The Sixteenth Issue

 

If it’s the 19^th, that means it’s time for the news. The 3 19 news that is. That little grouping of numbers continues to pop up when I least expect it.  Just last week, gas prices here in the Mitten were at $ 3.19 a gallon.  I was also reading “Lisey’s Story” by Stephen King and room 319 kept popping up in the story.  It’s a good thing I don’t believe in coincidences, or I’d be looking over my shoulder.

Here’s a peek into my world of writing, a bit about my latest work in progress, an interview with another great author and of course, music. How dull this world would be without music.  Let’s roll.

 

Writing 

          When and where your story takes place can have as much impact as a character. Some people enjoy reading about events from a hundred years ago. Others want to look at the future and jump several decades or lightyears ahead.  Does your story take place in a real location, or a mystical garden of make believe?

          The setting plays a role.  Almost all my novels take place in the metropolitan Detroit area, where I lived for many years. Set in a contemporary time frame, I like to use some landmarks that people familiar with the area will recognize.  This includes Comerica Park, Ford Field, the McNamara Federal Building, Belle Isle, the Grosse Pointe suburbs and more.  There are often restaurants mentioned where I’ve enjoyed a great meal.

          In addition to the physical geographic area, the time of year can be a factor too. In “Vanishing Act” the story takes place during the winter months.  While other parts of Michigan often get hammered with blizzards, it’s unusual for the Detroit area to experience this. Most storms move from west to east and it’s not uncommon for them to run out of steam crossing the mitten state.  But I need a storm to be part of the story.  The arrival of a snowstorm hampers the search for Jamie’s best friend when she goes missing.

          In one reader’s review of the story, they claimed to be able to feel the cold of these winter scenes. Considering they were enjoying the book during the summer and in the warmth of Atlanta, Georgia, I’ll take that as a compliment.

Here’s a picture of a favorite spot in Motown.       

 

Work In Progress

          The query for “The Wayward Path” was submitted ahead of schedule.  Feedback from my fantastic team of beta readers was very positive and they helped catch a number of screwups I made in the earlier drafts.  Now it’s time to ‘hurry up and wait’ to hear from the publisher.

          Meanwhile the fourth Jamie Richmond book has begun.  I hit 18,000 words the other day, which is a good start.  There is a main plot and one subplot slowly developing.  I’m looking forward to seeing what mischief my favorite redhead gets herself into here.   There may also be a crossover appearance.  Jamie has popped up in the second and third Jefferson Chene novels. Maybe Chene and his team will return the favor. Anything is possible.

 

Author Interview

          I think of this month’s featured author as a dear friend.  After all, we’ve both been featured in two anthologies and have been writing for a few years now. We’ve both appeared on Dr. Paul’s Family Talk on Impact Radio. The fact that we’ve never met might seem a bit odd. But the world is a smaller place these days. The wonders of technology do bring us all a little bit closer together.  I’ve no doubt that if the opportunity were to present itself, Liz Ashlee and I would gather at a corner of the bar, with a cocktail or two and pass several hours trading tales, ideas and experiences.

 

Where are you from? 
I’m from Independence, Kentucky! It’s located in Northern Kentucky, very close to Cincinnati, Ohio.

What’s your ‘someday’ or dream vacation spot and why?
I am obsessed with Banff in Alberta, Canada. A few years ago, I was looking at one of those slide shows that randomly pops up your Google News and the subject was beautiful vacation spots. Banff happened to make the list. I’m not sure if it was the mountains straight out of a Window’s Desktop background, the glassy water, or the Stephen-King-vibe Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, but I vibed with it. Hopefully someday I’ll make it there!

What’s your favorite thing to do for relaxation?
Like a lot of people, I’m really into true crime. What better way to relax than to listen to a podcast or watch a documentary about murder, theft, or unsolved mysteries? Weirdly, it makes you very thankful that your life is normal and lacking those mysteries!

Any favorite hobbies?

I’ll be blunt: I’m not your average twenty-something. I love to watch TV shows like Columbo, M*A*S*H, The Twilight Zone and Green Acres. So it should be very shocking when I say that my hobby is to cross-stitch. There’s something magical about creating thousands of tiny squares and seeing them slowly form a message or picture. I’m currently working on a pattern of the Biltmore.

