:  Tell your readers three things about yourself.

THREE THINGS ABOUT ME

1. I kicked up my heels as a hobo from Hooverville in the chorus line of the community players production of Annie. So much fun and a dream fulfilled.
2. My name, Janet, is my mother's middle name and my middle name is my grandmother's middle name, Lee.
3. I was inspired to keep writing when I really thought I couldn't do it anymore after reading Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg.

Rule 6:  You have to nominate a bunch of people (some say 5 others say 20).

1. Joan Y. Edwards--Never Give Up
2. Helena Fairfax
3. Marsha R. West
4. Joselyn Vaughn
5. Anna Simpson--Elements of Emaginette
6. Nan Sanders Pokerwinski--Heartwood
7. Anyone that would like to join us, Consider yourself nominated.

Rule 7:  Notify your nominees. (Done.)

Rule 8:  Ask your nominees any five questions of your choice, one weird or funny question.

1. What was your favorite food when you were 10? And now what is your favorite food? Oops, is that 2 questions?
2. Who influenced you to become a writer? There may be many people who guided you in your journey?
3. What is your favorite book on writing, publishing, or marketing?
4. Did you have an imaginary playmate when you were a kid? Tell us about it.
5. If you had the opportunity to hug anyone from the past or the present, who would it be and why? Uh, that may be 2 questions too. But you're a writer. You can handle them!!

Rule 9: Share a link to your best post. According to my stats, one of the favorites in 2017 was Someone Hacked my Facebook Page, Now What Do I Do?

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Answering Juneta's very interesting questions...

1. If you could get a redo on ONE thing in your life without impunity, what would it be? I wish I had gone to Northwestern University and studied journalism.
2. If you had three wishes, what would your THIRD wish be? Eating ice cream every day of my life.
3. Describe your “true self” in three words. Optimist, supporter, reliable
4. If you were a Star Wars character, who would you be? Can be anyone in old, new or expanded universe, but you cannot take a test to find out.  Who do you see yourself as?  If you don’t know Star Wars, use Lord of the Rings, or Pirates of the Caribbean or Harry Potter as a substitute only if you are not familiar with Star Wars.  I know, not everyone is as crazy about it as I am. Oh boy. To be very honest, and I know you wouldn't understand this, Juneta, but I am not a fan of Star Wars. As far as Lord of the Rings, we did a scene from the play in my college drama class and I hated it, so I never read the entire story. And I have not gotten around to Pirates or Harry Potter. Ok--I'm boring. BUT I do love the Star Wars stirring musical theme. 
5. If you had the opportunity to know your future, would you?  Why or Why not? NO! Then I would worry every day about what was coming up and how to face it. I like taking one day at a time and savoring the good times. Those good memories help me overcome the bad times.

Thanks, Juneta. This has been fun!

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So excited to kick off the Summer Readers Circle on next Friday, June 1, when multi-talented award-winning author Tricia Gill takes her seat in the circle with us. 

The Summer Readers Circle begins on Friday, June 2
Be here for fun and prizes!

Join us every Friday this summer to meet authors, discover great reads, and win prizes.

Readers Circle: Far Beyond Rubies by Historical Fiction Author Rosemary Morris, FREE eBook

Welcome to the Readers Circle!

Hello Readers and welcome to the J.Q. Rose blog.

UK historical author Rosemary Morris joins the Readers Circle today. So fun to have a guest from across the "pond." I've enjoyed reading her novels set in the reign of Queen Anne Stuart, who reigned from 1702 to 1714, and the ever popular Regency era. 

This Midwesterner has not studied English history too much, so each of Rosemary's novels is an educational as well as an entertaining experience for me. Rosemary researches these eras so well, her characters come to life as real people living in these times.

Far Beyond Rubies by Rosemary Morris
Historical romance

Rosemary is generously giving away an e-book copy of this engaging book. For a chance to win, please leave a comment below. Deadline to enter is Sunday, May 21 at 9 pm EDST.

Read on to discover why Rosemary chose to set her novels during this time in history.

Welcome, Rosemary!

Thank you, Janet.

