#Villains are #Heroes too? by Diane Burton

WICKED WEDNESDAY

Ah, one of my favorite days of the week...Wicked Wednesday...and Diane has a fun guest post!

Villains are the heroes of their own story. Each villain thinks s/he’s in the right. (Rather than keep using s/he and her/him, I’m going to use masculine pronouns, even though we know women can be villains, too.) Psychopaths are different and not the subject of this post.

A good villain has his own GMC. When we’re writing our stories, we need to write our villain’s Goal, Motivation, and Conflict, as well as the main characters. What does he want, why, and what’s preventing him from getting it? The goal can be admirable—supporting family, retrieving what’s been stolen—or not, but understandable. Revenge, greed, righting a wrong.

I enjoy reading stories where the reader doesn’t know who the villain is. In my Alex O’Hara PI mystery series, the stories are written in Alex’s point of view. The reader only knows what she knows. As the story unfolds, she (and the reader) sees the clues and red herrings and doesn’t know which to trust. When the villain reveals himself, it’s a surprise for Alex. Is it a surprise for the reader? I hope so, but I never underestimate the intelligence of readers.

In my Outer Rim science fiction romances, the villain is identified right off the bat. Hallart, a gangster, wants to rule the galaxy. Drugs, prostitution, extortion, racketeering. If it’s illegal, Hallart is into it. The reader knows in the first book, The Pilot, that Hallart is a villain. Either he or his minions are the villains in each story. What the reader doesn’t know is who are his minions. Hopefully, that will be a surprise. For reader satisfaction, the minions are caught, or at least identified. And, good minions that they are, they won’t help the authorities capture their boss.

Eventually, Hallart has to be stopped. That’s at the center of the fourth Outer Rim Novel, The Spy, my work in progress. As I write the last book in the series, I haven’t figured out how, but I do know who will bring him down. If I accomplish my goal, The Spy will be available in late fall.

Developing a good villain can be a challenge. The writer can’t let the villain take over the story. But, the writer can’t write so little that the villain is flat. Finding a balance is the key. For a writer, understanding the villain, what makes him tick, makes a great story.

Alex O’Hara PI mysteries

The Case of the Bygone Brother: Amazon ~ Amazon UK ~ iBooks ~ Kobo ~ B&N ~ Smashwords 

The Case of the Fabulous Fiancé: Amazon ~ Amazon UK ~ iBooks ~ Kobo ~ B&N ~ Smashwords 

The Case of the Meddling Mama: Amazon ~ Amazon UK ~ iBooks ~ Kobo ~ B&N ~ Smashwords 

Outer Rim Novels

The Pilot: Amazon ~ Amazon UK ~ Kobo ~ iBooks ~ B&N ~ Smashwords

The Chameleon: Amazon ~ Amazon UK ~ Kobo ~ iBooks ~ B&N ~ Smashwords

The Protector: Amazon ~ Amazon UK ~ Kobo ~ iBooks ~ B&N ~ Smashwords 

About the Author

Diane Burton combines her love of mystery, adventure, science fiction and romance into writing romantic fiction. Besides the science fiction romance Switched and Outer Rim series, she is the author of One Red Shoe, a romantic suspense, and the Alex O’Hara PI mystery series. She is also a contributor to two anthologies: Portals, Volume 2 and How I Met My Husband. Diane and her husband live in West Michigan. They have two children and five grandchildren.

For more info and excerpts from her books, visit Diane’s website: http://www.dianeburton.com 

Connect with Diane Burton online 

Blog:  http://dianeburton.blogspot.com/

Twitter:  http://twitter.com/dmburton72

Facebook:  http://facebook.com/dianeburtonauthor

Goodreads: Diane Burton Author

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/dmburton72/ 

Sign up for Diane’s new release alert: http://eepurl.com/bdHtYf

The Muse Who Wouldn’t Shut Up by Sandra Carey Cody

MUSE MONDAY

Please welcome Sandra Carey Cody to Discover Yourself. She has a great Muse post!

A writer’s relationship with her muse is a delicate, sometimes unpredictable, thing.

