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IWSG Blog Hop: Summer Fever by J Q Rose

# # # #

Canadians and Americans have celebrated long weekends what with Victoria Day on Monday, May 23, and Americans just coming back to reality after Memorial Day, May 30. Time to get glued back into your chair and write.

Spring fever interferes with my writing. So, after the Memorial Day holiday and school closing for the summer, I will be dealing with summer fever. I don't recall having fall or winter fever. The long days and warm weather lures me away from my laptop, but ideas for writing stories are always swirling in my head. Please follow the colorful arrows pointing to the top of the sidebar and sign up to receive a notice when a new article is posted on the J.Q. Rose blog. I promise, No Spam.

Posted by J Q Rose at 9:03 PM 26 comments: Labels: insecure writer's support group, insecure writer's support group blog hop, IWSG Blog Hop: Summer Fever by J Q Rose


Remembering the WWII Women Air Force Service Pilots (WASP) This Memorial Weekend

In January 2014, my husband and I attended the Rose Parade in Pasadena, CA, where I learned about a brave group of women. Because of the Wingtip to Wingtip Association float in the 2014 Rose Parade, the 1102 women who served their country as Women Air Force Service Pilots (WASP) received recognition for their contribution to the war in 1942-1944. These brave trailblazers dreamed of flying for their nation.

When the WASP was disbanded in 1944, the courageous women were not considered members of the military and received no recognition. They paid their way back home and their contribution to the war effort was forgotten. They were not recognized as veterans until 1977 when the WASP records were unsealed. According to Wikipedia, on July 1, 2009 President Barack Obama and the United States Congress awarded the WASP the Congressional Gold Medal. During the ceremony President Obama said, "The Women Airforce Service Pilots courageously answered their country's call in a time of need while blazing a trail for the brave women who have given and continue to give so much in service to this nation since. Every American should be grateful for their service, and I am honored to sign this bill to finally give them some of the hard-earned recognition they deserve."

During this 2016 Memorial Day weekend, let's remember the WASP who opened the skies to later generations of female pilots in the military.

Enjoy your Memorial Day activities, but please take time to tell the children why we have Memorial Day. Let us remember those who gave their lives for our country.

This excellent video posted by the American Legion HQ enlightens us about the WASP history. The seven minute video will take you back to those WWII days with the music and the sights and the important story of these female pilots who opened the skies for the women military pilots of today.
Women Air Force Service Pilots Video
Previously blogged at the Girls Succeed blog

Posted by J Q Rose at 11:43 AM 4 comments: Labels: Remembering the WWII Women Air Force Service Pilots (WASP) This Memorial Weekend, rose parade, rose parade float, WASP, World War II


Romance Readers Want to Know: Mystery Author Marsha R. West, Giveaway

Hello and welcome.
I'm delighted to welcome a frequent blogger on the J.Q. Rose blog, my friend and fellow mystery author, Marsha R. West. Marsha shares several questions from readers this week. You're invited to ask her a question about her writing too. Just ask it in the comment section below and/or leave a comment to enter the drawing for her book, Second Act.
Marsha is having a GIVEAWAY of the first book in her series, Second Act. For a chance to win, you just need to sign up for her newsletter http://eepurl.com/bBcimz  and comment here at this blog. Please let her know in your comment if you already receive her newsletter.

Thank you, Marsha!!

What Readers Want to Know by Marsha R. West

Thanks for asking me to be a part of this series, JQ. I’ve really enjoyed reading other authors' answers.

