​Here’s an excerpt:
 
“Malone, are you telling me that my efforts to elevate your heart rate aren’t sufficient to ensuring your good health?”

He chuckled and shook his head. “You know how to get my heart racing. But there are other aspects required for a full-body workout.”

“Maybe you need to rethink your routine,” I teased from the doorway.

He was sitting on the side of the bed about to reach for his tennis shoes. Now Malone flashed me a wicked smile. Before I could move, he lifted me off my feet.

“Malone!”

“Hold still. I’m going to do a set of curls with you horizontally across my arms.” He shifted his grip. One arm was beneath my knees. The other was under my shoulder blades.

“Don’t drop me!” I started to reach for his neck.

“Keep your arms at your sides, Jay.” He turned around now so that he was holding me over the bed.

Slowly he did a curl, rolling me in his arms as if his hands were reaching for his shoulders. On the third curl, Malone dipped his head and kissed my stomach through my shirt. Then he released me, dropping me onto the mattress from shoulder height. I bounced, laughing in delight.

“We’ve just created a new exercise.” He fell on the bed beside me.

“What are you going to call it?”

He gave it some thought. “Curling the vixen.”

“I’m a vixen?”

Malone nodded.

“Hope that’s one you’re only going to do at home.”

“Only with you, Jamie.” He gave me a kiss that got my heart racing, then slid off the bed. “I gotta run.”

“Sure, leave me all hot and bothered,” I muttered.

Malone grabbed his shoes and went out the door. “To be continued.”

“It damn well better be.”

Summertime and everyone is… ​busy!  There have been a lot of writing-related activities going on. Time for my latest thoughts on writing, my work in progress, events, podcasts and more.  There’s also a different take on an interview and some music to keep things going.

Ready?  Let’s roll!

Writing
When I first started seriously writing, the idea of promoting and marketing my books never crossed my mind. Sure, I pictured myself at the local bookstores, with people lined up to get a signed copy, maybe listening to me read a scene or two. But I had no idea how to make that happen.

Flash forwards a few years and now, having written eight books, promoting has become second nature. I’m not claiming expert status or anything like that. But I’ve discovered several different methods to attract some interest in my novels.

One of my favorites is the art festivals, where I pitch my tent, set up my display and chat with people as they are walking by. Sometimes, you get a pleasant surprise.  At one of the events last month, a young couple was slowly passing my table when the woman stopped in her tracks. ​

“Jefferson Chene! Like the intersection?” she asked.

Obviously, she was a fellow Detroiter.  I nodded and we got to talking about our own experiences in Motown.  Turns out, she lived within a mile of the family home where I grew up in.  Small world. When I explained Chene’s backstory, she immediately grabbed all three books and was eager to start reading them.

Over the last year, I’ve also been doing several podcasts that are focused on authors. A link to each one is listed on the sidebar for the blog.  This is a great way to reach a wider audience.  Some of these podcasts have listeners around the globe.

I keep looking for new and different ways to connect with more readers, outside of traditional marketing. You never can tell which method may have the greatest impact, so I keep trying.

​Work In Progress
 
In less than a week, “Chasing Favors” will be released.  I’ve had some great feedback from a few readers who got their hands on advanced copies, which always makes me smile.  But before the book is officially available, I’m having a party.  Everyone is invited!

It’s a Virtual Launch Party.  Diana, my very good friend who, among a multitude of other duties, hosts the Indie Reads Aloud podcast series, persuaded me to give this a shot. She will be hosting the event.

What’s it going to entail?  Well, from the comfort of your own home, you can dial in to the Zoom broadcast.  I’ll be reading several scenes from the book and answering questions from the audience.  Anyone can register.  The more people who attend, the more prizes I’ll give away. The grand prize will be one autographed print copy of “Chasing Favors”.

So you can be poolside, with a margarita in hand, or lounging in your pjs with a glass of wine or a cup of cocoa.  Whatever works for you.   Registration in advance of your attendance gets your name on the prize wheel.  You never know what you might win!

Meanwhile, my latest project is still demanding my attention. Whenever I have an hour or so, that story calls to me.  I’ve been able to add a few new scenes and expand on others.  While the progress is slower than I’d like, it reminds me of the favorite maxim from an old mentor. ‘There are times when all anyone can expect is that you do the best you can with what you have to work with, right now’.

I keep that in mind.

​Podcast
Earlier this month I was invited to speak on the Linderson Creations “Dear Writer” podcast.  This series delves into more background and the journeys authors have taken to get their work published.  Many thanks to Ashley and Sarah for the opportunity to speak with you.  Here’s a link to that episode.
https://open.spotify.com/show/2JfOo6e8YjLjXeCVA58Ek4?si=cbVJWgFqSle1xy3AM4rgUg&nd=1

Interview
This month’s interview is with Leo Agonasti. Here’s a picture of what he might look like. 
 
More than once I’ve had a reader tell me how much they enjoy certain characters from my books. Since these are all people created from my imagination, I always strive to make each one unique, with their own traits and quirks.

Leo Agonasti gets the spotlight in the new book.  This is a result of comments I received after his appearance in both “Your Turn to Die” and “The Wayward Path”.  Readers wanted to know more about this smooth operator.  Inspiration has yet to strike me with a title for this one, but it’s sure to arrive at some point.

Instead of a mystery, this novel is more of a thriller or a crime novel. It will be set in the early 1990s, with a few flashbacks to the early 1970s, when Leo first begins working in organized crime.​

