'Tis the Season...

 

All I Want for Christmas is…

Have you ever wondered why books make the best Christmas gifts?

1.     Books aren’t perishable.

2.     The best stories never grow old.

3.     A book is pretty much a gift for life.

4.     Books are the gift that keep on giving.

To help with your selection we have a few suggestions:

Witch Trial Legacy

by Katherine Eddinger Smits

Buy link: https://amzn.to/4aHgOUE

Sybilla Sanborn must break a centuries old curse before everything she cares about goes up in smoke.

Sybilla is a nurse gifted with the ability to heal with her touch but cursed with visions of future tragedies she cannot prevent because no one heeds her warnings. With help from the mediums of the spiritualist town of Cassadaga, Florida, she learns she is descended from both the first person executed for witchcraft in this country and the man who accused her.

Conn Ahern is an Iraq war vet dealing with pain and PTSD while working as a paramedic and struggling to save the ranch his grandmother founded. He’s an atheist who wants nothing to do with the people of the town.

When Conn and Sybilla meet, sparks fly, but not always in a good way, and their relationship fans the flames of jealousy and revenge in someone who doesn’t want them to work things out.

                                                            Runes (Wytchfae 1)

                                                   by Flossie Benton Rogers   

Buy link: Amazon.com: Runes (Wytchfae Book 1) eBook : Benton Rogers, Flossie: Kindle Store

Wytchfae Kelly O’Day’s job is to transition ghosts to the afterlife. The last thing she expects is to fall for one of them -- sexy Viking Ingvar Hrothson. Cursed to roam the earth as a restless spirit, Ingvar is hell bent to destroy the sorceress responsible. His war plan doesn’t include spending time with a bewitching flesh and blood woman like Kelly. With their attraction approaching supernova, the couple must battle sinister forces and master manipulators of the unholy dark arts. More than lives are at stake. Will hell give them a chance?

Echoes of the Moon

by Jennifer Taylor

buy link: https://www.amazon.com/Echoes-Moon-Rhythm-Jennifer-Taylor-ebook/dp/B0767KR8ZL/

Bethan Owen would give her life for her identical twin. With the care of Elunid’s troubled mind resting on her shoulders, she knows the love of a man will never be possible. But she can’t fight her attraction to the mystifying Henry Stephens, who, despite his lowly occupation as a night soil man, captivates her with his courtly manners and vitality.
Henry’s entire life revolves around building a fulfilling life for his mentally challenged son. When the vibrant and beautiful Bethan captures his heart, his world changes, but the secrets he harbors remain. Will he be able to give himself completely to the one he loves?
When Elunid’s behavior becomes more unstable, she makes a vicious enemy. Bethan is forced to make the greatest sacrifice, exchanging her life for her sister’s. Can Henry save Bethan and keep their love alive? Or will the dangerous adversary destroy all that is dear to them both?

Bitter Autumn

by Loretta C. Rogers

Buy link:  https://www.amazon.com/Bitter-Autumn-Loretta-C-Rogers/dp/1509231242

Flame-haired Birdie Mae Dix has no idea what tomorrow will bring. Kidnapped by the Pawnee and traded to the Comanche, she is now in the custody of the US Cavalry.  After eighteen years of loss and cruelty, she trusts no one; not even the handsome captain who’s piercing blue glare fills her with apprehension…and unwanted desire.

Pledging his life to a military career, years of war has hardened Captain Ford Thackery. He swore never to consider a life with a wife and children until he rescues an emerald-eyed, half-starved beauty. He knows he must earn Birdie’s trust as well as find a way into her heart.

Abducted by a renegade Pawnee cavalry scout, Birdie once again finds herself a captive. If he can’t possess her then no one will.

As we gather for another holiday season, whatever you celebrate, Pen Dames wish you, peace, happiness, love, and a prosperous New Year!

Fate Comes Softly Anthology

 

Fate Comes Softly

Meet Liberty Trivette, Isabelle Landers, and Audra Tadlock.

