Book Beat Babes

Book Beat Babes

Thursday, December 24, 2015

Making Ready For Christmas! by DL Larson

     MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

My family and I have been busy all Christmas season. This photo is the result of a charity my granddaughters had during our annual Caroling Party. These fun gifts will go to a family of ten girls who live at Mooseheart Child City and School. The request was for simple craft projects for the girls to do throughout the winter. I believe the donations will make the young girls very happy! A BIG thank you to all our family and friends for helping make this Christmas idea a reality!



 
This is the tree in my family room. My cat usually sits beneath it so he can look out the door. So far, he hasn't bothered climbing or exploring further. Let's hope he decides to be a good kitty for Christmas.


My grandson Colton and I worked on our annual gingerbread house. I was in charge of frosting while Colton decorated. He did a great job and we only had to chase after a few pesky beads that fell on the floor.

This is a live nativity our church does each Advent. I was a shepherd this year. We had a few sheep and a donkey as well. We stand for 30 minutes while the Christmas story is told over a loud speaker. Then we head back into the Fellowship Hall for hot chocolate and goodies. This year we had three sessions. It always helps me to remember the true meaning of Christmas when I take time to participate in events like this one.

 I hope everyone has a safe and meaningful Christmas. Beyond the unwrapping of presents and feasting on wonderful meals, and spending time with loved ones, please take a moment to count your blessings. I bet they are plentiful!  I know mine are.

Merry Christmas!

Happy Birthday Jesus!

DL Larson
www.DLLARSON.com

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Christmas Carol

If you missed it the first time around, Christmas Carol is still available to offer you some Christmas cheer. 



What it's about: 

 Stranded for the Holidays in a snowstorm, famous author, Blake Dugan, discovers the true meaning of life and love through a waitress with the unique name of Christmas Carol. 

And here's the link again:

http://amzn.com/B00R20N0B2


Find all of my books at my Amazon Page: http://www.amazon.com/author/morganmandel

Excerpts and buy links also at: http://morgansbooklinks.blogspot.com

Catch me on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/morgan.mandel

Twitter: @MorganMandel




Thursday, December 3, 2015

Sharing the Heartache! by DL Larson

I learned a few days ago a college friend passed away. Her name was Jean. We called her Jeanie-Beanie. I remember Jeanie had a bright smile and a hearty laugh. She lost a leg due to cancer while we were still in college. I remember sitting on a swing set with her on a bright winter's day. It was before her surgery. We were in South Park, Quincy IL. It's a great park, with rolling hills and a small stream snaking in and around the grounds. The snow crunched beneath our feet as we made our way to the swings that day.

Her disease was the first time I encountered that hideous word: cancer. She told me she had two choices.
1. Save the leg and have a very short life.
or:
2. Say good-bye to her leg and hope for a long life.

Jeanie sang at my wedding. She'd never sung in public before. But I knew she could do it with ease. She sang, 'Let There Be Peace,' and 'The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face.' I can still remember her rich, alto voice. Jeanie sang at dozens of weddings after mine. She once told me she'd never considered singing in public until I asked her to sing at my wedding.

I wish I could say Jeanie had an easy life. But health problems plagued her. Still, she found happiness in her marriage to Larry and enjoyed her many nieces and nephews. And friends. Jeanie was a special friend to so many. Her heart was big and her love for life enormous.

I can well imagine how she was received in heaven. "Oh, here she comes!"  "We've been waiting for you." "Welcome home, Jeanie!"

I hope my reflection on Jeanie's life will remind writers that characters can have real life issues. This is where many readers relate to the character(s). If you are searching for a unique character in your next story, consider someone like Jeanie. She had many physical problems in this world, but her zest for life didn't waver. Her compassion for others outshone her illness. And she left cancer to wither a slow death on its own.

"Far out, Jeanie Beanie! Far out! You silly rabbit."

'Til next time ~

DL Larsonwww.DLLARSON.com



Wednesday, December 2, 2015

HAILEY'S CHANCE - FREEBIE ON DEC 4, 5, 6 (FRI, SAT, SUN)

Come and get your free copy of Hailey's Chance: Will Baby Make 3?
This event will happen on Dec 4, 5 and 6 (Fri, Sat, Sun)
Here's the link:  http://amzn.com/B013D2FB78




Hailey's Chance is the prequel to the romance, Christmas Carol. Both books are set in the fictional town of Deerview, Wisconsin, but the main characters are different.