Welcome, Mr. Agonasti.
There’s no need for such formalities. Please, call me Leo.
That sounds good. Can you tell us a little about your background?
I was born and raised in Dearborn, just a little west of Detroit. Mine was a blue-collar family. I did well in high school. A local businessman recognized my aptitude for a few subjects and offered me a scholarship to continue my education.  I graduated, worked for a few years with an investment firm, then started my own business.
Isn’t this ‘local businessman’ you mention a gangster?
Romeo Giacalone has family members that are involved in organized crime. He’s a businessman.
Understood. Are you familiar with Detroit’s long reputation with gangsters?
(Smiles) I’m a bit of a history buff. As such, I’m well aware of some of the violent times and activities that stem from the early days of the twentieth century. Detroit can be a dangerous city. But that’s not unlike many metropolitan areas throughout the country.
You’re a successful businessman.  Tell us a little about that.
My company offers financial advice to people. But we take a little different approach from the traditional operations, where the focus is on stocks and bonds.  While we do offer recommendations in those matters, we also encourage investors to consider partnering with entrepreneurs to fund their business’s growth and expansion.
Sounds interesting. Is this popular?
Yes, and it has been well received. My financial advisors and I do a thorough review of the entrepreneur’s business plans before we ever consider recommending the opportunity to potential investors.
Tell us about your relationship with Maximo Aurelio:
(laughs) Max and I grew up together. We’ve always been close. He’s an honorary uncle to my two daughters and he thoroughly spoils them rotten. Max is my best friend.
Any concerns about the actions he’s been accused of?
How Max spends his time is of no concern to me. And he has never been convicted of any criminal activity.
How do you react to comments that you and your business may be linked to organized crime?
I am a successful businessman. My company has received accolades from several community organizations that we support. Through the efforts of myself and my associates, we have helped a great many entrepreneurs achieve their goals and objectives, by pairing them with people who have the funds available to make those dreams come true. Sadly, there are some people in the world who are jealous of this enterprise and as such, make unfounded accusations. These comments are unworthy of further speculation.
Thank you for your time, Leo.
It has been a pleasure speaking with you. 

Music
Sinatra!
Frank Sinatra performed for sixty years. He got his start working with big bands like Tommy Dorsey and Harry James. Many consider him to be one of the iconic singers of the 20th Century.
    
In addition to his singing career, Sinatra also did a fair amount of acting. He starred in a number of hit movies, including the original Ocean’s Eleven. Sinatra was popular on a number of television shows as well.

My top five favorites:
Fly Me to the Moon:  https://youtu.be/ZEcqHA7dbwM
One for My Baby:  https://youtu.be/hkwdkUXQ1yo
The Way You Look Tonight: https://youtu.be/TgrvCb778kk
Come Fly with Me: https://youtu.be/SLC5AGGHLz0
Under My Skin: https://youtu.be/C1AHec7sfZ8
​

​So much to see, so much to do!  Plenty of details to share this month, now that the festival season is now in full swing. I have an update on the newest book in the Jamie series, plus an interview with author Brenda Whiteside and of course, music.  There must be music.  Let’s roll!

​One of the first readers who stopped by Friday afternoon got very excited when she learned that I had multiple novels with the same characters. Turns out she was a fan of book series.
​
I never started out with the idea of writing a series. It was my intention to write one good book that I could be proud of, one that people would enjoy reading and then move on to something else. Well, that kind of, sort of happened.  But as Mel Brooks would say, “Man plans and God laughs”.

​Considering I have now written 5 Jamie Richmond stories and 3 Jefferson Chene mysteries, having an ongoing series makes perfect sense.

“Devious” was the first book I wrote. When it was accepted, the publisher asked me when a second book with Jamie could be expected. They liked the character so much that it would be a shame not to create another adventure for her.

That got me started on “Vanishing Act”, the second Jamie tale. But in the back of my mind, I really wanted to focus on a police investigation.  I already had the backstory in place for Jefferson Chene. Then a flash of inspiration hit.  Why not include Chene in a minor role in the second Jamie book?

I did that and it worked out just fine. Which started a pattern.  Since all the books primarily take place in Metropolitan Detroit, it shouldn’t be that difficult for characters from both series to make cameo appearances.  Jamie and Malone have been in two Chene mysteries. A few of Chene’s associates appear in “Chasing Favors”.
​
 As long as the ideas continue, I will write more stories for each series. But first, I need to get back to work on the crime novel.

Work In Progress:
It’s official.  The cover art for “Chasing Favors” has been finalized. The book will be released on July 25.  There are links at the bottom of this section if you’d like to preorder your own copy.
         
But first, I’ve been persuaded to throw a party.  A Virtual Launch Party.  My good friend Diana, who is the driving force and host of the Indie Reads Aloud podcast series, has convinced me to give this a shot. She has even agreed to host the event.
        
I’ll be reading several scenes from the book and answering questions from the audience.  Anyone can follow the links on my website and register.  The more people who attend, the more prizes I’ll give away. The grand prize will be one autographed print copy of “Chasing Favors”.

​Buy Links:
AMAZON: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C5ZW6XQF
KOBO: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/chasing-favors
BN: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/chasing-favors-mark-love/1143532150
APPLE: https://books.apple.com/us/book/id6449441859
Bookbub:  https://www.bookbub.com/books/chasing-favors-a-jamie-richmond-mystery-by-mark-love

Author Interview:
Meeting new authors can be a lot of fun.  When this happens in person, like at the art festivals, we can often share quick histories about our writing journeys, the challenges and successes we have faced. Sometimes we can share humorous interactions with shoppers.
         
While I haven’t met Brenda Whiteside in person, we’ve connected through our individual writing and promotion efforts. So here’s a chance to learn more about Brenda.
​Tell something about yourself and how you became an author.
I’ve always loved to write but never considered the possibility of writing for others until I took a creative writing class “just for fun.” I was hooked. I started with short stories until one of them turned into a book.
Do you ever imagine one of your novels being made into a movie or television series? 
I have a lighthearted romantic suspense I think would make a great chick flick. The cozy mystery series I am currently working on would make a great replacement for Murder She Wrote.
Any favorite actors you’d cast in the lead roles?
Good question, but honestly, I haven’t gone that far in my musing.
What is your writing process? For instance, do you do an outline first? Do you write the chapters in sequence?
It depends on the book. I do a loose synopsis for my romantic suspense books. I ALWAYS do a character sketch for each character before I begin. For the cozy mystery series, we do a fairly tight synopsis. I am co-writing this series with Joyce Proell, and she’s a master at synopsis writing. I think when it comes to mystery and keeping the villain secret, it takes more planning.
Tell us a little bit about the characters in your latest book.
I’ve had a couple of latest books lately. It’s been a busy past ten months. I’ll choose one—Candy, Cigarettes, and Murder. This is the first book in the Chocolate Martini Sisters Mysteries I co-wrote with Joyce Proell. Emma and Nic are sister amateur sleuths. They are best of friends but have different personalities. Nic has long blonde hair and is eccentric. Emma had short, auburn hair and is conservative. Nic is a travel author and parttime candle maker. Em is partially retired but advises on psychiatric/social cases and part-time mystery writer. They are totally alike in their love of all things mystery.
Do the characters all come to you at the same time or do some of them come to you as you write?
Yes to both questions!

