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Monthly Archives: April 2021

Gayle M. Irwin and her Latest Novel

Gayle M. Irwin is a contributor to seven Chicken Soup for the Soul books and the author of many inspirational pet books and stories for children and adults. Her clean, contemporary romance series, Pet Rescue Romance, consists of Rescue Road , released November 2019; Finding Love at Compassion Ranch , released in May 2020; a 2020 novella, Rhiann’s Rescue (the series’ prequel); and My Montana Love, sequel to Rescue Road that released March 2021. She subtly weaves the importance of pet rescue and adoption into her novels and novellas. Learn more about Gayle and her writing here: https://gaylemirwinauthor.com/ .

Beverley: Which genre or genres do you write or prefer to write? And why?

Gayle: I’ve written in three genres, including children’s fiction, Christian devotions, and sweet contemporary romance. The latter is what I now focus on, although I have ideas stored away for the other two in the next year or two. I enjoy writing all three genres, as my goal as an author is to entertain, educate, and inspire. My romance novels and novellas incorporate pet rescue and adoption, a passion I’ve held for years. When you pair a sweet romance with the rescue and adoption of animals, can a reader really resist? I know I can’t! Additionally, I donate a percentage of my book sales to pet rescue and adoption groups, and I enjoy giving back to those wonderful organizations that tirelessly work on behalf of those who can’t speak for themselves.

Beverley: Who influenced you the most in deciding to become a writer?

Gayle: I studied journalism and creative writing in college, and as a teen, I used to write short stories. I don’t think any one person ‘influenced’ me to write, for some reason, it came naturally. However, two college professors certainly encouraged me in the craft: Arlene Larson, who taught journalism at my community college, and Lois Melina, who taught writing at the University of Idaho when I attended. I even worked part-time for Lois, a specialist in adoptive families, during my final year at the University. Although I worked as a reporter and editor for many years, I found freelance writing for magazines and newspapers more freeing, and when I decided to write my first book, I wanted to encourage readers through my stories. I’m happy that I’ve continued the path of author and freelance writer, and I look forward to creating more books and stories in the coming years.

Beverley: What gets your creative juices flowing?

Gayle: Spending time in nature and reading other authors’ books. I enjoy walks in the woods, wildlife watching, and nature photography, and I relish being in the tranquility of nature. I feel refreshed and inspired taking such adventures, and when I’m relaxed, my creativity flows like a river. Once when my husband and I visited Grand Teton National Park and I’d been mulling a holiday novella to become part of my Pet Rescue Romance series, the idea for a title hit me as I observed the majesty of the Teton Mountains. That novella, In the Shadow of Mount Moran , will release late autumn 2021. Additionally, reading other authors’ works helps me hone my craft, learning from their styles and ideas, as well as inspires me to continue my path as an author. Their influence and inspiration are welcomed – I think writers can learn great things from each other.

Beverley: Do you have a favorite cartoon character? Why?

Gayle: I think it would be Underdog, which I watched as a child. Not only is he a hero and a dog, but many times I’ve felt like an ‘underdog,’ and yet this spotted pup can do amazing things – we all can if we believe in ourselves.

Beverley: Who would you love most to meet ‘in person’ and why?

Gayle: Betty White – I love her passion to help animals and I’d so love to sit down with her and talk about how people can best to that kind of work, whether as a profession, a volunteer, or just your average community member, and I’d like to learn how she became such a passionate person for animal welfare. Plus, she’s so funny – listening to her would likely have me laughing a lot, and who doesn’t need more laughter in their lives?

Beverley: If you had an unexpected free day what would you do with it?

Gayle: I’d load up my husband and our dogs in the car and travel to a national park or monument or a forest land close by. Take a picnic lunch, go for a long walk in the woods, and sit by a river, stream, or lake. And I’d do some writing while my husband fished. I hope to do that this summer when the weather warms up!

Beverley: What are you working on now?

Gayle: I’m finishing up In the Shadow of Mount Moran and I’m updating my other novels and novellas for re-release. I plan to create a boxed set of my first three books in the series: Rescue Road , Finding Love at Compassion Ranch , and My Montana Love , and create a giveaway of what was my holiday novella last year, Rhiann’s Rescue . I’m working with my book cover designer to not have the cover look so ‘Christmassy’ (it’s set more in January and February anyway) and re-release that book, too. I hope to have all that ready by mid-June. Stay tuned to my website, www.gaylemirwinauthor.com , for when those projects are complete and available!

Blurb for My Montana Love:

Crisis and Chaos in Paradise –

Rhiann Kelly married Levi Butler five years ago. Their blissful life on a Paradise Valley, Montana property, operating an animal sanctuary and a horse ranch, is challenged after Levi experiences a health crisis. When the nephew of a criminal the Butlers knew in their past shows up for a job during Levi’s recovery, Rhiann faces critical decisions. Can she keep the ranch and sanctuary operating or will past incidents and Levi’s suppressed fears cause chaos she cannot control?