WHAT IT'S ABOUT:
What's one woman's curse could be another's blessing.

Happily expecting her first child, Hailey is unprepared for the deadly storm which tears apart her hopes and dreams. Lost in grief, she's startled by her neighbor's suggestion. What's proposed could bring joy or heartbreak. Should she take the chance?

If you like this book, I'd appreciate your writing a very brief review on Amazon.

And, if you really like this book, you might want to read the 99 cent romance, Christmas Carol, this holiday season.

*These two books are also presently enrolled in the Kindle Unlimited program.


Come follow me on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/morgan.mandel


Twitter: @MorganMandel

All of my books are on Amazon at:

Links & excerpts are all at: 

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

What Kind of Job Does Your Hero or Heroine Have?

Painting a picture of a hero or heroine very often involves deciding on a job or a good reason why that person doesn't have one. Here are a few examples from my own books:

1. A famous occupation - This is one of my favorites. Right away, the reader can guess the hero must be a cut above the average Joe. 
In Two Wrongs, my first book, the hero is in college, but is so great at basketball he turns pro. By the way, this book is still free at http://amzn.com/B006LSE4FC.




2. An occupation involving education - In Killer Career, my heroine is a successful attorney who wants out. 

3. Dream job - Another example from Killer Career. When my heroine decides to give up her law practice to follow her dream of being a writer, her decision could kill her. 


4. A job requiring practical know how - The hero in Her Handyman, is a Jack of All Trades, and generous with his time and talents. 




Now it's your turn. What job does your hero or heroine have?  Or, maybe you'd like to mention a favorite one from someone else's book.



Find all of Morgan Mandel's books at
http://www.amazon.com/author/morganmandel

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/morgan.mandel

Twitter: @MorganMandel



Thursday, November 12, 2015

Getting A Thank You by Snail Mail! by DL Larson

A couple of weeks ago I did a writers workshop for a group of 5th & 6th graders. It was a great time and I had hoped the students enjoyed the session. Whether they learned anything or not, I had no idea ... until I received a large packet in the mail the other day.

The students sent me not just a thank you note, they wrote individual letters. In past workshops, I've received pictures ~ either colored or ones the teacher has taken. I always enjoy receiving those. Other times I have received a thank you card where each student has signed their name, etc. This group of kids went beyond all that.

I'm sharing with you because kids are writers too and we as adults sometimes forget that. We know they have to write for homework assignments, etc. and an occasional thank you note, but to sit and hand write a letter was new for me to receive. With all the social media these days, I didn't think kids did that sort of thing anymore.

I had told the kids they could call me, DL, or Mrs. Deb.

Hope you enjoy ...

'Dear Miss Deb,
   Thank you for being in our classroom yesterday! I had sooo much fun. I liked to learn about genres and characters. That was my favorite part. I learned so many things like different genres, developing characters, action verbs, different parts of a story. Oh, I could go on forever of how much I learned and had fun! I liked how much the class and I learned.
                                                                          Thank you, Emily'

'Dear D.L.,
  Thank you so much for coming to our school to each us about being an author! It was really fun. It was so cool how you took "he" and changed him into "Nate Yorkston" and "school" to "Frankenstein Academy." It was a very fun experience that I will never forget. I hope you had a great Halloween!
                                                                           Thanks, Mackenzie'

'Dear D.L.,
  Thank you for teaching us how to be a author. I learned how to plan a story first and developing characters and parts of a story. Happy Halloween!!! Thank you!!
                                                           boo                       Thanks, Alyssa'

Dear Miss Deb,
  Thank you for coming yesterday and teaching us about being an Author! It was so nice of you for coming and showing us types of genres, developing characters, action verbs, different parts of a story and CONFLICT and struggles. I think it's really cool that your an author. I myself  (heart) reading!
                                                                                       Sincerely, Isabell'

'Dear Miss Deb,
  I have learned a lot about your presentation Thursday. I learned about developing characters, action verbs, different parts of a story and an author needs imagination. Thank you for teaching us and me. Also thank you for taking time out of your time and the treats.
                                                                                     Sincerely, Ariana'