I wrote An Uncertain Path at my muse’s insistence. It’s a sequel to Love and Not Destroy, which was intended to be a standalone. After writing five books in a series, I wanted to do something different. The plan was to write a standalone, then return to my series, refreshed. With that in mind, I created a new cast of characters and a new plot, complete with a puzzle to be solved and questions to be answered. By the end of the book, the puzzle was solved, the questions answered. My protagonist, Peace Morrow, abandoned as an infant, has solved a murder and discovered her birth family. But, as often happens, the answers led to more questions. How will Peace relate to her newly-discovered family? How will they fit into her life? My muse insisted that these questions be answered. So ... I had to write another Peace Morrow mystery, one with a subplot that showed the diverse pieces of Peace’s life coming together.

All was going well until my muse became fascinated by the killer in the new book. She suggested a new path. My “Whodunit” became a “Whydunit” - not what I had planned but, truth be told, I’m glad I listened to my muse. An Uncertain Path is a dual narrative and, I believe, is a better book, more complex, more layered, than if I had stuck to the original plan.

BLURB:

 A tragic accident links the lives of two young women, forcing each to question things she thought were certain and setting them on a path neither could have imagined.

Peace Morrow is about the meet the birth family she’s always longed to know. Raised as a Pennsylvania Quaker, she wonders what her Virginia aristocrat family will think of her. Just as they’re getting to know one another, a careless action by one of them takes the family to the brink of disaster, straining relationships and testing loyalties.

Rachel Woodard, longing to break out of the safe world she’s always known, takes a drastic step that results in the death of a young man, setting off a chain of events that swirls outward like a pebble dropped in a pool. Should she live a lie to preserve her own life? What if the lie hurts no one and will save the people she loves from heartbreak?

BUY LINK FOR AN UNCERTAIN PATH: amzn.to/2vhDkz4

EXCERPT: 

Struggling to control the fury that threatened to explode within her, Rachel got in the car and started the engine, looking at the road ahead.

Tony went to front of the car. There he stopped and spread his arms wide.

“Get out of the way!”

“Not until you talk to me.”

“There’s nothing more to say.”

He stared at her, but did not move.

“I’ll run over you if I have to.”

He didn’t budge.

Rachel started to shake. “I mean it. I will.”

“You know you won’t.” And then he sealed his fate. He grinned at her, the same grin he’d used to win every argument since fifth grade. 

Rachel’s foot was on the accelerator. She leaned back, gripped the wheel, and moved the gear shift lever. She felt the car move.

Tony moved with it. His eyes widened, his mouth formed a large oh, his head moved side to side. He stumbled back, but still, he remained squarely in front of the car.

Rachel felt her body tense and, unbelievably, as if of its own volition, the car shot forward. She watched as Tony seemed to dive onto the hood, then slide, slow motion, off to the side. She saw his feet go up, his body flip sideways and disappear from view. 

She stared through the windshield, to the spot where, seconds ago, Tony had stood, grinning at her, blocking her way. Now there was nothing. She looked to the side where he’d fallen, waiting for him to get up.

He didn’t.

She got out of the car and walked around to the other side.

He lay face down by the side of the road, next to his bicycle, still as a broken doll.

BIO:

Sandra Carey Cody grew up in a story-loving family in Missouri. Her husband’s job transfers took her to various cities in different parts of the country until they settled down in a small town near Philadelphia. Wherever she’s gone, books have been the bridge to her new life and new friends. Her published works include the Jennie Connors mystery series, assorted short stories, and two books featuring Peace Morrow: Love and Not Destroy and An Uncertain Path. She is a member of Sisters in Crime and teaches at the Pearl S. Buck Writing Center.

#Free Story on #MoonlightAndMystery

MUSE MONDAY

I told you about the fantastic on-line magazine I'm privileged to be a part of last Wicked Wednesday. The magazine is still developing so take advantage right now of a feature that will eventually be available only to members of the Street Team. (click here:)  Moonlight Virtual Mystery is a virtual story written in real time. Every week a new chapter is posted.

But wait! Not only do you get a free story...

