Muse Monday Philosophy with Sandra Holiday

 MUSE MONDAY

After two failed marriages and countless relationships, years of less than perfect choices that derailed her travel-related career and left her single and broke, Sandra Holiday still approaches life with humor. And she has her own brand of philosophical musings. I'd like to welcome the main character of my latest release (eBook is on preorder and print is available now) Sleeping with the Lights On to Muse Monday on Discover...

Me: Hi Sandra. I'm wondering if you'd share a few of your wisdoms from your story.

Sandra: I'd be happy to. I'm not sure how wise I am, but as a fifty-year-old woman, I do have some experience tucked away. 

From my own experience, I know nights are the worst time to be alone. The dark quiet intensifies your isolation. Instead of folding around you like a soft cocoon, the dark is endless nothingness, leaving you feeling exposed and vulnerable. It’s best to sleep with the lights on. 

Daddy said sex was ninety-percent of any good relationship. My mother and father were married fifty-eight years. Until he died. But Daddy hadn’t explained the other ten-percent. I happened to think the other ten-percent kept them together so long. Having been married twice, not to mention countless relationships, I had to admit the left-over ten-percent had been elusive for me. 

People often say, if I only knew then what I know now. I say, if I’d known as much then, I would’ve avoided way too much and wouldn’t know now what I know. Nor would I have been where I found myself that morning—the object of affection by a man I’d yet to fully discover on a lazy spring morning. I had to believe my future held some good possibilities. 

The fact he resembled my favorite Beatle, George, and I Got My Mind Set On You played from his jukebox when we met, may seem like a coincidence. But there are no coincidences. Regardless of the song having been written years before we met, it existed for us. Things like that happen. The energy of ideas lives in a timeless medium and will come together at the right moment.

Thanks for having me, Brenda. I hope your readers will enjoy the story you wrote for me. They can buy the book here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F4M25SR6

Ripped From the Pages... #MuseMonday #Inspiration #wrpbks

 MUSE MONDAY

When I don't have a guest on Muse Monday, I'll share excerpts with photos that inspired scenes from my books. The scenes are most likely never before shared excerpts. 

One afternoon, hanging with my sister, she complained about her last disappointing date. She was divorced, and sick of dating and being single. I always told her, jokingly, “you've had more men in your life than any one woman deserves, so buck up.” I suggested her dating life would make great fodder for a short story. I sat at my computer and told her to recite a characterization of every man she'd dated, starting with the ill-fated relationship with the G.I. in Germany who took her on a date to the Black Forest and didn't get past the first tree, so to speak. I titled the working file "Of Men and Bullshit." 

Over the next few weeks, the story grew. I had so much fun telling the tale of a fifty-year-old woman who’d not found Mr. Right or a career. I added a few fictional escapades, but the men who appear in the book are real enough. And by the way, I couldn’t fit in all of them. Sleeping with the Lights On ended up becoming the first full-length novel I published. 

Ripped from the pages... of Sleeping with the Lights On

A secret admirer, a redheaded stalker, and an eccentric millionaire have thrown Sandra Holiday on a dangerous path. 

Excerpt:

“Carson, have you ever considered dating?” I couldn’t get over the six marriages.

“Dating? You mean instead of marrying.” He shrugged. “I’ve been rethinking it…since Melanie, who next to you was the best marriage I’ve had, and even then she didn’t compare with you. You’ll always be the best. Special.”

He melted me with his choice of words. I couldn’t speak. Carson told me I had been one of those really good things about his life. The adage came to mind—you don’t know what you have until it’s gone.           

“Man, tonight is good chili weather.” He stretched his arms in appreciation of a nice spring

A Minneapolis lake

Minnesota evening. The phrase rang pure Texan. I guess you can’t take Texas out of the Texan no matter how long it’s been. “Let’s do this again tomorrow night, Sandra.”

“I can’t. I have plans,” I said relieved. Sort of. This evening, supposedly a one-time meeting should be a brief hello. I had a life.

“The person who called you earlier?”

“Yes.”

“Good.”

He actually said good. Why did he find every aspect of my life so pleasing?

“Then lunch?” He took my hand. “We haven’t had nearly enough time to talk. Unless, we extend this night some more.”

“I don’t think that would be such a good idea.” Actually, it would be a great idea for all the wrong reasons. “I have to get up early for work.” I needed to call Wesley and put Carson out of my mind. Carson Holiday needed to slip back into my past.

“Then I’ll take you to lunch.” He nudged me with his shoulder affectionately.