'Dear Mrs. Larson,
   Thank you for inspiring us to read more, but most of all to be an author. You really touched my heart and taught me about so many different genres. Also thanks for teaching us how to write a story and what it takes to do it. I also learned about how to organize and plan a story and how to make them bigger. You were fun and I also wanted to thank you for the treats and the pencil. Hopefully you could come back soon, you were so much fun!!!
                                                                                 Thanks you, Alex'

'Dear Mrs. Larson, (the only one written in cursive!)
   Thank you for coming in to our class to teach us. I learned about creating interesting characters, action verbs, and different parts of a story. My class also learned about planning the story first. Happy Halloween!
                                                                                Thank you, Wes'

'Dear Miss Deb,
   I really appreciate you for coming to our school. You were so nice to us. I learned about all of the different genres, also you showed us how to make a story. I didn't know all these things but you teached us all more about a developing story, genres, characters and setting. Happy Halloween, from Aaron'


Feedback is always a good thing. I won't bore you with the other letters; they are very similar and written with an eagerness I sometimes forget young people have. I believe the two big words for the day were: genre and CONFLICT. So I feel I've planted a few seeds for these young writers.

I'm always revved up after I've done a kids workshop. The prep work and the implementation inspires me. So by helping others, I end up helping myself. I call that a win-win.

Hope their enthusiasm inspires you to write as well!

'Til next time ~

DL Larsonwww.DLLARSON.com


Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Stormy Weather

Stormy weather sometimes comes in handy writers. Here are some ways:

1. Personal stormy weather - Sharing our own rough patches with others can help others make it through similar ordeals, and let them know they are not alone. Also, sometimes sharing can make us feel better.
2. Stormy weather writing -   Sometimes writing helps to take our minds off our troubles.
3. Meteorological stormy weather - What better way to describe thunder storms, lightning, strong winds, and other stormy weather than to get firsthand experience? It's not the most comfortable way, but we might as well put what we've observed to use in our books.

Can you think of other ways stormy weather comes in handy?



Find all of Morgan Mandel's books at
Twitter: @MorganMandel

Thursday, November 5, 2015

Judging Writing Contests! by DL Larson

Writing contests are beneficial for aspiring writers and seasoned writers. Hearing feedback from another writer is a great way to improve one's writing. If one is willing to listen and learn.

In a writing group I belong to, we had a discussion on the over use of 'now' and 'then'. I believe it started from an article in a writing magazine. Of course I can't find the article - why is that? I can find a dozen magazines, but the one I want is missing . . . Anyway, then and now are considered, usually, as construction words. Once the story is written, most of the 'then' and 'now' should come away without harm to the sentence structure. I noticed many 'then' and 'now' in the entries I read. I shared my newly remembered tidbit to the entrants.

Recently I received a critique on a section of my WIP. A few of my writing group members highlighted the 'then' and 'now' dotted across my work. It was one of those LOL moments. I will take their good advice and kick them off the page.

A few other common mistakes I found judging, I'd like to share:
 
1. Use past tense to keep the action moving. Ex: 'was running' = ran. 
     Passive verbs can not sustain suspense, intrigue or excitement. 

2. POV hopping. 
    Basic rule: keep one point of view to each scene.

3. Setting.
    Tell/show your reader where your character is at all times.

4. Plot
    Decide the purpose of the story. You don't have to know all the details from the unset, but if you don't have a clear understanding how your character needs to reach his/her goal, it shows on the page. Ask your character the tough questions: 
        - what does it take to succeed?
        - what are the stumbling block?
       - what is their deepest fear?
       - how will they grow in order to reach their goal?

5. Character Development
    Make your character(s) engaging. Bad guy or good guy - doesn't matter. Just make him/her real!
    Repeat this procedure with every character in your story.
    Character driven stories will propel your book in a direction you might not have intended. That's an   
    exciting thing. 

I thoroughly enjoyed judging the entries of the Four Season Contest, sponsored by Windy City RWA. Thank you all for allowing me to read your work. I hope the experience was rewarding for you.

'Til next time ~


Thursday, October 29, 2015

All In A Day! by DL Larson

Thursday is my day off. Thursday is my day to blog. Thursday is my day to run errands. And Thursday is my day to take my grandson to his horse riding lessons. I usually end each Thursday with one of two things: a church meeting or going to the local tavern for their Thursday night chicken special.

