Guest: J.Q. Rose #NewRelease GIRLS SUCCEED!

 My friend and fellow Michigander, author J.Q. Rose has a new book. I hope you enjoy her post.

Girls Succeed! 99 cent Promo August 6-14 for eBook

TAGLINE: Empowering girls to Dream Big!

BACK OF THE BOOK: Girls Succeed! Stories Behind the Careers of Successful Women by J.Q. Rose

Discover the inspiring stories of sixteen contemporary women who had ambitious dreams when they were girls.

Find out how they made those dreams come true!

Readers cheer for these amazing women when they follow their lives to discover how they overcome obstacles and crash through barriers to complete their goals. Learn about their workday and the achievements in their chosen careers.

Girls Succeed: Stories Behind the Careers of Successful Women includes stories about 21st-century women who have discovered cures to stamp out disease, made people laugh, earned Olympic and Paralympic gold medals and crossed the country behind the wheel of an 18-wheel semi-truck and more. Meet the people who mentored these dreamers and helped them to negotiate the curves and bumps along the way.

With resources related to the occupation, girls can dive deeply into the career and the woman's life. The accompanying quotes inspire girls to work toward making their dream careers come true.

The Girls Succeed Reader's Guide, included in this book, suggests project and discussion ideas for classroom teachers and home-school educators to expand on themes covered in the book.

Author J.Q. Rose uses her experience as a classroom teacher and her storytelling skills as an author to inspire girls to dream big!

Amazon Link to Paperback  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09B3FXN4R

Amazon Link to eBook  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B092H6XSQ4/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1

BIO:

Whether the story is fiction or non-fiction, J.Q. Rose is “focused on story.”  She offers readers chills, giggles and quirky characters woven within the pages of her mystery novels. Her published mysteries are Deadly Undertaking, Terror on Sunshine Boulevard and Dangerous Sanctuary released by Books We Love Publishing.  

 

Using her storytelling skills, she provides entertainment and information in articles featured in books, magazines, newspapers, and online magazines. With her non-fiction book for girls, Girls Succeed! Stories Behind the Careers of Successful Women, she returned to her first love, writing about real people. J.Q. taught elementary school for several years and never lost the love for teaching passed down from her teacher grandmother and mother. She satisfies that aspect of her character by presenting workshops on Creative Writing and Writing Your Life Story and creating a book for life storytelling, Your Words, Your Life Story, based on her workshops. JQ decided to take the advice she gives to her workshop participants to sit down and write their stories. BWL Publishing released her memoir, Arranging a Dream, in January 2021.

 Blogging, photography, Pegs and Jokers board games, and travel are the things that keep her out of trouble. She and her husband spend winters in Florida and summers up north with their two daughters, two sons-in-law,  four grandsons, one granddaughter, two grand dogs, four grand cats, and one great-grand bearded dragon.

 

CAREERS INCLUDED IN THE BOOK

Horse trainer, competitive dressage rider

World and national champion cyclist

Children’s book author and artist

Medical Doctor

Cooking Professional

Technology expert and filmmaker

Christian minister

Horticulturalist

Medical scientist

Olympics gold medalist in women’s ice hockey

Semi-truck driver

Teacher

Social worker

Entrepreneur

Professional Clown

Attorney

THANK YOU!!

 

#IWSG: Favorite Craft Book

 

Happy Insecure Writer's Support Group Day. IWSG is the brainchild of Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh.

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds! Thanks, Alex, for starting this group and keeping it going. We are rockin' the neurotic writing world!

The awesome co-hosts for the August 4 posting of the IWSG are PK Hrezo, Cathrina Constantine, PJ Colando, Kim Lajevardi, and Sandra Cox!

 

This month's question: What is your favorite writing craft book? 

Kudos to whoever came up with this question. I have many writing craft books. Some have been great, while others were a waste of money. (Not because the book wasn't good, but it didn't help me.) Like much of the advice given to writers, you need to find what works for you. That's true of craft books.