When did you first consider yourself a writer? This is tough. Probably not until my first book, VERMONT ESCAPE, (the 4th one I wrote) was released. I remember the thrill when I went on B & N, and Amazon and found it by title with my name on it. Well, heh, it’s still a thrill. J

Do you have to travel much concerning your book(s)? I’d say I travel some because of writing and my books. I attend conferences and book signings. Some of the places we visit on vacation, I’m able to include in my books. ACT OF TRUST is set in a small harbor town I built after a visit to Boothbay Harbor, Maine.
Do you have any advice for other writers? Keep on keeping on. It’s a hard business. Rejection hurts. Pick yourself up. Take another online class or attend a conference, hone your skills, and keep on writing.
Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp? It’s probably the importance of family and never giving up on each other.
How much of your books is realistic? Well, the stories are made up, but my intention is for the situations to feel realistic. I draw a lot from personal experiences and knowledge. I also research when I don’t know something I need.
Back of the Book: Second Act by Marsha R. West
When a member of the board of a non-profit arts agency in Fort Worth turns up dead, the homicide detective assigned to the case looks at everyone involved in the organization, including the Executive Director.

Excerpt: Second Act, Book 1 The Second Chances Series
“We had full houses during the run of the show, but we didn’t make enough to pay for the production. You have failed consistently to bring in shows on or under budget. I won’t let you continue to drown us in red ink.”
Addison Jones shoved the pages on her desk in his direction. Her artistic director glanced at the sheets and broke into hysterical laughter. Chills scampered down her back like mice escaping a cat. The man was a creative genius and scary as hell right now, but Addie wouldn’t cut him any slack on the financial issue. She’d given him enough second chances to last two careers.
“Being executive director doesn’t give you the power to fire me, unless you get the support of a supermajority of the board.” His lip curled into a sneer that matched his voice. “And you don’t have that.” He stood up and walked toward the door. His knuckles whitened on the knob before he yanked it open and turned to face her.
“Don’t screw with me, Addison. You’ll lose.” His whiny tone switched to a menacing one.
Her face warmed with the rush of blood at his language. She stood, met his gaze, and clenched her hands into such tight balls the nails cut into her palms. “You mess with this theatre, and I’ll make you sorry, Clay Bennett.”

Connect online with Marsha
or through her web site http://www.marsharwest.com
or at http://sistersofsuspense.com/
http://eepurl.com/bBcimz Newsletter Sign up
http://www.marsharwest.com/category/blog/ for Thoughts on Thursday https://www.facebook.com/#!/marsha.r.west  @marsha.r.west
http://www.twitter.com/Marsharwest  @Marsharwest

Posted by J Q Rose at 2:00 AM 14 comments: Labels: giveaway, Romance Readers Want to Know: Mystery Author Marsha R. West, Second chances series


Lisa Morin Review of Deadly Undertaking, This Week Hello from J.Q. Rose.
My day started out great this morning when I received a review for Deadly Undertaking from cozy mystery reviewer, Lisa Morin. Yes, I did send in a review request to her because I thought my romantic suspense mystery might be in the category she prefers to review. Sure enough, she definitely enjoyed it!

Here is part of Lisa's review--
"You won't want to miss out on this fantastic story!
This book is a whirlwind of mystery and I was on the edge of my seat at the end.
The author tells a good story and all the characters are believable. There are a few characters that really irritated me and that is a sign of a well told story."

If you'd like to read the entire review, Lisa posted it on amazon, goodreads, and Barnes and Noble.
Here is the link to download a sample or purchase Deadly Undertaking.

Thursday, May 19--Mystery author Marsha R. West joins us to answer questions from readers AND she is offering a giveaway of an e-book. See you on Thursday!

Posted by J Q Rose at 4:28 PM 7 comments: Labels: author marsha r. west, book review, Lisa Morin Review of Deadly Undertaking, this week


Romance Readers Want to Know: Three Questions for Janet Lane Walters, giveaway

Hello and welcome to the J.Q. Rose blog and another chance to ask an author a question or two or three. This week I'm delighted to welcome another Books We Love author, multi-published Janet Lane Walters. Janet, a prolific author, has graciously offered to award a print copy of one of her many books to a lucky commenter. Deadline for entry is Saturday, May 14 at 6 pm EDST.

Now let's find out what three questions readers ask her the most. Remember, you're invited to leave a question for Janet too.

Three Questions for Janet Lane Walters

One question I'm always asked. What advice do you have for new authors?
Years ago I went to an all day writer's conference. I can't remember the name of the author giving the workshop but I do remember one thing he said. "Finish the book. Don't worry about making it pretty just write the book."