Excerpt from My Montana Love:

Levi rose from the kitchen table, balancing his unsteady body by placing a hand on the table as a brace. His reddened face contorted.

“Like hell he’ll work here!”

Rhiann flinched. He took a deep breath and tried to steady his voice.

“He’s the nephew of the man who tried to take this land. There’s no way I’ll allow him to work our ranch.”

Levi again sat down. He put a hand to his head. “Of all the men from here to Bozeman and west to Harrison, this guy had to answer the help wanted ad.”

“Maybe it’s a sign,” Rhiann responded in a low voice.

He looked at her. “A sign? What are you talking about?”

She sat in a chair next to him.

“I think we both have been carrying unforgiveness toward Dallas Patterson ….”

“For justified reasons. He meant to kill you, Rhiann.”

“We don’t know for sure,” she protested. “To scare me, yes, but we don’t know his real intentions. He certainly didn’t say he wanted to kill me. Even Dave said at the trial he didn’t know for sure….”

Levi stood again. “Ever since we brought Dave on, things haven’t gone as well for us, even between us.”

He looked at Rhiann and saw her ashen face.

“What do you mean by that?” she asked, her voice cracking.

“Our disagreements, our not being on the same page about things.”

Rhiann stood in front of him. “Levi, people don’t always agree on things. And Dave has turned out to be a great ranch hand.”

“Yeah, but why? Maybe he and Patterson’s nephew have been conniving all this time, spying on us for some loathsome purpose.”

Rhiann placed her hands on her hips. “Like what?”

“I don’t know! Something!”

Levi hobbled toward the kitchen sink and leaned against it.

“How come you’ve become so suspicious, Levi?” Rhiann asked.

He faced her, and she continued, “As far as our disagreements, we’ve had them before, but we always found a compromise.”

“Yeah, involving me giving in. I’m getting tired of it.”

He watched as her eyes first bulged and then narrowed.

“Levi Marcus Butler, what’s gotten into you?”

“Rhiann Elizabeth Kelly, maybe I’m just weary of being the dog in the fight.”

“You used my maiden name.”

His wife’s soft voice startled him. Their eyes locked.

“You don’t want to be married to me anymore, do you?”

Levi’s gut tightened, and he nearly doubled over. He reached out to her.

“No, no, that’s not it at all.”

“Of course it is. You just couldn’t come out and say it.”

Rhiann turned her back on him, and he watched her shoulders shake. He attempted to walk to her, but one leg wouldn’t budge. He stumbled and fell to the floor. He heard Rhiann’s deep intake of breath just as a deep, male voice rumbled, “I guess that’ll teach you to be such a jerk.”

Levi turned his head to see his friend Phil standing in the kitchen’s entryway, arms crossed over his chest, and a deep frown furrowed on his face.

Buy Links for My Montana Love:

Amazon: https://bit.ly/3uxqlc6_MTLove_Kindle

Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/3b2tLMx_BandN

Social Media Links:

Amazon Author Page: amazon.com/author/gayleirwin

Facebook Author Page:  https://www.facebook.com/GayleMIrwin

Author Website: https://gayle mirwinauthor.com/ .

Pinterest (under Waggin’ Tales): www.pinterest.com/gaylemirwin

Twitter: wyoauthor1

Character Development Tips

There’s always the discussion about what’s more important, the plot or the characters.

No matter which side you agree with, the character development is important to any story. If your reader doesn’t connect with the characters, they’re not going to care what happens to them in the story.

Writing relatable characters takes work. Here are a few tips.

– Create a character document. Give each character their own section. List their physical characteristics, age, height, weight, hair color, eye color age, skin color, and any distinguishing marks.

-Next list education, family, siblings, occupation, marital status or relationships, likes and dislikes, religion, hobbies, vehicles, favorite food, favorite color, clothing likes, and styles, etc. Anything you can think that helps you know and write about that person.

-Now expand your descriptions with internal and emotional information, their goals, fears, desires, successes, and losses, addictions, any that help round out the character shows how they might react to the various situations you might put them through.

-Then do an interview. Most writers interview their characters. You can write your own questions, or google and you’ll find questions of all types from 2 or 3 pages to ten or twenty pages. Listen to the answers but also the tone of voice, pauses, anything that can give you an insight into the character.  The above are ideas and hints. Get to know your character. You need to be able to write them like you’ve actually met them and spent time with the person.