“When do you go back to Vegas?”

He hesitated. “In a day or two.”

“You sound rather vague.” And still allusive. What could be the big secret about this charity gig he couldn’t divulge?

“I have a few more things to find out. I’ll be out of here as soon as I get all my questions answered. It’s complicated.”

“Carson, honestly, how complicated can a gig—”

He pulled on my hand, bringing me around to face him. We’d reached the edge of my apartment complex. My head said turn and run, but my legs wouldn’t respond, mushy from wine or too much Carson and moonlight. I couldn’t be sure which.

“Have lunch with me tomorrow, darlin’.” He peered into my eyes, not smiling. His hand let go of mine, and his fingers gingerly brushed along my forearm while I couldn’t break the connection of his gaze. “Another hour of your time with a long-lost friend?”

Minneapolis winter

“Yes.” My voice went all husky and come-hither. I wanted to kick myself for being so easy.

“Good. What’s the address of your office?” He took my hand again, leading me toward the door of the building. I struggled to shake off the moon shadows and to remember where I worked. Once inside the building, I took a scrap of paper from my purse and wrote the address.

“And now I’ll walk you to your door and say goodnight,” he said tucking the scrap of paper in his pocket. “Unless you want to have me in for a goodnight drink.”

I didn’t answer. If he’d known my uncertainty about my renewed attraction to him, a little persistence might have made me cave.

“Okay, then—” His mouth gaped.

I followed his bewildered look to my apartment door the scrawl of lipstick.

TRAMP

We both stared at an ordinary piece of white typing paper, taped to my door, with no marks other than the one word. He gave me one of those arched-eyebrow-quizzical looks, but I couldn’t find my voice. We glanced back at the paper like maybe we missed something. The black, block letters couldn’t be mistaken for anything other than what they said. And I knew whose artful hand had branded me.

“What have you been up to since we last saw each other, darlin’?”

 BUY LINKS

AMAZON PRINT AND EBOOK 

KOBO EBOOK 

BARNES AND NOBLE PRINT OR EBOOK 

GOOGLE PLAY EBOOK 

ITUNES EBOOK 

AUDIO

APPLE 

AUDIBLE

 

 

New Book, #Charity, #Sale, #Free Audio Codes

MUSE MONDAY

It's not often I check in on Muse Monday. I usually reserve this column for my guests. But with an open slot and all I have going on right now, a short post from me is appropriate.

An old hotel in Joshua...haunted?

I wrapped up book one in my new series, with a working title of Magpie, A Joshua Arizona Novel. Now I wait. I'm looking a larger publisher or self-publisher. In the meantime, book two in the series is forming with a working title of Harlan, A Joshua Arizona Novel. FDW has advised me these are not exciting enough titles. I'm taking his advice under consideration (especially since they don't excite me either).




The charity driven anthology is out and doing great. Be sure to order your copy or copies of Australia Burning. My contribution, Pinochle, is in volume one.

Amazon Buy Link Click Here

I have a book on sale right now, too. A Legacy of Love and Murder, eBook, is on sale right now for $1.99. You have until the 20th to secure a copy. On February 21, The Power of Love and Murder will be on sale for $1.99 until March 5. Mark your calendar.





Amazon Buy Link Click Here

AND I still have both US and UK FREE CODES for my audio books. You really need to contact me soon because they won't last forever. email me brenda@brendawhiteside.com.

Okay, back to writing. Happy February! 

To listen to a sample of my audio books: Click Here for Audible Page

Free Audiobooks Now

MUSE MONDAY

My audiobooks are free for a song and a dance. Well, for a review actually. Audible gives both authors and narrators a limited number of audiobook codes to redeem our books for free to listeners. All they ask is you leave an honest review on Audible. You DO NOT have to have an account on Audible. It's super easy, and you can listen at your leisure.

I have both UK and US codes for all of my books. But don't delay, I'm getting near the bottom of the barrel. Even if you aren't quite ready to listen, even if you have books waiting to be heard, get the codes now and download so you're able to take advantage of this free offer.

Leave me a comment or send me an email with the title of the books you want and whether you need UK or US.

In the Book, In the Voice…Inspiration #audio #romance

The first step in taking a book from print to audio is finding the right voice. When I decided to take Sleeping with the Lights On to the next level—audio—I had to listen to auditions for a prospective narrator.