What is your latest book about?
Recently widowed, Emma Banefield looks forward to a getaway birthday weekend with her free-wheeling sister, Nicole Earp, sipping chocolate martinis at the peaceful, historic Dulce Inn. When a rude stranger, a nasty food critic, and a madhouse of temperamental artists greet them, all hope for a tranquil weekend evaporates faster than dew on a hot desert morning.
Overlooking the riotous atmosphere is doubly hard after Em discovers the body of a hotel guest, and a second murder affects Nic personally. Now, entrenched in a caper that pits them against a surly detective, they cozy up to a hotel staff hiding dangerous secrets to uncover clues to the killer.
Using their smarts and love of all-things mystery, will the Chocolate Martini Sisters solve the crime ahead of the obstinate Chief Detective or find themselves trapped in the middle of a third murder?
​Can you share an excerpt too?
Before the waitress could open her mouth, Shaw bit into her. “What is the sauce on this chicken supposed to be?”
“You ordered the Southwest Chicken in Chipotle Cream.”
“I’m quite aware of what I ordered, young woman. What’s your name?”
“Karen, sir.”
“Karen what?”
“G-Gonzalez. Karen Gonzalez.”
“Well, Ms. Gonzalez, instead of telling me something I already know, why don’t you tell me what a chipotle cream should taste like?”
The young woman’s bottom lip trembled, and her eyes sparkled with unshed tears.
“Do you know?”
Nic braced her hands on the table, ready to spring to the hounded girl’s rescue. “What a jerk.”
“I don’t know how he can complain.” Her sister spoke around a mouthful. “It’s what I ordered, and the sauce is delicious.”
“Em—”
“Sit back and eat. No need for you to make a scene.” She swallowed and feathered fingers in the air. “We’ll have a word with the manager on how well Karen responded and leave her a good tip. That’s a better way to seek justice for her than disrupting everyone’s meals.”
Two tables over, Karen’s shoulders hunched and her chin dipped before the haughty restaurant critic. “Could I get you something else, sir?”
“If I’d wanted something else, I would’ve ordered it.” The veins in his temples bulged. “Get me the chef. Now!”
“Yes, sir.” The server hustled out of the dining room.
“I hope the head chef is the type to light fireworks rather than bend over backwards for the ass.” One glance at Em told her she didn’t feel the same.
Her sister released a sigh. “This is supposed to be a quiet dinner in the ambience of a fine hotel. The start of a relaxing weekend.”
“Good grief, Em. You don’t get this kind of entertainment without paying for it. This is like dinner theater.” She shoveled in a healthy bite of mushrooms and beef, giving an appreciative hum to accompany her chewing.
The double doors of the kitchen flew open. Out came a stocky man dressed in a double-breasted white jacket with gold buttons, black slacks, and a burgundy ascot at his throat. If the outfit didn’t clue the restaurant patrons as to his profession, the poufy chef’s hat hanging to one side would. Like a charging bulldog, he tore a path directly to Shaw, clasped one hand in another in front of him, and nodded his head. “I’m Head Chef Grayson Payne. What seems to be the problem?”
What’s the next project you’ll be working on?
Actually, I’m working on two. I’m writing a children’s book with my ten-year-old granddaughter. I’m also busy putting the final edits on book two of the Chocolate Martini Sisters Mysteries. “Reading, Writing, and Murder”.

You can find Brenda’s book at the links below.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BN96RS4G/
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/71969141-candy-cigarettes-and-murder
https://www.bookbub.com/books/candy-cigarettes-and-murder-a-chocolate-martini-sisters-mystery-book-1-by-brenda-whiteside-and-joyce-proell

Music: 
Variety is the key to my playlists.  Whether it’s on Pandora, Spotify or YouTube, my favorites jump across a number of genres. Lately the Blues Brothers keep showing up.
​
John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd created Joliet Jake and Elwood Blues as part of a sketch for Saturday Night Live.  Back by a tribe of very talented musicians, that sketch spawned actual concerts and a hit movie.  The band covered classic tunes in soul and rhythm and blues.
         
​Here’s my top five favorites from Jake and Elwood.
Everybody Needs Somebody: https://youtu.be/EHV0zs0kVGg
Soul Man: https://youtu.be/FTWH1Fdkjow
Sweet Home Chicago: https://youtu.be/-_KkgPRo4wA
Gimme Some Lovin’: https://youtu.be/-aqZmPInK3o
Jailhouse Rock: https://youtu.be/TosN2G1mmTs

It’s that time again.  How is that possible?  Okay, so I took a long overdue vacation and disappeared for a couple of weeks to the other side of the globe.  Now it’s back to the Mitten State and just a week before summer classes begin.

Here’s my updates on writing, my latest project, an interview with another great author and music.  Let there be music.  But enough of the pontificating.  Showtime!

Writing:
Recently I was reminded of a comment from an old creative writing professor. According to him, back in the days of pulp magazines, writers would get paid by the word, instead of a set amount for a submission. With that in mind, many writers would add unnecessary words to describe a scene or interactions between characters.  This did absolutely nothing to improve the story, but it did add to the paycheck if the work was accepted.

I’m not a fan of redundancies. Repeating something over and over or just saying the same thing in a different way is a sure way to drive me crazy.  More than once I’ve tossed a book aside when this occurs.

This happened last week during my trip.  Naturally, I’d taken a couple of books with me.  While reading one book, I noticed multiple redundancies.  One particular passage thoroughly disgusted me.  One of the minor characters arrived on the scene and ‘bounded’ out of his taxi. He then ‘bounded’ up the stairs of the house. Was he suddenly part kangaroo?

I realized that this was a pattern the author used throughout the book.  Not everyone bounded but their actions and conversations became redundant, with the same words and expressions repeated.  This work was by a popular author with one of the larger publishers.

The best way for me to describe this writing style is wooden.  There was something missing throughout the story.  Either the author or the editors should have spotted this and corrected it. Simply digging out a thesaurus would have offered more options and resulted in a better manuscript. I couldn’t finish the book.
We all repeat ourselves at one point or another. But as a writer, it’s my job to minimize these occurrences, unless they become vital to the way a character acts.