Today, I added one more thing. I had a writers workshop for a group of 5th and 6th graders at their school. The 9:00 a.m. schedule had me fearing I'd over sleep. But I made it in plenty of time. I never know what I'm walking into with a classroom setting. Some kids are genuinely excited to see me, others think it will be boring and their faces convey that to me. I hope I didn't disappoint anyone, especially the doubting ones.

I learned something new today. The 5th and 6th grade kids were not familiar with Harry Potter. I usually use this story to break down plot, characters, setting, etc. When we started this section of the workshop, blank looks filled the students' faces. They didn't know Harry's closest friends. They didn't know the bad guys. I was surprised. As a children's librarian I shouldn't have been so shocked. Harry has not left the shelves for a while now.

I needed a new connection with the kids. The class teacher, Lori Safranek, explained they were in the middle of reading the book, Wonder, by R.J. Palacio. Thankfully I have read Wonder. 

We proceeded with Wonder, the story of Augie, a fifth grader who has physical deformities. He goes to school for the first time in his life. Every day he encounters many things, rudeness being one of the nicer things that happens to him. But Augie won't give up. He wants a normal life like a normal ten year old boy.

This book turned out to be a great example for breaking down plot, learning what it takes to make a character real, etc. The kids got involved and that's what counted.

After my workshop, it was time for Colton's horse lessons. Then back home to playing with Thomas the Train and watching Planes. After my grandson's visit, I was ready for a nap. It's cold and dreary out, and did I mention I have a bum foot these days? I should prop it up. I also have judging to do for the Four Season Writers Contest. Judging is due next week and I'm far from done. My church meeting begins in seventy minutes.

I've realized Thursday is my busiest day of the week. I always think I will catch up on my writing, get the laundry done and maybe some cleaning. Okay, no cleaning ... but the day flies by in blur. My list of Things To Do never enters my mind.

I've decided my priorities need re-arranging for Thursdays. From this day forward, I declare Thursday, my day to do what I want! I intend to scratch my expectations of doing laundry on Thursdays. Cleaning has already been booted off the list, and my writing may suffer neglect on Thursdays, but that's okay too. I will try my best to blog each Thursday, but if you do not see my post, know that I am out living my life, doing things I need and want to do. Like horse back riding lessons, playing with Thomas the Train and watching Planes.

Til next time ~

DL Larson
www.DLLARSON.com

Thursday, October 15, 2015

Staying In Touch With Readers! by DL Larson

Although I don't have a new book out, I was invited to the Oswego Literary Festival at the Oswego Library on October 3rd. I debated whether I should go or not. I've nothing new or exciting to add to my collection of books, but I went anyway ... to keep my name and face in view of the public.

Pictured with me is Luisa Buehler, a cozy mystery writer. I met Luisa many years ago at a Windy City RWA meeting. Luisa has sold a lot of books over the years. She is well known in the Chicago area and beyond! We had a great time chatting and I'm always glad to sit by someone so knowledgeable about the writing field. Check out Luisa's home page and her Grace Marsden Mystery Series at: http://luisabuehler.com/



On the right, is NY Best Selling Author Denise Swanson. Visit Denise at: http://www.deniseswanson.com/ These gals are active members of the Windy City RWA as well. And it was great to see their smiling faces throughout the day.

As a librarian, I know attending Literary Festivals is great publicity for an author, but not the best in making sales. And that's okay. A festival gives readers an idea of the many talented authors in their area. Plus readers have the chance to discover new writers they may not have noticed before. They have the opportunity to chat with authors and better understand the hard work that goes into being a writer.

I'm glad I took the time to attend the festival. A BIG thank you to the Oswego Public Library and to the Village of Oswego Cultural Arts Commission for hosting the event.

Til next time ~
DL Larson

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Through Someone Else's Eyes

Last night I brought the first page of my thriller, with the working title of Wide Awake, to be critiqued by my RWA Chapter, and I'm glad I did. It's amazing how everything that seemed so clear to me confused the other members.

Fortunately, I now know what to do to remedy the problem. Goes to show, it really helps to get fresh eyes looking over a manuscript.

I suggest you find at least a few people who are willing to start you out in the right direction, even if they don't have the time to read your entire manuscript. It will make all the difference!

Find all of my completed books at http://www.amazon.com/author/morganmandel and
also excerpts and links at http://morgansbooklinks.blogspot.com
Join me on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com.morgan.mandel


 
 
 
 
 
If you don't yet have your free copy of my first thriller, Two Wrongs, the ebook version is still available on Amazon at:http://amzn.com/B006LSE4FC and is also free at most other venues.

