tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17939871716148494092024-03-20T08:34:40.754-07:00Dive In for ThrillsAuthor Linda Lovely's blog about mystery/thriller/suspense books, plots, characters, settings, inspiration. Linda Lovelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689184015264104687noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793987171614849409.post-91073640401002300332018-10-29T08:07:00.001-07:002018-10-29T08:07:11.317-07:00Halloween Giveaway! Win a PICKED OFF Ebook!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUhO6fqQVCFLsVfXD5ufGG_Xla-qYLr4z7PzkET3MbhImukxsD7dUr1JE6MvzL8HeLeK7EUH2QaNpbyHSRpulDUKEBlcb0Cob81BaxwMiEYmYZLaNYkGrsXzWrCQSzdCZ0c0dUM7PQRHpx/s1600/PickedOffFinal10.5+picas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="811" data-original-width="525" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUhO6fqQVCFLsVfXD5ufGG_Xla-qYLr4z7PzkET3MbhImukxsD7dUr1JE6MvzL8HeLeK7EUH2QaNpbyHSRpulDUKEBlcb0Cob81BaxwMiEYmYZLaNYkGrsXzWrCQSzdCZ0c0dUM7PQRHpx/s320/PickedOffFinal10.5+picas.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">By Linda Lovely</span></div>
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<b style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode", sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">TREAT
YOURSELF! </b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><b style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode", sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">HALLOWEEN THRILLS AT UDDERLY KIDDING DAIRY</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Brie
Hooker and her friends have gone all out to create a Haunted Barn that’s the
highlight of a Halloween-themed fundraiser at Udderly Kidding Dairy. They’re
hoping to fatten the campaign chest of Aunt Eva’s best friend, who’s running
for South Carolina governor. Stuck wearing a skimpy mermaid costume her buddy
Mollye insists was the only choice, Brie’s costume woes prove the least of her
troubles when Udderly’s Haunted Barn becomes the setting for real fright.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhliMexeIJJttxiaZKUI-s1YcQJn8L5HWQZoahGNd-ii7H72zGlUtSG5dwz5mWP9PPiz68C_8dl6og3Qsuptae18tp_7Zq0hr9_AbStg828n8KsSXMVq7N1JoOVzkl8mcCYW7yGCR4CAas1/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1424" data-original-width="1600" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhliMexeIJJttxiaZKUI-s1YcQJn8L5HWQZoahGNd-ii7H72zGlUtSG5dwz5mWP9PPiz68C_8dl6og3Qsuptae18tp_7Zq0hr9_AbStg828n8KsSXMVq7N1JoOVzkl8mcCYW7yGCR4CAas1/s200/5.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">E</span><b style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode", sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">nter My Halloween Drawing!
Giving Away </b></div>
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<b style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode", sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">3 Ebook Copies of PICKED OFF!</b></div>
<span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">You can enter by visiting my <a href="http://lindalovelyauthor.blogspot.com/">Facebook page</a>, tweeting a message to @LovelyAuthor, or commenting on this blog post about your best or worst Halloween costume before midnight Wednesday, Oct. 31. No purchase necessary to win. Random drawing will be held Thursday, Nov. 1. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;"><b>Would love to hear about your best or worst Halloween costume!</b></span></span></div>
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Linda Lovelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689184015264104687noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793987171614849409.post-73443455509458608802018-05-29T00:00:00.000-07:002018-05-29T00:00:07.411-07:00Why A Cozy Mystery Author’s Giving Away A FREE Writers’ Police Academy Registration<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">By Linda Lovely<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9NLiXtj_KVzEu-sSf8-b2sSQ_dFetRTzyKg0JyiWThn63mvBE91a4lrHjKtOD8x72GuLxYpxRht8CpEiI0q5mDj98oU4Dk_m9bKrfC5nK2bGtA3Kskcm4BBVSVrUd3lO0ETJuoVWXLmT7/s1600/PickedOffFinal5_23Thumb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="927" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9NLiXtj_KVzEu-sSf8-b2sSQ_dFetRTzyKg0JyiWThn63mvBE91a4lrHjKtOD8x72GuLxYpxRht8CpEiI0q5mDj98oU4Dk_m9bKrfC5nK2bGtA3Kskcm4BBVSVrUd3lO0ETJuoVWXLmT7/s320/PickedOffFinal5_23Thumb.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I’m celebrating the June 5 release of PICKED OFF, the 2nd humorous Brie Hooker Mystery, with a drawing for a FREE Writers’ Police Academy (WPA) registration. You can enter the drawing anytime before noon June 9. Rafflecopter will randomly draw the winner. Here's the <b><a href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/92ed2c4c1/">link</a>.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">So why this giveaway?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I dedicated PICKED OFF to my Writers’ Police Academy “family.” Since I started attending the annual WPA six years ago, each mystery/thriller I’ve written includes insights, inspiration and information gleaned at the Academy. Though PICKED OFF is a cozy mystery, it’s no exception. The WPA inspired its exciting drone chase and other scenes. (Want to read it? Here are e-book pre-order<b> <a href="https://www.henerypress.com/author-lovely-linda">links</a>.</b> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">This August will be my sixth WPA—five as volunteer staff. The WPA is a fabulous resource for anyone who writes or reads mysteries, thrillers or suspense. It’s the WPA’s 10<sup>th</sup> anniversary and Lee Lofland has pulled out all the stops to make it the best ever. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">As usual, it will be held at a real, internationally-accredited police academy. Instructors are the same folks who train law enforcement and EMS pros. WPA attendees can choose from dozens of courses and High-Intensity Training (HIT) hands-on training options that offer insight into the emotions law enforcement professionals experience in stressful encounters. Emotions you can share on the page to make your characters more real.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">For example, in Shoot-Don’t-Shoot scenarios, I had to make split-second decisions on whether I should fire my gun, knowing my action or inaction could cost lives. On a mock SWAT raid to clear a building, my adrenaline pumped knowing an armed suspect could lurk behind any corner.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I’ve asked questions of a former Secret Service agent, an undercover cop, a psychologist who’s interviewed some of the scariest serial killers ever caught, plus experts in bioterrorism, gang violence, constitutional law…and the list goes on. To see the full WPA schedule for 2018, click on this <b><a href="http://www.writerspoliceacademy.com/">link</a></b>: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The 2018 WPA will be held in Green Bay, Wisconsin, from August 9-12. My FREE registration prize does not include hotel or travel and must be a NEW registration.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><i>(This blog first appeared as a guest post on Lee Lofland's <a href="https://www.leelofland.com/the-graveyard-shift-blog/"><b>blog</b></a>)</i></span></div>
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Linda Lovelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689184015264104687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793987171614849409.post-54490410968763042362018-03-16T04:52:00.000-07:002018-03-16T04:52:02.745-07:00Babies & Books!<div style="text-align: center;">
By Linda Lovely</div>
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My kind of baby shower! Kay Barrett's invitation suggested that
attendees who wanted to bring gifts opt for children’s books. No worries about
colors or sizes.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrRibUIZ-M07xRnNW2phyphenhyphenZy4TJQZORz7lwczMvck-V-mjRUTVxd0VvI-QKjWOUTUWvwuGx9OBUeIzo4WEPzMiLcBZdWo1ipcpOmY16Qefc_xboJ8uj7xZWoAY6aw_x2MrIKQOEuBfCDEBT/s1600/JesseLisashower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="750" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrRibUIZ-M07xRnNW2phyphenhyphenZy4TJQZORz7lwczMvck-V-mjRUTVxd0VvI-QKjWOUTUWvwuGx9OBUeIzo4WEPzMiLcBZdWo1ipcpOmY16Qefc_xboJ8uj7xZWoAY6aw_x2MrIKQOEuBfCDEBT/s320/JesseLisashower.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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But I had one teeny problem with the invitation. It invited
us to bring one of our favorite children’s books. Uh oh. Despite the fact that
I have no recollection of it, I’m willing to bet Mom read to me. It troubles me
sometimes that I have very few memories before about age eight. They say folks
afflicted with dementia often can’t remember anything in the present but have
great recall of childhood events. If I fall victim to Alzheimer’s, will my mind
be totally blank?<o:p></o:p></div>
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When I confessed my lack of early memories to one person,
she looked at me with pity. <br />
“You must have had a traumatic childhood,” she said. “You’ve repressed those
horrible memories.” Wrong. I’m convinced the opposite is true. My childhood was
extremely pleasant and therefore somewhat boring. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Now from we’ll say age eight on, I do have memories. One of
them being the bedtime stories Great Aunt Kate told us when Mom was out for the
evening and it was her job to tuck my sister and me in. A former English
teacher, Aunt Kate decided her memorization of Shakespeare shouldn’t be wasted.
So she often recited Macbeth to send us off to dreamland. Actually Aunt Kate
acted it out in her nightgown, shadows dancing on the bedroom wall, fake dagger
and all. That may explain a lot.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In grade school, I also remember LOTS of books. As a latch
key kid, I spent a lot of time at the library. My favorites usually included
horses and distant lands. I remember the first time I saw a fjord pictured in a
book. It was about the coolest thing a kid who lived in Iowa could imagine.<o:p></o:p></div>
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But, I digress. Back to the baby shower.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before venturing to a local bookstore in
search of a cool baby or children’s book, I chatted with several of the other
folks who’d be attending.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In doing so, I
think I discovered why I couldn’t recall any children’s books. As mothers,
they’d all read books to their children. So their favorites were ones they’d
loved sharing with their kids. Since we never had children, I’d not had that
experience though I like to think I’d have been a big reader if I’d had little
ones to tuck in bed. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Anyway, I had great fun looking through options at Fiction
Addiction, an independent bookstore in Greenville, South Carolina. Since I’d
already heard several friends mention the titles of children’s books that had
been staples for generations, I decided to pick some new additions. The ones I
chose actually were made of non-toxic materials that kids could chew on, giving
new meaning to the phrase ‘eat your words.’ You could even wash them. Cool. And
the illustrations were sweet and full of life and color. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I’m sure once Louise Barrett arrives in the world, she will
have a wonderful time reading with her parents, Jesse and Lisa. Welcome to a
wonderful world of books.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Linda Lovelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689184015264104687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793987171614849409.post-83193442707407400352017-10-06T00:00:00.000-07:002017-10-06T00:00:12.489-07:00Hank the Horse--Aunt Eva's Ride<div class="MsoNormal">
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<b>By Howard Lewis</b><br />
<b>Critique Partner Extraordinaire!</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsrX3_BJAtm04ZSZIxAoakRxmDekL0vhqkC1tjoyjqNq8AlJVKOGqjnao6CKzTh0E8Scd8EKZd3uG28ddAGhv5uB-bJClpEaBlDTQBJJaQzDEzgfLvASvoM3hFpmByH4MILp11FxVx0TYN/s1600/Hank+the+Horse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="197" data-original-width="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsrX3_BJAtm04ZSZIxAoakRxmDekL0vhqkC1tjoyjqNq8AlJVKOGqjnao6CKzTh0E8Scd8EKZd3uG28ddAGhv5uB-bJClpEaBlDTQBJJaQzDEzgfLvASvoM3hFpmByH4MILp11FxVx0TYN/s1600/Hank+the+Horse.jpg" /></a>Since Rita the Mule had her day in the sun,
I felt the need to speak up for Hank. He knows Rita and knows she thinks a lot
of herself, but he doesn’t understand why. Okay, the mule considers herself a
“hybrid.” Hank considers her a mutt. If you take away horses there would be no
mules. Rita wouldn’t exist. But if you take away mules, Hank’s life would be better.
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Rita made so much fuss about her
being willing to fight. So what. Horses could fight if they wanted to. They
just don’t want to. They’re pacifists. Nobody ever complained because Gandhi
didn’t fight. Why would they worry that horses avoid battles. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Admittedly, on occasion, sometimes
horses get scared, and innocent people get hurt. Most of the time it’s an
accident. Hank’s relatives have helped people for 5,000 years. Horses and
humans have been friends over twice as long as we’ve been counting years. That’s
a long time. Why would his kind intentionally want to hurt people now?<o:p></o:p></div>
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Humans need to understand that
horses are a little skitzy. You see, a lot of the animal kingdom considers them
food. Understandably, this makes them a little nervous. They’ve learned to
sleep standing up so they’re ready to run. Most horses only sleep lying down
about 20 minutes a day. Then Hank won’t sleep at the same time Rita sleeps, so
somebody is standing guard.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Maybe once or twice a person got accidentally
injured, but Hank has never intentionally hurt a person. There was that
individual who snuck up behind him and he kind of kicked her. Maybe she ended
up on the ground. But he immediately tried to apologize. She shooed him away
like she was scared of him. He was the one scared. All she needed to do was talk
to him so he knew she was coming, and it all could have been avoided. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdjrVQOD8SoflSEWINRO4gn4sjWPb9TXZpB7rFuot0ljWYCgBA_vfbWGI9lG_Uhp2yWJ0nOsbZqXr_33NjxjFPfH1ERSJVRfchtvNIsonU2mxF93AEctKArhBHxLqAvy2YWI8aYeOSO_zw/s1600/Hank%2527s+board.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="365" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdjrVQOD8SoflSEWINRO4gn4sjWPb9TXZpB7rFuot0ljWYCgBA_vfbWGI9lG_Uhp2yWJ0nOsbZqXr_33NjxjFPfH1ERSJVRfchtvNIsonU2mxF93AEctKArhBHxLqAvy2YWI8aYeOSO_zw/s200/Hank%2527s+board.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Then there was the time Eva ended
up on the ground. She and Hank were having a wonderful ride through the woods,
when Hank saw a rock. But it didn’t look like any rock he’d had ever seen. It
looked really menacing. Turned out to be okay, but what if it had been one of
those horse-eating rocks? He would have been a hero. All he did was spin and run.