How long have you been writing?
I have been writing since I was in the second grade. It was probably horrendous, I’ll admit. It started with an amazing, kind teacher who recognized that a shy young girl had potential; she would exchange letters with me. I also remember yearning to be a writer because my mom was taking a writing class when I was around that age. I wanted to be just like her. Later in elementary school I started writing a book - it was a horrendous ghost story that will never see the light of day.

Are you able to write full time or do you also have a job/career?

I am Prospect Analyst for Northern Kentucky University. I like to joke that my job is to creep on people. I research alumni, community members, organizations, and foundations who might be interested in getting further involved with NKU, either by participating in events on campus, making a gift, or joining a board.

Is there a particular genre that you write?  Or more than one?  What led you there?

I write contemporary romance, particularly New Adult romance. I’m very much a happy-endings person! This is to the extent that I’ll intentionally spoil movies, books and television shows to see if they end happily - if they don’t, I won’t usually go down that path. Weird, considering I like true crime, right? But I just believe that there is enough unhappiness in the world and if I’m going to create something, I want it to be filled with love, hope and happiness.

Do you use friends or family as characters in your work?
I try not to! Because it’s fiction, I never want somebody I know to think, “Oh, this is me!” but then that character does something horrible or dies...how depressing would that be? I even feel weird about using the names of people I know half the time. For example, in Heart’s a Mess, the love interest was named John...and in the midst of editing the book, I began working for a man named John. Although, nobody else but me would probably feel weirded out by me!

I will say, though, that situations do slip in here and there that echo my life. I feel like writing is always an extension of the author’s world. Nothing that I’ve experienced directly correlates with my writing, but it’s always adjacent. With Step Toward You, I was dealing with the loss of my grandfather and my thyroid cancer diagnoses. When I was writing Sort of Normal, I needed to laugh, and Boone’s character made me do just that. When I started Heart’s A Mess, I was reading The Road to Jonestown: Jim Jones and Peoples Temple by Jeff Gunn.

What authors had an impact on you growing up and as an adult? 
I am probably one of the few writers who will say that I did not like reading when I was little. I’ve always been anxious about reading aloud and I’ve never been good at understanding as I’m reading, so I probably psyched myself out! But when I was in high school, I remember picking up random books here and there, and eventually I tore through the Morganville Vampire series by Rachel Caine at about a book a day. Those books taught me to love and appreciate what reading can do for you! The other authors who have impacted me the most are Mia Sheridan, Abbi Glines, Tonya Kappes, Kylie Scott, Jennifer Echols, Jennifer L. Armentrout, and Carian Cole. My favorite author is Agatha Christie - her books are marvelous and mysterious!

What is your favorite aspect or writing? Your least favorite? 

My favorite part of writing is dialogue. I feel like it is the best way for the reader (and myself) to get to know a character. Once you hear their voice, you see the way they look and act, and eventually, it’s like they’re sitting in the room with you. There isn’t anything as energizing as just letting your fingers fly over a keyboard as you’re just typing out dialogue - it feels like the characters are speaking through you.

My least favorite part is writing descriptions. I’ve gotten to a point now where I combat the problem by having Google Images at the ready, or I type “NEED MORE HERE.” Of course, when I go back in my first round of edits, those words make me feel sick to my stomach. I always find it difficult to know when you should tell the reader what they see, versus just letting them make up whatever they want.

What aspect of writing would you most like to improve on? 
Is it okay to say sitting down and writing? You would think that in this pandemic, I would have more time to write, but when I do have free time, I just want to watch TV and cross-stitch. 2020 was a big year for more - I got engaged, finished grad school, started a new job (my first without downtime to write during!), got married, and bought a house. I feel both guilty and thankful to say that 2020 was the best year of my life...but not when it came to writing. So, hey you, 2021...I’m coming for you.

Do you have any “must haves” with you while you’re writing? 