There is a gigantic canvas for a historical novelist to choose from.
                                                                                                              ~~Rosemary Morris


I am Rosemary Morris, a multi-published historical novelist. My novels are set in the reign of Charles II’s niece, Queen Anne Stuart, who reigned from 1702 to 1714, and the ever popular Regency era. I have also written a mediaeval novel set in in the reign of Edward II, which has been accepted for publication.
I chose those periods because each of them affected the course of history. If the Duke of Marlborough had not won The War of Spanish Succession, and The Duke of Wellington had been defeated by Napoleon at The Battle of Waterloo, the history of Britain and that of Europe would be different. Defeat would also have had far-reaching consequences for the rest of the world. If Edward II had won the Battle of Bannockburn, it is feasible that he would have conquered Scotland and, perhaps, as it is claimed, he would not have been murdered.
The more I read about my chosen eras the more fascinated I become, and the more aware of the gulf between the past and present. Those who lived in the past shared the same emotions as we do, but their attitudes and way of life were in many ways are very different to ours. One of the most striking examples was the social position of women and children in in bygone ages.
 My characters are of their time, not men, women and children dressed in costume who behave like 21st century people.  
Research of my chosen eras sparks my imagination. The seeds of my novels are sown, and from them sprout the characters and events which will shape their lives. 

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Janet's Review of Far Beyond Rubies

When reading Far Beyond Rubies, I felt I had stepped into the 18th century. Ms. Morris has done her homework to bring us such a rich story with all the historic background and social graces of the era. I especially loved her description of the

Historical fiction romance novel
Far Beyond Rubies
KINDLE COUNTDOWN BEGINS MAY 17
 amazon.co.uk and amazon.com

gentlemen's fancy outfits. They dressed as brightly as male peacocks and wore make-up and wigs that even outshone the ladies of the day.

The dialogue filled with authentic words used in that time period and the way her characters expressed themselves added to the enjoyment of the storytelling.I read the book on my Kindle and truly appreciated the dictionary just a click away to find the definition of the unfamiliar words.

I wasn't familiar with the history of England, so I had a bit of catching up to do about kings, queens, politics, etc.  The author made it easy to understand. The sweet romance was filled with interesting characters and so many secrets.

I would recommend this book for intriguing escape reading and for the historical value.

About Rosemary:
I was born in Kent. As a child, when I was not making up stories, my head was ‘always in a book.’ 
While working in a travel agency, I met my Hindu husband.

Author Rosemary Morris

He encouraged me to continue my education at Westminster College.  In 1961 I and my husband, by then a barrister, moved to his birthplace, Kenya, where I lived from 1961 until 1982. After an attempted coup d’état, four of my children lived with me in an ashram in France.
Back in England, I wrote historical fiction, joined the Romantic Novelists’ Association, The Historical Novel Society, Watford Writers and on line groups, and am now published by Books We Love Ltd
Apart from writing, I enjoy classical Indian literature, reading, visiting places of historical interest, vegetarian cooking, growing organic fruit, herbs and vegetables and creative crafts.  
My bookshelves are so crammed with historical non-fiction, which I use to research my novels, that if I buy a new book I have to consider getting rid of one.
Time spent with my five children and their families, most of whom live near me, is precious.

Connect online with Rosemary Morris and discover all of her books--

Rosemary's Website. 

Books We Love Author Page. 

Celebrating Teachers Appreciation Week and Mother's Day This Week

Click here if you would like to listen to this week's blog post.

Hello and welcome to the J Q Rose blog!

This week in the U.S. we are celebrating special people in our lives as we observe Teacher Appreciation Week and Mother's Day. (Mother's Week would be appropriate too since it really would take more than one day to celebrate all the things moms do for us!!)

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week from JQ Rose.

Combining this post with Mother's Day and Teacher Appreciation Week is right on for me in my situation because my mother was my second grade teacher! In our small elementary school in Central Illinois, our second and third grade classes were big enough to need an extra teacher, but not enough to make a full second classroom of students. So instead, the overflow of students was placed in one room made up of second AND third graders. Kind of like the days when there were one room schoolhouses with all grades in one open room. 

My mother was assigned the task of teaching both classes in her one classroom. Having Mom as my teacher was difficult for both of us. From my perspective, as her daughter, she was harder on me than on any other kids in the class. I didn't realize at the time she didn't want anyone to accuse her of showing any favoritism toward me.

A photo of my mom, my second grade teacher.

As trying for me to have her as a teacher, she faced issues in her grown-up world of combatting those who might think she just gave me A's because I was her daughter. To avoid that criticism, she had the other second grade teacher grade my papers and tests. 

When Mother's Day came around that spring, our class made art projects to surprise our mothers. Since my mother knew what the gift was going to be, I walked up to her and asked her, "Since I don't have a mother, can I make this project for my grandmother Maw?" She told me many years later, it tore her heart when I said I didn't have a mother, even though she realized in my 7-year-old mind, I meant I couldn't surprise her with the gift. We laughed about it realizing in our hearts how difficult that year had been for both of us.