That’s it. And he wanted Eva to go with
him. Instead, she fell off. As soon as he realize she was no longer aboard, he
went back to get her. Instead of being mad, she laughed and told him he was a very
brave horse. That’s why he loved Eva, his own personal human.<o:p></o:p></div>
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If mules are so great, why are
there 60 million horses? There’s not 60 million mules. At least Hank hopes
there aren’t. One makes his life miserable enough. It’s not that he doesn’t
like her. He does. It’s just that she ignores the rules. She’ll sashay by him,
just a little too close so it makes him mad. But just far enough away that it’s
not worth getting in a fight. He doesn’t want to fight her. She kicks really hard.
Not as hard as him. But it still hurts.<o:p></o:p></div>
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For hundreds of years, horses have
been bred for certain jobs. There are thoroughbreds who are born to run.
Walking horses whose gait keeps their humans comfortable riding for miles. And
then Hank’s breed, the quarter horse. Bred to handle cattle, Hank can stop,
turn, and take off in the blink of an eye. That’s probably why Eva ended up on
the ground when he got scared. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
And even with all of their
bragging, mules didn’t conquer the West. Hank’s kind conquered the West.
Cowboys rode horses not mules. Indians rode horses not mules. The Pony Express
rode horses not mules. Horses can make baby horses or mules. Mules can’t make
baby anything.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE_5qQ2KFUW0BtlOYM-Qy7ZX-Aoa-qsAx_QX78Z7o7wVJizp4Npw17M8a2f3pV5F5iWOJMDlSH1wh5nYJJ4BPCBs-8w-dVSJVcMsDmJpFW5vuvOLajmo2_-tqi-ulNPHXduEZU3mxysZSd/s1600/HowardHorse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="769" data-original-width="847" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE_5qQ2KFUW0BtlOYM-Qy7ZX-Aoa-qsAx_QX78Z7o7wVJizp4Npw17M8a2f3pV5F5iWOJMDlSH1wh5nYJJ4BPCBs-8w-dVSJVcMsDmJpFW5vuvOLajmo2_-tqi-ulNPHXduEZU3mxysZSd/s320/HowardHorse.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Howard Lewis with his horse McKenzie</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In Hank’s opinion, Rita’s role in
Linda’s book is way too big. If any animal has a speaking role, it should be
Hank. And don’t even get him started on Tammy the Pig. How in the world did she
get a bigger part than him?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Let’s start a write-in campaign for
Hank. Send Linda a note explaining that Hank deserves both Rita's and Tammy’s
roles. He is perfectly capable of carrying both their loads. For that matter,
it’s okay with him if Linda loses the goats. Support the horse. Make it Hank’s
farm. Horses rule.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
I hope you consider this appeal for
Hank, and I hope this gets me out of hot water with McKenzie, my horse. He
holds a grudge.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<b><br /></b>
<i><b>About the Author: </b>Howard Lewis is a talented writer, martial artist, and a marvelous critique partner. He lives in the "suburbs" of Salem, SC, with a mule, two horses, and multiple dogs. He's the past president of the Upstate Chapter of Sisters in Crime and he's part of the Writers' Police Academy "family." He's provided tons of information on his equines for my new Brie Hooker Mystery series published by Henery Press. Hank the horse is one of the animal "characters" in B0NES TO PICK, now available for preorder. THANKS Howard!</i></div>
Linda Lovelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689184015264104687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793987171614849409.post-71958273328571702002017-09-29T00:00:00.000-07:002017-09-29T00:00:13.360-07:00Brie's Vegan Tomato Basil Soup<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>By Linda Lovely</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I adapted this Barefoot Contessa recipe that appeared on the online foodnetwork site. Here's the <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/roasted-tomato-basil-soup-recipe-1940376"><span style="color: blue;">link </span></a>to the original recipe. I changed the recipe to make it vegan, e.g. no butter or chicken stock. I also have never used plum tomatoes, just whatever I happen to have--often from my own garden, especially when all the tomatoes seem to ripen at once. I LOVE this soup, and I'm sure it would be one of my vegan heroine's favorites. Hope you'll read BONES TO PICK so you can learn more about Brie Hooker and her friends in my new humorous mystery series.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Brie's Vegan Version Of Tomato Basil Soup</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX2p7PaPY117YxzppyxxArI0oiQ15c_7-c4UrXSYXg4NzXJyr6c_GMxULdcUIUuKLFtoMCVi1dZmvD2B5wIVX6HZrRdy0r4cSDJLViyIzb41EHDbzpwTQUirxZ9whzld9Kyr9Qt84fYjqs/s1600/TomatoSoup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="276" data-original-width="288" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX2p7PaPY117YxzppyxxArI0oiQ15c_7-c4UrXSYXg4NzXJyr6c_GMxULdcUIUuKLFtoMCVi1dZmvD2B5wIVX6HZrRdy0r4cSDJLViyIzb41EHDbzpwTQUirxZ9whzld9Kyr9Qt84fYjqs/s200/TomatoSoup.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
3+ lbs. fresh
tomatoes, sliced like an apple (leave skins on)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;">
¼ cup + olive oil<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;">
1 Tblsp Kosher
salt<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;">
*****<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;">
2-3 Tbl olive oil
+2 Tblsp coconut oil (can just use olive oil for all)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;">
2 large onions
chopped<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;">
*****<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;">
4 small (16 oz)
cans fire-roasted tomatoes with garlic<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;">
1 pkg (6 ind.
Cubes) Vegetable Cubes softened in 2 cups water<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;">
3 Tbls Agave<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;">
4 cups fresh or
handful of dried basil<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;">
1 tsp thyme<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Toss first 3 ingredients and spread on nonstick cookie sheet. Roast 45 minutes.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Put the Vegetable Cubes in two cups of water to
soften.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->In large stock pot, sauté onions in olive and
coconut oil. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Add the fresh roasted tomatoes and all the
juice, then add everything else including the veggie cubes and water. Bring to a
boil<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Reduce heat and simmer uncovered stirring
occasionally for 40 minutes. If you're in a time crunch you can shorten this time to about 10 minutes--still great.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Ladle small batches into food processor and
puree. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .25in; text-indent: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfHrsKRTAOi5SsHvOpIgc9hbQzjVaK9XQeTyzg3Vs1hTkNmMdLCvzTM2zlDom_7Qlhs8w9GZ9YvT14Aq6TG3CIGm3Bf1dyIbVq0GUjqKrEJc26zTBFTAXohcp03QzqFC7U2eJwgsifRQ6B/s1600/RoastedTomatoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfHrsKRTAOi5SsHvOpIgc9hbQzjVaK9XQeTyzg3Vs1hTkNmMdLCvzTM2zlDom_7Qlhs8w9GZ9YvT14Aq6TG3CIGm3Bf1dyIbVq0GUjqKrEJc26zTBFTAXohcp03QzqFC7U2eJwgsifRQ6B/s200/RoastedTomatoes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<b>Hints</b>:
You can use any tomatoes. This is an ideal way to use excess from your
summer garden. You can roast the tomatoes, freeze them, and then use them to
make soup in the fall or winter. You can serve the soup with
croutons or crusty bread. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .25in; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .25in; text-indent: 0in;">
<b>Not
a vegan? </b>Add grated or hunks of sharp cheddar cheese to melt in the hot soup.
You can also use chicken bouillon cubes rather than veggie cubes if you’re not
doing vegan.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
Linda Lovelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689184015264104687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793987171614849409.post-64861626996411203332017-08-18T09:26:00.000-07:002017-08-18T09:26:11.533-07:00Rita the Mule<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><b>By Howard Lewis</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><b>Critique Partner Extraordinaire & Mule Owner</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ajcFFi_24hBKLPLJQM6rbnVAjLTQyh9nj_nl94CjhrakyS4KpTH5HrN-gcTWNAFzBvjNW5BcNVZkyyFUv8iEVndP6ANY5IGiL34QtIR0DUM93cQ8xbjphQ5MqxRUJiX4rktmgAglreoQ/s1600/Sarah+Cropped+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="974" data-original-width="610" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ajcFFi_24hBKLPLJQM6rbnVAjLTQyh9nj_nl94CjhrakyS4KpTH5HrN-gcTWNAFzBvjNW5BcNVZkyyFUv8iEVndP6ANY5IGiL34QtIR0DUM93cQ8xbjphQ5MqxRUJiX4rktmgAglreoQ/s320/Sarah+Cropped+copy.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">I feel the need to write on behalf
of the mule, Rita. Somebody has to support her because she has a bone to pick. The
mule doesn’t get near enough respect in Linda’s book.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
You see, Rita’s not just some other
animal. She’s a hybrid. Her mamma’s a horse, and her daddy’s a donkey. Receiving
the best from each, she knows she’s better than either. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
This means that she’s braver than
donkeys and smarter than horses. Her intelligence is why some people consider her
stubborn, but it’s pretty simple. If it doesn’t make sense to Rita, she won’t
do it. Before she came to live with Lilly, her human sent her to a local horse
trainer with 25 years<o:p></o:p></div>
of experience and a great reputation. Rita had a lot of
fun with him before he gave her back saying, “Mules are different.” The trainer
was used to pestering horses into doing what he wanted. It didn’t work with
Rita. Of course, once she got Lilly trained, she gave in a lot so she could spend
time with her human. <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Rita loved Lilly. This human made
her feel like a friend instead of a servant. Rita grieved terribly when she
lost Lilly. Unfortunately, when Brie met her, the mule wasn’t in the mood to
meet another human. The first time Brie tried to put Rita in the trailer, she
led the mule up as if she were a horse and asked her to climb in. Rita’s not a
horse so she just stood there. Brie pulled on the lead, offered her a treat and
slapped her on the butt. Rita just stood there. Brie stamped her feet and
screamed her cheese curses. Rita just stood there. Eva finally said something
to her. Brie rubbed Rita’s nose, hugged her face, and told her she was most
beautiful mule in the world. Rita walked into the trailer.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix-hxzr3Ft7RTqH34xbf8yOqcVmfJlY3kz5OZ0d_Uf5oKJtRj0ImGyztA7XxR8jUvDNnb4UOwzy4NOOSWFL4Dp-wZuJPLNvp8PoIbsSxe-hRn8HcxOcq3qyz75WC0MxKjb-XL-1kJ9N9Mf/s1600/Rita+Signs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix-hxzr3Ft7RTqH34xbf8yOqcVmfJlY3kz5OZ0d_Uf5oKJtRj0ImGyztA7XxR8jUvDNnb4UOwzy4NOOSWFL4Dp-wZuJPLNvp8PoIbsSxe-hRn8HcxOcq3qyz75WC0MxKjb-XL-1kJ9N9Mf/s320/Rita+Signs.JPG" title="" width="320" /></a>Around the farm, Rita lets Hank, Eva’s
horse, be boss. It’s not that she couldn’t whup him. Of course she could. It’s
just that being boss isn’t as important to her as it is to him. Even though she
lets him think he’s the leader, she does take great pleasure picking on him.
She’ll creep up beside him while he’s grazing so he has to chase her off. When
he’s on the other side of a fence, she’ll walk close enough to make him mad but
far enough away so he can’t touch her. When in the barn, she’ll pee right next
to his stall so he has to smell it. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Just like all equines (horses,
mules, donkeys, zebras, etc.) Rita’s a prey animal. Other animals want to hunt
and eat her. Unlike those stupid horses who always run away, sometimes Rita
wants to fight. Especially if she’s mad. With a half a ton of muscle and bone,
a quick, intelligent mind, and a tenacity that won’t quit, she’s never lost a
fight. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
The mule has an impressive
heritage. Rita can do anything horses can do: drag plows, pull carriages or
even carry people in saddles. George Washington believed that her kind were
better workers than horses and wanted one. Being a picky man, he wanted a mule
sired by a Spanish donkey, considered to be the superior asses of the time. After
spending years trying to procure the donkey, King Charles III sent him two.
Only one survived the trip. George immediately put him to work breeding a
series of donkeys and mules. George even rented him out for stud running
<o:p></o:p></div>
newspaper ads describing his outstanding qualities. Mares and Jennies lined up
for his service.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Rita and her brothers are sterile. It
has to do with chromosomes. People have a standard set of questions when they
discover this. Mostly dealing with Rita’s sex. Yes, Rita has brothers and
sisters. Yes, even though she can’t reproduce, Rita goes into heat and her
brothers want to have sex. Yes, most of the time, Rita’s brothers are “cut” or
fixed. There’s no reason to keep them intact if they can’t have babies and
removing certain male parts make them much easier to deal with. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Rita knows she’s beautiful, but she
was made for function as well. She has a longer face, than horses and her eyes
are further around her head. With just a small movement, she can see behind her
with one eye and in front of her with the other at the same time. Rita has huge
ears that she can independently turn toward whatever she’s listened to. While
her right ear listens to her rider, she can turn her left ear to listen to whatever’s
up ahead. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Have I made it clear yet that Rita’s
right? She deserves a bigger part in Linda’s book. Let’s start a campaign.