Hunted by Beverley Bateman

Review: Hunted #MFRWhooks

Maggie McGonigal will protect her son at any cost, including her own life. After seven years in witness protection someone has found her and is trying to kill her. She contacts the man she never wanted to see again. Now to convince him to take a son he doesn’t know about back to his ranch in Montana, so she can disappear again.

 

Cody Hawkins comes running when the woman he wants to forget calls him for help. Someone is trying to kill her.

 

It’s been seven years since Maggie walked away. Why contact him now? Who would want to kill her? Can he help her and then walk away from her? Or can he convince her to return to Montana and let him protect her?

Buy links:

5 Star Review

R. Courtright
She contacts the man she once loved, Cody Hawkins 

Maggie is in witness protection with her six year old son, but someone is trying to kill her, probably the crime boss whose son is in prison due to Maggie's testimony. She contacts the man she once loved, Cody Hawkins, but when he betrayed her, she fled her home town in Montana pregnant with his child. Now she desperately needs his help. Cody takes Maggie and her son Matt home to his family's ranch. He isn't going to let Maggie run away again, and when he finds the boy he has already let beguile him is his son, quickly falls in love with him. Both Maggie and Cody have made serious mistakes in their past, but with killers hunting Maggie and another, persistent and vindictive woman hunting Cody, can he and Maggie find love? This story is full of great characters, and both alpha man Cody and strong woman Maggie can be ornery, but the story also circles around the very strong Hawkins family and the very loyal town's people, which adds an interesting dimension to it.

Excerpt

“Why would anyone want to kill you?”

“Like I said, it’s a long story.”

“Well, darlin’, you asked me here. It was a long drive from Montana, so go ahead and let’s hear the whole story.”

“I was a witness to a murder. Maybe we should talk after dinner, when Matt is asleep. Will you be staying at the hotel tonight?”

“I wasn’t sure where I would spend the night. Hadn’t planned on staying in this expensive tourist trap, but if what you’re telling me is true, then, yes, I’m staying here tonight.”
“I’ll call down to the desk and book you a room.”

“No, if I’m going to protect you, I’ll be sleepin’ here, in your room tonight.”

She squirmed in her chair and he forced himself not to smile. He could only imagine what she was thinking about the two of them spending the night together in this small hotel room.

“If someone wants you dead, I need to be here, in this room, to keep you both safe. Now that’s settled, why would someone want to kill you?”

“Six years ago, I witnessed a mafia shooting in Chicago. I’ve been in the witness protection plan ever since. It looks like they finally found me.” She glanced across at Matt.

A cracking sound pierced the room. A jagged pattern cut across the window, scattering shards of glass on the floor.

Maggie screamed.

Cody threw himself at her, pushing her to the ground. Another bullet embedded itself in the wall, inches above where she’d sat minutes before.

“Mommy,” Matt yelled.

“It’s okay, honey. Lie still. Don’t move.”

Using his elbows, Cody cautiously raised himself. Sliding off Maggie, he crawled across the floor to the bed where he reached up and pulled Matt into his arms. Clutching the boy tightly against his chest, he could feel the little heart pound wildly.

“Hey, buddy, it’s going to be okay. What were you watching?”

“The Roadrunner, Wile E. Coyote is going to drop a rock on him.”

“Think he’ll get him?”

“No. of course not,” Matt laughed. “The bad guy never wins.”

Cody smiled. If only life was that simple. The bad guy never wins.

“How about you watch it from down here?”

“Why? Why are you and Mommy on the floor? What was that loud noise?”

“It’s sort of a game. We want you to play, too, so you have to watch TV down with us.”

“Okay.” Matt slipped from Cody’s arms to lie on the plush hotel carpet. He stared up at the cartoon still playing on the TV and became mesmerized by the colorful action on the screen.

“Are you all right?” Cody flashed a look at Maggie.

“I’m fine. Take care of Matt.” She clenched her upper arm, but the red continued to trickle down to her elbow and drip onto her jeans.

“We’re doing great, aren’t we, buddy?” He patted Matt on the head.

Another crash filled the room as a third shot shattered the mirror. The glass sprayed across the bed and floor like pebbles spread across the shore by ocean waves.

Matt and Maggie screamed.

Cody tightened his arms around Matt and glanced at Maggie.

Any color left had fled her face, her body shook, and the blood continued to ooze between the fingers she had clamped around her arm.

“You’ve been shot. You’re bleeding.”

“Brilliant diagnosis, Sherlock, like they say in the movies, it’s just a flesh wound. I’m fine.” She pulled herself to a sitting position and leaned back against the chair, pasting a smile on her face. Her body shook hard enough to rock the chair.

“It’s not that serious. It just burns like I’ve been branded.”
“Keep the pressure on and stay down.”

“Don’t worry, I’m not going anywhere.”

