Patio – Writing Garden Update

July 12, 2015July 11, 2015

I am officially on vacation. My vacation plans for this year are to sit on my patio, stare at my writing garden and write.

Unfortunately, my plans didn’t come together quite the way I envisioned.

For starters, the patio extension still isn’t complete. Even after I told the Vanishing Landscaper I needed it done by vacation time.

And the writing garden still looks mostly like a mud hole where a pool used to be.

But I do have new patio furniture, and today I purchased plastic wine glasses for patio use. A couple of weeks ago, I purchased three solar lights for the area. I found citronella candles in the basement. I’m ready.

I’ll make do–because it’s summer and warm and sunny and my current work-in-progress is flowing almost faster than I can type it. But the patio – writing garden fantasy persists.

Summer Reading List

July 8, 2015June 28, 2015

People always seem to have a summer reading list. Then I realized I do, too, although it’s not as formalized as some I’ve seen. So here’s what I plan to read this summer, in no particular order:

The Last Time I Saw Her by Karen Robards

If you haven’t read Robards’ Dr. Charlotte Stone series, and you’re a fan of romantic suspense with a touch of paranormal, you don’t know what you’re missing. The fourth installment of the series is due out August 25. Okay, maybe there’s more of a touch of paranormal here. The hero? Well, he’s a ghost.

After the Storm: A Kate Burkholder Novel by Linda Castillo

July 14th is the release date on the latest in Castillo’s Amish mystery series. Lifetime made a movie of the first book in the series. If you like a good mystery and an exploration of a different culture, I highly recommend this series.

Devoted in Death by JD Robb (okay, this isn’t out until September, but it’s still on my list)

The continuing saga of Eve Dallas and Rourke. Futuristic police procedural. I’ve been reading the “In Death” series for years.

A Family Come True by Kris Fletcher

I love Kris Fletcher’s stories. They are crafted with such care. The characters are people you know. Always a great read.

A Year in Provence and Toujours Provence by Peter Mayle

Annual summer re-reads for me. Wine, food, hot summer days & nights. What more can I say?

Superstition by Karen Robards

Another annual summer re-read. Summer on Pawley’s Island. An old murder, ghosts, and a TV reporter with more ambition than common sense. Great twist at the end. One of Robards’ best.

Omega Moon Rising by MJ Compton (hey! that’s me!)

I plan to have the final draft of the book in the Toke Lobo & the Pack werewolf series done and revised this summer. This is Luke’s story. Have to read it to revise it.

What are your reading plans for the summer?

Reading By the Season: July

July 5, 2015June 28, 2015

JULY-A Year In Provence by Peter Mayle

We had talked about it during the long gray winters and the damp green summers, looked with an addict’s longing at photographs of village markets and vineyards, dreamed of being woken up by the sun slanting through the bedroom window.

This collection of twelve months worth of stories from the British author’s life the first year he and his wife moved to the south of France fills a need in me, best expressed in the above quote. The descriptions of the wonderful local foods and wines combined with the hot, dry weather are bliss to this misplaced-in-a winter-world reader.. I looked for a book with these elements for years before I discovered this one. The follow up book, Toujours Provence, is also good, in a different way.

WIP Wednesday: Nona Raines

July 1, 2015June 27, 2015

MJ: I’m delighted to have author Nona Raines as my guest today. Nona, July is National Creative Ice Cream Flavors Day. If you could create a “new” flavor of ice cream what would it be? Why?

NR: If I could, I would re-instate a now defunct Ben and Jerry’s flavor–it is my all-time favorite! It was a pineapple ice cream with swirls of mango sorbet. It was delicious. Unfortunately, it was only around for a short time. Boo hoo.

MJ: If you didn’t write, what would be your creative outlet?

NR: Gee, if I didn’t write, I’m not sure what I would do creatively. I’ve tried knitting and crocheting, but could never get beyond scarves. I’m too old to get back to roller skating. If I couldn’t write, I’d probably just keep making up stories in my head.

MJ: Other than writing, what would be your dream job? Why?

NR: I would be a librarian in the world’s biggest library, and I’d have the place all to myself. All those lovely books–mine, all mine!

MJ: Describe your ideal or dream writing space.

NR: I like to move around when I write, so my dream writing space would be a beautiful house with plenty of rooms. When I got tired of one room, I’d move to another. And of course there would be a garden in case I wanted to bring my laptop outside.

MJ: What do you love most about your WIP hero?

NR: I love the fact that he is playful and mischievous, a bit naughty, but underneath it all has a level head and a kind heart.

MJ: What do you least like about your WIP heroine?

NR: I think what I like least about her is her insecurity about her body. But the hero helps her work that out, lol.

MJ: What genre is your current WIP?

NR: It is a sexy contemporary New Adult romance.

MJ: How did you come up with your hero and heroine’s names?

NR: For Cam I wanted something short and kind of sexy. His last name is Cleary, because I wanted to make him Irish American. My heroine is Layla Messner. Her first name just sounded pretty. I like to give my characters names that aren’t run of the mill Smith/Jones etc. Messner sounded like a good solid Germanic last name.

MJ: How did you choose the setting for your current WIP?

NR: The setting is Buffalo, NY. Usually I create fictional towns, but because I’ve been to Buffalo a number of times and I know someone who lives there, I thought it would be fun to place a story there.

MJ: Can you share the first few sentences of Layla and Cam’s story?

NR: I’d love to. The working title is Not the Hot Chick

Jessi Wallace eyed the cute bartender’s butt the way a hungry cat might eye an unsuspecting bird. She actually licked her lips. “I am so going to do him.”

Layla Messner held back a sigh, took another sip of her lemon drop martini and asked herself for the sixth time that night, Why am I here, again?

Oh, right. Because I’m the wingman. Wingwoman. Whatever.

MJ: Oooh. I’m hooked! And do you have a book out now?

NR: Yes, Don’t Let Go.

Here’s a blurb:

Annalee wants a no-strings fling. Eric’s all about the strings.

Twelve years ago, when Eric Sorenson’s date dumped him right before the Senior Prom, his older sister’s best friend stepped in to save him from total humiliation. He never forgot Annalee or what she did for him that night…or the kiss they shared. He wants Annalee, and if he has his way, they’ll take up where they left off. And this time, he won’t let go.

After a messy divorce, Annalee’s not looking forward to her high school reunion. She’s shocked when Eric appears at her door ready to return the favor and play escort. Gone is the inexperienced boy with a severe stutter—he’s a striking, confident man. The memory of the kiss they shared rekindles an attraction that never died, and she’s been on her own for a year. Isn’t she entitled to kick loose and have a let’s-go-crazy night?

MJ: And where can people purchase it?

MJ: And how can readers stay in touch with you?

NR: I have a website, I’m on Facebook, and Twitter. I also have a blog and am on Goodreads.

MJ: Thanks so much for joining me today, and good luck with your books!