Readers for Rita. Give Rita the Part She Deserves. Rita for President.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<o:p><b><br /></b></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<o:p><b>About the Author</b></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXL1RZ7C-LerQvK731CNcxlnuRpE672vtxyRhCnLQ22MAjZYprGGM1ShSiVH3pxEiBs6t7eUyr1aYKxTprpIoU7QPOTixcgj4fujP0qY2gDQ2EBfICZkFAJGqtN0SN2HYobWvPgZvRwdBG/s1600/HowardHorse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="769" data-original-width="847" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXL1RZ7C-LerQvK731CNcxlnuRpE672vtxyRhCnLQ22MAjZYprGGM1ShSiVH3pxEiBs6t7eUyr1aYKxTprpIoU7QPOTixcgj4fujP0qY2gDQ2EBfICZkFAJGqtN0SN2HYobWvPgZvRwdBG/s320/HowardHorse.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Howard Lewis is a talented writer, martial artist, and a marvelous critique partner. He lives in the "suburbs" of Salem, SC, with a mule, two horses, and multiple dogs. He's the past president of the Upstate Chapter of Sisters in Crime and he's part of the Writers' Police Academy "family." He's provided tons of information on his equines for my new Brie Hooker Mystery series published by Henery Press. The first book, BONES TO PICK, is now available for preorder. THANKS Howard! </span></div>
Linda Lovelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689184015264104687noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793987171614849409.post-46787086126081977182017-08-04T00:01:00.000-07:002017-08-04T00:01:10.740-07:00Aunt Eva's Turn in the Kitchen-Making Toffee<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>By Linda Lovely</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcaLgXqjeiGdmloOVzoy_FA4kmm5jSOgWWLObuBYMkuOs142KLviRnQUzmmfVLZ-1NxCbtrNkEWWuRHvbljFqeV_PnMdtZ3PqymlRl_X7qntBHM6HglppTDfr8gcH1Mr-pLQJ3BA84tZRq/s1600/toffee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1240" data-original-width="1600" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcaLgXqjeiGdmloOVzoy_FA4kmm5jSOgWWLObuBYMkuOs142KLviRnQUzmmfVLZ-1NxCbtrNkEWWuRHvbljFqeV_PnMdtZ3PqymlRl_X7qntBHM6HglppTDfr8gcH1Mr-pLQJ3BA84tZRq/s320/toffee.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
My great nephew, Duncan Nowling, and a friend recently visited. In addition to spending time enjoying the lake, Duncan had an in-the-kitchen request. He wanted to learn how to make my mother's (his great-grandmother's) toffee recipe, primarily because it's a key ingredient in our family favorite version of Death By Chocolate.<br />
<br />
I'm pretty sure this recipe would also be a favorite of Aunt Eva, a main character in my Brie Hooker Mystery series, since it includes large quantities of her favorite food group--dairy. In this case, the dairy comes in the form of butter. Here's the seemingly simple recipe, since it only has four ingredients:<br />
<br />
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Two sticks of Butter (plus a pat of butter to grease a nonstick cookie sheet)<br />
1 cup tightly packed light brown sugar<br />
4 Hershey Milk Chocolate bars (1,55 oz bars)<br />
Finely chopped pecans<br />
<br />
There are three prep steps before you start cooking.<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>Grease the nonstick cookie sheet (you'll be glad you did later when it's time to lift the toffee off the sheet). </li>
<li>Finely chop the pecans so they'll be ready when you need them. I never measure but I'm guessing 3/4 cup.</li>
<li>Open all four Hersey bars and separate the individual squares so they're ready for later use.</li>
</ol>
Okay, now comes the tricky part, the cooking. Put the two sticks of butter and the light brown sugar in a heavy skillet on a stove burner set to medium heat. Stir CONSTANTLY. When the mixture is nicely mixed and is starting to get hot, you may want to set a timer for 10 minutes. That's about how much longer you'll need to keep stirring the mixture as it bubbles and starts pulling away from the sides of the pan. The trick is to make sure it does pull away from the pan's edges but doesn't burn.<br />
<br />
At the end of your stirring vigil, you'll pour the toffee mixture onto your prepared cookie sheet in two ribbons. Now wait about 1 minute and then start placing the individual Hershey squares on the toffee. By the time you have them all on, the first squares you place will have melted enough to spread with a butter knife. Once the chocolate is evenly spread over the entire toffee surface sprinkle the top with the pecans.<br />
<br />
Next, put the cookie sheet on a rack to cool. If you put it in the ice box immediately, it increases the risk that the chocolate layer will separate from the bottom toffee layer. But do put the tray in the fridge when it's cool to the touch. After an hour or two in the refrigerator, it will probably be fine to separate it from the cookie sheet with a spatula and then break it into pieces, which you'll need to keep stored in the refrigerator until they're gone (maybe the end of the day).<br />
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<br />Linda Lovelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689184015264104687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793987171614849409.post-86249843500607791872017-08-02T00:01:00.000-07:002017-08-02T00:01:11.489-07:00Writers Beware--Kill An Animal, Risk a Reader<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>By <st1:personname w:st="on">Linda Lovely</st1:personname><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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I promise. No dogs (or horses or cats or mules or goats or
pigs) will cross over the rainbow bridge in my new Brie Hooker mystery series.
The easiest way for an author to offend (and lose) readers is to allow a
character in her book to kill an animal. Well, maybe a poisonous snake would be
okay, and, if you're Stephen King you can cast a rabid dog as a villain as he did in Cujo.<o:p></o:p></div>
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As an adult, I developed serious allergies to dogs and cats.
So I haven’t had a really close relationship with a pet since Brownie, the
Heinz 57 mix dog I loved as a kid. In adulthood, I’ve been bitten by a dog
while walking and minding my own business. I’ve also been chased by growling
hounds who appear to lust after bicycle tires. These encounters led me to make
one of my animal characters a villain in <i>Dead
Line</i>, the first book in my Smart Women, Dumb Luck romantic thriller series.
The villain dog died.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In my defense, the deceased canine is the villain in a brief
subplot, essential in providing insight into the snarling attack dog’s far more
villainous owner. What’s more, the subplot also features a tail-wagging hero
dog who saves my heroine. Any further explanation could act as a plot spoiler.
So here’s what these two dogs might say if they could talk. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><b><u>The Villain Dog<o:p></o:p></u></b></li>
</ul>
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I’m only following orders. I was
abused as a puppy, and I was trained to fight other dogs. When I growl and savage
other dogs, people cheer, and I get food and praise. I’ve been chained up and
beaten. I do what I’ve been trained to do in order to survive. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><b><u>The Hero Dog<o:p></o:p></u></b></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
I love people. Haven’t really met
one I wouldn’t lick. They scratch behind my ears, give me yummy treats, and
help rid me of annoying fleas. Sometimes they talk baby talk to me even though
I’m fully grown. Guess they still think of me as a puppy even though I’m a hard-working
adult. Don’t I chase all those obnoxious squeaky squirrels out of our yard? I’m
brave, too. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep my humans safe. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Okay, I’ve given my dog characters a say they didn’t get in
<i>Dead Line</i> since they weren't afforded speaking parts. Nonetheless, I renew my pledge
to avoid any future canine (or other animal) deaths in my books. I’ll stick to
killing off literary stand-ins for the people who have seriously annoyed me.<o:p></o:p></div>
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So readers why is it that mystery/suspense/thriller authors can
kill kindly, wrinkled grandmothers and clueless, fresh-faced teenagers as often
as their plots and murder counts require, but they should never, never, ever
kill a dog on the page of a novel? <o:p></o:p></div>
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Why do you think the death of a fictional animal seems more
offensive to many mystery readers than the death of a fictional human
being? Like the villain dog in Dead
Line, human villains also may have been abused in their youth and rewarded for
bad behavior, but we can handle their deaths. Is it because dog is man’s best
friend and we have an emotional bond with the species? Is it because humans are supposed to be
the protectors of helpless animals? What’s your opinion?<o:p></o:p></div>
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Linda Lovelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689184015264104687noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793987171614849409.post-68474807087413855172017-07-26T00:01:00.000-07:002017-07-26T00:01:06.564-07:00Book Covers and Book Titles-Hooking Readers<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">By Linda Lovely<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">On Sunday, I was delighted to have Dru’s Book
Musings schedule a cover reveal for <i>Bones
To Pick</i>, my new Brie Hooker Mystery from Henery Press. In response, I
received a variety of comments. Most—but not all people—really liked the cover.
(I love it.) A couple of people also advised me to change the title of my book because
other authors had already published book with the same (or similar) titles,
e.g. <i>A Bone to Pick</i> by Charlaine
Harris and <i>Bones to Pick</i> by Carolyn
Haines. So it seemed a good time to talk
about how the publishing world deals with book cover creation and the selection
of book titles.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Book Titles<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">The folks who pointed out that other books
carry the same or similar titles to my <i>Bones
To Pick</i> are absolutely right. Is this a problem? No. For starters, book
titles can’t be copyrighted. Searching
for <i>Bones To Pick</i> on Amazon calls up
a list of 11 novels with the same/similar title, and mine hadn’t yet joined the
list. This isn’t unusual. I searched for <i>Fatal
Flaw</i> and found about 40 books with that title or a similar one before I
stopped counting. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Why is there so much overlap? Book titles need
to be short, easy-to-remember and relate to the story. <i>Bones To Pick</i> was a no-brainer for my book since (a) a skull is dug
up early in the book, and (b) many of the potential villains have “bones to
pick” with the victim and/or the person accused of murder.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">There’s really no danger of confusing readers
as long as the cover of the book and the back cover description don’t mimic
other books that carry the same title. The cover created by Henery Press
certainly fills the bill here. There’s no chance of it being confused with
another book when doing an online search. The fact that my name appears in
large print on the cover also ensures that anyone buying my book won’t mistake
it for another.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Book Covers<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">I’ve heard authors complain about their
covers. Understandable, given that cover design decisions are ultimately made
by publishers, not authors. However, most publishers do seek input from their
authors to guide cover design and ensure they’re satisfied.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">That was certainly the case with Henery Press,
and it’s why I’m delighted with my cover. Before the cover artist, Stephanie
Savage, started design, I completed a form that allowed me to share key
information about the characters and plot, the book’s tone, and location. I
also was able to list covers I liked as reference points as well as the types
of covers I disliked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">The <i>Bones
To Pick</i> cover is eye-catching, uses bright colors, and communicates setting
(a goat dairy). It also suggests the reader can expect a light-hearted read
with a side of humor. I hope people who pick up the book based on the
delightful cover won’t be disappointed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Linda Lovelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689184015264104687noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793987171614849409.post-72178191375187280792017-07-21T00:01:00.000-07:002017-07-21T00:01:17.045-07:00Pigs Don't Sweat, Authors Do!<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>By Linda Lovely</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">My Brie Hooker Mysteries are set on a Udderly Kidding Dairy in Upstate South Carolina. The farm's 400 goats and animal menagerie often figure in the plot. In BONES TO PICK, the first book in the series (debuting Oct. 24), Tammy the Pig roots up a buried skull and with it lots of deadly secrets.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">In BONES TO PICK, Tammy is a pot-bellied pig adopted by Aunt Eva after her original owners abandoned her. As Udderly's </span>veterinarian<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> laments, too many people buy pot-bellied pigs as pets when they're cute babies but lose interest when they grow.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So what is a pot-bellied pig and how big do they get? While the breed is considered "small," the average adult weighs about 150 pounds. Yet because it's so dense, a pig of this size would be much smaller than an 80-pound German Shepherd. And Tammy would be a dwarf compared to her farm hog cousins that can weigh in at </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">900 pounds. Long prized in Vietnam as a symbol of happiness, satiety and wealth, the once plentiful breed </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">was </span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">put on an "endangered" list in the 1970s in its native habitat. It was marketed as a pet in the US during the 1980s. Purebred potbellies were black
and heavily wrinkled with sway backs sagging bellies.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 12pt; text-align: center;">
<b>What's Tammy's temperament?</b></div>
<div style="line-height: 12pt; text-align: left;">
She's very smart. Pigs are considered earth’s fourth smartest animal group just behind apes and chimps, whales and dolphins, and humans. Sorry, dogs. Potbellied pigs are not only intelligent, they're curious and have distinct, charming personalities. They can be taught tricks but they have an independent streak. While they can be housebroken, Tammy is an outdoor pig. (They will not soil their water source.) Affectionate creatures, they usually get along well with dogs and cats. </div>
<div style="line-height: 12pt; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 12pt; text-align: center;">
<b>Pigs Don't Sweat</b></div>
<div style="line-height: 12pt; text-align: left;">
At age three, Tammy is still a youngster. However, she can expect to reach a ripe old age of 15. Like my vegan heroine, Brie, she enjoys fresh fruits and
vegetables and needs to have clean water always available. That's because Tammy, like all her pig relatives, doesn't sweat. So she needs the water to cool off. </div>
<div style="line-height: 12pt; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 12pt; text-align: left;">
Rooting is a natural instinct and how pigs find food in nature. Tammy loves toys. Like her brethern, she's susceptible to Porcine Stress syndrome, e.g. "freaking" out. But Udderly's vet knows how to calm her down.</div>
<div style="line-height: 12pt; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 12pt; text-align: center;">
<b>Authors Sweat</b></div>
<div style="line-height: 12pt; text-align: left;">
When I was a kid, I spent a great deal of time on my cousin's farm and helped feed the hogs. But I'm no expert on pigs in general or potbellied pigs in particular. That means that I may have made more than one mistake in my portrayal of Tammy. As an author, I do try to get the details right. But I hope Tammy will forgive me if I made a mistake.</div>
<div style="line-height: 12pt; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 12pt; text-align: left;">
Do you enjoy reading books that include animals? </div>
<div style="line-height: 12pt; text-align: left;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Linda Lovelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689184015264104687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793987171614849409.post-54067790051203530192017-07-19T00:00:00.000-07:002017-07-19T00:00:10.360-07:00Write What You Fear?<div class="MsoNormal">
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<o:p><b> By Linda Lovely</b></o:p></div>
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We’ve all heard the old saw—write what you know. Oh, really?</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Fortunately, most authors of mysteries, thrillers, and romantic suspense have never been shot, beaten, handcuffed, kidnapped, stalked or
targeted by a relentless assassin. So does that mean we can’t write about
heroines and heroes thrown into terrifying situations?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfmwdmk4FeT-nk6WYAMRqJzXV0irSXffgrmIlj46sHqvCa5A1VPpcJAlijOHIQnCsOv8-FInQU-YmiqBamltPcrGDtdU9YhrVaIxsBtLamK2d51YTc3bdAyM28XXV9zw9RIn2kKlPHuZhN/s1600/skyscraper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="898" data-original-width="1168" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfmwdmk4FeT-nk6WYAMRqJzXV0irSXffgrmIlj46sHqvCa5A1VPpcJAlijOHIQnCsOv8-FInQU-YmiqBamltPcrGDtdU9YhrVaIxsBtLamK2d51YTc3bdAyM28XXV9zw9RIn2kKlPHuZhN/s400/skyscraper.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I couldn't do this!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Of course not. There is a way to write what we “know” when we
place our heroines/heroes in dangerous situations we’ve never experienced.