“Matt, go stay with your mother.”
Matt crawled to his mother’s side. “Are you okay, Mommy?”
“I’m fine, honey.” Maggie attempted a smile. “Shouldn’t we get out of here?”
“Hang on. We don’t know if anyone is out in the hall. There could be a second person waiting to get you if you survive the shooter and try to escape.”
“I didn’t think of that.” Maggie dropped her chin to Matt’s head. “Now you know why I want you to take him away from here.”
It had been a few minutes since the last shot, so Cody inched his way to the window on his knees, carefully avoiding shattered glass and mirror. When he reached the wide windowsill, he pulled himself up by his arms, cautiously peering out over the ledge. A turret blocked part of the view of the harbor, but there would be a clear view into Maggie`s room from the higher floors in the tower. Using his finger, he drew an imaginary line from the bullet hole in the wall, to the middle of shattered area of the window, attempting to gauge where the shots had come from. It looked like the fifth floor of the tower. He double-checked but couldn’t see anyone moving around over there.
Reaching for the cord, he closed the thick heavy curtains. Then he stood and edged to the hotel room door. He carefully unlocked it and opened it a crack.
He waited a second, then opened it a little more and slipped into the hallway.
A few minutes later, he reappeared.
“I think it’s okay now. Let’s check the damage.” He dialed the front desk to get a doctor.
He hadn’t expected any of this when he came here; someone shooting at them, a six- year old who wanted to come to his ranch and Maggie with a bullet in her arm.
What the hell had she gotten herself into? And how the hell could he protect her and her son?

Nadia L. Braeckel and her New Novel

Nadia L. Braeckel loves reading and writing romance with spice and suspense. The daughter of a Lebanese father and German-American Mother, Nadia sees the world through a unique lens and has a vivid imagination that gives life to her steamy romance characters. Taking inspiration from real-life scenarios, Nadia spins passionate, dramatic stories that leave readers breathless and wanting more, even as they root for the characters to get their happily-ever-after. Torn Ties is Nadia’s first book, and she’s already busily at work on the second series. She resides in Tulsa Oklahoma with her husband and son.

Beverley: Which genre or genres do you write or prefer to write? And why? 

Nadia: Romance, Steamy romance, suspense, and mystery. I have read a lot of romance and mystery books growing up and the authors I have looked up to inspired me to write in that genre as well.

Beverley: Who influenced you the most in deciding to become a writer?

Nadia: My mom and grandmother.

Beverley: What gets your creative juices flowing?

Nadia: The most random times, such as driving, taking a shower, jogging, sitting outside. My juices flow when my blood is flowing too.

Beverley: Do you have a favorite cartoon character? Why?

Nadia: Mickey Mouse, since my son loves him, the cartoon has grown on me.

Beverley: Who would you love most to meet ‘in person’ and why? 

Nadia:   Nicholas  Sparks or Lisa Jewell. They both are phenomenal writers, and I would love to spend a day with them and see how their brain works

Beverley: If you had an unexpected free day what would you do with it?

Nadia: Go on an adventure outside

Beverley: What are you working on now?

Nadia: The sequel to Torn Ties, called Tangled Ties.

Blurb for Torn Ties

How can a relationship that starts for all the wrong reasons feel so right?

That’s the question Natalya Zaher keeps asking herself. After all, her daily routine isn’t usually so dramatic…or so damn hot. By day, she works at a local men’s clinic, fending off advances from dirty old men and dealing with her boss’s angry tirades. By night, she sits at home, watching Twilight. Life has been remarkably routine—and lonely—until a chance encounter with a handsome man at the gym turns unexpectedly steamy. The only hang up? He’s already in a relationship. And Natalya wants more…much more.

Alex Bowman isn’t sure what he wants. His long-term relationship has been slowly losing its luster. The sex is dull, and he’s growing frustrated with feeling controlled and demeaned. So when he meets the alluring, radiant young Natalya at the gym, he’s intrigued by her charm and upbeat nature. And when he discovers her sexually adventurous nature, he can’t stop thinking about her…and just how right their relationship seems to be.

But Alex’s girlfriend doesn’t intend to let her man go without a fight, and she’s certainly not going to play fair. Even worse, Alex has been keeping secrets that threaten not just to destroy two reputations…but threaten to break Natalya’s heart too.

Set in the heart of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Torn Ties is a roller-coaster ride of danger and desire that leaves the reader breathless to the last steamy page.