Work In Progress:
It’s fortunate for me that Leo Agonasti is a patient man. I didn’t take my computer with me on the trip, so no work got done on the manuscript. There was a notebook in my pack, where several pages are now crammed with ideas for scenes.  So while I wasn’t at the keyboard recently, I was in fact working on the story.  With any luck and the holiday weekend on the horizon, I’ll have some time to flesh these ideas out and add more content to the story.

​Meanwhile, the formatted manuscript for “Chasing Favors” was anxiously awaiting my return. Jamie, Malone and the cast of characters are getting closer to the release date in July. 
I may even try something new and have a launch party to celebrate the release of the book. The cover should be revealed in June.  Jamie insists she’s not vain, but she does appear on the cover.  

​Author Interview:
 Once upon a time, in a zip code far, far away, I participated in my first book festival.  After setting up my space, I wandered about, talking to some of the other writers.  That’s when I first crossed paths with Diana Kathryn Plopa.  Not only does Diana write wonderful books, but she is a promoter with a passion for sharing new authors with the world. Diana hosts the Indie Reads Aloud podcast, of which I’ve been a frequent visitor.
​
So it’s high time to introduce you all to my good friend, Diana.  

Tell us something about yourself and how you became an author?
I’m a multi-genre author, writing coach, and book editor.  As mom to one son, Zachary (now a very tall adult person), I live in the Detroit area with my husband, Dave; and two dogs, Finnigan and Charlie.
I’ve loved books all my life.  I remember writing my first story at about seven.  It was a retelling of “The Town Musicians of Bremen” by the Brothers Grimm.  Notable differences in my version were that the animals were a rebellious teenager wild animal rock band (instead of a geriatric domestic folk group), and the lead singer was a duck.  I remember my first-grade teacher telling me that she thought it was very clever, and I was hooked on the idea of spending my life as a storyteller from that moment forward.  Just for the record, no, I have no idea whatever became of the manuscript (although I think it may be in a box in my basement with some old journals); and yes, I may actually rewrite it and publish it one day.  The story is still very vivid in my imagination.
Do you ever imagine one of your novels being made into a movie or television series? 
I haven’t ever really thought about the visual versions of my books.  I’m happiest in the world of words.  I dream in subtitles instead of images (except when I have nightmares about snakes, for some reason, my brain likes to torture me with those images – ick!)… Think of a dark screen with words scrolling up as if I was reading the dream on a page, similar to the opening sequence in “Star Wars” but not nearly as dramatic.  Yes, I know, I’m a bit strange.   I love it when people read aloud to me.  So, more than thinking about films or television, I often imagine who might narrate the audiobooks. 
Any favorite actors you’d cast in the lead roles?
In a utopian world, where all dreams come true, and cost is not a barrier… I’d like to have Jeremy Irons read “Free Will”; and Sting (as Thomas), Stana Katic (as Gillian), and Sandra Bullock (as Paige) read “A Tryst of Fate”.  I’ve heard all four read short stories aloud, and for whatever reason, I find tremendous comfort in all of their voices.
What is your writing process? For instance, do you do an outline first? Do you write the chapters in sequence?
This is a fun question, especially coming from you, and considering our frequent teasing of each other on this topic.  I’m a Passionate Plotter.  I start with a skeleton of beginning, middle, and end.  Then I narrow down the outline by adding chapter breaks, and then plot points of the individual scenes for each chapter.  But after that, Drake (my Muse) takes over.  I rarely write in an intelligent sequence.  Drake gives me ideas when they come to him, and so I find myself jumping around a lot to fill in the holes.  Then, when all the holes have content in them, I do a deep-dive self-edit from beginning to end for continuity, and then pass it along to my editor to handle all the final fixes. 
Tell us a little bit about the characters in your latest book.
Which one?  I’m working on five novels and novellas right now. 😊  The one I will finish first is a paranormal novel.  This story has an interesting cast of characters who come together for a writer’s retreat.  Among them is the retreat facilitator, an MSP detective, a librarian, a newspaper reporter, a photojournalist, a young widow, and an IT specialist.  Oh, and of course, the spirits they have to contend with throughout the story.
Do the characters all come to you at the same time or do some of them come to you as you write?
 As with plotting, I make detailed character maps before I begin to write.  I usually build out physical features and psychological enneagrams for each one so I have some idea of how they will interact and respond when Drake and I drop them into various situations.  But often, I find that once the writing process begins, the characters stand up and speak for themselves, often changing bits about themselves that I didn’t expect. 
Yes, the writing process can be mysterious, even for Plotters! 😊 I once had a main character abdicate her role as a central character, and I had to scramble to figure out who would be willing to take her place.  It was a tense few days.  But all ended well, and the switch made the story better.
What is your latest book about? 
My latest book (well, it’s actually Drake’s latest book) is a second collection of short stories.  The stories in “A Duck Echoes” all came from writing prompts, and are a little darker and weirder than those in “A Duck Quacks”.  Drake has never been a tremendous fan of the constraints of writing in short form, but the little quacker is getting braver with each new release. 😊