Amazon

My favorite craft book is Christopher Vogler's The Writer's Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers. For years, Vogler's evaluated scripts for Disney based on Joseph Campbell's The Hero's Journey. Campbell came up with the progression that all heroes went though in ancient myths. Vogler makes understanding that journey easy.

If you've read my blogs, you know I love movies, especially action movies. I fell in love with Star Wars: A New Hope when it came out. No matter how many times I watch that movie (and it's many, many times), I get caught up in the story. Thanks to Vogler, I can see the steps the hero, Luke, goes through. The stories I write appear in my mind as a movie. Even before reading The Writer's Journey, it seemed instinctual to follow that format. 

Years ago, I made a "template" of the hero's journey (according to Vogler). With each new story, I fill in the steps my hero makes on her journey. Whenever I get stuck, I go back to the checklist. Inevitably, I find that I've missed a step, causing the problem.

As many of you know, my writing journey pretty much came to a halt over the past year. Your supportive comments (and prayers, healing thoughts) have meant so much to me. That's what this group is all about--support for writers. We're all on the journey together. Sometimes, we're the giver, and other times, the receiver of support. I hope in sharing my favorite craft book that I've given back a little of the support you've given me. 

Click here to find others on the Insecure Writers Support Group Blog Hop. Or go to IWSG on Facebook to see who’s blogging today.

Happy Writing!

Guest: Tena Stetler #NewRelease A WITCH'S QUANDARY @tenastetler #Magic

I'm happy to welcome Tena Stetler to the blog today. Tena and I write monthly posts for Paranormal Romantics blogsite. Tena has a new release, and she's here to tell us about it. Welcome, Tena.

Hey there Diane! I’m thrilled to be on your fantastic blog today. Thank you for allowing me to share how A WITCH’S QUANDARY, sixth book in the award winning A Demon’s Witch Series came about. All books in the series can be read as standalones.

I was a paralegal for criminal law firms for 18 years before switching to IT for an electrical contracting firm. Got tired of the blood, guts, and egos. Besides mystery and romance, egos is what drove the plot of this story. Sort of. As I am a panster, the characters took off with this one and ran.  It became a battle of egos, power and magic misused. A bit different from the mortal world of Legal battles, but….paranormal or not, the clash of egos and quest for power is very much the same. Someone is going to get burnt. LOL I know of what I speak. Gale, the heroine in the tale, first popped up in A Magic Redemption then insisted that she had a story to tell.  Who am I to refuse a challenge like that?    

A little about A Witch’s Quandary:

Gale's engagement is off because she refuses to leave her thriving business in Ireland to follow Dillon to Scotland. Her family and friends are on the emerald isle. Yet, when Dillon returns with the whole story and asks for her help, she must follow her heart.

Becoming a Solicitor, then partner in the family law firm was never Dillon's dream. Now it's his nightmare. Called to Scotland, his father demands he take his rightful place in the firm or be disowned and disinherited. Something is terribly amiss in the firm and family.

 During Gale and Dillon's investigation, they discover the enforcer for the Demon Overlord is also delving into rumors the firm is acting illegally. Magic has been stolen, someone is being blackmailed, and a member of the Witch's council is corrupt. If Gale and Dillon want a life together in Ireland, they have to unearth secrets threatening to destroy the firm and family in Scotland.

 

Excerpt:

A loud pop sounded. Gavin appeared in front of Dillon. “What the bloody hell is going on here? I felt shock waves all the way to me house.” Gavin paused to survey the room then glanced outside. “Quinn and Amos are on their way. Had to interrupt the poker game as there ‘twas a problem at the pub.”

The owl flapped her wings and let out several screeches in succession. Finally, she circled the house and landed on the porch railing clicking her beak angrily.

Gavin glanced at the picture Dillon held. “Good God man, what have you done?”  Gavin tore the picture from his friend and stared at it. “Who’s the woman?”

“An old friend from college. Nothing more. She’s a reporter. I met her for lunch to find out what she knew about a case involving magic, my brother and I are working on. This picture was taken completely out of context.” He took the picture back and glanced at Gale. “We need to sort this out alone. Now.”