This weekend we honor mothers and women who are important in our lives.

Wishing all you Moms 

and women who are special to a child, 

a very

Happy Mother's Day!

If you have a mom, grandma, aunt, or woman in your life, grab her and give her a big hug and kiss.

Are you a teacher? Thank you. Are you a Mom? Thank you.

IWSG Blog Hop: Learning About the Darknet, Readers Circle Promo

Hello and welcome to the J.Q. Rose blog. 

Today is the monthly meeting of the Insecure Writers Support Group(IWSG) blog hop! 

Internet Writers Support Group Blog Hop
First Wednesday of every month.

What is IWSG? Founder of the  Insecure Writer’s Support Group and author Alex J Cavanaugh explains the group's purpose is "to share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!" You're invited to become a member of this supportive group.

The group blogs the first Wednesday of every month.  The list of bloggers is always available so you can hop around to the author blogs filled with humor, advice, and thought-provoking topics on writing and publishing. You can find the list of participants at Alex's IWSG page. I hope you'll take some time to visit the diverse list of bloggers.

IWSG Question for the Month

What is the weirdest/coolest thing you ever had to research for your story?

My weirdest research dealt with learning everything I could about the darknet. This criminal online system was the perfect answer for my character in my romantic suspense, Deadly Undertaking, to sell illegal drugs. As the son of a funeral director, he couldn't allow shady characters stopping at the funeral home to buy drugs during a visitation.

Their presence might tip off his dad he was participating in activities that could put him in jail. And let's face it, that would be bad for business. So he set up his computer in his bedroom and

mail-ordered drugs to customers.

The darknet is a secret internet for illicit activities such as selling and distributing drugs, planning protests, hiring a hit man or a hacker, sex trafficking and about any other "dark" activity you can think of. I had to learn about bitcoins too, a currency used for trading online. I still don't understand that very well. But suffice it to say, it's a way of doing business on the darknet.

Deadly Undertaking 

by J.Q. Rose

Avalable at amazon

Researching this topic was an eye-opening experience for me. 

I had no idea such a huge web of crime existed online. Have you heard of the darknet?

Check out this cnbc article for more information.

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Interested in promoting your book? Be my guest at the Summer Readers Circle on Fridays this summer on the JQ Rose blog. You write a short article about your book or your writing, offer a giveaway, and bio and photos of you and the book cover. Contact me at jqrose02@gmail.com for more information.

The Readers Circle

Storytime Blog Hop: The Secret by J.Q. Rose

Logo Credit: Katharina Gerlach

Founded 2015 by students of “How To Think Sideways: 

Career Survival School for Writer’s,” 

a writing course created by writer and teacher Holly Lisle

Welcome to the JQ Rose blog and to the quarterly Storytime Blog Hop.

Today, creative, talented writers share short stories to make you  laugh, cry, angry, surprised and all the emotions a writer can wring out of you.

Please take some time to escape from reality by visiting writers participating in this blog hop. I'm always amazed at the variety of genres and the imaginative characters and plots in the offerings. 

Click below on the bloggers' links to hop around cyberspace and explore these talented writers. You're invited to leave a comment and to share your reading experience with friends.

The Secret by J.Q. Rose

The Secret by J.Q. Rose

Mike slid the screen door aside to get inside and grab his ringing cell phone on the small kitchen table in his Florida condo home. He grinned when he spotted Olivia’s name in the caller ID. He looked forward to talking to his best friend since kindergarten. 

“Hey, Olivia. How’s it goin’?”

He threw his beach towel on the kitchen chair and plopped down in his leather recliner to talk. After thirty minutes of catching up and re-living fun times together, Olivia asked “Why didn’t we ever get together as a couple? I’ve asked you that question many times, but you’ve never answered.”

Mike’s brow crinkled. How could he answer Olivia’s question without revealing the secret he’d kept from her for so many years? He shot up from his chair and paced the tile floor.  Was this the right time to tell her?

“Mike. Hello. Are you still there?” Olivia’s voice on the cell phone jarred him.

“Oh yeah.”

“What? Did I shake you up when I asked the question…again?” Her soft giggle lightened his heart.

The memory of his attempt to ask her for a deeper relationship flashed through his mind. He could still picture that night six years ago when they sat at the corner wooden table in the diner eating greasy burgers and fat French fries. How they loved the food there, the quiet evenings, and even the smell of grease that clung to their clothes long after they left the building.