Method actors do it all the time. They draw on the real emotions that gripped
them at some point in their lives.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I suffer from “moderate” vertigo and a fear of heights.
Years ago, when I was a partner in a PR firm that prepared feature articles for
corporate clients, I covered the Miss Universe contest for a computerized lighting equipment manufacturer. The client requested photos (I was
both writer and photographer) taken from “above” its overhead lights to spotlight its equipment with the Miss Universe contestants on the stage below. To get the
shots, I was allowed to climb the scaffolding during rehearsals. (Did I mention
this contest was NOT held in the <st1:country-region w:st="on">USA</st1:country-region> where OSHA standards might
apply?) <o:p></o:p></div>
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As I scooted along the beam, the whole rickety structure
seemed to sway. I was terrified. Sweat beaded on my forehead. My heart raced.
My fingers were so sweaty I could barely focus the camera. I got dizzy. Closed
my eyes. Tried to steady my breathing. I watched a sweat droplet plummet and
wondered if the lady below thought there was a leak in the roof. The
incongruous thought made me want to giggle. Edge of hysteria? Maybe.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiAMd_uCzdQEXoU87QI7voBXgzhzHYN9u6OsYynLSdqJKTyu_3MImKcRvFhEHU33q6LP1fcpRJPASHMrbAkTzvhXT0XvGX5y5bwYOIp8cuITUct0az9VUNC34ivQwgR7pjjIpa7eU8YKI8/s1600/Lighthouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="429" data-original-width="288" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiAMd_uCzdQEXoU87QI7voBXgzhzHYN9u6OsYynLSdqJKTyu_3MImKcRvFhEHU33q6LP1fcpRJPASHMrbAkTzvhXT0XvGX5y5bwYOIp8cuITUct0az9VUNC34ivQwgR7pjjIpa7eU8YKI8/s320/Lighthouse.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I climbed to the top of this lighthouse to take<br />
pix for a client. As high as I go & not thrilled. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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My seventh book, Bones To Pick, a humorous mystery, will debut in October. The plots are quite
different. But—what a surprise—my heroines all suffer from vertigo and a fear
of heights and often find themselves in situations where they must overcome those
fears to survive. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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In <i>Dear Killer</i>,
Marley Clark climbs to the pinnacle of a lighthouse to flee a gunman. In <i>No Wake Zone</i>, the sequel to Dear Killer,
Marley must leap from a rooftop to the scaffolding of a roller coaster to lure
a killer away from her cousin. In <i>Dead Line</i>, the first of my Smart Women, Dumb Luck Romantic Thrillers, Nexi Ketts rappels into the depths of
a cave that’s deeper than the Statue of Liberty is tall.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Do you take advantage of your fears and remembered emotions
when you write? If so, do you have fears that resurface in different guises in
your manuscripts?</div>
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Linda Lovelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689184015264104687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793987171614849409.post-36974258278252731072017-07-14T00:01:00.000-07:002017-07-14T00:01:02.079-07:00Vegan Summer Fare-Blueberry Pie<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>By Linda Lovely</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Here's another dessert that would my vegan chef heroine, Brie Hooker, would be pleased to serve to her friends. I'm posting vegan recipes every other Friday. Okay, I'm on a dessert kick at the moment, but blueberries are in season. Still picking from my bushes.</div>
</div>
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<b><u><span style="color: windowtext;">Blueberry Pie Filling</span></u></b><b><span style="color: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> <br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
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<i>For baked
single-crust 9-inch pie<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<span style="color: windowtext;">5 cups <b>fresh</b>
BLUEBERRIES <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-outline-level: 6;">
<span style="color: windowtext;">4 tablespoons of cornstarch<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1RyHcbij9_sU1AOJAw6rxYHYlg3iYMmDczfGQ_kfQcnUmAahckeaY6nMCeKpq1NGx5JH2xV15XyqwKgg1cXkuJiRYjo6IfRAZXwzn9cC4TKKf5ro8JuHY78WpRjfn9124KKMf-NHwZDsa/s1600/PieSlice.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="498" data-original-width="750" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1RyHcbij9_sU1AOJAw6rxYHYlg3iYMmDczfGQ_kfQcnUmAahckeaY6nMCeKpq1NGx5JH2xV15XyqwKgg1cXkuJiRYjo6IfRAZXwzn9cC4TKKf5ro8JuHY78WpRjfn9124KKMf-NHwZDsa/s320/PieSlice.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: windowtext;">3/4 cup sugar<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Pinch salt<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-outline-level: 6;">
<span style="color: windowtext;">½ + Tsp. Lemon zest (grated lemon peel)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: windowtext;">1 Tblsp + Lemon juice<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: windowtext;">½ Cup Water <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: windowtext;">In a 1 quart pan, thoroughly stir/mix the sugar &
cornstarch. This ensures no lumps. Then add 2 cups of blueberries, the lemon
peel, lemon juice and water. Cook over medium high heat. You need to stir
constantly after it starts bubbling. It will come to a full boil and thicken
rapidly after it does. It’ll be almost like paste when it’s ready. Take the pan
off the heat and fold in the 3 cups of uncooked blueberries. Then spoon the
combined mixture into your baked pie crust. Let cool, then refrigerate. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: windowtext;">Not a vegan? You can serve with ice cream or whipped
cream. A vegan? The pie’s good solo or with one of the nondairy ice creams.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: windowtext;"><b>Hints</b>: Buy a real, fresh lemon. Use a grater to zest
the skin, then squeeze the lemon and remove the seeds. I use half the lemon
zest and half the lemon juice for one pie. You can refrigerate the rest of the
lemon juice/zest for your next pie, which will be baked tomorrow if your family
eats blueberry pie like mine does.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBTypjjvBpsHolYtBHtsU-Ht8l4NqSgwXc5m9FtZQuPBklmWa0FZepSIQT2_Nkh5o4hA1FjOESxBlagu8Q-UKUJbNIcJ2Pepfe1lQ4bUgcwG4AdagmQBDP_XIMwALlHZhIGYz8XJ_hfeML/s1600/PrePie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="457" data-original-width="750" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBTypjjvBpsHolYtBHtsU-Ht8l4NqSgwXc5m9FtZQuPBklmWa0FZepSIQT2_Nkh5o4hA1FjOESxBlagu8Q-UKUJbNIcJ2Pepfe1lQ4bUgcwG4AdagmQBDP_XIMwALlHZhIGYz8XJ_hfeML/s320/PrePie.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: windowtext;">The uncooked berries are what makes this pie so
delicious. You can make the pie with frozen/defrosted berries but it won’t have
the same texture and will tend to be more watery. But in the winter, it’s still
a treat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />Linda Lovelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689184015264104687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793987171614849409.post-51831079961656412812017-07-12T00:01:00.000-07:002017-07-12T00:01:14.883-07:00Critique Partners & Beta Readers with Unlike Minds<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="text-indent: 0in;"><b>By Linda Lovely</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 10pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="text-indent: 0in;">I love to write (and read) mysteries and romantic suspense/thrillers tailored
to an adult audience. That’s why I initially sought critique partners who
focused on the same genres and shared my sense of humor and fondness for snark.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
They “got” me—and my writing style. <o:p></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbhNVdhBlSUC6hX8MIcZoapVaDfKBW54JezT78xfSZNIjYs02AipqRQwLi-HcQYOnT-OIS7OnDrBNeA7GG0UQuPR7DdjbpSu4FA_dY5uHYUYEyXeWMKX4ZOyONLRJpZvN9_DqJqVvbtoOI/s1600/four.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1056" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbhNVdhBlSUC6hX8MIcZoapVaDfKBW54JezT78xfSZNIjYs02AipqRQwLi-HcQYOnT-OIS7OnDrBNeA7GG0UQuPR7DdjbpSu4FA_dY5uHYUYEyXeWMKX4ZOyONLRJpZvN9_DqJqVvbtoOI/s320/four.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me (center) with critique partners Howard Lewis & Robin Weaver </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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However, mostly by happenstance, I’ve widened my critique/Beta reader
circle. I belong to a five-person local critique group (three women and two
very secure men). We meet one afternoon each month for an intensive critique
session. We’ve been at this for several years. We limit the size of the group to five so we
have the time to provide in-depth critiques. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
Group members include a man working on a young adult fantasy, an author
who focuses on Southern-flavor, character-rich short stories, a published
memoir author, and a former Air Force co-pilot writing about his experiences in
Vietnam. Our backgrounds are as different as our writing styles and reading
tastes. Our birthplaces include Algeria, two Southern states and two Midwestern
states. Our former professions include English teacher and labor union
representative, engineer, translator and manager, college professor, and me handling
all types of public relations and advertising. <o:p></o:p></div>
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To prepare for monthly in-person sessions, we each email five+ pages
from a work in progress. These submissions may or may not be sequential. For
example, I may choose a love scene I’m insecure about, pages with troublesome
dialogue where I’m trying to surreptitiously shoehorn in some backstory, or a
section where I want to see if my attempts at humor are actually funny. We also read completed manuscripts for each
other once we’ve polished them and feel we are nearing the finish line.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
While I’d never give up the invaluable feedback I receive from fellow
hard-core mystery/romantic suspense authors, I find the questions, suggestions,
and comments from authors who don’t share my mindset to be equally valuable. (Long-distance
critique partners Maryanne Romano and Robin Weaver have been lifesavers for
YEARS.) </div>
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A male critiquer—no matter what genre he writes—is priceless, because
he can warn when a hero’s dialogue is pure nonsense—“No man would ever say
that.” Having critique partners from
different parts of the country helps you discover which regional sayings are
fun versus ones that prove so puzzling they cause a “huh?” reaction that takes
readers out of the story. I firmly believe the more diverse your critique
circle the more likely you are to appeal to a broader audience—plus you become
a more nuanced writer and reader. I didn’t know how much I could enjoy fantasy,
short stories, and memoirs until I joined this group. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
Members of my local group are—Donna Campbell, Danielle Dahl, Howard
Lewis, and Charles Duke. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
I also have recruited members of my book club as Beta readers. The more
(and more diverse) the merrier. Who
critiques your manuscripts? Who are your Beta readers?<o:p></o:p></div>
Linda Lovelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689184015264104687noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793987171614849409.post-13292848686651649722017-07-07T00:00:00.000-07:002017-07-07T00:00:02.048-07:00Great Pyrenees-Meet Udderly Kidding's Animal Cast<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>By Linda Lovely</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">My new light-hearted Brie Hooker Mystery
series is set on a goat farm, Udderly Kidding Dairy, in Upstate South Carolina.