When I write, I usually have The Avett Brothers, The Lumineers, or The Head and the Heart playing quietly. I’m obsessed with those bands, so I have their lyrics memorized, so it’s something I can mindlessly listen to. Other than that, I can be in any environment at any time or anywhere. A few weeks ago, I was writing while I was getting my hair done!

Is there a common theme or item that appears in each of your work?  
I think that loss shows up a lot in my writing. Here I talk about only happy endings and loss is the exact opposite of that, but it’s a part of life. It’s something we can usually all identify with. But for me, when you have something like loss, it is always bookended with hope and joy because to have loss, is to have life. I love to write about people who are moving through loss and toward their happily ever after.

What have you learned the most from being in the writing business?

The writing business is a lot bigger than just writing. It’s something I expected but didn’t necessarily know. You have to be your main advocate and advertise yourself. There is so much competition out there, so you have to figure out a way to make yourself stand out. It’s not something I’ve cracked the code to, but it just gives you a reason to explore opportunities and try new things. This leads me to say, thank you, Mark, for giving me this amazing opportunity to be involved in your newsletter! 

Tell us about your latest work.  How did you decide on your story plot?

Like I mentioned before, I was reading a book on Jim Jones. Nothing as tragic happens in Heart’s a Mess, but it struck me how a person can make others follow them to that extent. I wanted my plot to have an antagonist with that charismatic quality and show people whose lives have been impacted by it. And, also, I wanted to rewrite history, in a sense - create a fictional world where *SPOILER ALERT, but also, duh, because happy endings* you can stop the bad guy before he becomes the big kind of bad that Jim Jones was.

Describe how this method works best for you. Outline or ‘seat of the pants’? 
I write by the seat of my pants! For me, I could never finish anything if I had an outline set - it wouldn’t be as exciting! Usually, the only thing I sort of know is how the book will end. Other than that, I like to let the characters write their own story through their dialogue and actions. I do wish I was more of an outliner, though! At least then I would have more direction.

Do you have a favorite scene you’ve written? What makes it special? 

My favorite scene to write was in Step Toward You. The love interests pretend to get married so the heroine’s dying mom can see her only child’s wedding. It was the one scene that I could see, hear and feel from the moment I first imagined Silas and Rooney. And, in part, it was also a wish that everyone could have their dreams come true in front of someone they’ve lost, even if it is just pretending.

Here’s an excerpt from the story. 

Sometimes our hearts break…

When John Smith’s father was dying, his family knew there was nothing to do, but they tried anyway. Paying more money than they had, they took John’s father and the last of their hope to Ezra Abel for a healing.

And we fight to keep it beating…

But Ezra’s faith healing is only a trick—a way to fool families out of their money. Worst of all, he humiliates these families when they’re at their lowest. After his father dies, John devotes his life to revealing Ezra for the evil person he is. And when Kinley walks into his life, he’s much closer to accomplishing his goal. But all you can do is hold it in your hands. Kinley Abel is Ezra’s weapon, milking families of their hard-earned cash. She doesn’t want to do her father’s bidding, but she has to. Except the more she falls for John, the more she questions her role in the church, leading her down a dangerous path which could break her heart.

Sometimes you fall in love with lies.

Here are some links where you can learn more about Liz.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Liz-Ashlee/e/B07CHGG3GF/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1

Website: https://www.liz-ashlee.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LizAshleeAuthor/

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/lizashleeauthor?lang=en

 

Music

          There’s been a lot of variety this month, but an old favorite keeps popping up when I least expect it. 

          Paul Simon has been performing for more than 50 years and his catalog of songs are still as popular today as they were back in the sixties and seventies.  Simon has won 12 Grammy awards, been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame. He’s also been honored by the Kennedy Center and has won the Gershwin Prize.

          Here’s my top five songs from Simon. Picking just five wasn’t easy.

Call Me Al: https://youtu.be/uq-gYOrU8bA

Baby Driver: https://youtu.be/J8i4Rp3qizk

Me & Julio: https://youtu.be/Z6VrKro8djw

Obvious Child: https://youtu.be/9HKNAhAxMAk

Loves Me Like a Rock:  https://youtu.be/CjFzw8AxSBA

 

 

         

A Special Feature

Every once in a while, another author will reach out to share news about their latest effort and perhaps a new release.  Most of these contacts relate to fiction, which is my favorite.  Occasionally, I’ll get a request for someone with a non-fiction book.