 He remembered the heat flaring through his body when he gazed into her brown eyes framed by the longest lashes he had ever seen. Wisps of her blonde hair, piled up on the top of her head, escaped from the hair band, and poked out from her head. He wished he could undo that hair band and let her hair fall free to her shoulders so he could feel the soft curly strands through his fingers.

Olivia swallowed a big gulp of pop, then stopped before grabbing another French fry. “Hey,” she said. “You’re kinda quiet tonight.” She reached across the table to touch his arm. “You okay?”

Mike placed his hand on hers. “Yeah. I’m okay.”  He hoped she believed him. He wasn’t okay. His gut clenched as he made the decision to finally ask her if she would be interested in him as a boyfriend, and no more of the relationship just as his kid sister.

“So how’s it going with you and Jack?”

She sighed. “Looks like Jack and I are history.” She wrinkled her nose.

Mike searched her face trying to decide if that was a good thing or a hurtful thing for her.

“I just had it with his drinking. No respect for me. Three dates with him were two too many,” she said as the corners of her mouth curved up into a smile.

“Sounds like he’s not the right one for you, then, eh?” His eyes twinkled.

“Nope, no way. He’s not Mr. Right for sure.” She picked up her burger and took another big bite, then licked the grease off her fingers.

Mike glanced toward her as she fumbled for her napkin. Leaning his elbows on the table and threading his fingers together, he watched her till she looked up at him. She finished wiping her mouth and hands and tucked the napkin under the plate. “What? Why are you looking at me like that?”

“I was just wondering what you’re looking for in a guy.” He had found the perfect opening to broach the subject of a big change in their relationship.

She smiled coyly. “Ha.”

“I’ll ask you some questions to help you decide.”

She laughed. “Alright, bring ‘em on if you think it’ll help me find the right guy.”

“Okay. Hmmm.”  Mike tapped his chin and stared up at the ceiling as if contemplating what to say. He gazed back at her and asked in his best interviewing style, “Would you consider a guy who is shorter than you?”

“Oh sure,” she replied quickly.

“How about a guy who doesn’t have a college degree?”

“That’s easy. If I love him, I don’t care if he’s a teacher, a plumber, a brain surgeon, or whatever.” She shrugged. “And of course, he’d have to love me back,” she added holding her hands to her heart.

“What if he had Herpes or an STD?”

“No. Next question, please.”

 “So, let’s see. Final question. What if he didn’t like to eat burgers and fries and was a vegetarian?”

“Are you kidding me? He’d have to love burgers and fries.” She held her arms wide and wrinkled her nose just like she did when she was eight years old.

Olivia interrupted his memory. “What’s up with you tonight anyway?  I just asked a simple question about why we never got together.”

“Yes you did. But really, why ask now? I mean the last time I saw you was at your wedding about a year ago. Are you and Tim having problems?”

“No, no problems. I love Tim with all my heart. I guess I was just thinking about the good old days. You and I shared a lot together, and yet, we never became romantically involved. I was more of a kid sister to you, wasn’t I?”

“Okay. I must admit I had thoughts about us getting together, but I just couldn’t ask because I have a secret I could never tell you.” He heard her gasp.

“You kept a secret from me all these years? How’s that possible? We shared everything. Or at least I thought we did.” His eyes misted when he heard the hurt in her voice.

“You may not remember our conversation when we were in college. We were at the diner trying to figure out what kind of guy you were looking for…”

“I remember,” she said softly. “I thought you were asking because you were interested in your being my Mr. Right. But you never even suggested it. I was disappointed to say the least.”

“I asked you if you would want a guy with Herpes.”

“Yes, and about a million other questions.” She laughed.

Mike hesitated. “So what you don’t know is…” He took another big breath. “I have Herpes.”

Her silence was louder than the sounds of the ocean waves roaring on the beach outside his condo’s door.

“Oh, Mike.” Her voice caught in her throat. “I’m sorry, so sorry. I wish you’d told me. Never in a million years would I have considered you having Herpes. I had no idea.” Silence again. “I loved you, Mike. That would’ve never stopped me from loving you.”

His throat closed with emotion leaving him unable to speak.

“But I love Tim now, and I married him. We’re very happy together.” She paused then continued, sounding stronger.

“I called to tell you that Tim and I are expecting a baby.” Her voice reflected the joy in her heart.