A collection of three unforgettable love stories.

*****I give this book 5 of 5 stars. Each story is unique and will appeal to a wide audience. The characters are so diverse yet realistic. I felt I knew many of them well and hated the way some acted though they were true to character. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. ~ Chrisk

 

 Saving Liberty

Falsely accused of a crime she didn’t commit, Liberty Trivette is exiled from a wagon train. Alone on the prairie, she fears for the life of her unborn child. For widower Ethan Wheeler, saving Liberty creates unforeseen challenges. As love unexpectedly blooms between them, Liberty and Ethan dare to envision a future together until the man responsible for having her cast out of the wagon train shows up and threatens to shatter their lives.

Isabelle and the Outlaw

History Professor Isabelle Landers accidentally walks into a time portal. Propelled back two hundred years to land smack dab in Arizona’s outlaw territory, she meets Raphael Sinclair, a Pinkerton agent posing as an outlaw. According to her history book after he was wrongly hanged, his body disappeared and was never found. Isabelle is faced with the dilemma of saving Rafe from hanging a second time. Falling in love was never part of the equation. If he leaves his world he will die. If Isabelle stays with him then she will die. Can their love survive the ultimate sacrifice?

McKenna's Woman

 

Nothing is more important to McKenna Smith than receiving a pardon from the State of Texas for a murder he didn’t commit. Working undercover as a photographer his luck changes for the better when he recognizes Audra Tadlock, the twin sister of the man who betrayed him. But McKenna and Audra’s delicate bond of trust is threatened when she learns the shocking truth that the brother, she thought died ten years ago is alive and a maniacal killer. If she testifies against him, he’ll hang; if she allies to save him, then she risks losing McKenna’s love.

 

Available in print or as an Ebook at Amazon.com; BarnesNoble, or your favorite online store

HAPPY READING!

 

Introducing Guest Author: Barbara Whitaker

 Greetings, everyone! 

The Pen Dames and I (Jennifer Taylor) are thrilled to have author Barbara Whitaker with us for December. This talented author writes Historical Romances set during WWII. She skillfully weaves an intriguing plot and infuses her characters with heart and sensitivity. 

Her latest book is called Scarred Dreams. Here's the back cover blurb:

In 1944, a German artillery shell destroyed Milt Greenlee’s future in professional baseball. His hideously scarred face and useless arm require him to relearn and recondition. But no amount of rehab will restore his looks or his self-confidence. There’s no chance a “cripple” like him could catch the eye of the stunning Nurse McEwen.

Army Nurse, Annie McEwen dreams her voice will take her far away from her hateful, overbearing father. She hopes Milt, a patient who fought in Sicily, might be the one who can help her find closure with the death of her cousin.   

 As their attraction grows, how can their relationship survive Annie's fears and Milt's secret?

                                                            

Please enjoy this fascinating interview with Barbara: 

 How and when did your writing journey begin?

You could consider me a late bloomer because it was later in my life before I started seriously writing. Although I had made up stories in my head for as long as I can remember, I didn’t write them down or try to organize them until I was older. Once I decided I wanted to write a novel, I realized that I had a lot to learn. That’s when I joined a writing group and started reading books on writing. I soaked up all I could. Since I wanted to write historical novels (because I love history), I researched everything. I wrote my first draft, revised it, and revised it again and again. It was probably fifteen years from the time I decided I wanted to write a novel until my first one was published. I learned a lot during those years, and I became a better writer along the way.

What genre is your book? What do you like about writing in that genre?

My novel, Scarred Dreams, is a Historical Romance set during World War II. I love the history of any era and I love romance. I decided to set my romance novels during World War II because I never tire of reading about that time, which makes research easier. As a matter of fact, I can get lost in researching World War II. Another reason I chose World War II was because of all the stories I heard growing up. Everyone’s father, uncle, grandfather, or brother had fought in that war. Some of the mothers had also served, as nurses, in the Women’s Army Corps, or working defense jobs. These stories gave the history a personal touch, especially the ones about how couples met and married during or after the war.