So today it’s my pleasure to introduce Adi Mazor Kario.

Where are you from? 
– I'm from Israel. Some people call it the startup nation and I'd even say innovation nation.

What’s your ‘someday’ or dream vacation spot and why?

– I make my best to make my dreams come true these days, not "someday". I always love to travel with my 4 kids and my husband. Although in the past year the whole world stopped, I hope we will be back traveling together.

What’s your favorite thing to do for relaxation?

– I practice "The Work" of Byron Katie and it makes my life much better.

Any favorite hobbies?

– Reading, deep conversations with my friends and Zumba.

How long have you been writing?

– about 2-3 years.

Are you able to write full time or do you also have a job/career?

– I see it as another aim in my career, but surely not the main one. This is a way for me to share my expertise.

Is there a particular genre that you write?  Or more than one?  What led you there?

- I wrote one business book, to share what I've learned in my 20 years as leader in the Israeli tech scene.

What is your favorite aspect or writing?

I love the research part and the part you learn on the way.

What have you learned the most from being in the writing business?

I learned that even when I write a business book, I still want to bring my human and vulnerable parts to the writing. This is very important to me.

Tell us about your latest work.

Innovating through Chaos- The proven formula for launching unbeastable products during uncertain times.

Blurb:

The world is in a constant state of flux, making it imperative for companies to keep changing and innovating to meet the market needs. This is even more pertinent now, as we are witnessing the biggest crisis in recent history. This crisis might lead to more companies struggling, and collapsing.

 

If market-, client-, and user-needs change while companies don’t, they risk losing. On the flip side, businesses that stay relevant and lead the pack are those that are constantly and mindfully innovating with correct and proven methods.

 

This book was written in order to help companies transform every crisis into a business opportunity. Success is about doing the right things in a prudent and sustainable manner using a proven method.

 

This indispensable and step-by-step guide details the process of what it takes for companies to chart a way forward and stay ahead of the competition. It also details how these companies can create the right products for changing needs, in order to win the loyalty and trust of customers, users, and stakeholders.

How did you decide on your story plot? 

The book was born in the corona crisis.

How can we harness the wind of change for growth? How can we thrive in times of worldwide change? And more specifically, how can leaders turn a crisis into a business opportunity? These questions have kept me awake at night since the COVID-19 pandemic started. I believe the answers to these questions are the key to overcome the unknowns and uncertainties any crisis brings and come out of it more robust than when it began.

Include links to where the story can be found, along with any social media links for you. 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08KSJ5V19/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0

https://www.linkedin.com/in/adimazorkario/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiS_bezw9UcySAZffZTmocQ

https://invincibleinnovation.com/

 

 

 

The Fifteenth Issue

 

It’s like Déjà vu all over again.  Time for another glimpse into my efforts at storytelling.  There’s also a bit about my latest projects and to shake things up, an interview with one of my favorite characters. So without further delay, let’s get the party started.

 

Writing

One of the components necessary for a good story, regardless of the length or the medium (print, e-book, movie or television) is the subplot. Some people consider this the second or maybe even third story. The subplots, and yes, there can be more than one, can help flesh out the story, showing more interactions, conflicts and resolutions with your people. It could involve the primary characters or be something separate, focused on a secondary player.  

In “Stealing Haven” Jamie Richmond and her best friend Linda are on a vacation, relaxing on the shores of Lake Michigan.  The story predates her involvement with Malone.  A romance blossoms between Jamie and a local guy, which is the primary story. 

The subplot is where Jamie’s curiosity and instincts come into play when she learns about a series of home invasions. Knowing that tourism plays a major part in the economy of South Haven and that many of the homes in the area are vacation properties, she can’t resist the urge to start snooping and theorizing, much to Linda’s dismay.

You can see the same type of activity in any television series. Learning more about the challenges and conflicts the characters face are all part of the appeal for the audience.