Naturally, the farm boasts lots of four-legged residents, who often play
important roles in the plots. So, every
other Friday, I’ll be introducing readers to my animal cast. Today’s spotlight
is on the Great Pyrenees dogs that guard Udderly’s 400 goats.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_8RkciQhYPzX4dgcxDJFJCesMOd6cSHzp5WIWUMFaNJ2RN1h74BTOgmVik92615sNzS8609e-Orafb_StaDsBFu438VLTFuYW66cU1ZDOGRT-y3qVNM6WjIGBujxPHuEo0Jlj3HU0-iQv/s1600/Kay_Coke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_8RkciQhYPzX4dgcxDJFJCesMOd6cSHzp5WIWUMFaNJ2RN1h74BTOgmVik92615sNzS8609e-Orafb_StaDsBFu438VLTFuYW66cU1ZDOGRT-y3qVNM6WjIGBujxPHuEo0Jlj3HU0-iQv/s400/Kay_Coke.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Kay Barrett and Coke</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Udderly has five Great Pyrenees, just like
Split Creek Farm, a real goat dairy located in the Upstate. While I’ve seen
Split Creek’s guard dogs, I’m better acquainted with Coke, a relatively new
addition to my friend Kay Barrett’s.household. A few months back, Kay went to
an animal shelter to adopt a much smaller dog. However, she quickly fell under
Coke’s spell. When we play tennis at Kay’s house, she sometimes lets Coke out
to greet her tennis buddies at the end of our matches. Coke is a BIG delightful,
friendly bundle of energy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Appearance</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">: Pyrenees are large—85 to 115 pounds when
full grown—with luxurious white coats, chocolate eyes, and a plumed tail. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Work
History</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">: Once France’s “royal” dog, he was bred to
guard flocks in the Pyrenees mountains. His French nickname is Patou—shepherd. He’s
a descendant of mastiff-type dogs. He isn’t a herder, he’s a protector. The
Marquis de Lafayette brought the first Pyrs to America. At Udderly Kidding
Dairy, these brave dogs protect the goats from coyotes—and poachers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Traits</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">: Gentle with children and all kinds of young
animals. (Kay’s grandchildren adore Coke, who also puts up with a new kitten’s
attentions.) A good hiking companion, but as an avid explorer or territory, he
isn’t the best candidate for off-the-leash walks. .He’s great in cold weather,
but sensitive to heat and he drools. The breed is naturally nocturnal. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Hope you’ll want to meet Udderly’s Pyrs when Henery
Press releases BONES TO PICK, the first Brie Hooker Mystery in October. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />Linda Lovelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689184015264104687noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793987171614849409.post-71317931772673424442017-07-05T00:00:00.000-07:002017-07-05T00:00:09.207-07:00Always Ask-Research The Fun Way<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>By Linda Lovely</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">The Internet has given authors tremendous new research
tools. We can Google almost any topic and find a wealth of materials and
information, though it pays to do some vetting to make sure the sources we’re
tapping are reliable. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWDIuO3EGu7vh2mQYVCEZCjPn_schTBPvX8NRbG3ldy3UNB9FuQB6IIoReKZb8ASiifb9SJVa5dPPpAzlRWeuOBeAuT8jcti-X34sxRJGLfdu3T2h8ZrReFKZSyvfpOIfoXM0hLPM-Ci3K/s1600/Bestnoteetthsmile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="1600" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWDIuO3EGu7vh2mQYVCEZCjPn_schTBPvX8NRbG3ldy3UNB9FuQB6IIoReKZb8ASiifb9SJVa5dPPpAzlRWeuOBeAuT8jcti-X34sxRJGLfdu3T2h8ZrReFKZSyvfpOIfoXM0hLPM-Ci3K/s200/Bestnoteetthsmile.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">YouTube gives authors a visual/audio window that lets us
witness everything from Billy goats in rut to lessons for beginners who want to
fly drones. These are actual examples of how YouTube helped me craft scenes in my
second Brie Hooker Mystery, my current work in progress.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">However, there’s still no substitute for speaking
directly with experts. I was journalism major in college and have spent the
bulk of my career interviewing individuals for (nonfiction) feature articles.
So I’m quite comfortable asking folks questions about their work and
themselves. I realize some authors are shy and feel they may be imposing if
they ask strangers to spend time answering their questions. Yet most people are
flattered rather than annoyed and enjoy talking about their work and
themselves. In fact, I can’t ever recall being rebuffed by a single information
“source.” Of course, that’s also because I make it clear why I want the information
and how I plan to use it. Now that I’m writing fiction, that simply means I’ll
be using their experiences and insights to help build more interesting,
well-rounded characters and more credible plots. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">For BONES TO PICK, my first Brie Hooker Mystery, my
interviews included in-person visits to goat farms and breweries (what a
hardship). This gave me an opportunity to ask the owners a variety of
questions. I also got to taste goat cheese and fudge, and, of course, sample
moonshine. Visiting locations helps you visualize potential scenes and also
provides ideas about situations and activities for your characters. Joining a goat yoga class was a true adventure!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">So how do you find experts if you want information
related to law enforcement topic? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Even authors of cozy mysteries should try to
be as accurate as possible in describing law enforcement and legal procedures,
forensics, investigative techniques, etc. I’ve found attending my local Sisters
in Crime chapter’s monthly meetings and the phenomenal annual Writers’ Police
Academy have been treasure troves of information—and contacts. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Through these
organizations I’ve met everyone from FBI, ATF and Treasury agents to
paramedics, coroners, detectives and defense attorneys. What’s more, since we've met, I’m not a stranger calling \out of the blue. We have a prior
connection and they know my request is legitimate.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">If you don’t know an answer, ask! Not only may you be
surprised by the answer, you may find answers to questions you didn’t even know
you should ask. Conversations can be a wonderful adventure.</span></div>
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Linda Lovelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689184015264104687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793987171614849409.post-25518473094735557202017-06-30T00:01:00.000-07:002017-06-30T00:01:15.495-07:00Vegan Summer Fare-Mixed Fruit Pie<div style="text-align: center;">
<h3>
<b>By Linda Lovely</b></h3>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYHb28kHSfdToOUVUKTBbP7Dkln2xiHENvPXBw7fbkKimxH1mSLfCbBUx_PNNKTclpcf8j9sybjAubHz6c2v-R3VnBGluTfsZ-VUYymHXwQStVTwoOee6_YmuBoYBGOUWn1q-41CtiMrF7/s1600/FruitPie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="450" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYHb28kHSfdToOUVUKTBbP7Dkln2xiHENvPXBw7fbkKimxH1mSLfCbBUx_PNNKTclpcf8j9sybjAubHz6c2v-R3VnBGluTfsZ-VUYymHXwQStVTwoOee6_YmuBoYBGOUWn1q-41CtiMrF7/s320/FruitPie.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Brie
Hooker, the heroine of my soon-to-be-released humorous mystery series, is a
vegan chef who lives with her Aunt Eva, a cantankerous carnivore, on a goat
dairy farm in South Carolina. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Every other Friday, I hope you'll tune in for a
vegan-friendly recipe that I'm convinced would even win a thumbs-up from
skeptical Aunt Eva. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Summer is an ideal time to try adding some vegan
dishes to your repertoire, even if you're a die-hard omnivore That's because
there are so many delicious fruits and vegetables that make for beautiful
entrees and desserts. Here's a recipe for a fruit pie--only nuts and fruits. No
eggs or dairy. Everyone I've served this has loved it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I first found a version of this recipe here: <a href="http://gethealthymarshall.com/fruit-pie-with-date-nut-crust-engine-2-diet/376">Get Healthy Marshall Texas</a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Fruit Pie(Vegan)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The “crust”<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .25in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">1 generous cup
pitted dates<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .25in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Heaping 1/3 cup
each: Walnuts, cashews, almonds<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .25in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">1 tsp vanilla
extract<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Filling<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">2-3 ripe
bananas, sliced lengthwise<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .25in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">1 cup
strawberries pureed<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .25in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Your combination
choice of whole/sliced fresh fruits:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg59k9n1r1BpQu_3FIK5pNMzzvEPRrivhLsFxT_5hqmEuG0Fl8oHxoVqFPr93q82Y9Uq0cdDFWLmr3lHV_T8yBuEkSF4i4yNU5atIW8UNCHhUNp8Ngmon5GThE_pG8C_3UbWU1NX2ShvLf2/s1600/raspberrypie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1089" data-original-width="1155" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg59k9n1r1BpQu_3FIK5pNMzzvEPRrivhLsFxT_5hqmEuG0Fl8oHxoVqFPr93q82Y9Uq0cdDFWLmr3lHV_T8yBuEkSF4i4yNU5atIW8UNCHhUNp8Ngmon5GThE_pG8C_3UbWU1NX2ShvLf2/s320/raspberrypie.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Strawberries,
raspberries, blackberries, mandarin oranges<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Put
all the nuts in the food processor and process till they’re finely chopped,
then add dates (I cut them into smaller pieces first) along with vanilla and
process to create a sticky goo.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Press
the crust into a glass pie plate (9-10 inches)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">For
the first filling layer, arrange the bananas slices on the crust and use a fork
to smoosh them into a layer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Place
sliced strawberries on top of the bananas and pour the pureed strawberries on
top.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Next
arrange all of the whole (or sliced) fruits on the top alternating colors for a
pleasing display<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Cover
and refrigerate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Hints:</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> This is a beautiful (and tasty) summer
dessert. The only problem? It doesn’t keep well. Serve this when you expect it
to be consumed in one sitting—two at most. I use the roasted cashews rather
than raw cashews and I’m generous in measuring my nuts. Too many nuts? Not a
possibility. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Linda Lovelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689184015264104687noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793987171614849409.post-29607599619204575862017-06-28T00:01:00.000-07:002017-06-28T00:01:05.572-07:00My Book Club Improves My Writing--And My Mind<div style="text-align: center;">
By Linda Lovely</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">While I’ve always been an avid reader, I
didn’t join a book club until after I’d written my first novel. Even then, I
joined reluctantly at a local bookstore owner’s urging. I’ve now belonged to he Book Feast Club for several years. I’m absolutely certain my membership
has made me a better writer—and maybe even a more rounded individual. And no,
I’m not talking about my hips, even though the ladies of Book Feast always
combine discussion with dinner.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggi0cGX_eIycygiJVMir74arDS9PC_UU3BOXDRmnDbWiuccklE10z5I5AVgqG9aVd3gE0a0Gp3QRYeg6zyQ-I4uziTagV7LNvZ-mzcfQ2KO-o6ryO7eut92KwaWW2vzXIKov6C-F_Ds8AU/s1600/SueJoanDeeAlex.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="1530" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggi0cGX_eIycygiJVMir74arDS9PC_UU3BOXDRmnDbWiuccklE10z5I5AVgqG9aVd3gE0a0Gp3QRYeg6zyQ-I4uziTagV7LNvZ-mzcfQ2KO-o6ryO7eut92KwaWW2vzXIKov6C-F_Ds8AU/s640/SueJoanDeeAlex.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Our book club has 15 members. Not all were able to make this summer dinner meeting<br />--and some photos didn't quite turn out so not everyone's pictured on this page. </span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Why did I resist joining a book club? My
two main reasons are interrelated. The first is time. I didn’t want to spend
time reading books someone else picked for me when I didn’t have enough time
to read all the novels I really wanted to read. My to-be-read stacks were
already teetering with new works from long-time favorites along with
manuscripts and novels from new authors I was meeting in organizations like
Sisters in Crime and Romance Writers of America. My second reason for
reluctance was my impression that book club selections would be dominated by “literary”
titles that were presumably good for me but usually depressing and certainly
not my mystery/thriller/romantic suspense mainstays. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMJd-eEH96I0D1uuaP747aoJaIU8S0dMAPzsStBff2ABv_4ma9tKiXFNT6heJoyoA8CrT8ZkXOjy0N59TlzhCriX1xIEjSnrMjx0Yh7JawQmQ_VwjxB2KdD1TzuOhK7_Ru0PVAlyLTILgJ/s1600/JoanDee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1146" data-original-width="1600" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMJd-eEH96I0D1uuaP747aoJaIU8S0dMAPzsStBff2ABv_4ma9tKiXFNT6heJoyoA8CrT8ZkXOjy0N59TlzhCriX1xIEjSnrMjx0Yh7JawQmQ_VwjxB2KdD1TzuOhK7_Ru0PVAlyLTILgJ/s200/JoanDee.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">So what did I discover? This book club’s
fiction selections are eclectic. While we all make suggestions and vote, we attempt
to balance our annual list with a little of everything--historicals,
mystery/thrillers, romance, humor, classics and, yes, thought-provoking
literary prize winners. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Do I wind up reading some books I don’t
like? Yes, but that’s more than balanced by discovering authors I otherwise
might never have read and learning new ways to engage readers (as well as what really turns the readers in Book Feast off). I should
add that our club is not militant. If you don’t like a book, you are not
required to slog through to the end just to attend the meeting where it
will be discussed. The general rule of thumb is try to read the first fifty
pages before you give up. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjASKasPHczbpm6_-N2t32gc7zdkuqJg5NQ37vl7I-bMiqROEIvmadqFOqNY3sT6vtLwXNzZH1FFsxVOzEkEijI7_1-25fZWPqGP4Q8HD4UqjJYMS6CSYfdQTi3gZhROhqIh7I9uvi8qdr/s1600/Judy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="492" data-original-width="596" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjASKasPHczbpm6_-N2t32gc7zdkuqJg5NQ37vl7I-bMiqROEIvmadqFOqNY3sT6vtLwXNzZH1FFsxVOzEkEijI7_1-25fZWPqGP4Q8HD4UqjJYMS6CSYfdQTi3gZhROhqIh7I9uvi8qdr/s200/Judy.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Of course, I also have to add that I
LOVE our members. The wonderful women are just as diverse as our reading selections. Ages
range from forties to eighties. Professions (current and former) run the gamut
from librarians and professors to nurses, flight attendants, and medical techs.