Buy Links for Torn Ties

Torn Ties

Social Media Links

Torn Ties

https://www.facebook.com/authornlb

https://www.instagram.com/authornlb/

Check out our author reviews:

http://facebook.com/BushPublishing

Missing by Beverley Bateman

What was he suggesting? #MFRWhooks

Running from a disastrous engagement, and an over-powering father, Dr. Allie Parsons agrees to help out an old friend and travels to Duster, Montana. She’s agreed to help the local doctor for a brief period of time until he can find a permanent new doctor. Raised her whole life in New York city, Allie is greeted with culture shock when she finds out how small Duster is, but she also finds a warm, friendly community. And the doctor turns out to be young, tall, dark and handsome. He sends her emotions shooting sky high. She’s welcomed into the Hawkins family and develops a relationship with his daughter. A mysterious stranger leaves notes at the clinic and Allie fears they are a warning he’s going to kidnap the doctor’s daughter.

 

Luke Hawkins, one of the Hawkins’ brothers is looking for a doctor to take over half the practice from the retiring doctor. He’s not expecting his temporary replacement to be a young, sexy, single woman from New York. He knows she’s the woman he’s been searching for all his life, but he also knows she won’t stay in Duster. He doesn’t believe the notes are meant for him until his daughter is kidnapped. Now he has to save his daughter and convince the woman he loves that she really is a small town doctor at heart.

Buy links:

Excerpt

Allie swallowed several times, to loosen up her vocal chords.
“You’re welcome. Heidi did a good job. She’s a quick learner. I sent her home and told her to come back in the morning. I hope that’s okay.”
Luke nodded. “Good decision, thanks, but what about you?”
“What about me?” A shiver of anticipation wrap around her like a silky shawl. She looked up at the man who sent her heart racing and heat flooding through her body.
“I should probably get a little information on you, sort of a hiring interview, although you already have the job. You do have a license to practice in Montana, right?”
“Yes. With help from an agency I hired, I managed to get it in six weeks.”
“Good, how about malpractice insurance?”
“I extended mine with the company that already carried my professional liability insurance in New York.”
“You’ve been doing a residency in family practice in New York City and just completed it. So, you`ve had no experience working on your own?”
“No. I was looking at options when Dr. Angus called and I’ve spent the last two months preparing to move here.”
“Good old George. I met him when I was doing a residency. I gotta remember to send him a thank you and a good bottle of scotch. So it was because of him you chose to move to Duster, even if it’s only temporary?”
“That’s right.”
Luke stared at her.
“You had no other reason for taking such a leap from big city to the very small town of Duster, even if it is only temporary?”
“No, I didn’t.” She had no plans to share her life history with him. Being treated like a child, double checked on everything she did and being put down continuously by her father had dissipated her confidence in her abilities. Until she’d studied family practice. She had never been able to please her father and when he took the side of her two-timing, unfaithful fiancé...
“When George mentioned he’d pressured some poor suck--soul into helping until we found a permanent replacement for Doc Edwards, I didn’t expect that person to be a female family practice resident.”
“I sent you my resume. It said Alexandra on it.”
“I was so damned happy to finally get a response from anyone I guess I didn’t read it closely. Plus, I was probably exhausted. You were a qualified doctor, licensed in New York and finishing a residency in family practice. It was an answer to my prayers. Even if you only came here temporarily, and under George’s urging and pleading, I was ecstatic.”
“I hope you pay more attention when you read patient’s charts.”
“I deserve that. I talked to George and I swear he called you Alexander.”
“George is one of the few people who call me Alexandra, besides my family. You might have thought he said Alexander.”
“That could be it.”
“Also, on my resume it said I placed second in my residency, even if it was in New York, not a small community.”
“I saw that and it added to my excitement about you coming here. Sorry about missing the name, but when you go sleep deprived for so long, you miss stuff. I know that’s no excuse for not reading it correctly. Believe me; I’m thrilled to have you here.”
“Is there anything else you may have missed and need to know?”
“I don’t think so. You did good work today, both as a doctor and a receptionist, even without a lot of experience.” He flashed a smile at her. “And the people liked you. I heard them talking and some told me directly. Welcome to Duster. Thank you for coming and I hope you like it here.”
“I hope so, too. I’ll be going now, if that’s all right?” She reached for her jacket. If she stayed much longer she’d probably break into tears and confess how she really felt about his town.
“That depends on where you’re going. You said you hadn’t found accommodations yet?” Stepping behind her, he took her jacket.
She felt his body heat as he moved closer to her.
Damn, he was one sexy man.
“No. Not yet. I’m hoping to check into a hotel for tonight and start looking for an apartment tomorrow. Can you recommend one? There is a hotel in this town, isn’t there?”
“Yes, but I’m afraid The Inn is not quite up to New York standards. You’ll spend the night with me.” Luke held out her jacket.
What was he suggesting? 

Tips for Audiobooks

Are you published, probably self-published?   Are you   considering whether to publish an audiobook?

Okay, I have not published an audiobook. I’ve considered it but I’m not convinced that I want to spend the money yet. I have done some research and thought I’d share a few tips on what I’ve discovered on publishing your audiobook either by yourself or with a publisher.