 

Work in Progress

 

“The Wayward Path” is the working title for the latest Jefferson Chene mystery. Second round of edits have been completed and my team of beta readers and currently going through it. 

These are all people who have read the earlier works and given me great feedback. Often, they may catch a mistake or ten that I’ve overlooked, because I’m too close to the story.

With luck I’ll get their feedback by the end of May, address any issues or concerns and have it ready to submit to the publisher by early June. That’s my target.  Then it’s ‘hurry up and wait’ to see if they accept the book. Time will tell.

As I was finishing this novel, ideas began to churn for a new Jamie mystery.  Although she makes appearances in both the second and third Chene books, Jamie can easily carry the weight of a full book. To date I’ve written three novels and one novella starring my stubborn redhead. It is time to get back to her.  But before getting started, I reached out to Melissa at Inkspell Publishing to see if she’d be interested in another Jamie book. I explained that no writing had even started, it was just brainstorming at this stage.

Her response: “Yes!”  followed by “When can I expect it?”

Seriously?

Melissa is great at motivating her authors. Apparently, she didn’t see a problem with that question.

 

Interview

Usually this space is utilized to introduce you to another author, someone whose path has crossed mine, whether in person or through the wonders of social media. But every once in a while I like to turn the spotlight on one of my characters.

Here’s your chance to get to know Jefferson Chene.

This is what Chene might look like.

Tell us a little about yourself:

I’m a Motown guy, born and raised in Detroit.  I’m a Sergeant with the Michigan State Police, part of an investigative team called Squad Six. We handle major cases that often cross jurisdictional boundaries, from city to city, within the tri-county area that makes up Metropolitan Detroit.  A lot of those cases involve homicides.

        How did your background get you involved in this novel?

As a kid I was always a bookworm. Mysteries were among my favorites and I was often trying to figure out who was behind the crimes. Seemed like a natural progression, so I made a career out of it. In college I studied business along with criminal justice.

        What’s your greatest strength?   And your greatest weakness.

Strength would be a creative mind. I’m able to look at the crime and start spinning different scenarios, depending on who would gain the most. Objectivity comes into play here.  Probably my biggest weakness is that I don’t have a lot of experience dating. I have no problem talking to a woman if she’s a witness or a colleague or even a victim to a crime. But dating… not my comfort zone.

            What is it about this latest story that sets it apart from the others?
“The Wayward Path” centers around a cold case homicide. The FBI gets involved because their suspect is a retired member of an organized crime family.  My involvement comes into play because I know this man and he’s been a source of information for me on other cases.  So you have a couple of state police detectives collaborating with FBI agents to investigate the case. The FBI agents want to nail him. I’m hoping to clear him and find the real killer.

            Tell us something about your background that may or may not be revealed in the book?
In the first book “Why 319?” readers learned that I was abandoned at birth and raised in a Catholic orphanage. My name comes from the intersection in Detroit where I was found.  I was never adopted, never met either of my biological parents. (Laughs) Maybe being shy around women is hereditary.

Are you the type of person who always seeks out the company of others?

I’m a bit of a loner. There is a small circle of friends that I have, along with my coworkers. I’m not much of a party animal.

                Which do you prefer, music or television?
Music is essential to the soul. I’m a sucker for old blues, rock and jazz songs. Of course, there’s Motown.  Television is okay for watching the news or a football game. But music is where it’s at.

What has been the most romantic thing you’ve ever done or instigated?
(Laughs again) I’ve been dating Simone Bettencourt for a while now. She’s a lovely lady who keeps me on my toes. Recently I asked her out for dinner on short notice. She was a little irritated with me, but we had a nice meal. I learned that she was miffed because she hadn’t been expecting to see me and hadn’t shaved her legs for a couple of days. So I offered to shave them for her. Things got quite romantic after that.