Join us for the next twelve weeks as we journey into the world of mystery, write and reveal a short story together––with your input. Each week, one of our twelve award-winning authors will take the lead, chapter by chapter.

Leave comments or questions, suggest the direction you’d like to see the story take, and share the journey with us. Your comments may win you entries in our $100.00 Quarterly Giveaway, so interact with us.

The more you share and interact, the more entries you can earn. So let’s embark, because…

So hurry on over, because (click here for the story:) Darkness Awaits. And then check out the advantages and fun that will await you if you join the Street Team.

Stuck Between an Assault and a Princess by Sylvie Grayson.

FEARLESS FRIDAY

Please welcome Sylvie Grayson with her new release, Prince of Jiran.

When I wrote the first book of The Last War series, I expected there would be two or three books. Here we are at Book Five, and Six is just hovering at the back of my brain! I'm fearlessly charging ahead. It has been a lot of fun to write this fifth book. It dives into the culture of Jiran, a loose collection of tribal families that travel the plains across the mountains to the west of Khandarken. These people don’t have good relations with the other countries around them. They stayed out of the Last War, keeping to the sidelines and refusing to take sides between Emperor Aqatain and the rebel forces that finally defeated him. Thus the Prince of Jiran is stuck with trying to mend relations at a time he is suffering an assault of his own and needs the support. He's a fearless leader. And of course Princess Chinata has caught his eye, and that complicates an already complicated situation!

Shandro, Prince of the Penrhy tribe of Jiran, disagrees with his father, Sovereign Pollack, on nearly every issue that arises between them. But his goal is to uphold the family values in spite of Pollack’s conniving moves as he deals with the hotbed of competing nations surrounding them.

Then Shandro is sent on a mission across the mountains into Khandarken to bring back Princess Chinata, a bride for Emperor Carlton’s Advisor. In exchange, Jiran and the Penrhy tribe are given

a peace agreement, protection against invasion by the Emperor’s troops. This seems a good trade, as Carlton is hovering on their borders with his need for more land. However, not far into the journey, it becomes apparent someone is not adhering to the terms of the peace accord.

Near the tribal border, Shandro and his troops have come under direct attack from unknown forces. He digs deeper into Chinata’s background to find strong ties to the New Empire. Is it too dangerous to bring Princess Chinata into Jiran? Or as her escort, does Shandro become her defender against the Emperor’s troops?

Amazon buy link

AUTHOR BIO

Sylvie Grayson loves to write about suspense, romance and murder and has published contemporary romantic suspense novels, all about strong women who meet with dangerous odds, stories of tension and attraction. She has also written The Last War series, a sci fi/fantasy adventure, the fifth book, Prince of Jiran, newly released.

She has lived most of her life in British Columbia, Canada, in spots ranging from Vancouver Island on the west coast to the North Peace River country and the Kootenays in the beautiful interior. She lived for a year in Japan. She has been an English language instructor, a nightclub manager, an auto shop bookkeeper and a lawyer. She lives in southern British Columbia with her husband on a small piece of land near the Pacific Ocean.

Sylvie loves to hear from her readers. You can reach her at sylviegraysonauthor@gmail.com, on her website at www.sylviegrayson.com or on facebook.

A Wickedly Fun Site #ABA #MoonlightAndMystery #MFRWauthor

WICKED WEDNESDAY

Happy New Year! I’m ringing in 2018 with some exciting news for readers:  I’m one of 12 best-selling, award-winning authors involved in a fabulous new one-stop website to satisfy your every literary desire, and we want you to be a part of it, too!

I’m thrilled to introduce Moonlight and Mystery, the premier online magazine site providing the best romantic suspense, mystery, and page-turning reads, some with a sprinkle of supernatural, time slips, urban fantasy, or magic.

What does the site offer?

• Fabulous reads
• Amazing prizes
• FUN games and contests
• Behind the scenes secrets
• FREE ongoing mystery reads
• Compelling articles

Be part of an inner circle where YOU contribute to the authors’ creative process. AND, share your own favorite books and authors.

There is NO cost, no commitment. Just fun and community! 