The group includes Southerners and Yankees, liberals and conservatives. Our
conversations are always lively—and civil. Politicians could learn a lot from
our members.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">So why do I say authors should join a
book club? Writers tend to spend a lot of time with each other. We talk about
point-of-view and plot structure, character arcs and dialogue tags. Do readers
know or care about these things? No. It’s interesting and instructional to see
what engages readers and what writing flaws they will overlook if the
characters are compelling and the storylines keep them hooked. It's just as interesting to see what they can't abide. The club members by and large are a big part of my target audience.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3o74ZSZ7IhOxUxgKHvh4l3sxGnKWEz4V8o5uS2AalVivAlyhZ7gB8kv1DKeGW4atfOyeIKas54v-TWkGd7nuuTp52y7vjFsAcEBOglxT3meLur9m5cZCXJDBCtd8Qh2giZnrLpK0Dq6hg/s1600/JerriJan+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="750" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3o74ZSZ7IhOxUxgKHvh4l3sxGnKWEz4V8o5uS2AalVivAlyhZ7gB8kv1DKeGW4atfOyeIKas54v-TWkGd7nuuTp52y7vjFsAcEBOglxT3meLur9m5cZCXJDBCtd8Qh2giZnrLpK0Dq6hg/s200/JerriJan+copy.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Want to know what the Book Feast has on
its calendar for the next 12 months? I’ll include our reading list in my next Once-In-A-While Newsletter. Here’s a link to sign up. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><a href="http://eepurl.com/cvG0T5">Newsletter Sign-Up</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Do you belong to a book club? If so, what
do you like most about your group? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">P.S I love to visit with book clubs—in person
if feasible or by Skype or Free Conference Call. Let me know if you’re
interested. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Linda Lovelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689184015264104687noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793987171614849409.post-81469941565242861762017-06-21T00:00:00.000-07:002017-06-21T00:00:13.931-07:00A 200-Word Gem—Write It and Cash In<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
I don’t write short stories. I’d rather write a complete chapter
than a 200-word story. My husband will testify that I can’t answer a simple question
in less than 200 words. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
But I DO appreciate short stories. And, for the last
several years, one of my responsibilities as a veteran Writers’ Police Academy (WPA)
volunteer has been to line up reader judges for the Golden Donut Short Story
contest. Another of my duties is to count the words in each story—to make
certain they contain EXACTLY 200 words, including the required title. <o:p></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicCzcVwBo8PIivnmgL1e5-2n_h-HU9BeDFb4LgwCOZY_5higna45HRb1XVOuYpAE2zVspl1ZCG8hmSc8LUBODMGNSHwhld-3qBRt5n1zcAAkQNfBG79SLjMHhJF9KPvt3Ib82iw51a6Y7K/s1600/craig2truck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicCzcVwBo8PIivnmgL1e5-2n_h-HU9BeDFb4LgwCOZY_5higna45HRb1XVOuYpAE2zVspl1ZCG8hmSc8LUBODMGNSHwhld-3qBRt5n1zcAAkQNfBG79SLjMHhJF9KPvt3Ib82iw51a6Y7K/s320/craig2truck.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's a man who knows how to make words count! Craig Johnson,<br />author of the Longmire series, and this year's contest judge.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The exact word count is a unique contest rule that
writers (can you believe it) sometimes fail. Hey, how many of us were math
majors or big on following a rule book? Nonetheless there are big rewards for
short story authors who can tell a riveting tale in exactly 200 words. The
winner of this year’s Golden Donut contest not only receives a nifty trophy and
lots of recognition—online and at the WPA banquet—but also gets a FREE
registration to a 2018 WPA event. And, guess who's the final judge for this year's Golden Donut contest? Craig Johnson, <o:p></o:p><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;">author of the Longmire series.</span><span style="text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span></span></div>
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It’s been a pleasure to read the Golden Donut entries in
past years. They’ve ranged from funny to spine-tingling, melancholy to
horrifying. It’s amazing how a single photo can spark such different tales. The
rules of the contest are simple. The contest
photo absolutely MUST be the main focus of the story, not just a
mere mention within the text. Here’s the inspirational photo for the
2017 contest:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipCjerKi6NeJVqJKImV_kDuiL3OjmApQ1ZyRicER3b2QC7wMKMXhFf5iC8l7e42-VBDJUnI2iBgwc9e8LaOVsjH3lPKIvZYpYSDs81z5SyfY7L4EhrSf03uoQmZGUhWCuSXoHcQnHay2vg/s1600/archwayGoldenDonut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="903" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipCjerKi6NeJVqJKImV_kDuiL3OjmApQ1ZyRicER3b2QC7wMKMXhFf5iC8l7e42-VBDJUnI2iBgwc9e8LaOVsjH3lPKIvZYpYSDs81z5SyfY7L4EhrSf03uoQmZGUhWCuSXoHcQnHay2vg/s320/archwayGoldenDonut.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And the good news? There’s still time to enter! The
deadline for entries is July 2. Plenty of time to pen 200 words. And you don’t
have to be registered to attend the 2017 Writers’ Police Academy to enter. The
contest is open to all. Here’s the link to all the details: <a href="http://www.writerspoliceacademy.com/short-story-contest/">http://www.writerspoliceacademy.com/short-story-contest/</a>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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And don’t forget I’ll be COUNTING on you…<o:p></o:p></div>
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Good luck!<o:p></o:p></div>
Linda Lovelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689184015264104687noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793987171614849409.post-24533228423563611702016-10-21T12:45:00.000-07:002016-10-21T12:45:01.098-07:00Who Are The Scariest Villains?<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>By <st1:personname w:st="on">Linda Lovely</st1:personname><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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October conjures up thoughts of Halloween ghosts,
goblins, and all things scary. And that has me thinking about the villains that scare me the most. They are villains who have the ability to charm and distort, and they are relentless is pursuing their visions no matter the cost. Here’s what the villains in my published novels and work-in-progress tend to have in
common:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIT79jnzmhyNxXABetXr3P66uaLj2WhuCgvuh9PywGcPMaJ7kRh61rjsRov3OA-tPA1lLcAcgd9eBoiP4XJ_dV4-0MJf-7IYB-E6gP4mQ2ZSnUSj8PVy_fj2frPJqo2ldn42KsukIBCTfJ/s1600/KathyBates.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIT79jnzmhyNxXABetXr3P66uaLj2WhuCgvuh9PywGcPMaJ7kRh61rjsRov3OA-tPA1lLcAcgd9eBoiP4XJ_dV4-0MJf-7IYB-E6gP4mQ2ZSnUSj8PVy_fj2frPJqo2ldn42KsukIBCTfJ/s200/KathyBates.jpg" width="200" /></a><b>Gender</b>—I seem to
believe in equal opportunity when it comes to villains. Females are the primary
villains in half of my books/manuscripts. Gender may influence how the villains go
about achieving their goals, but the evil women and men share many of the same
personality traits.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Appearance</b>—Most of my “major” villains tend to be attractive if not
downright handsome/beautiful. Their good looks provide a mask for their
frightening personalities and evil intentions. I have had some fun with their villainous sidekicks/henchmen, making their outward
appearances a tip off to their frightening predilections. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Personality Traits</b>—Whether
male or female, my villains share certain personality traits. They are
arrogant, greedy, self-centered, determined, smart, and ruthless. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Motives/Goals</b>—I’ve
worked hard to ensure my villains all consider themselves heroes/heroines of
their own stories. They have reasons for doing what they do. Of course those
reasons may not be rationale or socially acceptable but they’re valid in their
minds. Their motives include power, money, promoting an idea/ideology, revenge,
lust, and love. That last one “love” may prompt them to do unspeakable things
to anyone they perceive as harming or posing a threat to their loved ones. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Chilling Villains
from Novels/Movies</b>—<o:p></o:p></div>
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Here are some of the chilling villains who haunted me long after I read the book or saw the movie.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<st1:city w:st="on">Hannibal</st1:city> Lecter, <i>The Silence of the Lambs</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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Annie Wilkes, <i>Misery</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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Dr. Christian Szell, <st1:place w:st="on"><i>Marathon</i></st1:place><i> Man</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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Eleanor Iselin, <i>The Manchurian Candidate</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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Noah Cross, <st1:place w:st="on"><i>Chinatown</i></st1:place><o:p></o:p></div>
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Nurse Ratched, <i>One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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Norman Bates, <i>Psycho</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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Practically the entire cast of <i>Gone Girl (That doesn't mean I enjoyed that book. I only finished it because it was a book club pick. I want to have someone to root for.) <o:p></o:p></i></div>
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Which villains give<o:p></o:p></div>
you the biggest chills?Linda Lovelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689184015264104687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793987171614849409.post-65497508392089593122016-09-17T14:32:00.002-07:002016-09-17T14:32:22.245-07:00South Carolina Settings—Novel Atmospheres<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">While
I’m not a native Southerner, I’ve called South Carolina home for decades, living
in the Lowcountry for 13 years and the Upstate for 15 years. It’s no surprise
that I’ve capitalized on these atmosphere-rich regions as settings for two of
my published novels. Two of my works in progress also feature these appealing locales. <i>With Neighbors Like These, </i>a third Marley Clark mystery, returns to Dear Island, while my new humorous mystery series is set on a cheese-goat farm near Clemson.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXz0z2CfuFYyR3wDGoWQ92VDICeMsG4szT_qfScfpFj9wfMyNTMpiQlwRKmazYl6MDeHn3UAlwebJd1EK0B0H4AIPI_SpPIY3PlaEeFTRepma-1uiwTL92HhKbk8DMxO9EA8EoP0T7-DcD/s1600/BchDrift2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXz0z2CfuFYyR3wDGoWQ92VDICeMsG4szT_qfScfpFj9wfMyNTMpiQlwRKmazYl6MDeHn3UAlwebJd1EK0B0H4AIPI_SpPIY3PlaEeFTRepma-1uiwTL92HhKbk8DMxO9EA8EoP0T7-DcD/s320/BchDrift2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">But
don’t bother consulting a map to pinpoint where my heroines and heroes hang
their hats. There is no Dear Island—the private barrier island terrorized by a
pun-loving murderer in <i>Dear Killer</i>.
Nor is there a town of Shelby, home to fictional Blue Ridge University, the
troubled campus threatened by home-grown terrorists in <i>Dead Hunt</i>. The private island and the college town are inventions.
Here’s why.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">I
write mysteries, suspense and thrillers. Ergo bad things happen. People die. Killers
elude authorities. Developers are sometimes greedy. Public officials may lie or
cheat. Deputies are occasionally crooked. University administrators may be
clueless. Suffice it to say that unsavory, if not downright despicable,
antagonists flourish in my novels.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRG4e3-3zbqL9nQ32VzCM_zHXb9QjckXxAwhyu_Bq5rKqo8uyQQ4mLxw7418o6y5kI8SOAUvWBa6ELS7VLhMt2DKfuG6xPM-XOFauNy-EgwBDDP-f_uL-5YGBQOMGXS3Hp-QRinQ8aK_mc/s1600/ShrimpBoat2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRG4e3-3zbqL9nQ32VzCM_zHXb9QjckXxAwhyu_Bq5rKqo8uyQQ4mLxw7418o6y5kI8SOAUvWBa6ELS7VLhMt2DKfuG6xPM-XOFauNy-EgwBDDP-f_uL-5YGBQOMGXS3Hp-QRinQ8aK_mc/s320/ShrimpBoat2.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">I
need a cast of smart, unscrupulous characters to weave my mysteries and
challenge my heroines and heroes. What I don’t need is a lawsuit. Also I don’t
want to irk residents of a real community. I’m loath to suggest there might be
bad apples among the law enforcement officers in an actual county. And I’m not
about to poke fun at administrators serving an accredited university. That’s
why I’ve given make-believe names to the institutions, companies, towns and
counties populated with such characters. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKrXNx5SnYkfDYFonlryfMbYAYKrJjh6VULvKZgIQz4B8rv-XqkxnTEHha6_VtuKADGlaqSaXkfLbQKXtcnvX3gKXHUgEE6iuRNKnKmuSNeQwC8UdUYjO8BIG25C0Eaxr9lV8fudvG0T4c/s1600/JocGorge2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKrXNx5SnYkfDYFonlryfMbYAYKrJjh6VULvKZgIQz4B8rv-XqkxnTEHha6_VtuKADGlaqSaXkfLbQKXtcnvX3gKXHUgEE6iuRNKnKmuSNeQwC8UdUYjO8BIG25C0Eaxr9lV8fudvG0T4c/s320/JocGorge2.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Yet
I still try to faithfully capture each region’s beauty and majesty as well as
what can become frightening elements if my protagonists are alone, lost, or
being pursued by ruthless villains. I hope this balance works. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Using
fictional locations with the local region’s flavor also gives me handy latitude.