These are the main characters I had to keep in mind when listening to auditions:

Sandra Holiday transplanted to Minneapolis, Minnesota. She’s originally from Phoenix, Arizona and lived a few years in Las Vegas. She’s a fifty-year-old southwest lady with sass. She approaches her life with a good balance of humor. Can you hear her voice? I certainly could.

Sandra’s ex-husband, Carson Holiday, hails from Texas and although he’s lived many years in Las Vegas, he still has a bit of twang. And he’s a sexy, country singer. Can you hear his voice? I knew what he should sound like.

Wesley is Sandra’s current guy. He’s rich, quirky, and speaks with a fast, clipped voice pattern.

Could I find anyone who could give these characters life?

Lily Dubuque to the rescue. When I heard Lily’s audition, I knew I’d found the narrator that could pull off three very different personalities. If you’re an audio connoisseur, you’re going to be pleased with this listen. And if you're new to audio, you’re going to be equally entertained.

Right now, I have FREE review codes for Audible for a free audio book in exchange for a review. Let me know if you need UK or US. This is a very entertaining listen, so give me a shout for a free code. Leave a comment or email me at brenda@brendawhiteside.com.

Listen to a sample here, and then hit me up for a code! If you missed the 'here', then go to: https://www.audible.com/pd/Sleeping-with-the-Lights-On-Audiobook/B07R4PTBMT

In the Book...Inspiration #Free #Audiobooks

How about a FREE AUDIOBOOK? Read on...

My fiction is character driven. When I begin a new novel, my favorite thing to do is the character study for the stars of my story. My first books relied heavily on people close to me as inspiration for my characters. Even now, there are bits and pieces of people I know in every book.

A secret admirer, a redheaded stalker, and an eccentric millionaire have thrown Sandra Holiday on a dangerous path.

The three main characters in the first book I published, released nine years ago last May, Sleeping with the Lights On, were right out of my life. The story is fictional, for the most part anyway. A few small incidents are close to true, but those are my secrets.

Real-life inspiration for Carson.

After two failed marriages and countless relationships, Sandra Holiday thinks she’s met the man to end her years of less than perfect choices; choices that not only derailed her travel-related career plans but also left her single and broke. 

Carson Holiday, a Las Vegas country crooner with swoon-inducing good looks, spent his adult life pursuing a recording contract and love, never holding on to either. After eighteen years, he drops back into Sandra’s life, reigniting an attraction he can’t deny.

When Carson reappears, Sandra must choose again.  Only this time, nothing’s as it seems.  A secret admirer, a redheaded stalker, and an eccentric millionaire throw her on a dangerous path, with Carson her only truth. 

As life confronts her with yet another turning point, will her decisions find her eternally sleeping with the lights on – or will she finally discover a way to turn them off?

Sleeping with the Lights on is available in eBook, print, and audio.

The audio is narrated by Lily Dubuque. She does a fantastic job of bringing my characters to life.

LISTEN TO A SAMPLE HERE

If you like audiobooks, I have review codes for FREE. I'll send you a code for a FREE AUDIOBOOK in exchange for a review. Hit me up before they're all gone. I have a limited supply. You can email me at brenda@brendawhiteside.com

The World of #Audio for Sleeping with the Lights On #Interview with Lily Dubuque

Sleeping with the Lights On, the first book I published, is now available in audio. Ten years ago, this month, I signed my first contract with The Wild Rose Press. I’m so excited about this fun, humorous romantic suspense launching as an audio book. I never dreamed that would be possible ten years ago.

Today, I’d like you to meet the most talented Lily Dubuque, the narrator for Sleeping with the Lights On. Her voice makes this audio story perfect! I think once you get a listen to her, you’ll just have to check out her other books.

Let me introduce you to Lily and get a glimpse into her world.

Me: Hi Lily! Great to have you here. First off, where do you work and turn the written word into audio? I understand most narrators work out of their homes. Do you have a special area, room, or nook where you make your magic happen?

Lily: Hi Brenda, first I'd like to say how much I enjoyed narrating Sleeping with the Lights On.  What drew me to this book was the middle-aged main character. You made her smart, sexy and fun!  And the plot was as riveting as the characters were compelling.  It was easy to sit in my booth to narrate this gem.  My booth is in my finished basement. Some narrators sit in a closet all day long. I am lucky enough to have a room! 

Me: In Arizona, we don’t see many basements. When we lived in Minnesota, every home seemed to have one. So versatile.  Thank you for the compliments. I love writing characters with a little mileage. Glad you enjoyed her. How did you get started as an audio book professional?