1. Complete your manuscript, and put it through your editor, beta readers, and proofreader. Just like you do before you publish.

2. Print put the chapters to use for the narrator when reading the book.

3. Do you want to narrate it? Do you produce it yourself? If you choose to have some else narrate it you will need to hire a narrator. My understanding the cost varies with the narrator. An experienced narrator could be about $1500 for an eight-hour book. For a non-union narrator, it could be $150-$200 an hour.  I have also seen posts where the narrator could receive part of the profits of the book. Research your options.

4. If you want to produce it yourself you will have to purchase or have the appropriate equipment. Recommended is a a USB microphone costing from $150 US; a swivel mount studio microphone boom arm costing from $100 US; a shock guard for above the microphone to prevent picking up vibrations about $40 US; a pop filter to prevent popping sounds on some words or letters like P or B; maybe $25 US  and audiobook editing software. There are several options and they are free.

You’ll also need a quiet room, a computer, headphones and maybe background music for the beginning and end.

You should also hire an  audio engineer.  That could be around $300.

5. The alternative would be to hire an audiobook producer. One example could be ACX. Check the cost relative to doing yourself.

6. Proof your audiobook

7. If you produce your own book send files to the professional audio editor   about $200

8. Upload your audiobook, possibly to ACX.

 

Choosing Character Names

Another interesting topic, Rhobin. How do you choose your characters’ names? Are there any you avoid?)

Choosing names, for me, can be a challenge. It also varies with the book. I’m a plotter so I work out a plot before I get to know my characters well.

If I’ve begun plotting and have a hero/heroine and maybe the idea for the mystery or suspense, I may have a name in mind or I might have no idea at that time.

Other times I may pick a generic name when I start writing. It’s like a placeholder. Once I’ve developed my characters and get to know them the name will come to me. It’s a name that fits that person. Often the character’s physical appearance, characteristics, or actions will lead to a name that fits.

If I’m writing in a different local, perhaps Mexico or in the Caribbean, I will look up names for male or females in that country and their meaning. If I’m writing a different generation, I may look up popular names from that era. In my Hawkins’ Family series, I researched names from the Blackfoot tribe. In Death Southern Style I researched names in Louisiana.

When I’m choosing names, I look at all the characters that I’m naming. I make sure that the names aren’t similar. For example, the hero is named Rob, the secondary character is named Ron and the suspect might be Ross. For a reader, this could be very confusing. They might have to flip back to check which name it is. I don’t want to confuse a reader. They might quit reading in frustration. I will probably keep Rob as my hero if it’s a name that fits. The secondary character will be Jack and the suspect will be changed to Murray. So, I avoid similarities in names.

I also avoid names that might be difficult for a reader to pronounce while reading. Again, pulling the reader out of the story each time. It frustrates me when a character has a name I’m not familiar with and it’s spelled in another language.

I look forward to reading h ow other authors chose their names. I’m off to read their blogs.

Skye Taylor  http://w ww.skye-writer.com/blogging_by_the_sea

Diane Bator http://dbator.blogspot.ca/

Anne Stenhouse  http://annestenhousenovelist.wordpress.com

Victoria Chatham http://www.victoriachatham.com

Helena Fairfax   http:// www.helenafairfax.com/blog

Dr. Bob Rich   https: //wp.me/p3Xihq-2i7

Marci Baun http://www.marcibaun.com/blog/

Judith Copek http://lynx-sis.blogspot.com/

Connie Vines  http://mizging.blogspot.com/

Fiona McGier  http://www.fionamcgier.com/

Rhobin L Courtrigh t  http:// www.rhobincourtright.com

Check Out Kim McMahill and her New Release

Kim McMahill grew up in Wyoming which is where she developed her sense of adventure and love of the outdoors. She started out writing non-fiction, but her passion for exotic world travel, outrageous adventures, stories of survival, and happily-ever-after endings soon drew her into a world of romantic suspense and adventure fiction. Along with writing novels Kim has also published over eighty travel and geographic articles, and contributed to a travel story anthology. She has had the opportunity to live in Hawaii, New Mexico, South Dakota, Iowa, and Colorado, but has finally returned home to Wyoming. When not writing she enjoys gardening, traveling, hiking, and spending time with family.

Beverley: Which genre or genres do you write or prefer to write? And why?

Kim: I write suspense and adventure fiction. I love stories that allow me to incorporate action, adventure, romance, exotic locations, and happily-ever-after endings. In the real world the good guys don’t always win, but in my stories they do. However, in my Risky Research Series the wins in each story will be smaller, rather than unequivocally complete, until I decide to end the series for good since my protagonist and some of the antagonists are recurring characters.

Beverley: Who influenced you the most in deciding to become a writer?