Why 319?  Buy Links

https://www.amazon.com/dp/150921450X

https://www.audible.com/pd/B077SMHSMJ

https://books.apple.com/us/book/why-319/id1222126642

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/why-319-2

 

Your Turn to Die

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MPPYY31/

https://www.audible.com/pd/B07PYYZKDJ

https://books.apple.com/us/book/your-turn-to-die/id1449415728

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/your-turn-to-die-1

 

 

                                                Music

                                        Carlos Santana

Carlos Santana rose to popularity in the late 1960s. His fusion of rock and roll and Latin American jazz music.  Throughout his career, Santana has won multiple Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998. He was also a Kennedy Center Honoree for his musical excellence.

Rolling Stone Magazine lists Santana as number 20 of the greatest 100 guitarists of all time.

Top Five songs.

No One to Depend On:  https://youtu.be/mYc-zH0Ak6Q

Evil Ways: https://youtu.be/_tKIPuLfeKg

Oye Como Va:  https://youtu.be/J7ATTjg7tpE

Black Magic Woman:  https://youtu.be/wyQUCYl-ocs

Smooth: https://youtu.be/6Whgn_iE5uc

 

 

 

 

 

 

The 14th Issue

 

14th Issue

In a blink of an eye, another month has passed.  I’m enjoying the longer periods of daylight, the warmer temperatures and the opportunity to get outside in the fresh air here in the land of the Mitten.

Time to continue with my take about writing, my latest Work In Progress, an interview with another author and of course, music. There must be music! It’s essential to life.

So, with that being said, let’s get this show on the road.

 

Writing

          Last month I was focused on character names and described how important they are to my efforts. It’s often my plan to use distinctive names, or ones that may give the reader a clue as to how the character will act.

          In the old days, I used to peruse the obituaries and death notices, looking for distinct names, some from different ethnic backgrounds. I’ll still make a note of a name that jumps out at me, from an article or a newscast.  But sometimes, the real ones are just too good to be true.

          A couple of my students have names that are distinctive. With their consent, they may just appear in the next Chene novel. Or they could show up in something else down the road.  Olivia is one such person appears in the second and third book.  The character is a reporter for Channel Four in Detroit and truth be told, she’s based on a young lady I worked with a few years ago.

          The real Olivia was the inspiration for the character. Her mannerisms, attitude and interactions with Chene are spot on.  There’s a fair amount of good-natured bantering they share, which is a mirror image of the real Olivia.  When I shared pages from the earlier work with her, Liv was delighted.

          Olivia also helped do some research about prohibition for “Your Turn to Die”.  Modeling a character after her was a great way to express my thanks. Little did I realize that Olivia the reporter might find her way into multiple stories.

          Something tells me Liv doesn’t mind at all.

 

Work in Progress.

          The story continues to roll slowly forward. Since I mentioned Olivia above, it’s a perfect time to share a scene with that player.  Chene and Banks are meeting with her at the television studio to get some assistance from the media.

Here’s a picture of what Olivia might look like.

 

Olivia Sholtis was waiting at the reception desk. The guard must have alerted her. She leaned forward and brushed her cheek against mine. I introduced her to Banks.

“Let’s use this conference room. Then you can tell me all about what’s got you working with the FBI.”

“Hope I didn’t drag you away from an important story,” I said.

“Told my producer I’ve got a hot lead on an in-depth interview with a rogue cop and his sexy girlfriend,” she said, fluttering her lashes at me.

“You know, I almost forgot about your wicked sense of humor.”

“Someday, Chene, you’re going to sit down and tell me everything. By the way, you still owe me for that spa treatment from last month.”

“Send me a bill. I’m good for it.”

There was a small square table in the conference room with four chairs at the sides.  I ended up sitting between Banks and Olivia.  On the wall across from me was a large screen showing the current program the station was broadcasting. 

Banks explained the details on the case. Olivia jotted down notes in some journalistic version of shorthand. Using a tablet computer, she called up the details on the discovery and subsequent identification of Charity Gray.  There had been little follow up since that story ran.  We watched the reports together on the big screen. There wasn’t much to begin with. After reviewing her notes, Olivia looked at me and fluttered her dark lashes again.

“What do you have in mind, Chene?”

“A quick interview. Get the public thinking about this poor girl who vanished and no one’s been held accountable for her death yet.”