Saturday, October 10, 2015

Biltmore Estate by Margot Justes

I just returned from visiting the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC, and I thought I'd share a few pictures with you. It is reputed to be the largest 'house' in the country with 255 rooms. The place is worth a visit, or two, or three...I'm heading back in November for their Christmas celebrations. 











Cheers,
Margot  Justes
Blood Art
A Fire Within
A Hotel in Paris
A Hotel in Bath
A Hotel in Venice
www.mjustes.com

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Freebie 9/24 through 9/27

Come and get your freebie of the romance, A Perfect Angel, beginning Thursday, Sept. 24  through Sunday, Sept. 27, and tell your friends -

Here's the link:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LP0EWQM

This is a sequel to Her Handyman, the first of a 2 part series. You can enjoy this book by itself, but you may even like it more if you read Her Handyman first.

Here's what A Perfect Angel is about:
Sometimes being perfect is not enough. 
When gourmet chef, Angelina, gets dumped by her fiance in favor of a flower child wannabe who can't even boil water, she sets out to prove that she, too, can be imperfect, if that's what it takes to get a man. No matter what her best friend, Vince, says, she'll not spend her non-wedding night alone and moping, when she can let loose at Ginty's, a wild bar in Chicago's Wrigleyville. What happens that night surprises and embarrasses her. 
While groping for answers to restore her self-confidence, things get terribly confusing. When a famous newscaster she's admired from afar takes an interest in her, a new dilemma presents itself. Is he the answer to her dreams, or does her heart lie with her best friend? 


Find all of Morgan Mandel's books at:
http://www.amazon.com/author/MorganMandel
Follow on Twitter: @MorganMandel



Friday, September 18, 2015

Still Time to Enter the Contest! by DL Larson

Hi all ~
Sorry to be posting on a Friday, but I was gone yesterday and wanted to get this info out before another week slipped by.

Contest is called The Four Seasons Contest, open to both unpublished and published authors, and sponsored by the Windy City RWA chapter.

Details:

Unpublished may enter any category.
Published authors may enter any category in which they have not been contracted or published in 3 years.
The top 4 entries in each category will be forwarded to an EDITOR and AGENT judge.

PRIZES:
The top 3 entries will receive a full critique by one of our all-star judges. Our three all-star judges are published authors whose credentials include Golden Heart nominee, RITA nominee and Best-selling author.

The cost is $25 for RWA members and $30 for non-members. The deadline is Oct. 10, 2015!

For more information regarding this contest:
Visit: http://www.windycityrwa.org/contest/


Good Luck!
And remember ~ if you don't enter ... you can't win!
Be bold.
Be brave.
Enter the contest!

Til next time ~

DL Larson
www.DLLARSON.com


Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Inbetween Land

Right now, I'm in inbetween land. That's the place where I've finished writing one book, and am not sure which to go to next.

I have two likely candidates already begun, and keep shifting between the two. One has the working title of Wide Awake, the other is Always Young. Both are thrillers, though Always Young has more Speculative Fiction aspects as well.

Now that I'm home from vacation and after I've gotten caught up with mail, laundry, bills,, etc., I'm hoping to get some time to devote to making one of these books the next release.

Until then, I'm grateful I was able to recently release Hailey's Chance: Will Baby Make 3, the prequel to my previously released Christmas Carol romance. Hard to believe that Christmas is already around the corner, and I think I'm busy now!


 
Time to relax for the night.
 

Find all of Morgan Mandel's romances, women's fiction books, and mysteries at her
Amazon Author Page:
Connect on Twitter: @MorganMandel
 
 

Thursday, September 3, 2015

Imagination Overdrive! by DL Larson

My husband and I traveled to the east coast recently. We made it to Charleston, SC. and a little further south along the outer banks. We crossed the Smoky Mountains, drove through tree-lined avenues that seemed to go on forever and gazed at the magnificent Atlantic ocean and the ever-changing tide waters.  My imagination was on overdrive!