To this I'd like to add something that has become important to me. Write every day. Set a goal. Make the goal a small one, say, one page. This is about 250 words. If you do this every day for a year you have 365 pages. More than a book. As you become comfortable with reaching this goal, you can increase the word count. You will find that suddenly the 250 words becomes 500 and then more. If you are going to be away from a chance to write for several days, try to write ahead. With practice producing words becomes easier.
Second question - Why do you choose to write in a number of genres?
The answer to this is that I'm easily bored. Writing the same kind of book over and over would see me giving up the craft I love very much. Also this is because I tend to read just about anything. I enjoy writing contemporary stories since they keep me grounded in the past. The historicals I write are generally either based on reincarnation or alternate worlds using some of the material I research and change a bit or perhaps more. I also do some mysteries and enjoy solving the puzzles I encounter when I'm creating those worlds. Being published electronically has given me the freedom to explore the various sub-genres. There are two kind of books I wouldn't write. One is those science filled stories with technology. I love reading them but don't have the mind set to write them. The other his horror. I do not read unless I'm judging an entry for a contest. Even then I cringe. I'm chicken and I do not like to be frightened by words.
Third question - How do you develop your characters?
I use an abbreviated Astrological way to develop my character. I use their Sun Sign to depict their inner nature. These are the things important to them both their good and bad parts. The Moon Sign then shows their emotional nature. This is the way they react to things and may be in conflict with their inner nature. The Ascendant is used to show the face they show the world. This may or may not be in conflict with both their emotional responses and their inner qualities. I find this system gives me a variety of ways to depict a character. There are twelve signs in each of the three areas and multiplying these can make for a host of characters.

About Janet Lane Walters:
Janet Lane Walters has been among the published since 1968. Her career began with short stories and poetry until the day when an editor told her the recently submitted short story sounded like the synopsis for a novel. She set out learning a new direction. Time was taken out to return to work as a nurse to help children through college and earn two degrees, A BA in English and a BS in nursing. As well as writing a lot of novels, she doesn't keep track, she has also dabbled in ghost writing and non-fiction. She's the mother of four, her youngest an adopted bi-racial daughter. She has seven grandchildren. Four are biracial and three are Chinese. Like her writing she likes to think of her family as eclectic.

Please leave a comment below. We'd love to hear from you. And you may be the winner of th drawing for Janet's book! Thank you for stopping in.

Posted by J Q Rose at 1:00 AM 13 comments: Labels: drawing, giveaway, print book, Romance Readers Want to Know, Seducing the Chef, Three Questions for Janet Lane Walters


Spotlight on Joan's Elder Care Guide: Empowering You and Your Elder to Survive by Joan Y. Edwards

Hello and welcome. Hope you're recovered from a weekend of Mother's Day activities.

Today is a special day on the J.Q. Rose blog. I'm shouting about the new release of Joan Y. Edwards' book for caregivers. I'm happy today to introduce her to you and to spotlight her new book. Take a peek.




What People Are Saying:

Official Video Trailer for Joan's Elder Care Guide

Joan's Elder Care Guide Joan Y. Edwards is an author, illustrator, and retired teacher in North Carolina. Joan's Elder Care Guide: Empowering You and Your Elder to Survive is published by 4RV Publishing. She wrote and illustrated picture book, Flip Flap Floodle, and self-published it with BookSurge in 2004. She is currently working on illustrations for her chapter book, Larry, the Terrifying Turkey.

Her Never Give Up blog, has over 340,000 views and 350 subscribers. She encourages writers, illustrators, and others to never to give up.

Her website, has a multitude of Gospel-based devotionals, puzzles, and skits. Joan is a member of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). Her article, “Find Your Creative Edge,” appeared in the July-August 2011 SCBWI Bulletin.

Edwards thrives on spending time with her family and friends. She presents interactive writing and motivational talks and workshops for children and adults. She reads humorous and self-help books. For inspiration and self-acceptance, she heeds the wise teachings of Robert Schuller, Joel Osteen, Maxwell Maltz, and Tony Robbins.