“Oh, that’s great news. I’m so happy for you.” And he truly was happy for her. But his heart shattered with the knowledge of what could have been if only he had revealed his secret that night at the diner.

“Mike, Mike. Are you still there?”

“Yes, I’m here. I’ll always be here for you, Olivia.” He inhaled a ragged breath. “Congratulations to you and Tim.” 

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Thanks for stopping in!

You're invited to visit the following participants in the Storytime Blog Hop.

Journal of Anah by J Lenni Dorner 

The Vineyard at Mar Mozambique by Karen Lynn 

Stealing Space by Barbara Lund 

The Day I was Clever by Katharina Gerlach 

Never kid a kidder by Angela Wooldridge 

The Color Of… by Chris Makowski 

Nightmare by Erica Damon 

Pick Up Lines by Bill Bush 

The Scorpius Gate by Sandra Fikes 

V is for Vortex by Elizabeth McCleary 

Deep Dive by Juneta Key

Bugs by Gina Fabio

Time for Gardening, Quick Tips on Vegetable Gardening FREE

Vegetable Gardening Guide
Available at Amazon

Hello Readers and Gardeners! Welcome to the JQ Rose blog.

I especially included gardeners in my greeting because it's that time of year to get your hands dirty. If you're one who knows gardening or one who wants to try it out for the first time this year, you'll find our garden guide on vegetable gardening has valuable tips. (Yes, this is a non-fiction book, not a mystery!!)

If you would like a FREE e-copy, just ask and I'll send you one. I hope you'll find time to read and review it for us. For table of contents and reviews, click here on  Amazon.

Tomatoes grown in our garden

Grow your own vegetables! Mmmm good!! Garden in the ground, vertically, or in pots on your deck.
If you want to know more about gardening, send me an email at jqrose02 at gmail dot com and I'll gift you this gardening guide. Offer ends Friday at 10 pm ET. I promise, NO SPAM.

Cover Reveal: Katie Carroll's Pirate Island, Storytime Blog Hop April 26

Signs of Spring--Tulips

Hello and welcome to the J.Q. Rose blog!

I hope you enjoyed the spring holidays and your heart is filled with sunshine even if you are experiencing April showers.

Today I am excited to feature the cover reveal for my author friend Katie Carroll. Pirate Island will be an exciting adventure novel for midde grade readers, but I know Katie's writing. Grown-ups will get a kick out of it too! Looking forward to its release this fall. Now here's some information on Pirate Island!

PIRATE ISLAND

by Katie L. Carroll (katielcarroll.com)

Cover Illustration by Susan Tait Porcaro (susantaitporcaro.com)

Coming October 2017!

PIRATE ISLAND blurb:

A thrice cursed island, a legendary pirate treasure, and one not-so-brave boy. What could possibly go wrong?

For centuries, the whereabouts of Captain William Kidd’s lost pirate treasure has remained a mystery. When Billy’s best friend, Andy, proposes they look for it on nearby Pirate Island, Billy thinks it’s just another one of their crazy adventures. It’s usually Billy who ends up in trouble as a result, but he goes along for the ride…like always. The more he delves into the life and death of Kidd, the more he thinks the treasure is real and that it might be buried on the small island in Long Island Sound. Billy—nope, call him William—becomes obsessed with the captain of the same first name. He even believes he’s possessed by Kidd’s restless soul. Now he and the spirit of a long-dead pirate are leading the crazy adventure on Pirate Island. And what they find is far bigger than the treasure they imagined.

About the Author:

Katie L. Carroll always says she began writing at a very sad time her life after her sister Kylene unexpectedly passed away. The truth is Katie has been writing her whole life, and it was only after Kylene’s death that she realized she wanted to pursue writing for kids and teens as a career. Since then writing has taken her to many wonderful places, real and imagined. She has had many jobs in her lifetime, including newspaper deliverer, hardware store cashier, physical therapy assistant, and puzzle magazine editor. She works from her home in Connecticut that is filled with the love and laughter of her sons and husband.

In addition to PIRATE ISLAND, Katie is the author of the YA fantasy ELIXIR BOUND. Find Katie on her website, Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads.

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Next week, Wednesday April 26, I'll be participating in the Storytime Blog Hop.

Logo Credit: Katharina Gerlach

Founded 2015 by students of “How To Think Sideways: Career Survival School for Writer’s,” 
writing course created by writer and teacher Holly Lisle.

So many creative, talented writers share short stories to make you  laugh, cry, angry, surprised and all the emotions a writer can wring out of you. I hope you'll join us!!