Can you share an excerpt too?
        Here’s a little bit of Drake’s latest collection of short stories: A Duck Echoes…
 BUT THE TOYS ARE COOL
“I’m offended.”
“What?”
“You heard me.  I’m offended.”
“Offended?  By what?”
“Not what, who.”
“Who?”
“Well, whom, actually.  Yes, offended.”
“By whom?”
“By, well, you, specifically.”
“Me?  What’s so offensive about me?  I’m a fairly decent fellow, you know.”
“Actually, no, I don’t know.  First of all, that sullen and unapproachable thing.  It’s inaccurate and seriously unkind.”
“Inaccurate?  I thought it seemed rather on-point, myself.  I mean, one can’t really go around having a bunch of chummy friends when you’re doing what I do all night.”
“Wrong.  Welcoming and kind; that’s closer to the truth.  It’s overly dramatic that you wander around all by yourself all the time.  There’s no realism in that whole ‘must-do-solitude’ thing.  Everyone knows we hang out in big groups.  We’re quite social, and loyal.  Well, at least you got the loyalty thing right.  But the rest of it – way wrong.”
“Well, it’s important, you know, to instill fear, at least a little bit.  Otherwise, what’s the point?  Nobody’ll pay attention.”
“The point?  Here’s the point, you’re propagating the myth that we can’t be trusted.  You’ve convinced everyone that we need to be avoided like we’re rabid or something.  And this loaner thing?  Do you have any idea what it’s like to convince the girls that’s not true?  I mean, do you even have a girlfriend?”
“Well, no… not really…I…”
“I thought not.  And why would you?  There’s nothing soft and cuddly about you.  No warmth, no sensitivity.  Have you looked into my big brown eyes?  There’s a lot of compassion in there.  What about your eyes?  Oh, that’s right, no one can see them.”
“Hey, I can be warm and cuddly…”
“No, I don’t think you can.  Whenever I’ve seen you, you’re out there roughing up guys and ruling the roost according to some warped sense of honor and justice.  What is all that?  Can’t you just go out and have a good time rather than flying off the handle all the time?  Oh, that’s right, I forgot – you don’t really fly at all, do you?  So pathetic.”
 “Hey!  I’m out there trying to do some good in the world, and what are you doing, eh?  Oh, that’s right, you’re flapping around willy-nilly, scaring people half to death, coming out of nowhere.  People are just out having a good time, camping and singing by the fire, and then you show up, scaring everyone’s girlfriends.  At least when I show up, I’m saving or helping someone.  Who have you helped lately, huh, dude?”
“I save plenty of folks, mister!  Rancher Joe, for instance.  If not for me, his cattle would die of dysentery, all those mosquitoes messing with their white blood cells.  Those little disease buggers would be infiltrating your steak and burgers if not for me!”
“There!  See, I’m improving your image.  People wouldn’t think you were a good idea if not for me.  They see me doing heroic stuff, then they jump on Google to find out what you’re all about.  I’m great PR for you.”
“Improving my image! HA! Thanks to you, people think I live in dank, dark caves and come with a big ol’ heap of retribution.”
“But I’ve got cool toys…You can’t top that one.”
“HA!  Toys!  See, you can’t even do it on your own.  You’re so inauthentic. You need a backpack of crazy gadgets to get the job done.  Well, I don’t need your silly toys. I do it all naturally.  Did you know that my crap is even good for people?  That’s right, buddy, I’ve got some of the best fertilizer around.  I bet you can’t say that about your crap, can you?”
“Yeah, well, what about that virus thing?  That’s a whole heap of violence if you ask me!”
“Okay, big guy.  Let’s take away all your nifty little toys, rip off your cowl, and cram you in a little cage with ten people you don’t know… Oh, and then stab you with a bunch of needles with who knows what in them?  How do you think you would do then, hmmmm, Mister Caped Crusader, Dude?”
***heavy silence***
“Okay, maybe you’ve got a point.  But I do have cool toys.”
“Yeah, I’ll give you that.  The toys are cool.”
What’s the next project you’ll be working on?
This summer, probably in August, I’ll release the first book in my political thriller series.  I’ve never considered writing a series until I began work on this project and realized that the story was so big that I had to break it up into four books.  I’m a little worried about that one because it’s a new challenge for me, but it’s a lot of fun to write.
I have a western novel that I started the year before COVID that I’d like to finish.  It takes place in the years of the Pony Express and focuses on the life of a young rider.  My plan is to release that in September or October.
I also have another children’s picture book coming out later in the year.  I’ve finished that story, and my husband, who illustrated my first children’s picture book and painted the cover art for my paranormal novel, is currently working on the illustrations.
And finally, my most daring experiment… I’m working on a suspense novella with just five characters, written entirely in second person narrative.  I hope to have that out by the end of the year.
 
You can find out more about Diana and all her books on the website. Just click on the link.
http://www.dkpwriter.com/

Music:
​I like many different types of music.  One group that my son Travis got me hooked on years ago was the contemporary swing revival sound from a group known as Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.  They’ve been on the scene since 1989.  It’s impossible to listen to their music and get up and move.

Here’s my top five hits.
Why Me? https://youtu.be/a3Z4RWZa9WA
Diga Diga Doo:  https://youtu.be/ufvmD9s76X0
King of Swing: https://youtu.be/xphZkAiJve0
Mr. Pinstripe Suit:  https://youtu.be/aBxfAs_skMA
You, Me & the Bottle: https://youtu.be/FkmgafBRdos

Writing:  
Over the years I have worked with a number of different editors at several publishing houses.  It’s been my practice to always submit the manuscript in the best possible shape.  This usually happens after several rounds of revisions and utilizing a small crew of beta readers who don’t hesitate to give me honest feedback.              

When a friend recently asked about this process, she thought I’d be insulted that the editor wanted to make changes.
“Not at all. I’m too close to the story to see obvious issues or mistakes,” I told her.  “A good editor can spot them.  A great editor can help guide me and the story, making it so much better.”
         
Some editors just glance at the story, make a checkmark here or there and pass it on.  Then after it’s printed, mistakes are discovered. It’s too late to fix it now.  I always take the heat for anything that sneaks by. After all, it’s my work.  Any mistakes are mine.

This month I’m working with a new editor on the “Chasing Favors” manuscript. The latest adventures of Jamie Richmond came together well.  I’m pleased with the comments and suggestions the editor has made so far. We’ve exchanged notes on the first round.
 
A great editor can make a tremendous difference in the story.
         
And for that, I’ll always be grateful.

Work In Progress:
The crime novel continues to move forward.  A couple of new characters have been developed. The research has become intriguing.  Since most of the story is set in 1992, I’m frequently jumping back to learn what was going on in Motown at that time.
         
I don’t have a daily word count (never could work with that) but I do try to spend some time with this project each week.  With the current semester coming to a close, I’m hoping to have a few extra hours in the next few weeks to make great strides in the story.  
         
​Like many authors I know, the characters we create are real. I can envision the way they act, think and talk.  Some would say writers are more comfortable with their own characters than we are with family or friends.  I’m not arguing that.  But there are dramatic differences between my ‘crew’.  If Jamie was involved in this story, she’d be urging me to hurry up and get back to work.  Leo Agonasti is more laid back. He knows in the end his story will do him justice.  See how relaxed he looks!