Describe your main character—life, personality, motivation—whatever you think will make us want to get to know the person.

In Scarred Dreams I consider the hero, Milton, as the main character, since he is the wounded warrior who is brought back to the U.S. to recover.  He grew up in a small town and was next to the oldest of five children. Talented in all sports, he chose baseball as his future career and he could have made the big leagues had he not been wounded. He longs to make his own way in life, but the damage to his body makes it more difficult for him to see a way forward. If you like reading about underdogs who overcome obstacles, then Scarred Dreams is the book for you.

 If you could spend an afternoon with any of your secondary characters, who would it be and why?

Sgt. Lloyd Baker is a rehab specialist or physical therapist who I loosely based on my father since that was his job during WWII. An afternoon with him to talk about all his experiences during the war would be wonderful. My father was stationed at the Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach, Florida, which the Army converted to a hospital. Stories from that time inspired me to use that location, with a fictitious name, in Scarred Dreams. Later, in Atlanta, my father worked with professional baseball player Luke Appling, so the character Louis Applegate was based on a real Baseball Hall of Famer.  

Which authors/books are on your keeper shelves?

Susanna Kearsley writes a kind of time-travel where part of the book is current and part is in a historic time with connections between the characters in different times. The historical portions are often in Jacobean Scotland, although some have been in France or even Russia. I love Susana’s writing style and I anxiously await her next book. 

Speaking of Scotland, I love the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon. If I had time, I would reread the whole series.

 Another favorite is Madeline Martin. (Note: Please see below the kudos Barbara received from Madeline for her first book, A War Apart.) I enjoyed her Scottish Highlands romances. Then she started writing World War II historical novels, which I love. As for World War II writers, Sarah Sundin can’t be beat. I’ve read all her books and always look forward to the next one.

 I also enjoy a good, quirky mystery by Deanna Raybourn. With elaborate Victorian settings and most unusual characters, these novels are always a fun read.

                                                                        

Here's a sample from Scarred Dreams:

“Good morning, soldier.” She met his gaze and for an instant he saw recognition before she shut it down as if she’d never seen him before. “Time for your penicillin shot,” she said. Her melodious speaking voice almost matched her singing voice.

“Sure,” Milt replied, making an effort to smile despite his pounding head. If she didn’t want to acknowledge their brief encounter the previous day, why should he care? It didn’t mean he couldn’t enjoy having a beautiful singer as his nurse.

“Which side?” she asked.

“Huh?” Had that sound come from him?

“Which side do you want the shot in? Right or left?”

He watched her lips form the words. Soft, expressive lips. He blinked, knowing he had to reply. “Uh, left is okay.” The cast on his left arm stuck out so much it made it near impossible to roll onto his left side to expose his right cheek. Which made the left as his only choice. In the last few weeks, he’d gotten so many shots in his left butt cheek it probably looked like a purple pin cushion.

“All right. Just roll over and push down your pajama bottoms.” She turned to retrieve a hypo from one of the trays.

Praise for Barbara Whitaker

“Barbara Whitaker’s A War Apart is a riveting novel set during WWII that has been researched to perfection. Whitaker brings history to life with her incredible descriptions and presents us with an entirely plausible way for two people to find love during such tumultuous times where war has pushed them apart…This is a fantastic book that will draw you in by the heart…”

~ Madeline Martin, NYT Bestseller.

“…achingly beautiful. True to the time…many ups and downs for these characters both personally and together. A great attention to detail from the author in which she uses wonderful imagery to transport you to the time…”

~ Novel News Network Blog.

 Here are the social media and buy links for your convenience:

Website – www.barbarawhitaker.com

Facebook Author Page - https://www.facebook.com/BarbaraWhitakerAuthor/

Facebook Personal Page - https://www.facebook.com/barbarawhitaker13

https://www.amazon.com/Scarred-Dreams-Barbara-Whitaker-ebook/dp/B0BGX17914/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1700857496&sr=8-1

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/scarred-dreams-barbara-whitaker/1142306104?ean=2940185591581

 

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/scarred-dreams

 

All you lovers of WWII Historical Romance, you're in for a treat.