“A bit bold of you after that.” With her well-manicured fingernail painted in purple with silver sparkles, Gale pointed at the offending picture and glared at him. “You made your position quite clear when you left. Now a few weeks later you’re here making demands. Take your picture and yourself back to Scotland. Don’t darken my door again.” She whirled around and marched into the kitchen.

 

Buy links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Witchs-Quandary-Demons-Witch-Book-ebook/dp/B095291TGN

Amazon UK    https://www.amazon.co.uk/Witchs-Quandary-Demons-Witch-Book-ebook/dp/B095291TGN

Amazon CA    https://www.amazon.com.au/Witchs-Quandary-Demons-Witch-Book-ebook/dp/B095291TGN

Amazon AU   https://www.amazon.ca/Witchs-Quandary-Demons-Witch-Book-ebook/dp/B095291TGN

Ibooks: http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/isbn9781509236930

Barnes & Noble  https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-witchs-quandary-tena-stetler/1139505155

Google Play –  https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Tena_Stetler_A_Witch_s_Quandary?id=g9k2EAAAQBAJ

Kobo - https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/a-witch-s-quandary

     Good Reads - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58105770-a-witch-s-quandary?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=jrNqEtBseU&rank=1

Youtube link for book trailer. https://youtu.be/fYkFUpUkwYs

Author bio:

Tena Stetler is a best-selling author of award winning paranormal romance with an over-active imagination.  She wrote her first vampire romance as a tween, to the chagrin of her mother and the delight of her friends. Colorado is home; shared with her husband, a brilliant Chow Chow, a spoiled parrot and a forty-five-year-old box turtle. When she’s not writing, her time is spent kayaking, camping, hiking, biking or just relaxing in the great Colorado outdoors.

 Her books tell tales of magical kick-ass women and mystical alpha males that dare to love them. Travel, adventure, and a bit of mystery flourish in her books along with a few companion animals to round out the tales.

Social Media Links:

 Website: https://www.tenastetler.com

Authors’ Secret’s Blog - https://www.tenastetler.com/category/authors-secrets-blog/

My Say What Blog - http://www.tenastetler.com/category/my-say-what-blog/

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/tenastetler.author

Twitter Page: https://www.twitter.com/TenaStetler  

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14187532.Tena_Stetler

Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/author/tenastetler

Newsletter: https://www.tenastetler.com/newsletter-signup/

Pinterest:  https://www.pinterest.com/tenastetler

Tribber - http://triberr.com/TenaStetler

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/tena-stetler

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tenastetler/

Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/tenajean2014

BookGorilla - https://www.bookgorilla.com/author/B014E0PEPM/tena-stetler

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tena-stetler-10057978/

IWSG: Quit Writing?

 

Happy Insecure Writer's Support Group Day. IWSG is the brainchild of Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh.

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds! Thanks, Alex, for starting this group and keeping it going. We are rockin' the neurotic writing world!

The awesome co-hosts for the July 7 posting of the IWSG are Pat Garcia, Victoria Marie Lees, Chemist Ken, and Louise – Fundy Blue!

This month's (optional) question: What would make you quit writing?

When I saw the question, I wondered if it had been written just for me. I tell myself and others, with regard to writing one of several unfinished novels, that I'm on hiatus. Some of you may remember the Lil Abner character, Joe Bifspik, the guy under a cloud.

credit: www.bookofjoe.com

That's me. Over two months ago, my oven went out. I called for repair, of course, but thanks to the computer chip shortage, the needed part was on order. Last week, the dishwasher joined the oven and quit working. In the meantime, I broke my wrist, which is now healed, thank goodness. Also during this time, Hubs was in the hospital, then in rehab, home, in the hospital, and, as I write this, he's waiting transport to rehab. Did you know an excess of calcium is dangerous? It can make you so weak you fall. Again and again. Our doc said this (hospital, rehab, home, hospital . . .) could be our new normal. 

Writing? What's that?