A look of surprise crossed her face. “You’re willing to go on camera? The elusive Sergeant Chene, being interviewed live on the noon news?”

“Hell no. You want someone people can relate to. Kids she knew then would be in their thirties now. They’re probably scattered to the four winds, but some may still be in the area. And someone may remember her.”

“So, if you’re not going on camera, who is?”

Banks piped up. “You’re thinking one of the sisters from the school.”

“Damn right. The principal, Sister Augusta, wasn’t there when Charity disappeared, but Sister Mary Margaret was. She was one of her teachers.”

Liv was adding to her notes. “You think she’ll do an interview?”

“Bet your cute little ass she will,” I said. 

Banks offered to call the school and arrange it.

Olivia leaned close and whispered, “You really think my ass is cute?”

I winked at her. “Yeah, but don’t tell Charlie.”

She patted the back of my hand. “That will be our little secret. And I won’t mention it to your new girlfriend when I interview her.”

“You keep dreaming, kid.”

“Always. When you crack this case, do I get an exclusive?”

I had already considered that. “Some of it may have to be off the record, but I’ll make sure you get solid information.”

“Promises, promises. You can be such a sweet talker, Chene. Telling me exactly what I was hoping to hear,” Olivia said with a smile.

 

Author Interview

 

Last year my novella “Don’t Mess With the Gods”, co-authored with Elle Nina Castle, was included in the “Magic & Mischief” anthology, which included several great authors.  Mikael Lemieux was also part of the group. His tale “The Curse of Cinder Ash” was a delightful read.

So I invited Mik to stop by for a visit.

 

Where are you from? 
I was born in New Tecumseth, Ontario. Adopted by French Christian parents, I grew up in Longlac, a small town in Northern Ontario known as “Nature’s Home-Town”.

What’s your ‘someday’ or dream vacation spot and why?
My dream vacation spot would be to spend one week exploring the beautiful city of Copenhagen with my family.

What’s your favorite thing to do for relaxation?

I like to spend my time relaxing either next to a campfire or on a lake fishing, taking in nature and spending time with family.

Any favorite hobbies?

My hobbies including fishing, hunting and hiking. Experiencing nature will always be my favorite past-time.
How long have you been writing?

I began writing in 2018 and don’t plan on stopping. 

Are you able to write full time or do you also have a job/career?

I write part time. I am currently employed by the Canadian Armed Forces as a Royal Canadian Electrical Mechanical Engineer.

Is there a particular genre that you write?  Or more than one?  What led you there?

Over last three years I have exclusively written in the genre of romance. I began writing in this genre as a gift to my wife. In the future I will be pursuing more non-fiction technical works.

Do you use friends or family as characters in your work?
I typically draw all my stories from real world experiences. Family and friends regularly make it into my work which makes the stories that much more special.

What authors had an impact on you growing up and as an adult? 
The authors who had the biggest impact on me growing up were J.K. Rowling and Cornelia Funke. Their enchanting books full of wonder allowed for an escape from the world and encouraged my creativity.

Has anyone in your life influenced you or encouraged you to pursue your interests of writing?

My wife has always been my biggest supporter in writing. She has helped me every step of the way.

Do you have any “must haves” with you while you’re writing? 

A laptop, water, notepad, pen, country music and lots of snacks!

What have you learned the most from being in the writing business?
To be a successful author in this modern information age you can’t only be an author. You must take all opportunities to become marketer, business owner and salesperson all in one in order to succeed. An expert in the writing business is far from exclusively a writer. 

How did you decide on your story plot?  

Inspired by a traumatic car accident I experienced with my wife. I spent months watching her injuries heal. She was an inspiration. I was touched and decided that I had to write about it.

Do you use an outline or ‘seat of the pants’? 
I typically sit down and write whatever comes to mind. The good stuff usually comes to the surface after a few drafts.

Tell us about one of your works:

My very favorite work is titled Remember Me. A Canada Book Award Winner.

Blurb:

It was their passion… that’s all people talked about.

True love… it’s complicated.