Facebook Page Joan Y. Edwards, Author
Twitter @joanyedwards
Feel free to reblog this post. If you would like to have Joan Y. Edwards as a guest on your blog, please contact her at email@example.com/.

Tuesday, May 10--I'm a guest on the 4 Foxes, 1 Hound site. Come on over and say hi. I wonder if you  already know what  reveal in this interview.
Here's the link https://fourfoxesonehound.wordpress.com/2016/05/10/please-welcome-j-q-rose/#comment-18464

Thursday, May 12--On the Readers Want to Know series on this blog, prolific writer and fellow BWL author, Janet Lane Walters, answers three questions frequently asked by her readers. Do you have a question for her too? Fire away!

Posted by J Q Rose at 10:13 AM 12 comments: Labels: elder care, Joan's Elder Care Guide: Empowering You and Your Elder to Survive by Joan Y. Edwards, shhh new book release


Happy Mother's Day!, Poem Happy Mother's Day!!﻿
On this special Sunday we honor our mothers and those who stepped in as mothers for the work they put into rearing us. A mother's job is one of joy and hardship, worry and celebration, laden with love, unconditional love.

I wrote a chapbook many years ago to honor mothers and daughters. Today I share a poem from that book.

No Matter My Age

No matter my age or places I'll see
There's still a little girl inside of me.

I remember the warmth and the love you have shown.
I know in my heart I am never alone.

'Cause no matter my age or places I'll see
I'll carry you, Mother, forever with me.

Janet L. Glaser
copyright 1996
Posted by J Q Rose at 7:00 PM 7 comments: Labels: Happy Mother's Day!, poem


Romance Readers Want to Know: Authors Jude Pittman and Gail Roughton, Giveaway

Hello and welcome on this first Thursday in May!

I'm almost giddy with excitement about hosting our two authors this week. Yes, we have two authors to grill, er, ask questions about their writing process. This team of writers also share THE most-often-asked question from readers. Sit back and enjoy getting to know both of these talented authors, Southern author Gail Roughton and writer/publisher Jude Pittman. While both have written successful, amazing stories on their own, they have teamed up to bring their gift for storytelling to create the romantic suspense novel,  Sisters of Prophecy: Ursula.

A lucky commenter will win an e-copy of this book. Please leave your questions for the authors or good wishes in the comment box to enter the drawing.Deadline for entry is Saturday, 6 pm EDST. Good luck!


# 1 Question Romance Readers Want to Know

by Jude Pittman and Gail Roughton

J.Q., thanks so much for having us! It’s great to be here.

Hands down, the number one question readers most frequently ask writing teams is “How do you write a book with somebody else?”  And the answer is, the same way you write any book.  One word at a time. That’s the answer for us, anyway.

Theoretically, we could both write simultaneously, each working on a different plot tangent or a different character and then stitch it together. But that’s not the way we do it. In fact, we’ve never even discussed the way we do it.

We discuss characters and plot lines and what ifs, don’t get us wrong, and in fact, sometimes one of us is actually designated as the particular voice of a particular character or as the driving force behind a particular plot line. But we don’t work on them simultaneously. We do it like we’re sitting around a campfire passing a story back and forth across the flames, you remember the game? Where you end your segment of the story at a highly suspenseful moment and then pass it to the next person and let them weave the next segment of the story?  Well, basically, that’s exactly what we do when we write together. We toss the story back and forth to each other as we sit around a cyber campfire.