 

 

April Fool's Day--NOT!

 

It’s happened to most of us. We try to pull an April fool’s joke, and it backfires or someone pulls a joke on you and it’s more hurtful than funny. Well, today isn’t about fooling our readers. Actually, I have some exciting book-related news. On April 21st, book #2 of my Doc Holliday Mystery series releases. 

Don’t you just love the cover?


Enjoy a sneak preview of “The Boneyard.”

“This place gives me the creeps,” grandmother’s voice sounded strained. “Tullah, you’re white as a sheet.”

Dad adjusted the .45 on his hip as if expecting trouble. I felt as if someone was walking on my grave without me being in it. Part of me wanted to turn around, get on my horse and race away from this place. The other part was held by a voice inside my head saying I’m here. We’re all here. Find us. Please find us.

I could feel that the voice was in a place—a deep dark place. I felt it in me, and it clawed its way up my spine. I knew it would come out my mouth like a regurgitation of emotion if I let it.

I inhaled. I would never get used to these surprised visits of the mind that iced my blood and burdened my heart. I never had them when my mother was alive. Had she somehow in death gifted me with this curse?

I stood there, listening to the hum of mosquitoes and my dog’s whines, and staring into the dark marsh until I became aware of the welling of tears in my eyes. I gripped his arms. “Dad, this is a place of death.”

The Boneyard available in print and Ebook at Amazon. com

 https://amzn.to/2GBb0iI

WAIT…Don’t Go!

If you are a book lover, you don’t want to miss novels by our wonderful Pen Dames. There’s a genre for every reader.

Do you need to escape from reality? Then Flossie Benton Rogers’ fantasy novels are the perfect gateway to magic and romance. For a list of her books visit Flossie at: https://flossiebentonrogers.com/

Love mermaids and mermen? Then be swept away by Katherine Eddinger Smits enchanting tales of adventure and mystery. Visit Katherine at: http://katherineeddingersmits.weebly.com/

If you are inspired by women who fought the good fight, then Linda Tillis’ historical western romance are just the books for you. Visit Linda at:

https://www.amazon.com/Linda-Tillis/e/B01I1SY3K0%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share

Jennifer Taylor’s historical romance novels immerse readers into the lives of our foremothers, and help us appreciate how far we have come. Visit Jennifer at: https://jennifertaylorwrites.com/

And this, dear readers, is no joke. Happy April fool’s Day!

 

Rainy Day Random Thoughts

 

Hi, Linda Tillis here! It has been raining today, off and on, but sometimes very hard. Rain does several wonderful things for us. But, for me, it causes my mind to wander. When that happens, it is often surprising. 

Have you ever read a historical romance and the couple had quick, amazing sex?

Well, let me tell you that did not happen!  Amazing, quite possibly, quick not so much.  Do you have any idea what it took for a woman to get into and out of those many items of clothing they wore? Just saying…

 Oh, and let’s talk about bathing! Just how attractive can that man be after all day spent working in the fields, or competing in those jousts?  Hauling water, even cold water, was quite a chore. And unless he was a “little” person, it took at least fifty gallons of water to fill a good-sized tub.  Unless you had a house full of servants, you know who got to haul all that water? That’s right, the little woman of the house. And he’s going to expect her to have enough energy left for sex? I think not.

 And if we’re hauling water, what about dishes?  Nowadays you load that dishwasher and push that button and walk away.

Can you imagine washing dishes in the old days without a bottle of Dawn?  I don’t remember what my grandmother used (and that was only sixty years ago) but I do remember there being bubbles.  In the really old days, think Saxons and Norsemen, they used vinegar and sand to scrub and polish their armor, so it stands to reason they would have used it to clean any cookware.