I apologize for last month when I visited so very few of you. I'll try to do better this month. Maybe while waiting as the repair guy fixes my oven and dishwasher. I'll bet I could take my computer to rehab while visiting my sleeping husband. (Another thing excess calcium does is make the person fatigued.) Meanwhile, the docs are still trying to figure out what is causing all this calcium in his blood. They can treat the results, but until they know what's causing it, it will keep coming back. 

That's my tale of woe for this month. If all that doesn't make me quit writing, I'm not sure what would. At times, I feel like a fraud for being in a "writers" group, since my writing is non-existent, except for our monthly blog. And, sometimes, the Weekend Writing Warriors. Oh, and a monthly post at Paranormal Romantics. Hey, I am writing, if only a little.

I hope you have a great writing month. Maybe that cloud over my head will go somewhere else by next month.

By the way, two of my books are in Smashwords' Summer Sale, each is the beginning book in a series and each is available for 99 cents.

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/489085

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/259950

Click here to find others on the Insecure Writers Support Group Blog Hop. Or go to IWSG on Facebook to see who’s blogging today.

#WeWriWa: - The Case of the Fabulous Fiancé: Nick's Not Playing Tug-of-War

 Welcome to the Weekend Writing Warriors. Sorry for missing last week. I'm overwhelmed (at times) with my new normal. Hubs' health is getting worse, even after being in rehab for four weeks. I hope to keep up with this group. I so enjoy reading the snippets.

I'm sharing another snippet from the 2nd Alex O'Hara mystery novel, The Case of the Fabulous Fiancé. Alex is a P.I. in the small Lake Michigan resort town near Grand Rapids. 

I picked up from last time. Some changes were made to the original.

Snippet:  

It wasn’t like Nick to blame someone else for his own faults. Then, again, what did I really know about him? Until five months ago, he’d been out of my life since his college graduation when he loaded up his silver Ford Escort and headed for Washington, D.C.

He’d pop in and out on holidays to see his folks, maybe a couple of other times a year. Tony and Maria never talked much about their son’s job with the State Department. Whenever the subject of Nick’s job came up, Tony was really good at the artful dodge. That’s what made him a first-class investigator. If Pop knew, he would’ve told me. I think.

Now a little more

So far, everything about Clyde Wilson checked out. The man had never even gotten a traffic ticket. That made me a tad suspicious. My God, who hadn’t gotten a ticket? Even my sainted mother, may she rest in peace, got a ticket when she crossed the double yellow line to avoid a double-parked truck.

Maybe Wilson was Mr. Perfect. Maura seemed to think so. I’d barely started the investigation and found nothing out of the ordinary. Still, some instinct urged me to dig deeper.

“Stop hiding behind your work.” Nick took the legal pad out of my hands, my pen leaving a long squiggle down the top sheet. “I want you to listen to me.”

I gazed up at him, wide-eyed. “Why? Do you have something important to say?”

“Quit trying to be a smart-ass.”

“Trying? I thought I was doing a pretty good job.” I pulled on the legal pad.

“I’m not playing tug-of-war with you.” After letting go of the pad, again he gripped the arms of my chair and turned me to face him. “I want you to listen and listen well. I couldn’t contact you because I was out of the country.”

“And you were in such a primitive place that they didn’t have telephone service. Here.” I stuck out my leg. “Pull the other one.”

With frustration in his expression, he said patiently, “Yes, there was phone service. My job prohibited me from contacting you or anyone else in the States.”

An earnest expression replaced his frustration. “Everything happened so fast I didn’t have time to talk to you before I left. I was given a solemn promise that you would be given . . . assurances. Obviously, that didn’t happen. I apologize. I promise someone will pay for what you went through.”

“So which job was this? The fake one for the State Department or your real job for some agency that doesn’t exist?”

Blurb:

She’s at it again. Alex O’Hara just can’t say no to a new investigation. What do a 45-year-old boyfriend, a deadbeat dad, and a teenage runaway have in common? All new cases. With no receptionist, phone and internet problems, and her own boyfriend in the wind, Alex has no idea how she’ll manage. But the question for the past three months is why did Nick disappear. Is this the end of O’Hara & Palzetti? 