Since my fictional Dear Island is a composite of several barrier islands, I
could play with the geographic puzzle pieces—golf courses, canals, marinas,
marshland, and beaches—and anchor them anywhere I wished within the island’s
confines. That means they’re ideally situated to serve my plot. I did take
care, however, to offer readers a variety of touchstones—references to
neighboring Beaufort, Hilton Head and Parris Island—to ground them within the Lowcountry.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi47ezZ9cDVVqdAPKqmPwxBeTwWeGR5uaW03xqZ74hh26eHr_elKrT3hDgv9uHmFT1tt3x1lK0GQOsM2LLn5RKUqmm_mtq_orRoEBzt0Wtav8NMgLZX37GGT1tj3SoyjIKpfUjhp4bBwy9s/s1600/SunsetHoriz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi47ezZ9cDVVqdAPKqmPwxBeTwWeGR5uaW03xqZ74hh26eHr_elKrT3hDgv9uHmFT1tt3x1lK0GQOsM2LLn5RKUqmm_mtq_orRoEBzt0Wtav8NMgLZX37GGT1tj3SoyjIKpfUjhp4bBwy9s/s320/SunsetHoriz.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">In
<i>Dead Hunt</i> my imaginary university’s
students reside in Leeds County, another invention. Yet I made certain the
campus was a comfortable drive from Greenville, Clemson University, and the
Jocassee Gorges mountain wilderness, which serves as an enchanting and scary backdrop
for my heroine and hero when terrorists are gunning for them in the dead of
night.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">I
love to set my books in places where I can close my eyes and recall exact
moments in time. Paddling a kayak in the calm of an ocean inlet and hearing the
cries of seagulls and smelling the acrid aroma of the marsh. Hiking a mountain
trail and listening to the gurgle of a rushing stream and inhaling the scent of
crushed pine needles in the shadowy twilight of the dense forest. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">While
my place names may be make believe, my South Carolina settings are as real as
my most vivid memories allow. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Linda Lovelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689184015264104687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793987171614849409.post-54288671562057351572016-08-28T13:42:00.001-07:002016-08-28T13:42:39.869-07:00Maligned Comfort Food & Fond Memories<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;">
<b style="text-indent: 0in;">By Linda Lovely</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
I consider almost
all foods a comfort. I LOVE food—including items from every section of the food
pyramid. Broccoli and Brussel sprouts. Turkey and gravy. Potatoes au gratin. Chocolate chip cookies.
Any flavor of ice cream. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
But topping my list of comfort
foods are two oft-maligned entrees that grace American
(well, at least, Midwest) dinner tables—tuna noodle casserole and meatloaf.
Both made frequent appearances on our plates when I was growing up. These foods are tops because they bring back fond memories . (Okay, I liked how they tasted, too. I don’t have
a sophisticated palate.)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
Let’s begin with
tuna noodle casserole. Cost, simplicity, and the ability to reheat leftovers
made this a go-to favorite for my working mother. The fond memories come from
all the different recipes and ingredients we tried to add variety. As I recall
the starter version had canned tuna, egg noodles, frozen peas, mushroom soup,
and breadcrumbs. Later iterations featured potato chips, corn flakes, fried
onions, green peppers, corn, carrots, onions, pimentos, and cheese. The winner? A casserole we baked in a bread
pan so it resembled a meatloaf (more on that later) and could slice when cold. Cold
was my favorite! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXqUzWS2mCIdnCbscZA-kCTYrdxSaGcg8D-qP6r6IE9hZuWP2CeAfh1UjumjFuf7dQXiA-3XIrJQrn8ii97DIfEt6V6lH-1yaNSiLjHNkj9P2RN4P1Pt7AiOE029qN4IC1UwQr902SUpA7/s1600/meatloaf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXqUzWS2mCIdnCbscZA-kCTYrdxSaGcg8D-qP6r6IE9hZuWP2CeAfh1UjumjFuf7dQXiA-3XIrJQrn8ii97DIfEt6V6lH-1yaNSiLjHNkj9P2RN4P1Pt7AiOE029qN4IC1UwQr902SUpA7/s320/meatloaf.jpg" width="213" /></a>I can’t share an
actual recipe as I’m not sure we ever wrote one down. But, if I were to make it
today (and I might, despite my husband’s avowed aversion to any form of
tuna-noodle casserole), I’d cook and drain a package of elbow macaroni, chop
and sauté a an onion and a (sweet) red pepper, drain a couple cans of tuna, and
stir all the ingredients together in a big bowl. Then I’d make a thick cheese
sauce with milk, flour and a combo of Velveeta and shredded cheddar. Mix and
pour into a couple of bread pans, top with buttered bread crumbs and bake. Yum.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
Now it’s time to
put meatloaf in the spotlight. When I think of meatloaf, I always recall our
annual family vacations. Each summer Mom drove us from Keokuk, Iowa, to Spirit
Lake, Iowa, where we visited her brother (my uncle) and his family. Mom liked
to start out at five a.m. to avoid some of the heat of the day. She always
packed meatloaf sandwiches for our “lunch.” I’m not sure if we ever made it
past the Keokuk city limits before my sister and I started asking for meatloaf
sandwiches—slathered with ketchup, of course. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
Mom was convinced
that tomato juice and eggs made meatloaf “tough.” So her version was held
together with milk and cracker crumbs, kneaded together by hand. She also used
a combo of ground beef, pork and veal (it wasn’t that expensive then). I still
make meatloaf three or four times a year, though these days the meat tends to
be ground turkey, and I use breadcrumbs and tomato juice/sauce, an egg, chopped
green peppers, celery, mushrooms & onions, basil and oregano. No recipe. My
cooking is like my plotting. Seat of the pants.<o:p></o:p> I also have experimented with meatless vegan versions and when I decide on a winner. I'll publish it when my new humorous mystery is published. It features a vegan chef and her smart-mouthed aunt, a confirmed carnivore, who often trade barbs about their dietary preferences, </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
What comfort foods
bring back good memories for you? Do you still cook/eat them? <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
Time to quit
writing, I’m suddenly hungry.<o:p></o:p></div>
Linda Lovelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689184015264104687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793987171614849409.post-41763488257394222612015-09-14T00:00:00.000-07:002015-09-14T04:42:13.876-07:00Publishing—Who Has Your Back? Fellow Authors<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">By
Linda Lovely<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Like it or not,
technology has changed publishing forever. There are three tech enablers: digital
books/readers, print-on-demand (POD), and social media. This isn’t news—at
least to fellow authors. Anyone who wants to publish a book can do so. The
gates have come crashing down. <br />
<br />
<b>The latest statistics indicate 800 new
books are launched EVERY DAY! </b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX6rjsCSGndpPTPS1wWeeHQPqvIlu3_8tWiJlZIYTk7OnzRJWgoTseryvEa9XC7zRlMiVBJFTGLNBKimfdOcJYrbZ_pV5Hq0s4h1cx2uc6kF6nr9lm9Alr6i_3A1GgMxtcTstGE1_ORfxg/s1600/Books03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX6rjsCSGndpPTPS1wWeeHQPqvIlu3_8tWiJlZIYTk7OnzRJWgoTseryvEa9XC7zRlMiVBJFTGLNBKimfdOcJYrbZ_pV5Hq0s4h1cx2uc6kF6nr9lm9Alr6i_3A1GgMxtcTstGE1_ORfxg/s200/Books03.jpg" width="200" /></a></b></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">From an author’s
perspective, this is both good and bad news. Removal of the gates has provided
new opportunities. It has also posed tough challenges. How can anyone find your
new book when 799 others debut the same day? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A number of
those 800 books are still published by “traditional” for-profit publishers that
pay authors advances (sometimes) and royalties (always), and handle production
details including editing, formatting, cover design, printing, distribution,
sales and help with varying degrees of promotion. Having worked with
traditional publishers, I must say they can make an author’s life much easier
and allow you to concentrate on what you love—writing. However, unless you’re a
star, the responsibility for promotion still falls squarely on your shoulders. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">At the other end
of the spectrum, independent authors—indies—publish their own books and personally
handle (or hire out) production, sales, distribution, and even promotion
chores. This means authors must spend hours tackling non-writing chores they
may not enjoy, or spend money contracting for services without any
assurance their sales will be sufficient to repay the investment. The upside is total control. Authors know they'll like their covers, because they're the only ones who approve them. They can tell stories and create heroes and heroines that don't fit comfortably in any traditional publishing niche. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlD9ldIG_QPa5v7N94H_9tmvG_uaMi-_Lk6tUXOJH3ouCuHpfDWnl7Y-BdXwpLUI68z0qlfGDJTZ8WJc-psS2rkQp07zEiGGAJFgdwI5_52u0y8oXcHdywNn6_8GpGoYgjXFDvK_qRmk5X/s1600/Windtree+Logo+Color+Square.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlD9ldIG_QPa5v7N94H_9tmvG_uaMi-_Lk6tUXOJH3ouCuHpfDWnl7Y-BdXwpLUI68z0qlfGDJTZ8WJc-psS2rkQp07zEiGGAJFgdwI5_52u0y8oXcHdywNn6_8GpGoYgjXFDvK_qRmk5X/s200/Windtree+Logo+Color+Square.jpg" width="154" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">These are but a few of the pros and cons of traditional and indie publishing. Perhaps that’s
why many authors now take a hybrid approach: traditionally publishing some
titles, independently publishing others. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Recently, a
third publishing option—the author cooperative—has arisen. It offers advantages of both traditional and independent publishing. That’s why I
just joined nineteen other authors as a member of the author coop, Windtree
Press, the publisher of my latest novel, LIES: SECRETS CAN KILL. As soon as I
have my digital rights back to two books in my <span style="text-transform: uppercase;">Smart Women, Dumb Luck</span> romantic thriller series, Windtree
will publish those books as well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">What does a coop
offer its authors? I can’t speak for all coops since I’m sure philosophies and
services vary. However, here’s why I joined Windtree Press:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0in;">Brand
recognition. Our shared website <a href="http://www.windtreepress.com/">www.windtreepress.com</a> sells all of our books. Since I know and
take pride in the quality of my fellow members' books, I'm thrilled to have Windtree Press play a role in my brand.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0in;">My fellow
authors have unique talents and knowledge and are willing to share. For example, one member handles podcasts, another managed the website, another takes charge of our newsletter. That
helps each of us achieve our goals. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0in;">We can cross
promote our books on social media to gain new readers/fans.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0in;">We can share the
cost of resources such as access to new distribution channels or the savings from joint buying power, such as purchasing one hundred ISBN numbers at a time.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0in;">While we’re
committed to publishing at least one book each year with the coop, we retain
our options to indie or traditionally publish titles when those options make
sense. We lose no control. </span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0in;">I’ve just begun
this venture, but I have high hopes. Let me know what you think of the concept.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
Linda Lovelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689184015264104687noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793987171614849409.post-65862699252284085102015-08-08T11:39:00.000-07:002015-08-08T11:39:07.529-07:00Writing Has Made Me Rich!<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">By Linda Lovely</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Okay, no need for the IRS to start an audit. The
meager author income reported on my tax return is unfortunately no lie.