I could use a couple of new, light-weight summer blouses.  I might run to Walmart or Target and check out what they have to offer. Not so two-hundred years ago.  Most items were made from linen.  Linen is made from flax fibers. The flax was grown, soaked in water, stripped into fibers, the longest of which can be up to twenty centimeters long. Those fibers are then spun into yarn and eventually woven into fabric. If you wanted a new blouse this Spring, you had better have been working your behind off last year!

 The next time you read a historical novel pay attention to some of these little details and see if the author has given enough thought to just what the everyday life of a woman entailed.

 It has quit raining now. I can hear the thunder becoming distant. Time for me to gather my wandering mind and decide what’s for supper.  Any suggestions? Tell me what you are having.

Thanks for stopping by!

Linda Tillis for Pen Dames

 

 

 

What's an Email? The Art of Letter Writing

Some of us are old enough to remember when the only mail that existed was snail mail. But there was an art to letter writing. Let's bring it back!

Remember penmanship? Learning cursive (what's that, you say?) started around 3rd or 4th grade, if I remember correctly. You were in big trouble if you didn't take it seriously. All the women in my family are right-handed. All the men are left-handed. They did not have an easy time of it. Being lefthanded was frowned upon. Out of my three brothers, only one has readable handwriting. I can't say much for myself these days. My beautiful right-slanted handwriting has devolved into a caveman scrawl that only I can read, because of all the book notes I've taken over the years in my writing cave. Notebooks full. Now, if I wrote a letter without the use of my computer, it would likely be illegible, just like my brothers.

Enough about messy handwriting. Getting a letter in the mail was such a treat. Especially love letters. Keep in mind, folks: prior to the 80's, there were no cell phones, no computers. There was only mail or a landline. Talking on the phone long distance was expensive. Stamps were cheap.

If you wanted to impress a lady (or me), you had to be able to write a good letter: legible, interesting, romantic, but not too gushy. I was a minister's daughter, and would invariably meet boys that lived out of town. If a guy couldn't write a decent letter, I wouldn't have anything to do with him.  It was okay to quote a few lines from a song, but overdoing it showed a lack of originality. It's no wonder I'm a writer. A guy's ability to pen a good note was way more important to me than his muscle-flexing ability. I went for the intellectual guys.   It's kind of like that line from "Seven Days," by Sting.

"IQ is no issue here. We won't be playing Scrabble for her hand, I fear."  This is a song about a guy who has 7 days to win a woman's heart, and he's competing with a musclebound man for her affection. 

How many relationships were formed and deepened because of letter writing? Is emailing and texting the same? There were no emojis, only cartoons or drawing that you could show off if you were artistically inclined. There was something so exciting about waiting for a letter, the tactile pleasure of opening it, hiding away in your room so that you could eat up every word, stowing it away where no one could find it. And then you wrote back, thinking carefully about how you would answer their questions. A smart guy would ask you questions to show he was really interested in your answer. 

In my 2nd book, Heartbeat of the Moon, Ian, my 18th Century hero, had to go on a long journey. Maggie receives his letter and keeps it close to her, even when she's sleeping. 

"The urgency of singing you, possessing you with the words of my soul, grows with each step of the journey. Then, my heart plummets. I can never do you justice, for you are ever-changing like the moon. Oh, Maggie, look down upon me with your cool regard, rise above me with your passion, lie beside me so I might truly know you."

Smart man. Letters have power and the ability to keep a relationship alive despite the distance. Wouldn't it be fun to bring them back? You don't have to write a love letter. Write to a sibling, a child, maybe a friend you haven't kept in touch with. You could write a little note to your significant other. There's no need to be an author to pen something meaningful. You just have to mean it. Something like, "Feelings strong. Words difficult." Four words. 

I would love to hear from you letter writers out there. Do you have memories about writing letters? Did you take great pride in your penmanship? Ever get a Dear John (or Dear Joan) letter? 

I feel suddenly inspired to purchase some fancy paper and a special pen. They don't call us Pen Dames for nothing.