Like our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MoonlightAndMystery/ 

Visit our website: http://www.moonlightandmystery.com

And for even more of an insiders’ view, join our Street Team: http://www.moonlightandmystery.com/street-team/

We look forward to seeing you and saying hello! 

Kathryn Knight

Casi McLean

Alicia Dean

Tamara Ferguson

Suzanne Jenkins

Beth Trissel

Kim Hornsby

Brenda Whiteside

Renee Johnson

Emma Kaye

Maureen Bonatch

Sharon Buchbinder

PRINCE JIRAN by Sylvie Grayson

MUSE MONDAY

Please welcome Sylvie Grayson with her new release, Prince of Jiran.

When I wrote the first book of The Last War series, I expected there would be two or three books. Here we are at Book Five, and Six is just hovering at the back of my brain! It has been a lot of fun to write this fifth book. It dives into the culture of Jiran, a loose collection of tribal families that travel the plains across the mountains to the west of Khandarken. These people don’t have good relations with the other countries around them. They stayed out of the Last War, keeping to the sidelines and refusing to take sides between Emperor Aqatain and the rebel forces that finally defeated him. Thus the Prince of Jiran is stuck with trying to mend relations at a time he is suffering an assault of his own and needs the support. And of course Princess Chinata has caught his eye, and that complicates an already complicated situation!

Shandro, Prince of the Penrhy tribe of Jiran, disagrees with his father, Sovereign Pollack, on nearly every issue that arises between them. But his goal is to uphold the family values in spite of Pollack’s conniving moves as he deals with the hotbed of competing nations surrounding them.

Then Shandro is sent on a mission across the mountains into Khandarken to bring back Princess Chinata, a bride for Emperor Carlton’s Advisor. In exchange, Jiran and the Penrhy tribe are given

a peace agreement, protection against invasion by the Emperor’s troops. This seems a good trade, as Carlton is hovering on their borders with his need for more land. However, not far into the journey, it becomes apparent someone is not adhering to the terms of the peace accord.

Near the tribal border, Shandro and his troops have come under direct attack from unknown forces. He digs deeper into Chinata’s background to find strong ties to the New Empire. Is it too dangerous to bring Princess Chinata into Jiran? Or as her escort, does Shandro become her defender against the Emperor’s troops?

Amazon buy link

AUTHOR BIO

Sylvie Grayson loves to write about suspense, romance and murder and has published contemporary romantic suspense novels, all about strong women who meet with dangerous odds, stories of tension and attraction. She has also written The Last War series, a sci fi/fantasy adventure, the fifth book, Prince of Jiran, newly released.

She has lived most of her life in British Columbia, Canada, in spots ranging from Vancouver Island on the west coast to the North Peace River country and the Kootenays in the beautiful interior. She lived for a year in Japan. She has been an English language instructor, a nightclub manager, an auto shop bookkeeper and a lawyer. She lives in southern British Columbia with her husband on a small piece of land near the Pacific Ocean.

Sylvie loves to hear from her readers. You can reach her at sylviegraysonauthor@gmail.com, on her website at www.sylviegrayson.com or on facebook.

A Very #Wicked Character by Heather Weidner

Wicked Wednesday

Wicked is as wicked does! Please welcome my guest, Heather Weidner, with her Wicked Wednesday fun.

Thank you so much for letting me stop by and chat with your readers about my wicked character, Chaz Smith, and my new book, The Tulip Shirt Murders. It’s the second in my Delanie Fitzgerald mystery series.

Chaz is despicable and infamous in Central Virginia. He is notorious for driving his flashy Humvee, covered in bikini-clad models to advertise his sleazy strip club.  Charles Wellington “Chaz” Smith, III, a trust-fund baby descended from a distinguished Virginia family, first appeared in Secret Lives and Private Eyes. He’s a local strip club owner who hired my private investigator, Delanie Fitzgerald, to uncover some dirt on the mayor of Richmond. Chaz Smith had purchased some property that he wanted to turn into a second gentleman’s club, but the grassroots’ resistance to his effort got the attention of city hall. He thought if he had some dirt, he could use it as a bargaining chip in his permit negotiations. But he gets more than he bargained for.