Nonetheless, researching mysteries and romantic suspense novels has made my
life so much richer. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Here is a small sampling of my experiences
and encounters with fascinating folks I would never have met if it weren’t for
my research and professional affiliations.</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Writers’
Police Academy<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8MLCH52A1_LqCG8wSWa-8H_cuS70YlTVG_dO8eh_SW5r4ckSVL-hrwNw4A6fjQyHKHpAJZZ-18cd_NCJ6AS_kse0ijn1_s1-c7FQQsQ2XEzCRGWvi-Os5owPWRR3lqDirfDTacQFsXXqc/s1600/biggun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8MLCH52A1_LqCG8wSWa-8H_cuS70YlTVG_dO8eh_SW5r4ckSVL-hrwNw4A6fjQyHKHpAJZZ-18cd_NCJ6AS_kse0ijn1_s1-c7FQQsQ2XEzCRGWvi-Os5owPWRR3lqDirfDTacQFsXXqc/s320/biggun.jpg" width="139" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">The Writers’ Police Academy (WPA) takes top
honors on my list of opportunities to gain experiences and meet people I would
never, ever have encountered if I had not attended the WPA. In August, I’ll
make my fourth visit to the Academy, where I’m a volunteer staffer, giving back
to an organization that is dedicated to helping writers of crime fiction get it
right (and have a lot of fun in the process).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">At the WPA, I have:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Searched
a building with a SWAT team, carrying my own (unloaded) automatic rifle<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Experienced
the decision-making dilemmas police officers face in deciding when to fire in
simulated real-life situations with hostages and armed threats. (I killed no
civilians.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Visited
a burn site looking for signs of arson<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Searched
a wooded area for signs of a shallow grave<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Learned
self-defense tactics that work for women if they’re grabbed<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Searched
jail cells for contraband<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Interviewed
suspects and <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Studied
nasty bioweapon alternatives<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Seen
how dogs and robots would work to foil terrorists<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Watched
police divers retrieve underwater evidence<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">PLUS
sat in classes presented to every type of law enforcement expert imaginable,
from Secret Service, FBI and DEA agents to forensic psychologists, fraud and
gang experts <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">What’s
best? Many of the experts I met at the Academy and in my own backyard have been
more than willing to help answer specific questions related to my manuscripts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Retired
Detective Lee Lofland, WPA founder, and Dr. Denene Lofland, who seems to know
all there is to know about bio crimes, have become dear friends.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 4.5pt;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Sisters
in Crime<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Closer to home, I meet fascinating folks
every month at the Upstate SC Chapter of Sisters in Crime. Here are a few of
our law enforcement-related guests:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">An
entertaining woman who heads her family’s bail bond company.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">A
psychic, considered empathic, clairaudient, claircognizant and sometimes
clairvoyant. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">A
policeman who has spent nine years as a school resource officer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Judges,
public defenders, defense attorneys, DA.s and prosecutors.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Forensic
crime scene and firearms specialists<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">A
specialist in tracking computer and financial fraud.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">The
head of a group fighting domestic abuse and minor sex trafficking<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">A
parole officer, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 4.5pt;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Road
Trips & Phone Interviews<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Writing mysteries and
romantic suspense also provides an excuse for road trips and conversations with
some of the most interesting people outside of law enforcement. My most recent
excursions have been to visit a goat cheese farm and a (legal) moonshine
operation. I’ve also interviewed folks in my home town who are old enough to
remember what it was like in 1938, when my novel LIES is set.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">See what I mean about
rich? I’m one Baby Boomer who believes there’s more to life than living an
insulated life interacting only with people in your own age, ethnic, and income
group. <br />
<br />
Writers—what’s the most interesting research you’ve undertaken for a novel?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Linda Lovelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689184015264104687noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793987171614849409.post-52255567132992718912014-07-21T00:01:00.000-07:002014-07-21T00:01:00.588-07:00Blog Hop: Why I’m Glad I’m GADD<div style="background: white; line-height: 14.4pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;">
<i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">My thanks to Marni Graff
(</span><a href="http://www.auntiemwrites.com/"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">www.auntiemwrites.com</span></a></i><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">) for inviting me to take part in this blog hop. Marni’s mystery
series features Nora Tierney, an American children’s book author living in
England. While contemporary, the series honors classic British mystery
traditions. The three books published to date also give readers a chance to
share the author’s love and detailed knowledge of Great Britain locales. <strong>THE BLUE VIRGIN</strong> takes
place in Oxford and London, while <strong>THE
GREEN REMAINS</strong><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>and
<strong>THE SCARLET WENCH</strong>
provide a loving look at the Lake District. Marni’s books can be found on
Amazon.com in trade paperback and ebook formats.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">It
appears that I have a case of GADD—genre attention deficit disorder. I love to
write (and read) traditional who-done-its, romantic suspense, historical
thrillers and humorous cozy mysteries. I’ve now published--or have
work-in-progress—in all of these genres. This isn’t the smart way to build a
fan base. Conventional wisdom says I should focus in one area and build a brand
so readers know what to expect when they pick up a novel by Linda Lovely. But my
genre-hopping ways help keep my writing fresh, my plotting fun, and my little
mind quite busy. Best of all, I enjoy the variety and the unique challenges
each literary niche represents.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIq6h7s9jv7bbdWzsHeEppK76zP-1GDEHXGneXjIpmudZim8l2fUw5Vo0Jf9A0RZ6DvbThmypWfUoRvhxdY91t5hLWDg1WAZn4F6bR5sSEKjE4MeQEZ2C95EfX8_Au1hxC4ix-6jhQrMqI/s1600/DearKillerCoverJPG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIq6h7s9jv7bbdWzsHeEppK76zP-1GDEHXGneXjIpmudZim8l2fUw5Vo0Jf9A0RZ6DvbThmypWfUoRvhxdY91t5hLWDg1WAZn4F6bR5sSEKjE4MeQEZ2C95EfX8_Au1hxC4ix-6jhQrMqI/s1600/DearKillerCoverJPG.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUrNc6rXkDMQ-gWFBr0XNKTyVbkKMwSzhNu8COkidt19o813PPOIabtMnC2mK9CGqhgJvKSLn6Resnq4o5mfhY5sR2ym-652MWYbwbqG37eDdH6ERORq35w7J0-L4lwXXwjJrMOhjf43Du/s1600/SmallNWZTrueCrime+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUrNc6rXkDMQ-gWFBr0XNKTyVbkKMwSzhNu8COkidt19o813PPOIabtMnC2mK9CGqhgJvKSLn6Resnq4o5mfhY5sR2ym-652MWYbwbqG37eDdH6ERORq35w7J0-L4lwXXwjJrMOhjf43Du/s1600/SmallNWZTrueCrime+copy.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I
currently have two series. My </span><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Marley
Clark Mysteries</span></strong><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">—</span><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">DEAR
KILLER</span></strong><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">
and </span><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">NO WAKE ZONE</span></strong><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">—feature a kick-ass,
52-year-old heroine. The widow, a retired military intelligence officer, works
part-time as a security guard on a private island in the South Carolina
Lowcountry. A third book, </span><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">WITH
NEIGHBORS LIKE THESE</span></strong><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">, is slated for release late 2014. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD3yIc1Lw0JeuAuVvrweBfJ72c9zXLlHCqwCgCB1q9XGxI27gPD175M_eOWiUuOAjKWJze5UKFZCG_Pj-Vv9546FoEsQNwPP5JO13pF4ucR7EMddOustXbuEZlZpnZqod_E7d_VjRJi1ja/s1600/outlineDeadLine_1563x2500+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD3yIc1Lw0JeuAuVvrweBfJ72c9zXLlHCqwCgCB1q9XGxI27gPD175M_eOWiUuOAjKWJze5UKFZCG_Pj-Vv9546FoEsQNwPP5JO13pF4ucR7EMddOustXbuEZlZpnZqod_E7d_VjRJi1ja/s1600/outlineDeadLine_1563x2500+copy.jpg" height="200" width="125" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisz1toGrG2K90-8Vhcx0s5VA4Cmjk2NopmZHe-Kix4D2QASSv9jDqxH674o6JIVBGVZjqr5b8f88edIj71vvVrAQ9mce0QyS_5O4PiwEp_8Ee-EQcMDqhLWFNMlvWk6_5N83K4LpzAK-ey/s1600/DeadHunt_1400x2100+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisz1toGrG2K90-8Vhcx0s5VA4Cmjk2NopmZHe-Kix4D2QASSv9jDqxH674o6JIVBGVZjqr5b8f88edIj71vvVrAQ9mce0QyS_5O4PiwEp_8Ee-EQcMDqhLWFNMlvWk6_5N83K4LpzAK-ey/s1600/DeadHunt_1400x2100+-+Copy.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">My
</span><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Smart Women, Dumb
Luck</span></strong><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">
romantic thriller series follows the action-packed and somewhat steamier adventures
of a trio of friends. The three heroines have special skills and knowledge and
are jump into the fray to help one another whenever loves, lives or reputations
are on the line. </span><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">DEAD
LINE</span></strong><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">,
set in Atlanta and Jamaica, focuses on Nexi Ketts, a forensic accountant. </span><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">DEAD HUNT</span></strong><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> features Riley Reid,
Director of Security for a university in Upstate South Carolina that’s facing a
terrorist threat. </span><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">DEAD</span></strong><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> <strong>CURE</strong>, the third novel,
begins when Kate Johnson, a researcher, suspects her mentor may be murdering
people for “the greater good.” </span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14.4pt;">Recently
I’ve had a blast working with talented professional narrator, K.C. Cowan on
audiobook versions of the novels in these series. DEAR KILLER, NO WAKE ZONE and
DEAD LINE are available on Audible.com, iTunes and Amazon. DEAD HUNT will be available
late fall.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">A
journalism major in college, I’ve always made my living as a writer. Over the
years, I’ve pretty much written whatever PR and advertising clients paid me to
write—newsletters, radio ads, brochures, website copy, speeches, technical help
manuals. Now I write what I love—fiction. In addition to the fiction projects
listed above, I’ve finished a first draft of an historical thriller set in 1938
as well as plot outlines and opening chapters for four books in a humorous cozy
mystery series. I’m keeping busy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Oh,
and I’m a member of Sisters in Crime, Romance Writers of America, International
Thriller Writers, and the South Carolina Writers Workshop (SCWW). I’m also a
volunteer staffer for the wildly popular, sold-out Writers’ Police Academy to
be held September 4-7, and I’m moderating an audiobook panel at the SCWW
Conference in Myrtle Beach, SC, October 24-26. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;">
</div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I’ve tagged Howard
Lewis, an invaluable critique partner, to continue this blog hop on July 28<sup>th</sup>.
Howard is the current president of our Upstate SC Chapter of Sisters in Crime
and, if you visit his blog, you’ll discover he has a terrific sense of humor.
He is currently working on a young adult fantasy. Here’s his blog address: <a href="http://howardglewis.wordpress.com/">http://howardglewis.wordpress.com/</a></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Linda Lovelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689184015264104687noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1793987171614849409.post-53058232288079613362014-07-20T09:55:00.001-07:002014-07-20T09:55:13.856-07:00Brave, Stubborn or Plain Stupid— How To Keep a Smart Heroine Hopping Without Making Her Dumber than Dirt?<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">We’ve
all seen it in the movies—especially suspense, mystery and action flicks, but
occasionally romance as well. A director or screenwriter who’s into
woman-in-jeopardy or woman-scorned mode allows a heroine to act in a manner
that makes anyone with a lick of common sense roll her eyes.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We
watch dumbfounded as a heroine descends into a spooky cellar where there’s no
means of escape when she could just as easily have run through the front door
to her car.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Or
our heroine sees her fiancé kiss another woman and assumes he’s having an
affair without bothering to ask him if the cute chick might be his
cousin/sister/transvestite roommate. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Miscalculations,
mistakes, misunderstandings. All play key roles in creating the dramatic
situations, personal conflict, mystery and suspense that make for
thrill-a-minute movies or fast-paced reads. BUT it’s the author’s job to make
certain readers see a rationale for any action (or failure to act) that’s
totally off-the-wall. Fortunately, such rationales come in a variety of
flavors.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>CLOSED-OFF
OPTIONS.</b>
If you need your heroine to run into the woods in her bare feet or descend
those creaky stairs to the basement, show us that her decision is the only one
she can make due to circumstances beyond her control. Let her think of the best
solution to the danger she faces, then have her realize that option’s been
closed off. Have her test a window and find it’s nailed shut. Make her run to a
back door only to see a snarling pit bull on the porch. Allow her to phone for
help, only to discover her cell phone’s dead. (I might add here that the dead
battery and/or lost signal may now border on cliché. Perhaps it’s time for the
cell phone to fall in the toilet bowl?)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>RISK-REWARD.</b> Another approach
might have a heroine fully realize her course of action is filled with
frightening risks, yet believe a potential reward makes the risks worthwhile.
For example, a woman fleeing a killer might be a tad more inclined to whisk
away cobwebs to reach a dank cellar if she happens to recall that her
grandfather hid a shotgun and shells in the dungeon-like darkness. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>SELF-SACRIFICE.
</b>Sometimes
we do things that would be described as stupid—such as intentionally put
ourselves in the line of fire—in order to save a loved one. When this motive is
clear, the action becomes heroic rather than dumb.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>PHOBIAS.
</b>This
option has been popular for a LONG time and needs to be used judiciously. A
prime example is the fear of heights that prevents James Stewart from racing up
the tower stairs in the movie <i>Vertigo</i>. I’m none too fond of heights
myself (and neither is my heroine, Marley) but both of us can force ourselves
to soldier upward if we’re given sufficient reason—like a killer with a gun.
Nonetheless, a phobia that’s a well-developed part of a heroine’s personality
can give her a reason to choose what might otherwise be the greater of two
evils. For instance, someone with claustrophobia might choose to run rather
than hide in a tiny cupboard.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>PRIOR
EXPERIENCE. </b>A
heroine’s past experiences also can prompt her to react in less than logical
ways. A woman who divorced a cheating spouse who lied through his teeth about
an affair may be less likely to give a new fiancé a chance to explain an
innocent kiss.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>TIME SHIFTS. </b>The rapid
pace of technology makes it increasingly difficult for authors to create
situations in which heroines can’t simply let their fingers do the walking—with
smart phones, burglar alarms, stun guns, etc.—to escape danger. Time shifts
offer both high-tech and low-tech solutions to the problem. You can plunk your
heroine in an era before cell phones came on the scene (a la Sue Grafton) or
you can set your heroine in an apocalyptic future where technology has been
wiped out. Then there’s also the
high-tech alternative—create a future world in which your heroine and villains
have weapons and defense options undreamed of today.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’ve only touched on a
few of the rationales authors can tap to help readers suspend disbelief.
However, I believe an author’s best bet to avoid TSTL (too-stupid-to-live)
traps is to have some beady-eyed critique partners read your manuscript. I know
my crit partners always call me on the carpet when I allow my heroine or hero
to venture into bozo land.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, what is your biggest pet peeve when it comes
to a heroine and illogical behavior? What rationales for illogical behavior do
you believe work the best?</span></b>Linda Lovelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689184015264104687noreply@blogger.com0