Kim: I had a high school creative writing teacher who commented on one of my stories that with more character development I was well on my way to a novel. I always enjoyed writing, but her comment and encouragement made me think that I could actually construct a novel.

Beverley: What gets your creative juices flowing?

Kim: I love to travel, which always inspires me with ideas for new stories, locations, or characters.

Beverley: Do you have a favorite cartoon character? Why?

Kim: Growing up my favorite cartoon was Scooby Doo. I guess I’ve always loved a good mystery and a little suspense.

Beverley: Who would you love most to meet ‘in person’ and why?

Kim: A couple years ago I was able to meet one of my two favorite writer, James Rollins. It was pretty exciting. I had hoped for an opportunity to meet my other favorite author, Clive Cussler. Unfortunately, he passed away last winter before I had an opportunity, but I did get to visit his classic car museum in Colorado which contained many of the cars from his novels.

Beverley: If you had an unexpected free day what would you do with it?

Kim: Whenever I have an unexpected free day I love to go out and try to discover a new site close to home that I had previously overlooked. I’ve been surprised in the past year to find many interesting places that I didn’t realize existed so close to home.

Beverley: What are you working on now?

Kim: I just released the fourth installment in the Risky Research Series, A Measure of Madness, and I’m currently working on the fifth, and likely final, installment in the series, A Recipe for Revenge. Here’s a bit more about my new release, A Measure of Madness.

Blurb for A Measure of Madness

FBI agent Devyn Nash’s pursuit of a deadly organization heats up in this fourth installment of the Risky Research series.

The FBI locates the mastermind behind Coterie, but attempts to bring him in result in a shootout that sends Coterie’s members scrambling for cover. When Devyn’s partner is left fighting for his life in a Puerto Rican hospital, she becomes more determined than ever to bring them to justice.

Devyn’s decision to ignore her orders and pursue the head of Coterie to Brazil puts her job and her relationship with Sheriff Gage Harris in jeopardy, but she is unwilling to allow those responsible for so much death to live out their lives in paradise .

Excerpt from A Measure of Madness

Devyn smeared butter on her pancakes and poured an ample portion of blueberry syrup over the large stack. She supposed Nick had a point about her eating habits, but that was far down on her list of worries at the moment. Between drug lords, arms dealers, and Coterie, she had a difficult time mustering up any fear of butter.

Her number one priority was shutting down Coterie. A close second was figuring out what to do about Gage. She wanted Gage to be first, but if she was being honest with herself, he couldn’t be until she brought Coterie to justice. Too many people had already died and the trail of destruction would likely continue as long as any members were out there. For now, she had to keep her head in the game. One misstep could be deadly. 

Buy Links for A Measure of Madness

A Measure of Madness is currently available in ebook from these online book retailers, and it will also be released in paperback soon.

Amazon Buy Link main full: https://www.amazon.com/Measure-Madness-Risky-Research-ebook/dp/B08TX7C1BZ/

Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-measure-of-madness-kim-mcmahill/1138684987?ean=9781522398837

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/a-measure-of-madness

Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/book/a-measure-of-madness/id1550649255

Social Media Links for Kim:

Blog: http://www.kimmcmahill.blogspot.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kimmcmahill

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/KimMcMahillAuthor/

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

Goodreads author page: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/849945.Kim_McMahill

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/kim-mcmahill

Could he really be dead? #MFRWhooks

Sara’s emotionally abusive husband dies unexpectedly. She’s struggling to reclaim the intelligent, independent person she was before she married. She vows never to let a man take over her life again. Now she’s part of a special team, training to help other women.
 
Mac is has been responsible for training women in special ops techniques so they are prepared when they are challenged to save other women. When he meets Sara sparks fly between them. He wants her to quit the training and let him take care of her.
 
Sara graduates and now she and her team have to save Sara’s daughter from a serial killer. Can Mac step back and trust her in a dangerous situation? Can Sara and Mac resolve their issues, or will they go in opposite directions?

 

 

Buy links:

Excerpt

The office said he’d had a heart attack. Was he alive? Did she want him to be? What if her husband had to stay home for a few weeks to recuperate? Palms sweating, Sara’s breath came in short, shallow bursts at the thought.

The taxi jerked to a stop in front of the hospital emergency entrance.

Sara fumbled through her purse and counted out her meager number of dollar bills. Gordon didn’t allow her to have a credit card and he only allowed her to have a small amount of cash. She didn’t have enough money to pay the taxi.

“I’m so sorry. I left home without any cash. I...I ... Would you take a check?” Tears spilled over and trickled down her flushed cheeks.

The driver spun around. A short stubby finger waved at the sign over the rearview mirror. “Look lady, it says right there - No Checks.”