Come join us and we’ll roast some smores while we tell you about our first co-written novel, Sisters of Prophecy. (Spoiler Alert: One of the main characters of this novel is an actual historical character who’s an ancestor of co-writer Jude Pittman.)
Back of the Book: Sisters of Prophecy: Ursula by Jude Pittman and Gail Roughton


Katherine bit her lip. Moment of truth. Time to stop stalling. Of course it had just been coincidence that the picture talked to her—scratch that. She’d thought the picture talked to her at the precise time she’d seen Quentin for who and what he really was. And it was just coincidence she’d had that damn dream again the night before Quentin’s surprise call out of the blue. Because that hadn’t been a real surprise; she’d always known deep down he’d call. He couldn’t just let go. It wasn’t in him. Still and all, her Quentin epiphany came right after the portrait’s ventriloquist act. The lady in the tower said the portrait had more to tell her. She had to give it a try.
She jerked the tarp off the portrait. And waited. Nothing. Of course nothing. She picked up a brush and loaded the bristles with cobalt blue.
With the first stroke, roaring filled the studio. Katherine dropped her paintbrush, slapped both hands to her ears. Well, she’d asked for it. And she’d gotten it.
“And about time it is, my girl. ‘Tis stubborn you are.” The same bent crone she remembered stood in front of Katherine’s easel.
“Why are you here? Why did I see you before? And why am I seeing you now?”
“You know why, child. In your heart, you know.”
“What did you do to me last time? To make me cringe when Quentin touched me?”
“‘Twas nothing I did. You did it yourself. You opened yourself to what you already knew was true. ‘Tis in your blood, ye canna escape it. I just helped a wee bit with the seeing of it.”
“That had nothing to do with blood. I just finally started putting things together about Quentin.”
Mother Shipton shook her head. “Stubborn. Just like Ursula.”
“I’m not like any Ursula, whoever she is. I’m me. And all I want to do is paint my pictures and marry the man I love.”
“That might be all you want, m’ dear, but ‘tis not likely to happen unless ye listen to your dreams.”
“My dreams haven’t been exactly instruction manuals. I have no idea what they’re telling me!”
“Liar. There’s something you have to do, and if you fail, then you’ll neither marry the man you love nor paint your paintings. ‘Tis doubtful you’ll live a’tall. There’s things need doing. Back in the past, or ye’ll ne’er be born. Dreamed of a lady in a tower asking for help, did ye? And if ye pay no heed, the lives of all between me and thee will be forfeit.”
“The lady in the tower. What’s her name?”
“I don’t know. I only heard her called Milady.”
“True enough. Well, I’ll give a bit of help with that. She was born Ursula Sontheil. And what’s your name, child?”
“Katherine Shipton.”
“Your whole name.”
“Ursula Katherine Shipton.”
“And why be that, do ye ken?’
“Because both those names have been in the family since the beginning of time and the back of beyond and—oh, shit!”
“Ah, so finally ye see a hint of sun over the horizon, do ye?”
“That’s the reason? The connection? She’s an ancestor?”
“Can’t be telling ye that. Ye must see it for yourself. Time for a journey, child. A journey t’will help you understand. “
“I can’t go anywhere. I have commitments, deadlines.”
Mother Shipton cackled. “This journey—t’won’t be like any ye’ve taken before. None will miss ye nor know you’re gone.”
“I’m having a mental breakdown. That’s it, isn’t it? I’m going crazy and you’re a figment of my imagination.”
“Kitty-Kat, please. Trust me, child. If I don’t exist, I can’t be after hurting ye, now can I?”
“Why’d you call me that? Nobody calls me that but Grandma!”
“Now what else would I be calling a girl named Katherine?” Mother Shipton moved to the sofa on the far wall. “Lie down, sweet girl. Let me soothe that wrinkled brow. And show ye—wonders. Wonders of the past.”
Katherine backed up to the couch and sat down slowly, eyes fixed on the solid apparition.
Mother Shipton cackled again. “Well, ‘tis a start. Ye don’t trust easily and I can’t be after expecting miracles. And a wee bit of caution and common sense bred into the bones over the years, that’s a good thing. Ye think for yourself, don’t take well to being told what to do. Lady Ursula could have done with a bit of it herself, long afore she learned that lesson.”
Mother Shipton laid her wrinkled hand on Katherine’s forehead and rubbed lightly. “Close your eyes, girl. Lean back. And go visiting. To another time. Another place. Long ago. Very long ago. Float, Katherine. Float. None will see ye. None will know ye’re there.”