Author Interview:
A few months ago at one of the author’s workshops that I facilitate for the local library, I met Samantha Moran.  During the session, Sam was able to share some of her work with the group.  The reaction was very positive.  Sam and I started talking afterwards.  Not only did I invite her to visit the blog, but Sam will be joining me at several upcoming festivals.
Let’s get to know more about Samantha.
Tell us something about yourself and how you became an author.
Hello! I’m a proud graduate of Western Michigan University with a background in English Secondary Education. I am the mother to two amazing kids, and I’m also a Multiple Sclerosis warrior.
I’ve wanted to become an author since I was twelve years old. In middle school, I attended the “Live Poets Society” weekly meeting at the Northfield Township Library in my hometown (Whitmore Lake, MI), but at some point as I grew up, I stopped believing in my dream. I didn’t start writing again until I was twenty-five after my first child was born.
One day in 2017, I confessed to my husband that writing a book had always been my dream, but I felt like no one would want to read it. I had a plan for a book in my mind but wasn’t going to see it through. That night, he handed me my laptop and told me to get to work! Since then, we started our own imprint (Obsidian Inkwell Publishing, LLC) and I’ve released five works: “Stages of Grief,” Without You, Tales of Grief and Healing, Dealings in the Dark, and Bound and Betrayed. I have two more book releases coming this year, as well as a short tale.
Do you ever imagine one of your novels being made into a movie or television series?
If one of my books were ever to be made into a movie or television series, I would hope it was Dealings in the Dark. This is the first work in my ongoing Cursed Souls series. It’s a supernatural and occult horror with witches, demons, hellhounds, and a deal gone very wrong. This particular work lends itself to the screen because it’s short, fast-paced, and riddled with secrets and generational trauma. 
Any favorite actors you’d cast in the lead roles?
The two main characters in Dealings in the Dark are Alexandria Hendricks and Iroth, an insufferable demon. As I wrote these characters, two actors came to mind. Ironically, and completely coincidentally, the actress I would cast for Alexandria Hendricks has a similar name. I would love to see Alexandra Daddario fulfill that role. For Iroth, I envision Jensen Ackles. He had the right swagger to create the insufferable demon’s personality. 
What is your writing process? For instance, do you do an outline first? Do you write the chapters in sequence?
Typically, my writing process starts with a vague idea and free flow. I find it hard to sit and outline a book from the beginning. I sometimes write a brief summary of where I want the book to go, but not always. More often, I simply sit down and start writing. I work with whatever comes out, adjusting as needed. At about the halfway point, I start outlining what remains. Doing so once my mind has already latched on to the story helps me stay on track but still gives me creative freedom. 
Tell us a little bit about the characters in your latest book.
On February 1st, of this year I released a short work, Without You: A Novelette. Without You is a sequel to my first published work, “Stages of Grief.” In addition to the individual publication, I released Tales of Grief and Healing: A Complete Duology which contains both of these tales in one binding. My goal was to make the work more accessible for readers who needed different things. 
Without You: A Novelette tells the story of Owen, a character from “Stages of Grief,” who has recently lost someone close to him. In the wake of her death, he has to learn to live without this person and discover his new “normal.” This tale covers the ups and downs in the days following tragic loss. For example, it discusses the days that are so difficult that the character can barely take care of himself because of the crushing depression he feels, but it also covers the days that are surprisingly okay and how that’s somehow worse because he feels terrible about experiencing happiness without her there. 
I wrote this book because, though I’m only thirty years old, I have lost a significant number of people in my life. While it is fiction and does include a paranormal component (not scary), my hope is that it provides others with a safe space to process their losses and accept that their feelings are valid. We all need that. As I like to write in my inscriptions, hearts are always broken in the end, but you have to let the good things in. 
Do the characters all come to you at the same time or do some of them come to you as you write?
My characters tend to pop into my mind as they are needed. I try to begin the story with two or three main characters and fill in the blanks as the plot progresses. Sometimes, the side characters become my favorite!

What is your latest book about?
My latest release is Without You: A Novelette. Here are the back cover details:
Life after loss is so hard to find, but you have to let the good things in.
Owen Josephson knows that life doesn't always end with death. He has spent his own life watching the ghosts of strangers’ pine after the lives they've lost and the loved ones they've left behind. But after a tragic loss, Owen is faced with a reality he never expected to endure. Without the one he loves most, Owen must learn how to move on with the life he has left and put her ghost behind him. Follow his journey in this heartrending tale as grief becomes hope after profound loss. 
Can you share an excerpt, too?
Certainly!
There are many different kinds of loss in life. Some are small, a favorite toy misplaced as a child or a missing ring of keys. Some are larger, more impactful and challenging, like a friend who moves away or a career ending. Then, there are the greater moments, profound in their depth, things that tear at your soul and leave you raw and empty. 
We try so hard to avoid these losses, even though they are inevitable. For most, the singular comfort in these endings is that they are final, absolute.
Death is meant to be a permanent departure. Those who leave us cease to exist on the earthly plane. They’re not meant to be in pain. We are. It’s devastating for those of us who are left behind. It’s a person-sized hole punched into the fabric of the universe at which we stare until we can no longer make out the edges.
It hurts, plain and simple, but then we somehow move on. We let go of that emptiness and continue with our lives, accepting the new job, splurging on that trip we always meant to take, moving into the new apartment, adopting a dog, or maybe making friends with the cute server at the bar.
The only thing that allows this forward momentum is the acceptance that nothing will ever change. Resisting death is futile, and abandoning life is obscene.
Most people don’t see what I see.
I know that “dead” doesn’t mean “gone.” I know that the ones who leave us can linger for weeks, months, and sometimes decades. I see the figures that trail behind weary travelers on the subway. They sit beside us in the cafes. They stare at our computer screens at work.
Death isn’t as final as everyone believes.
 
To read the rest of the prologue from Without You: A Novelette, visit my website here. I always post the first section of my published works there for free. 