“I know, I know. I’m sorry. My husband has had a heart attack and I ... I don’t know what to do.” Sara ran her fingers through her hair and scrunched the tight bun at her neck.

The driver shook his head. “Aw, shit. Go ahead, lady. Write the check.”

Sara pulled the single crumpled check Gordon allowed her carry for emergencies out of her purse. When she touched the check a vision of Gordon floated in front of her.

She froze and rapidly blinked her eyes. She only saw the ghosts of dead people. Gordon didn’t believe her and forbid her to ever mention it.

Could he really be dead?

“Gordon?” she whispered.

“Lady, are you writing that check or not?”

“Yes, sorry.” Sara scribbled her signature on the bottom of the check. “Please, fill it in, and give yourself a generous tip. Thank you, thank you so much.” She clutched her worn purse to her chest, slid out of the cab, and scurried through the emergency room doors.

What if he was dead? She didn’t have any money. Gordon did all the finances and never shared anything with her.  How would she manage?

Twenty years ago, she could have handled it. Could she do it again? But he couldn’t be dead. Gordon would never allow that to happen.

His face flitted in front of her, fixed in an angry glare.

He had to be dead or she wouldn’t be seeing him. He didn’t want to be dead. He didn’t want her to be free. If he thought she could see him he’d be furious.

Sara shuffled toward the reception desk. She glanced over her shoulder, searching for some sign of Gordon, listening for his voice, waiting for him to yell at her. She couldn’t believe he was really dead, even though she had seen him. She clung to the edge of the transition counter, her head down, chewed on her lower lip and waited to be noticed.

Finally a brusque voice snapped, “Can I help you?”

Sara looked up to see a heavy set, older woman in a loose blue top. The woman’s thick dark brows met in a v in the middle of her forehead.

“I’m sorry, I ...I’m looking for my husband. His office phoned to say he’d been brought here.” Sara shrunk into her body.

“Name?” the woman commanded.

“Gordon, Gordon Peters.” Sara stared at her worn black oxfords, then at the scuffed, gray linoleum with the red, blue and yellow lines that led to different areas.  Maybe she shouldn’t have come. Maybe she should have waited for Gordon to call and tell her whether she should be here or not. But if he was dead she would have to make her own decisions. Her pulse raced. Her head pounded. For the last nineteen years she had never made a decision. Gordon made all of them for her.

“When was he admitted?” The woman reminded Sara of a sergeant major.

“I’m not sure, less than an hour ago. They told me to meet him here. Maybe he’s been discharged already?” She chewed her thumbnail. If Gordon had been discharged, he’d be furious at her for spending all that money on a taxi.  But she’d seen his ghost.

Tension twisted her stomach into knots. The pain caused her to clutch her purse tightly against her abdomen. She needed to get home and start dinner. She’d have to take a bus. Did she have enough money? She opened her purse.

The woman moved to a second pile of folders and pulled one out. “You’re his wife?”

Sara nodded. “Yes. Can I see him?”

A sob slipped out. If she didn’t find see him soon, he’d be furious. He’d think she was too stupid to even find him in a hospital and he’d be right.

His ghost floated in front of her. This time confusion mixed with his anger

“Have a seat, Mrs. Peters. I’ll have the doctor speak to you.” The sergeant major’s voice softened. She indicated a chair near the desk.

“No, please, I need to see him right away. He’ll be upset if I’m late.”

The woman rounded the desk and laid her hand on Sara’s shoulder. She squeezed gently for a second. “It’ll be okay, honey. You just sit down for a minute. The doctor will be right out.”

 

 

 

This Week – Basic Editing Tips

I talked about proofreading last time. This week I thought I’d talk a little about editing.

First, I’d always suggest you have a professional editor do your final check, but here are some tips for what to check when you’re doing the editing. You might want to use a program such as Autocrit to help you. And you might want to use an editing tip sheet to assist you. The following are a few tips that might help you.

Remember everything needs to be relevant and advance the story. If not  relevant cut it and move on.

Omit or delete info that doesn’t add to the mood, character, or plot.

Show don’t tell. Avoid the passive voice.

Avoid negative sentences. The streets were not straight. Instead, the streets wound around the area.

Avoid cliches. You know – It was a dark and stormy night.

Emphasize the words you want to emphasize at the start or end of each sentence or phrase.

Check for word usage, frequently used words or repetitive words in follow-up sentences.

Check spelling and grammar. Use spell check but remember it’s not always correct. If you have specific grammar issues, for me it’s comma usage, research it before you start and have the explanation beside you to check out that specific issue when you spot it.

Em dashes like exclamation points should be used sparingly. Use an em dash because he’s cutting off his speech. Usually, a comma or a period will be sufficient.

An ellipsis indicates more of a slow speech pattern or a trailing off.

No spaces between the words and the ellipses.