About Jude and Gail :

Jude Pittman emigrated from Canada to the United States with her mom and brother when she was 14. Her time there included 12 years in Texas where the genus for her first murder mystery  took root. In 1992 Jude returned to British Columbia where she met her husband John. The couple live in Airdrie, Calgary. She’s the author of the mystery trilogy featuring Indian Creek and P. I. Kelly McWinter, A Murder State of Mind (Deadly Secrets, Deadly Betrayal and Deadly Consequences) and Bad Medicine. Descended from the Shipton line, Jude has always been fascinated with the historical and legendary stories about her late and often maligned ancestor, Mother Shipton and her gifts of prophecy. This novel is a work of fiction, but as so often happens, has its roots in reality.

Visit Jude at Amazon and Books We Love, Ltd.
(Note from Gail Roughton—Jude is co-owner with Brian Roberts of Books We Love, Ltd. In her capacity as publisher, she is always on the look-out for talented writers and has made many a writer’s dream come true.)

Gail Roughton is a native of small town Georgia whose Deep South heritage features prominently in much of her work. She’s a retired paralegal who lived in a law office for over forty years, during which time she raised three children and quite a few attorneys. She kept herself more or less sane by writing novels and tossing the completed manuscripts into her closet, most of which have now emerged in published form. A cross-genre writer, her books range from humor to romance to thriller to horror and she’s never quite sure what to expect when she sits down at the keyboard. Now multi-published by Books We Love, Ltd., her credits include the War-N-Wit, Inc. series, my name be Cain…and my color be Se’ben, Vanished, and Country Justice, the first book in the Southern Justice series. Currently, she’s working on Black Turkey Walk, the second Southern Justice novel.

Visit Gail at  Books We Love, Ltd., Amazon, Facebook, and her web-blogs, Writin' With Southern Stylin'! and Flowers on the Fence.

Thank you stopping in. Don't forget to leave a comment to enter to win Sisters of Prophecy: Ursula.

Next week author Janet Lane Walters visits. Get your questions ready! Posted by J Q Rose at 1:00 AM 17 comments: Labels: books we love publishing, giveaway, Romance Readers Want to Know: Authors Jude Pittman and Gail Roughton


Insecure Writers Support Group Blog Hop: Book Marketing is Mystery

Hello and welcome to the monthly meeting of the
Insecure Writers Support Group(IWSG) blog hop!
May is my birthday month, so there's always birthday cake (Texas chocolate sheet cake) available for visitors. And if you leave a comment, you could get ice cream on top!
What is IWSG? Founder of the  Insecure Writer’s Support Group and author Alex J Cavanaugh explains the group's purpose is "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!" You're invited to become a member of this supportive group.
 Book marketing is my topic this month. I 'm very insecure about choosing methods to market my books. On Monday on this blog, I shared my experience in attempting to create a Facebook ad. You can click here to read that post. Let's just say it was a learning experience.

I attempted to create the FB ad to get the word out about my book for girls, Girls Succeed! It's on sale through Wednesday this week for 99 cents.
Then I thought, I don't want to use a FB ad along with the ads on the 99 cent sites and my efforts on social media because I couldn't judge what was effective and driving interest to my book page on amazon.

Is that how you think? Or should we throw all our effort all at once against the wall and hope something sticks?

Book marketing is a mystery. Do free book giveaways increase actual sales? (I haven't found that to be the case.) How about using KDP Select and their promotions? But then I have to be published only at amazon. Am I losing sales if I don't use another distributor to offer more bookselling outlets to carry my books?

Who knows the answer to all these questions?
I feel like I'm lost in the world of book marketing.

Please leave a comment below. Your feedback is appreciated. Posted by J Q Rose at 1:00 AM 14 comments: Labels: amazon, Insecure Writers Support Group Blog Hop: Book Marketing is Mystery, iwsg, IWSG blog hop, kdp select

Meet J.Q. Rose J Q Rose
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