Amazon US ~ Amazon UK ~ Kobo ~ iBooks ~ B&N ~ Smashwords

Be sure to check out the other WeWriWa authors. Stay safe and have a great week!

#WeWriWa: - The Case of the Fabulous Fiancé: I'll Be Right Back

 Welcome to the Weekend Writing Warriors. Thanks to everyone who visited last week. I didn't get to everyone, but I'm planning to catch up this week.

I'm getting used to the brace being on and off, as I wean myself off. The wrist is still a bit tender, but I'm even typing with both hands now. So much quicker. 

I'm sharing another snippet from the 2nd Alex O'Hara mystery novel, The Case of the Fabulous Fiancé. Alex is a P.I. in the small Lake Michigan resort town near Grand Rapids. 

I've skipped ahead a bit from last time. Some changes were made to the original.

Snippet:  

“Did you really think I would fall into your arms? I’m not some bimbo you can jump into bed with and then say ‘I’ll be right back’. Right back doesn't mean not a single word for over two frelling months.”

I’d just binge-watched Farscape, so frelling was my word of choice when I really wanted to say the other F-word.

Every muscle in his body tightened. The effect was fascinating and a little scary. His lips, which had been soft only moments ago, thinned. His face became all sharp edges.

“What do you mean not a single word?” he asked in a too-soft voice. Like I said, a little scary.

And now a bit more:   

I gave an exasperated sigh. “I mean just that. Not one word. We’re about to make love, you get a phone call, say you need to go out for a minute, then you disappear. Don’t you think I was worried sick about you? Not knowing if you’d been killed or injured or God knows what. I didn’t know where you’d gone or why. Didn’t you care that I’d be beside myself not knowing what happened to you?”

Well, shoot. I hadn’t wanted him to know all that. Really, I was worried for only a week. Or maybe it was two. Couldn’t have been longer. I’m not a glutton for punishment.

Nick ran his hand around the back of his neck. “Son of a bitch.”

“Thanks. That was so kind. If you’ll excuse me, I have work to do.” I pulled my chair up to the desk, crowding him and bumping his knee. I almost apologized.

“I wasn’t referring to you, sweetheart. I—”

“Okay, buster, let’s get something straight.” I was getting up a full head of steam, as Pop used to say. Nick had given no explanation for his absence, no apology. I felt like a dope for revealing my fears. “I am not your sweetheart, Nick Palzetti. Never was, never will be.”

He pulled out my chair then, propping his hands on the arms, he leaned in. “Yes, you were, are, and always will be.”

The conviction in his voice gave me pause. I wanted to believe him. That had to be my emotional side. But my logical side made me wary. What if I—

“My son-of-a-bitching boss was supposed to call you.”

I was torn, but my logical side prevailed. “And why would your boss call me?” A likely story. Blame someone else for not doing the job yourself. “Didn’t you have time?” I smiled sugary-sweet.

“I think we have what’s called a breakdown in communication.”

“Really? How convenient.” Then I remembered my faulty communication equipment before Pete came . . . and guilt reared its ugly head.

  Blurb:

She’s at it again. Alex O’Hara just can’t say no to a new investigation. What do a 45-year-old boyfriend, a deadbeat dad, and a teenage runaway have in common? All new cases. With no receptionist, phone and internet problems, and her own boyfriend in the wind, Alex has no idea how she’ll manage. But the question for the past three months is why did Nick disappear. Is this the end of O’Hara & Palzetti? 

Amazon US ~ Amazon UK ~ Kobo ~ iBooks ~ B&N ~ Smashwords

Be sure to check out the other WeWriWa authors. Stay safe and have a great week!

#IWSG: June

Happy Insecure Writer's Support Group Day. IWSG is the brainchild of Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh.

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds! Thanks, Alex, for starting this group and keeping it going. We are rockin' the neurotic writing world!

The awesome co-hosts for the June 2 posting of the IWSG are J Lenni Dorner, Sarah Foster, Natalie Aguirre, Lee Lowery, and Rachna Chhabria!