You Can't Win if You Don't Enter

 Kentucky Derby and Church Hill Downs

Novels by award winning authors and lots of prizes. Your horse could be the winner.

The winner will be announced May 16th.

Inspiration and Unlikely Heroes

 

Nothing scares some writers like a blank page. For others, the words flow easily and they look up, bleary-eyed, hours later. "Why, where did the time go? I worked-no-played through lunch."

 I am not one of those authors, and I never miss lunch. After publishing three historical romance novels, I've learned a few things about facing that Great White Space. 

1.  Do not expect perfection. If you sit there waiting for the perfect word to slide into your mind like an Olympic ski champion at the finish line, it will likely not happen, and years later, your loved ones will find you covered in spider webs and muttering words like, "shards, Slinkees, despair."  Put something on the page, whether you're starting a novel or just a new chapter. Write now, delete later. Let the words add up. 

The thing is, sometimes those rough drafts (and they're called "rough" for a reason) contain little pieces of treasure, because they come from your subconscious mind. Be kind to yourself. You'll have plenty of time to become the Commander of Words later. 

2. Get away from the computer. Sit in a comfy chair and sit with your legal pad or notebook. Let's say you're starting a new romance. Sometimes changing locations takes the pressure off. 

Start with a character. Who would you like to materialize in front of you that very moment?  What would they say to you? Despite the fact that you're wearing your old pregnancy pants and haven't shaved your legs since 1982, what would you like your hero to say to you? What would take for him to make you glow all over?  Daydreaming is essential.  Delve into your hero's personality, and think about what would make you swoon and what would make you gnash your teeth.  Got some ideas in your notebook? Type them up. Do not delete.

3. Trying to decide on your hero's occupation? Set the timer and give yourself a certain amount of time to research. Why a timer? It's easy to go down the research rabbit hole and it's also a well-known avoidance technique. In my experience, I sometimes get ideas for a plot, or a character, when I'm researching. For instance, in #3 of my Rhythm of the Moon series, Echoes of the Moon, the hero, Henry, is a night soil man. With his young son George helping him, he spends his nights emptying the townspeople's cesspits. I strongly believe that everyone deserves a chance at love, no matter their imperfections or their occupations. Think of the television series, "Dirty Jobs."

Back to research. I got the idea for Henry's occupation when I saw an authentic 18th C. calling card (basically a business card) for a night soil man. It was pretty fancy. I like a challenge, and so my hero was created. There's more to Henry than meets the eye. My heroine, Bethan, despite her distaste for his occupation, finds herself attracted and intrigued by him. Burdened with the care of her mentally ill identical twin, Bethan never thought love possible. Here's a passage where Bethan is watching their early morning progress up the street:

    Henry grunted as they lifted the yoke onto their shoulders, the barrel at the end. "Remember what the old bard said?"

    "I don't know. He said a lot of things."

    "Oh, it is excellent to have a giant's strength, but it is tyrannous to use it like a giant."

    Bethan forgot the stench upon recognizing the words of William Shakespeare. Measure for Measure? How did a night soil man come to quote the immortal words of the bard? Most puzzling, and likely the reason she couldn't get Henry out of her mind.

    They soon returned to the wagon, and Henry watched George, a small smile on his face. 

    George scratched the horse behind his ears. "Good girl. I shall never hurt you."

    They made their way up the street, and the closer they got, the more repulsive the odor became. She covered her mouth with a handkerchief but couldn't take her eyes away from his broad shoulders and wide back, looking strong enough to carry any burden. Even hers He waved at her and strode up the street. 

    He walks like royalty, not as if he has the most disgusting job in town. She lowered the cloth as curiosity got the better of her. 

    He stopped a good twenty paces from her, took off his work gloves, and bowed. "I shan't get too close, Mistress Bethan. Good morrow." He had eyes the color of Lena's best summer ale. "You're up early."

    She nodded. "It's peaceful this time of day, when the town is still asleep."

    "Except for us." He grinned. He wore no hat, and his black hair curled around his face. "I enjoy my work for the same reason."