Image result for biltmore castle pictures

Our first stop was to the Biltmore Castle, near Asheville, NC. It is modeled after a French chateau and is considered the biggest home in the United States. It was owned by the Vanderbilts. Thousands of acres surround this palace and it was the 'go-to' place for the rich and famous in the last century. The Vanderbilts built their own village, hiked the surrounding mountains, built retreats along the routes, and enjoyed the quiet serenity of the country.
As I toured this house, my writer radar kept going off. Maybe it's the Downton Abbey series that I thought of, but I would enjoy a story about the rich who visited, yes, but my interest was in the employees who lived there. What did they see? What did they experience?
If you know any history regarding the Vanderbilts, you know there is no good ending for this family. They faced many crises, suicide, and bankruptcy.
This is in the Biltmore Village. Bands play in the evening as folks gather around to listen and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.


This is one corner of one of the gardens! This is a three-tiered garden with walkways down to the greenhouse. The greenhouse is bigger than most of our homes. I could have spent the whole day in the gardens.


Generally when I see large lion statues, I think of a museum. This beast is at the front door of the Biltmore home. The home is now a museum, but this lion was here long before it became one. There is also a garden full of statues, arbors and shaded walkways.

We enjoyed our stay in Asheville. If you are in need of some ideas for a story, this may be the place for you to visit. Even now, in present time, the number of people working to keep this place going is numerous. They hold concerts here and other big name functions. I would love to be a part of the background - the workers who keep this museum going.

I'll share more of our trip another day.
Til then ~

DL Larson
www.DLLARSON.com

Saturday, August 29, 2015

Settings by Margot Justes



The old adage write what you know and love is true, at least for me-but you should also learn while you write. It adds an additional dimension to the stories. A sense of wonder and discovery both for the reader and the writer.

I love to travel and have been fortunate to be able to visit the places I write about.

My first love is Paris, I lived there for a year, and have gone back a few times. It stood to reason that my first romantic mystery story should be set there.  I’m familiar with the city, and over the years little has changed in my perspective. The Louvre now has Pei’s Pyramid at the entrance, many more buildings have been added, but the age old charm is still very much there.

The charming cafes, the gardens, the historical buildings are all as they were. It is easy to write as if sitting in a cafe and observing life go by. That is especially true on the grandest  boulevard of them all, the Champs Elyssee. It’s easy to make the city come alive, it was my first love as a semi adult, and continues to this day. A grand love affair with the city of lights.

The second book, set in Bath, England was a bit more difficult, but I have visited twice, the second time, I spent a few days getting to know the city. The historical significance is amazing, after all the city is over two thousand years old, and dates back to the Romans.

Most information is available on line, but you need to be careful to select only the key points that are relevant to the story, otherwise it will turn out to be a travelogue within the story.  You need the ‘scent’ of the city, what does it feel like to walk the streets Jane Austen most probably walked. Stroll over lead pipes that the Romans built,  and imagine who else followed in those same footsteps. Who else prayed in the ancient Abbey, and who ate the Sally Lunn cakes, after all the restaurant dates back to the 1620’s.

The third book in the hotel cities is set in Venice, a city that has captured my heart and hasn’t let go.

It’s magic is potent, the architecture, history and art sublime. Every step taken is an amazing adventure in the past. Follow the path of Casanova, on which bridge did he wait in the cover of darkness for his rendezvous with a lover? Who else walked in those same footsteps? Who crossed the Bridge of Sighs-going from palace to prison?

A tourist trap to be sure, but there are places that few tourists visit, side streets, small canals, churches, all it takes is a sense of adventure and wonder, and a map. I get lost sometimes just crossing a couple of streets, and in Venice there are many curvy and meandering little alleys that will ultimately lead to water, and the getting lost process is rather enjoyable. I speak from experience.

Even though I write contemporary romance stories, I love history and art, and that is what I write, goes back to the beginning, write what you know and love. 

I have posted more extensive articles on the three cities on my website on the travel page.

Cheers,
Margot  Justes
A Hotel in Paris
A Hotel in Bath
A Hotel in Venice
Blood Art
A Fire Within
www.mjustes.com

Saturday, August 22, 2015

A Hotel in Venice by Margot Justes

I thought I'd share an excerpt of my new release A Hotel in Venice with you-a city that has captured my heart and soul.