Chaz has the worst table manners and no filter. He speaks whatever he thinks in the moment, but he grows on Delanie after a while. And it doesn’t hurt that he always pays in cash. Delanie reluctantly takes the case, but she has to spend most of her summer trying to clear Chaz’s name when the mayor ends up murdered in front of Chaz’s club, the Treasure Chest (which happens to be located in downtown Richmond on the site where Edgar Allan Poe used to write for the Southern Literary Messenger). And Chaz, who mouthed off and threatened the local politician, is the prime suspect.

The contemptible businessman reappears in The Tulip Shirt Murders with more requests for Delanie and her partner, Duncan Reynolds. He believes the police have the wrong man in an open and shut murder case. He believes the boyfriend of the victim, granddaughter of his family’s long-time housekeeper, isn’t the killer, and he wants Delanie to investigate. Delanie and Duncan’s research uncovers other similar cases, and they have to put the pieces together to find the real killer before someone else is murdered.

Chaz is always full of surprises. In The Tulip Shirt Murders, Chaz asks Delanie and her firm, Falcon Investigations, to research other property in the suburbs for a new idea he has. He wants to open a restaurant with all-make revue. When Delanie recovers from the surprise of being Chaz’s confidant, he also asks her to do some campaign opposition research for him because he’s decided that he’s what Richmond needs. He plans to run for mayor in a special election to replace the murdered mayor. Book three will include Chaz’s campaign adventures.

Chaz is a fun character to write because he is unconventional, gross, and often sleazy. My sleuth is sassy and spunky and gets herself in and out of all kinds of trouble, and Chaz is a good foil for her. He represents the underside of humanity and allows her glimpses into his world.

But the sleazy strip club owner isn’t a total villain. We learn in the first book, that his elderly neighbor adores him because he cat-sits for her when she goes to visit her sister in Cincinnati. And he is a loyal fan and supporter of Delanie.

The Tulip Shirt Murders –  Heather Weidner

Private investigator Delanie Fitzgerald, and her computer hacker partner, Duncan Reynolds, are back for more sleuthing in The Tulip Shirt Murders. When a local music producer hires the duo to find out who is bootlegging his artists’ CDs, Delanie uncovers more than just copyright thieves. And if chasing bootleggers isn’t bad enough, local strip club owner and resident sleaze, Chaz Smith, pops back into Delanie’s life with more requests. The police have their man in a gruesome murder, but the loud-mouthed strip club owner thinks there is more to the open and shut case. Delanie and Duncan link a series of killings with no common threads. And they must put the rest of the missing pieces together before someone else is murdered.

The Tulip Shirt Murders is a fast-paced mystery that appeals to readers who like a strong female sleuth with a knack for getting herself in and out of humorous situations such as larping and trading elbow jabs with roller derby queens.

Tulip Shirt Murders Buy Link

Author Biography:

Heather Weidner’s short stories appear in the Virginia is for Mysteries series and 50 Shades of Cabernet. She is a member of Sisters in Crime – Central Virginia, Guppies, and James River Writers. The Tulip Shirt Murders is her second novel in her Delanie Fitzgerald series.

Originally from Virginia Beach, Heather has been a mystery fan since Scooby Doo and Nancy Drew. She lives in Central Virginia with her husband and a pair of Jack Russell terriers.

Heather earned her BA in English from Virginia Wesleyan College and her MA in American literature from the University of Richmond. Through the years, she has been a technical writer, editor, college professor, software tester, and IT manager. She blogs regularly with the Pens, Paws, and Claws authors.

Author Links:

Website and Blog: www.heatherweidner.com 

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

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/HeatherWeidner1 

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

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/crazyforwords13/ 

Book Link: http://www.amazon.com/Secret-Lives-Private-Heather-Weidner/dp/1633932567 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8121854.Heather_Weidner

What Awaits YOU in 2018 #Gifts #Prizes #Suspense

MUSE MONDAY

It's the start of another grrrreat year. I've got so much planned that I'm already running 50 miles an hour with ten goals dangling a carrot to keep me on the treadmill.