    "You enjoy your own work?"

    He nodded, his eyes darkening from summer ale to stout. "Why should I not, despite the nature of it? It's honest and important work." He turned toward his son. "And a good trade for young George to learn."

    What a snob she was. "I didn't mean to insult."

    He stepped forward, and she stepped back, rapping her elbow on the door frame. "Ouch!"

    He rushed toward her. "Are you all right?"

    His fingers on her arm were warm and reassuring as she closed her eyes and waited for the stars to disappear from her vision. Then she came to her senses and recoiled from him. 

    He backed away. "I'm sorry to have disturbed your reverie, Mistress Bethan." Formal, cold.

    Emptiness echoed in the pit of her stomach; she had offended him. Why should she care? Nevertheless, she watched him retreat down the hill toward his son. Such a mystery.

The creative process is fascinating. We all have our own ways of creating our art, whether it be painting, sewing, decorating, gardening, or cooking. What do you do when inspiration has disappeared? I'd love to hear from you. 

The Benefits of Reading and a Special .99 Cent Sale

You already know that reading books is fun, but did you know that regular reading is also important for cognitive and emotional well-being? From reducing stress and increasing the quality of sleep to slowing down the onset of dementia, the benefits from regularly putting time aside to lose ourselves in a good book are far-reaching, and, in some cases, life-changing. 

If we all knew how good regular reading is for us, perhaps we would make fewer excuses not to do it. If you need more reasons to make reading part of your regular life, here is a list of the benefits of reading for adults. 

1. Mental stimulation 2. Helps reduces stress and relaxes you 3. Improves focus and concentration 4. Can reduce depressive thoughts 5. Makes you more empathetic 6. Improves your general knowledge 7. Boosts sleep quality 

Now that you know the life-changing benefits of reading in adulthood, Pen Dames hopes you will begin putting reading into practice. To help you get started we are offering a few of our books for .99 cents. Enjoy and Happy Reading! 

www.lorettacrogersnovels.com

www.flossiebentonrogers.com

http://katherineeddingersmits.weebly.com/

https://jennifertaylorwrites.com/

https://www.facebook.com/LindaTillisAuthor/

Jennifer Taylor: A Woman of Many Talents

 

Jennifer Taylor is another fabulous Pen Dame. She is also an author with many talents. She sings, dances, and has a green thumb. She is also mom to a ginormous Great Dane named Bridget.

1.      Jennifer, tell us a little about your musical talent. Did you aspire to be a singer and a dancer?

 Hello, Loretta! Thanks for interviewing me today. That’s a great question. Music is in my bones-my mother was a singer and dancer, and my two brothers are both musicians. I grew up listening to music, my mom’s Goldfinger album, my sister’s Beach Boy albums. I spent hours in front of the mirror singing to my favorite tunes. I wanted-and still want to be--one of Elton John’s backup dancers. In elementary school, I started singing and dancing with a good friend who helped me come out of my shell. In college, I performed at Boblo Island Amusement Park, which was in the middle of the Detroit River. Singing is still a joy to me, and I sing to Bridget a lot with mixed results; sometimes she seems concerned that I may be having a fit of some sort.

2.      What are your favorite things to grow and do you have any special gardening secrets you’d like to share?

I love to grow cucumbers, and when I have a great yield it’s so satisfying. Sometimes gardening is sheer drama. One year I plant Pickle Barrel Hybrids and get a huge yield. Joy! The next year I am bereft of cucumbers. Despair! I am on a mission to grow some good tomatoes this winter. Lazy Housewife Beans (so lazy last year they didn’t sprout), cilantro, hot peppers and arugula for my husband. When you garden in Florida, you always have to deal with pests and mildew. My personal nemesis is the pickleworm. Gardening is relaxing to me and teaches me patience.