          The stars seemed to follow the black gondola as it flowed along the
Grand Canal, and in the distance, a dark and narrow passage beckoned
for a romantic interlude.
            Iridescent shards glistened in the moonlight. The golden glow and
the ripples in the water reminded Minola Grey of Shelley’s poem
Love’s Philosophy. “And the moonbeams kissed the sea.” As the
gondola glided along the canal, the old palazzos, one building after
another, appeared to sway with the hushed tones of the lapping water.
Peter Riley had wanted some peace and quiet and asked the
gondolier to choose a less travelled way along a narrow and more
intimate path.
            “Welcome to Venice, Miss Grey.” Peter’s finger traced the line of
her cheekbone and then her neck. “I'm very much in love with you,” he
whispered in her ear and felt her lean into him. This was the way it
should be, just the two of them together. Alone. Nothing stood in their
way. They were in Venice for a wedding. Theirs. Minola loved glass
and art. Because of the Biennale Art Festival and Murano, another
island world-renowned for blown glass that was only fifteen minutes
away by water taxi, they had chosen Venice as the perfect destination.
            Minola Grey turned toward him and brushed her lips against his,
the touch whisper soft. “I’m very much in love with you, too.
Anywhere with you is romantic, but Venice is magnificent.
Incomparable,” she purred like a contented kitten, nestling deeper into
his arms and gazing across the canal.
            He was completely absorbed in the peaceful moment, until Minola
tilted her head away from him and murmured in his ear, “Peter. Isn’t
that strange?” She pointed above her head at the pier and stared at what
seemed like a mound of multi-colored mosaics. From her vantage
point, the glass appeared to be a colorful blanket. “It’s like a sculpture,
sort of.”
            “Miss Grey, may I remind you we’re in a gondola in Venice. The
moon is shining.” He ran his fingers over her cheek once again, his
touch firm and persuasive. “I’m caressing your face. We’re together.
You, Love of my Life, should be looking at me, not glass. I know, after
our visit to Murano, you have glass on your mind, but really, where is
your sense of romance?”
            “Peter, I’m sorry. I am romantic. You tell me I'm romantic when we
make…”
            “Love? Yes, you are. Passionate and romantic, you turn my world
upside down, and not just when we make love. However, now would be
a good time to slip into that romantic mood again.” His lips curved up
in a smile. He couldn't help himself. Everything she did made him
smile, with the exception of getting into trouble and endangering her
life. She had an uncanny talent for finding bodies, and the end result
terrified him.
            They had met in Paris. He was with Interpol, and his money
laundering case almost cost Minola her life. In Bath, her life was
threatened, and worse, he couldn’t control her impulse to help. Peter
loved his work—he excelled at it—but now he focused on keeping the
woman sitting beside him safe from harm. That was not as easy as it
appeared. She was a remarkable artist who knew how to get into
trouble and could never deny anyone’s cry for help.
            “But, Peter, it’s unusual. I know we’re on the Grand Canal. Well,
we turned and are now on this lonely, dark, narrow, and romantic
canal—okay, sort of an alley, except that this is Venice and it is a canal.
Just take a peek…” Minola Grey would not let go and pointed again to
the glass enclosure when she heard Peter groan.
            “I'm sorry. But…but…” She stuttered.
             “Minola, what am I going to do with you? We have moonlight, a
dark intimate canal in front of us, a lantern, and a gondolier who is not
going to sing to us. A perfect setting.”
            “Perfect setting? For what?” she asked, still captivated by the
colorful display on the pier, and she moved closer to the edge of the
gondola so she could see better.
            “You’re going to reduce my vocabulary to Arrgh.” Peter’s voice
sounded resigned. He motioned to the gondolier. “Roberto, please bring
us closer to that pile of glass, whatever it is.” Peter watched as the
gondolier expertly used his foot and a wall to push off so he could
maneuver his gondola as close to the pier as possible, allowing Peter to
step out. “Stay put,” he ordered as she tried to follow him. “I mean it.”
            He gazed back at her and frowned. “Stay.”
            Minola bristled at the order. “I'm not a doggie.” She glanced at his
resolute expression and grudgingly replied, “Fine. I won't budge.”
Minola settled back in the gondola and saw Peter bend down.
Tiny pieces of glass were molded together to form what appeared to
be a blanket for whatever was underneath. The center was well-crafted,
and the colors brilliant. The edges, not finished well, were sharp and
haphazard. Suddenly, he felt those goose bumps on the back of his neck
that told him more than just glass rested on the secluded dock.
            “I have a bad feeling about this,” he murmured.


A Hotel In Venice


Cheers,
Margot  Justes
Blood Art
A Hotel in Paris
A Hotel in Bath
A Hotel in Venice
www.mjustes.com