What’s the next project you’ll be working on?
At this moment, I’m almost finished with my rewrites of The Ruin, the first manuscript I ever completed. This is the story that started it all, the one my husband insisted I write after I told him about my dreams on the beach in South Haven, MI. It’s been six years in the making, and I can’t wait to share it with the world! The Ruin is a crossover between literary fiction, urban fantasy, and Norse mythology reimagining.
Blurb:
For two years, twenty-one-year-old Kara Edwards has struggled to keep her mother alive after a terminal cancer diagnosis. She's working herself to the bone at a minimum-wage job and sinking deep into debt to pay for expensive treatments. Unfortunately, when the final procedure does not go according to plan, she’s run out of options. Her world teeters on the brink of collapse as she faces the reality that her mother is out of time. That is until her mother’s doctor offers Kara one more option, an expensive and illegal experimental drug called Novemion.
To make matters worse, her absent father is suddenly back in town, and he’s brought an unbelievable family secret with him, one that presents Kara with the strangest of opportunities. If his stories are true, she might be able to save her mother’s life with a dangerous supernatural ability, but it would put the whole of humanity at risk.
Once again, Kara is faced with an impossible choice, and each comes with a steep price. She can place her hope in the untested experimental treatment, give into the temptation of the mythical family secret and risk millions of lives, or allow the mother she idolizes to die.
What will she choose, and can she live with the consequences? 
You can learn more about Samantha and find her works at the links below.
www.samanthamoran.net
"Stages of Grief: A Short Story" (http://amazon.com/dp/B0B85VQML6)
Without You: A Novelette (http://amazon.com/dp/B0BQRTVG7R)
Tales of Grief and Healing: A Complete Duology (http://amazon.com/dp/B0BR8CNPPT)
Dealings in the Dark (http://amazon.com/dp/B0BFJNK2VX)
Bound and Betrayed (http://amazon.com/dp/B0BNGC5G53)
The Ruin (https://www.amazon.com/Ruin-Samantha-Moran-ebook/dp/B0BWVF17ST)

Music:
​No newsletter can be complete with a musical guest.  I enjoy variety and both my Spotify and Pandora accounts have favorite tracks in many genres. This month Norah Jones has been popping up a lot.  

Norah Jones established her catalog of hit songs beginning in the early 2000s. With her skills as a vocalist, pianist and songwriter, it didn’t take long before she began attracting worldwide attention.  Jones has been nominated for more than 40 Grammy awards, winning 14 times.
         
Billboard magazine named her as one of the top jazz artists of the 2000 decade. 
         
Here’s my top five favorites from Norah Jones. 
Don’t Know Why: https://youtu.be/tO4dxvguQDk
Nearness of You: https://youtu.be/hsczuCzyUs4
Come Away with Me: https://youtu.be/lbjZPFBD6JU
Shoot the Moon: https://youtu.be/TENV8IhpZ2A
Chasing Pirates: https://youtu.be/uTxythHY09k

A new year.  An opportunity to shift gears, to try something new, to create new stories, new characters, new conflicts.  I’m considering adding more events to the calendar this year.  It’s a matter of timing and geography to see if it all works.  Meanwhile, there’s no stopping the news.  Here’s my latest take on writing, my latest work in progress and an author interview to get things going.  Let’s roll.

Writing:
Authors will tell you that writing is a solitary effort, unless you’re collaborating on a project.  One of the best moments for a writer is the when you get feedback from readers.  Sometimes that comes in the form of a review.  Others it can be face to face, or through a message or email.  If you’re a member of a writing group, feedback can come after reading a segment of your work.
         
​Many times I’ve been approached by people wanting feedback on their stories.  I explain at the beginning that my thoughts and comments are strictly my own, and that I don’t know everything.  I’m a proponent of constructive criticism. It’s not my role to slam someone or crush their hopes and dreams.  If I can offer a suggestion, I’ll do so.  Then it’s up to the writer to decide whether or not my thoughts are worth consideration.
Two examples come to mind.  One was from a recent writer’s workshop that I facilitate.  The participant read five pages of his sci-fi story.  When he was done, I asked a few questions, related to what year the story was set.  That led to a quick discussion with the others about things that may no longer exist fifty years from now, like business cards and smartphones.  The writer was delighted with the reactions from everyone, jotted multiple notes and used this feedback to make improvements on his story.
         
The second one was from a stranger.  This guy found me on social media and dropped the name of Donald Levin, a good friend who also writes mysteries.  He wanted me to read his ‘thriller novel’ and give him some reactions. I offered to try it.
         
Sadly, I couldn’t get past twenty pages.  The writing was dull, the characters did nothing to get me interested and there was no hook to pull me into the story.   Here’s a line that I remember, only because it was terrible.  ‘He looked at me like I was an idiot. “Are you an idiot?” he asked.’
         
I sent the story back, with a note that it wasn’t for me. I encouraged him to take some creative writing classes or find a local writer’s group.  The response was a simple ‘okay’.
         
Afterwards I checked in with Don.  He explained that out of the goodness of his heart (which proves he’s a much nicer guy than I am) Don read the entire book and sent the man pages of notes and suggestions. The guy’s response was ‘sorry you didn’t like my book.’
         
Feedback. It’s important.
         
What you do with it as a writer is just as important.

Work In Progress:
​Work on my crime novel continues, with 14,000 words written in the first draft.  Ideas for new scenes crop up and demand my attention.  The cast of characters is growing.  Another possible conflict is peeking around the corner of my imagination as well.  One of the challenges is that the story is set in 1992, so that requires more research about what was going on in Detroit 30 years ago. 
         
I’m working in a couple of flashbacks, which would occur in the mid to late 1970s.  The idea is that these will help give more background on Leo and his relationships.  All of this will help readers understand his motivations and actions in ’92.       
         
I’m still waiting for the inspiration for a title to arrive, but that’s not unusual.  More than half of “The Wayward Path” was written before I hit on the title.  Two thirds of “Chasing Favors” the new Jamie Richmond novel, was written before that title came to me.