Madeline and Elliot's partnership was the envy of the dance floor. Their story, an unspoken truth. Star crossed lovers focusing all their emotions into their craft... like I said it was complicated.
Until the day everything was taken away. Until they fell harder than ever before. It was always Elliot and Madeline, but now…

What would you do? Would you fight for true love?

If you're a fan of Helen Hardt or Sienna Parks, you'll love this inspirational romance! “Remember Me” gives rare insight into the length people will go for true love.

Excerpt:

Elliot's father waited for Elliot in baggage claim. He was a bit tipsy and emotional so when Neal pulled Elliot in for a hug, he broke down. The six to eight hours of not knowing was slowly killing Elliot and he couldn't figure an outlet for how he was feeling. He wasn't the type to hit anything or throw something across the room in frustration kind of guy. He was the I'm going to find something positive in the moment. This time he couldn't find it. He was lost and the one person who always led him to the right place couldn't be there to soothe him, to collect him from the chaos and bring him back to good old Elliot. He couldn't be that same guy because his other half was missing and hurt.

“How is she, dad?” he asked, not really wanting to know what the answer might be.

Neal shook his head. Elliot nodded and found himself under the arms of his father as they walked out of the airport. His mother was with Madeline's mother, a friendship that was formed nearly twenty years ago when their children were paired together. Elliot knew that his mother didn't need to be any other place. Davina's place was right by Wendy and Elliot didn't expect it any other way.

“Your mother wanted me to take you home Elliot,” his father told him as they made their way onto the freeway.

Elliot turned his head, “I want to see Madeline.”

“Not yet son.”

“But...” Elliot stopped when his father looked at him. Elliot's father was a soft-spoken man. He never really had anything to say. His eyes spoke more of the things that needed to be said and right now beside him, his father's eyes bore into him. Elliot knew that his father wasn't going to let him go near the hospital at this very moment.

“She just came out of surgery this morning so everything is still in a holding pattern,” Neal told his son, “I, too, say that you wait. The events are a still too raw. We need to take things slow here. Let her family...”

Elliot sat in the passenger seat contemplating about what his father was telling him. He could easily have disregard what his father was saying but when he looked at his father, he saw the tears forming in his eyes. They were just as watery as Elliot's was.

“We're her family too,” Elliot whispered.

There was no argument from Neal. He knew just as much as Elliot that Madeline was part of the family. They had grown up together, shared everything together. There was no mistake that Neal and Davina loved the Mullins' children.

Neal looked at Elliot. “I've never asked you do anything for me Elliot but today I'm asking you for your sake to just wait one day.”

Elliot turned his head a looked outside the passenger window. Everything was moving so fast outside as the car made its way to his mother's home. Elliot nodded in reluctance. “Okay, but I need another drink. I need one badly.”

Neal looked at his son and nodded in agreement, “Me too, son. But honestly, we're going to need more than just one.”

 Here’s a trailer for the book.  

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=426630755244177

Is there anything else that you want to share… feel free!!
I absolutely love interacting with my reader so please comment, review and contact me. I will always respond!

You can learn more about Mik at the links below.

Website

https://www.northernamourwriting.com

Northern Amour email:
mik_lemieux@northernamourwriting.com
Personal Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/mikael.lemieux2
Northern Amour Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/NorthernAmourWriting

Personal Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/mikaellemieux95/
Northern Amour Instagram Page:
https://www.instagram.com/northern_amour_writing/

Amazon Author Page:
amazon.com/author/mikallemieux

Music

          Popular songs from George Michael still appear in the rotation on my sound system.  During his career which spanned more than thirty years, Michael sold more than 115 million albums worldwide and won multiple awards for his music.  George Michael was a singer, songwriter, record producer and philanthropist.  He passed away on December 25, 2016 at the age of 53.

Here’s my top five favorites from George Michael

Freedom 90: https://youtu.be/diYAc7gB-0A

Faith:  https://youtu.be/6Cs3Pvmmv0E

Father Figure: https://youtu.be/m_9hfHvQSNo

I Knew You Were Waiting (with Aretha Franklin) https://youtu.be/fDxzQJaA228

One More Try: https://youtu.be/bG5N3GC-m20