Question of the month:

For how long do you shelve your first draft, before reading it and re-drafting? 

It depends. Maybe a couple of days. I want to get right back to it. Usually, I have a list of things to fix, threads to tie up, or threads to delete. My first draft isn't really a first. As I write, I often go back and tweak something. I can't just write straight through. I heard it once called circular writing. Guess I'm not the only writer to do this.

Is this dependent on your writing experience and the number of stories/books under your belt?

I don't know about that. It's how my writing has evolved. And it works for me.

Last month, I added a picture of my broken wrist in a cast. The doc took that one off after 3 weeks. Then, he put on a new one for another two weeks. Now, I'm wearing a removable brace. One more week (I hope) it comes off. Still typing with one finger in the old hunt-and-peck style. Very slow.

I hope you have a great month. Stay safe.

Click here to find others on the Insecure Writers Support Group Blog Hop. Or go to IWSG on Facebook to see who’s blogging today.

The Seventh Annual IWSG Anthology Contest! Guidelines and rules: Word count: 5000-6000 Genre: Sweet Romance Theme: First Love Submissions accepted: May 7 - September 1, 2021 How to enter: Send your polished, formatted (double-spaced, no footers or headers), previously unpublished story to admin @ insecurewriterssupportgroup.com before the deadline passes. Please include your full contact details, your social links, and if you are part of the Blogging, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter IWSG group. You must belong to at least one aspect of the IWSG to enter. Judging: The IWSG admins will create a shortlist of the best stories. The shortlist will then be sent to our official judges. Our official judges: Author Nancy Gideon Nancy Gideon is the award-winning bestseller of over 70 romances ranging from historical, Regency, and series contemporary suspense to dark paranormal and horror, with a couple of produced screenplays and non-fiction writing books tossed into the mix. She’s also written under the pseudonyms Dana Ransom, Rosalyn West, and Lauren Giddings. Agent Caitlin Blasdell, Liza Dawson Associates Caitlin Blasdell has been a literary agent with Liza Dawson Associates since 2002 with a focus on commercial fiction. Before becoming an agent, she was a senior editor at HarperCollins Publishers. Author Susan Gourley Susan Gourley is traditionally published in fantasy and science fiction romance using the name Susan Kelley. She is currently serving as the President of the Pennwriters writing group renowned for the annual conference. Author Meka James Meka James is a writer of adult contemporary and erotic romance. A born and raised Georgia Peach, she still resides in the southern state with her hubby of 16 years and counting. Mom to four kids of the two legged variety, she also has four fur-babies of the canine variety. When not writing or reading, Meka can be found playing The Sims 3, sometimes Sims 4, and making up fun stories to go with the pixelated people whose world she controls. Agent Melissa Gaines, Victress Literary Author Jennifer Lane Jennifer Lane writes sports romance and romantic suspense with a psychological twist. She has published nine novels and two short stories, including Behind the Catcher’s Mask as part of the IWSG Masquerade Anthology. Agent Rachel Beck, Liza Dawson Associates Rachel Beck joined Liza Dawson Associates in January 2020 after working at a boutique literary agency for four years. She has been in the publishing industry since 2009 and worked at Harlequin editing romance novels for nearly six years before transitioning her skills to the agent world in order to be an advocate and champion for authors. Author Loni Townsend By day, she writes code. By predawn darkness, she writes fantasies. All other times, she writes in her head. People call her peculiar with a twisted sense of fashion, but don't let those understatements fool you. Her behavior is perfectly normal for a squirrel disguised as a human. Prizes: The winning stories will be edited and published by Dancing Lemur Press' imprint, Freedom Fox Press, next year in the IWSG anthology. (Please see their site for general submission guidelines.) Authors will receive royalties on books sold, both print and eBook. The top story will have the honor of giving the anthology its title. This is our seventh anthology contest! Previous titles include Dark Matter: Artificial, Voyagers: The Third Ghost, Masquerade: Oddly Suited, Tick Tock: A Stitch in Crime, Hero Lost, The Mysteries of Death and Life, and Parallels: Felix Was Here.