Virtual Book Festival:
My good friend Diana K. Plopa has arranged a fantastic event for February.  This will be a month-long event, centered around “The Case of the Missing Manuscript”.  Participants will have an opportunity to win prizes, while trying to follow the clues, interview the suspects and solve the crime.  Along the way, you can hear excerpts from me and more than a dozen authors involved in the event.  Click on the link to register and learn more about the ‘case’.
https://www.pagespromotions.com/2023-mystery-game.html#/

Author Interview:
​A couple of months ago I participated in an author event at a local independent bookstore.  They wisely limited it to five authors in the shop, so we weren’t constantly bumping into each other.  During the event, I met Cecilia Garcia.  We talked for a bit about her series and I invited her to stop by for a visit.
​Tell something about yourself and how you became an author.
My pen name is Cecilia A. Garcia. Cecilia was my confirmation name in high school, and I always thought it would be fun to be able to use it life. I have always been a writer, ever since I was young. But I didn’t take it seriously until a few years ago. While I was deployed to Iraq in 2004, the concept for the Always Forward series came to me. But it would take me close to 17 years before I would find the courage to begin writing the story. 2020 was the perfect time to get started. Since then, I have written and published three novellas in the series.
Do you ever imagine one of your novels being made into a movie or television series? 
 Yes! I have always envisioned the series being a series on Netflix or Hulu. The format of my chapters sets it up to be like episodes, where each chapter focuses on a different character. Many readers have also mentioned that they can see Always Forward as a show.
Any favorite actors you’d cast in the lead roles?
Josh Sanders- Sean Patrick Flannery
Emily Sanders- Elizabeth Moss
Rodriguez- Vincent Vargas
Rosita- Jenna Ortega
Tara Sanders- Saoirse Ronan (maybe)
What is your writing process? Do you do an outline first? Do you write the chapters in sequence?
 I consider myself a little unconventional. I do start off with a rough outline, at least to keep me focused. But I let the characters lead me where they want the story to unfold. I may write a few chapters in sequence, but if another character is screaming at me, then I will write what they tell me to write. I then go back and reread everything, and focus on where the gaps are, and make the choppy parts flow better.
Tell us a little bit about the characters in your latest book.
Since my books are a series, the main characters do not change. Emily Sanders is a Sergeant in the US Army. She is deployed to Iraq in 2004. Her convoy is ambushed, and the Humvee she is in is hit by an IED and flips over. Emily and Grant, another soldier are knocked out, and ultimately, get left behind. When her unit goes back to retrieve any bodies, she and Grant are missing. For fifteen years, she is a prisoner of war. Meanwhile, her husband, MSG Josh Sanders, is forced to bury an empty casket when the remains of Grant are found and Emily is presumed dead. Josh goes on to raise their two daughters, Tara and Alicia. Tara, the oldest, never gives up hope that her mother is alive. She refuses to believe Emily is dead since there was no proof.
The series follows Emily, Josh, Tara, Alicia, and Roddie- Emily’s best friend, through the years after Emily goes missing. War impacts everyone, not just the soldier, and Always Forward highlights this in many facets.
Do the characters all come to you at the same time or do some of them come to you as you write?
I always knew Emily, Josh, and Tara. But the rest have come to me as I write. I try to incorporate people close to me in real life, either by using their names, or aspects of the characters. (I always get permission to use names.) For example, Rodriguez’s character is based off my husband. His first name in the book is Camillo, which is my husband’s first name.

What is your latest book about?
“Carry On” is book 3 in the series: Emily Sanders was a prisoner of war for over fifteen years. After her rescue, she has to recover from multiple surgeries. But the physical recovery is only part of the new battle she is facing. Sanders also must learn how to face her traumas and cope with not only those she has been through, but also with survivor's guilt. She was essentially brought back from the dead, yet two of her buddies are gone forever. Can she cope with this guilt? And will she be able to carry on?  
Here's an excerpt from “Carry On”.  Chapter Six- Rodriguez:
“Sanders, Sanders, do you copy Sanders?” Rodriguez wakes up to the radio going off, but how can that be? The earpiece was in Sanders’ ear. His head is pounding, and he feels pressure on his neck. He tries to open his eyes, but his eyelids are so heavy. He finally gets his eyes to open, but everything is a blur. Why the hell is everything upside down? Rodriguez thinks to himself. He licks his lips, but his mouth is parched.
Rodriguez slowly turns his head to the right when everything comes back to him. There was an IED attack, and their truck had flipped over. He looks all around him, and there is shit everywhere. He tries to scream out for Sanders but can’t get the words out. After a couple of tries, he finally gets a few words out. “Sanders! Grant! Simmons! What the fuck?”
He is having difficulty breathing, and it is clear that he needs to get himself out of the Humvee. No responses come from him calling the rest of the crew’s names. Rodriguez determines he has to get out of the vehicle. With all the pressure on his neck and shoulders, he somehow manages to unbuckle his seat belt. He works on finding the door handle, which proves to be more difficult than he anticipated. Being upside-down poses an extra level of complications to getting out. Suddenly, a burst of small arms fire begins to go off outside the Humvee, which gives him the last push he needs to find the handle and get out of the vehicle. The door opens, and Rodriguez falls out on the dirt road. “FUCK!” He yells as he lands on his left side. He lies there for a second, but the gunfire keeps him moving quickly. He rolls over onto his belly and begins to low crawl to the back of the flipped-over Humvee. He stays low to the ground, and as he approaches the back of the vehicle, he understands where the insurgents are shooting from behind a building. Simmons is sitting with his back to the Humvee, and the M-915 truck behind him is parked precariously close to their blown-up truck.
What’s the next project you’ll be working on?
I am currently working on Book 4- Left Behind. It will be released (tentatively) on 5/25/23. I will also be writing and publishing Book 5- Not My Mother’s Daughter later this year. Both books are part of the Always Forward series but focus more on the other characters and how Emily’s imprisonment impacted them. 
You can learn more about Cecilia on the links below.
www.authorceciliagarcia.com
https://www.instagram.com/authorceciliagarcia/
https://www.facebook.com/authorceciliagarcia​

Music:
Gladys Knight’s music has entertained generations.  Known as the ‘Empress of Soul’ the singer songwriter has been performing for more than sixty years. Gladys rocketed to fame as the lead of Gladys Knight and The Pips. Following a number of top hits and 3 Grammy awards, she launched a solo career that earned her 4 more Grammys. The group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame.
Rolling Stone Magazine named Gladys as one of the 100 greatest singers of all time. In 2022 Gladys was recognized at The Kennedy Center honors.
 
​Here are my top five favorites.
 Midnight Train to Georgia:  https://youtu.be/HwbmufPphP0
Neither One of Us:  https://youtu.be/uSw7vulUfME
You Are the Best Thing: https://youtu.be/8FT5QF4JZUA
Heard it Through the Grapevine: https://youtu.be/WWvwP72FuVg
End of the Road: https://youtu.be/th_Xndt96Hs