I've got several new promotions planned, joined a couple of great groups, and I'll write about those in upcoming posts.

I've began writing a new series, yet to be named. The books are inspired by Jerome, Arizona. In fact, I'm writing two books at the same time for that series. I jump between 1970 and 2018 on any given day. This series has me so excited. It's romantic suspense with a mystical twist.

It's also a new year for my Quarterly Newsletter Group. And like the last couple of years, I'm giving a gift each month to someone from the group. All that's required is you remain a loyal newsletter member. Not only are do my members have a chance at a monthly gift, but they receive a quarterly report on what's new in my writing world, what's might be new in the reader world at large, and other interesting tidbits. Four times a year...and if you want to hear from me more often, all you have to do is give me a holler via email.

Hurry on over and click here to join my Quarterly Newsletter Group.

Here are this year's prizes:

Jan       $10 AMC Movie Gift Certificate

Feb      Costume Jewelry

Mar      Shell Spreading Knives

Apr      $5 Amazon Gift Card

May     Costume Jewelry

Jun       Southwest Style Bathroom Set

Jul        $5 Amazon Gift Card

Aug     Bug in a Bag with Knife

Sep      Costume Jewelry

Oct      $5 Amazon Gift Card

Nov     Holiday themed

Dec      $10 Amazon Gift Card

THE LAST TORTUGA THURSDAY, Revisited #farming

For the balance of the year and the first week of January, 2018, I'm reprinting some popular posts dating back to 2013. Hope you enjoy again or for the first time.

January, 2016

The Farmer has left the farm.

Those of us left behind do not want to pick up the hoe and continue…that would be retired hubby and me.

Four years ago when we started this adventure:

In 2012, on the plains of Northern Arizona, two families joined forces and began the trials and tribulations of building a small family farm with nothing in the bank but love.

We didn’t know if it would be a success or not. It’s not easy living under the same roof with relatives. Add

Red Okra and Soy Beans

to that, trying to come up with a plan to make a living off the land and feed the family. That was my son’s plan.

In spite of changing directions this year, our adventure was a success.

Black Tomatoes

We ate well. I’d always loved fruits and vegetables, but had never tried, much less seen, some of the varieties my son grew. Red okra? Black tomatoes? And we contributed mightily to the local food bank. Hubby vowed from day one he didn’t play in the dirt, but he came up with some pickle recipes that rocked the world of many pickle enthusiasts who we sold to at the farmers’ market.

Frank's Recipe

We learned some life skills…survival in many forms. And we did it without killing each other in the process. Like I said, two families under one roof has pitfalls to avoid. We did it. In the four years, we had a marriage and added a new member to the family. You might have heard me talk about my granddaughter—just a little! We also lost a member, Rusty. We’ve missed him horribly.

Rusty

So, if it was going so well, what happened? Money happened, and an offer he couldn’t refuse. We’d learned a new lifestyle, but hadn’t yet found the way to make a very good living. Then out of the blue, a friend of a friend offered the Farmer a job. Actually, more than a job, a piece of a new business. He wasn't looking for it, yet there it was. He thought long and hard—we all did—but in the end, a man can’t turn his back on an outstanding opportunity.The future is bright.

Turn the page. The next chapter has started.  Hubby and I will be making it up as we go for a while. Although our son’s family had to relocate, we’ll watch over the property and split our time between there and the RV. I’m turning Tortuga Thursday into Thrifty Thursday. In this world, at least in our world, we need all the help we can muster for living on the cheap. I’ll mold Thursdays into a helpful account of our adventure. I hope. You let me know as it goes. I changed my mind after this post went live. I'm not sure what I will call it, but Thursdays will continue with the adventure/misadventures of retiring, sort of, and just where this new chapter is headed. Yes, any hints I can come up with for creative living will be included.

You can still check the blog on Monday for Muse Monday, on Friday for Fearless Friday, and I’ve added Wicked Wednesday.

Thanks for following along on Tortuga Thursdays. You can still read those past posts since they are archived right here. I hope you follow along and enjoy the new face of the blog.