 

3. When did your writing journey begin and what drew you to writing?

It all started with music lyrics. I love how they fit together like a puzzle, and how they tell a story in four minutes or less. My childhood friend Diane and I memorized the entire lyrics to the 70’s version of Lost Horizon, and pretty much every song on the radio. I read constantly. It was an escape, an adventure, and introduced me to what good writing is. Wuthering Heights was the first historical romance I read. I thought how cool it would be to create a world of my own making. When my children were young, I tried my hand at children’s books and little plays I helped put on at school. It was a great learning experience.

3.      What are your writing must-haves (e.g. coffee, TV, music, popcorn, post-it notes, etc.)?

Lots of coffee, a content and sleeping Bridget, big strips of butcher paper to work out my plot, and very low instrumental music. If I’m close to a deadline, a Kinder Bueno candy bar saves the day. I have two six-foot folding tables for a desk, so I can spread things out. If my desk is neat, I must not be writing!

4.      What would you consider a perfect writing day for you?

A cottage or cabin on the wild Irish coast. My desk is right where I can see the storm raging. There’s a chill in the air, but a fireplace is roaring. That would do nicely.

5.      I am a travel-lover. What is the most favorite place you have traveled and why?

Ooh, that’s a tricky one. Edinburgh is one of my favorite places, with the castle ominously perched on a rocky cliff. If you walk the streets at night in Rye, England, you could be in the 15^th Century. Rye inspired the setting of my fictional town of King’s Harbour in my Rhythm of the Moon historical romance series. I also loved Nuremburg, Germany, the ancient city walls, the old churches, and the smell of beechwood in the air from the restaurants, the bratwurst, sauerkraut, amazing baked goods.  Food and travel definitely go together for me.

6.      If your books were to be made into a television series, who would you want to play the part of your hero, heroine and main secondary character, and why?

Benedict Cumberbatch would be great as my singer/apothecary hero, Ian. Especially since I found out he can sing. Jessica Brown Findley, who played Lady Edith in Downton Abbey, would work well for my heroine Maggie. Eva Green from the Penny Dreadful series would be amazing as the identical twins Elunid and Bethan.

7.      Besides writing, you also edit for a publishing company. What advice would you give newbie authors?

Read a lot, especially in the genre that you would like to write in. Keep a daily journal that will serve as a place to stash your ideas, your emotions through your writing journey. Don’t try to be perfect, and don’t compare yourself to others. Get those words on page every day, even if all you have is fifteen minutes. Turn off your inner editor for that first draft. Your story will likely go through many stages before it’s complete. And don’t give up.

Also, research the market, find out what publishing companies are looking for. Learn about the business end. And this is a big one: if an editor rejects your partial or your full manuscript but takes the time out of a busy schedule to email you with suggestions about your story, swallow your disappointment, give your manuscript a few days to rest, and then really consider what they have to say. Consider a rejection to be one step closer to publication.

Soak up craft books like Donald Maass’ Writing the Breakout Novel. Before you send your work to an editor, make sure it’s as free of grammatical and punctuation errors as possible. It’s all part of being a professional. And last of all, don’t get discouraged-enjoy the journey of writing your book. (Great advice, Jennifer.)

8.      Do you have any new writing projects on the horizon that you’d like to share with us?

Yes, it’s quite a change from writing historicals set in the 18^th Century. I’m continuing my Rhythm of the Moon series, but I’m currently working on a Redneck romance. It’s set in a fictional town in rural Florida

10. If you do have a new writing project, what was your inspiration for the book?

It all started with a picture of a man and his possum, and a postcard of a hot guy on a beach. I’ve lived in rural Florida for over thirty years, and I’ve been taking notes on this book since 2013. I’ve collected a ton of one-liners. It’s very fun to write.  . (This sounds intriguing. Being a Native Floridian, I’m looking forward to reading about what shenanigans you come up with.)

Thanks for having me on today, Loretta.

I’m sure readers will enjoy learning about your wit and sense of humor, Jennifer. You’ve really entertained us.

Okay viewers, it’s your turn. What question would you like to ask Jennifer? (Remember, no political, religious, or immoral questions. Keep it fun.)