Lily: I worked as a television reporter in my 20's, and when my son was born, I decided to get into voice-overs so that I could stay home with him.  I have done radio and television commercials and my favorite...audio books.  It is really fun to bring the words to life. 

Me: Wow, a reporter. Sounds romantic in an exciting way. And you do bring words to life. How do you approach a book when you first see it and make the decision to audition a sample? 

Lily: Some narrators only look at how the kindle version sells. But I look at more than that. If I can identify with the characters (as I did with Sleeping with the Lights On) and really enjoy the story line, then I audition. If you are sitting in a room recording for hours on end, you really have to enjoy the story!

Me: How long does it take to complete the average book? What are the steps?

Lily: If a book is let's say, eight hours, it will take double to triple that amount of time to create the audio book. I read the book over, figure out how I will make the characters sound, and then go over the pacing and the mood.  I usually record a chapter at a time, and then edit it. 

Me: That is so interesting. I have to compliment you on the job you did narrating Sleeping with the Lights On. Now, I know why you did such a good job. Although set in Minneapolis, the hero and heroine are from the southwest. You had just the right amount of twang in your voice. And then there was Wesley. He’s one unique character and you nailed him, too. Do you have a favorite genre to narrate? Is there any type of book you avoid?

Lily: Wesley was so fun! His personality was really unique and quirky!  I lived in Tupelo, MS for almost four years in my 20's, so I used a little bit of that accent in Carson's voice.  I like all genres as long as the story is compelling. I have also narrated non-fiction but it isn't nearly as much fun!  What I enjoy so much about your books is that you combine romance and suspense.  I like to really feel the emotion between the characters when I narrate. And if there is a plot twist, you don't want to stop reading!

Me: Okay now some lighthearted questions…

Because I write Romantic Suspense, do you ever fall for any of the heroes or heroines? 

Lily: No, but I have a hard time letting them go. After I finish a great book, I feel like the characters are my friends!  I definitely would love to hang out with Sandra and her sister!

Me: When you aren’t working, what’s your favorite pastime? 

Lily: My husband and I love the beach! We don't get there often enough, but hope to move to the Florida gulf coast someday!

Me: Coffee, tea, or cola? 

Lily: I am a coffee girl all the way!

Me: We have coffee in common. Mountains, seaside, or cosmopolitan city?

Lily: Definitely the seaside!

Me: It’s been great getting to know you, Lily. I’m looking forward to working with you in the future.

Lily: I would love to narrate your next book.  Even if I weren't a narrator, you are still one of my favorite authors!

Me: Ah, thanks, Lily…mutual admiration!

Find Lily’s audio books here:

https://www.audible.com/search?searchNarrator=Lili+Dubuque

A secret admirer, a redheaded stalker, and an eccentric millionaire throw Sandra on a dangerous path, just when ex-husband, Carson drops back into her life after an eighteen year absence. Can this handsome, country crooner save the day, or will Sandra forever be Sleeping With The Lights On?

Buy Links for the audio of Sleeping with the Lights On:

Amazon Audible (you can hear a free sample too!)

Apple iBooks

In the Book: #inspiration of Men and Bull***t #romance

The first book I published went to audio recently, ten years after I signed the contract. I love to

answer the question "what inspired Sleeping with the Lights On?"

One afternoon, when my sister was visiting, she complained about her last disappointing date. She was divorced, and sick of dating and being single. I always told her, jokingly, you've had more men in your life than any one woman deserves, so buck up. That day, I suggested her dating life would make great fodder for a short story. I sat at my computer and told her to recite a characterization of every man she'd dated, starting with the ill-fated relationship with the G.I. in Germany who took her on a date to the Black Forest and didn't get past the first tree, so to speak. I titled the file "Of Men and Bullshit."

That short story turned into the full-length novel, Sleeping with the Lights On. Although there are

Toasting the launch 2010 with my sister

fictional escapades sprinkled into the tale, the men are all real. And by the way, I couldn't fit in all of them.

The cover has been updated since then, but the story is still a fun romp with suspense, humor and a surprise ending. And I'm sure my sister would want me to tell you, it isn't all true. But the men are! You can read the first chapter HERE.

A secret admirer, a redheaded stalker, and an eccentric millionaire 

have thrown Sandra Holiday on a dangerous path.

After two failed marriages and countless relationships, Sandra thinks she’s met the man to end her years of less than perfect choices; choices that not only derailed her travel-related career plans, but also left her single and broke.

Carson Holiday, a Las Vegas country crooner with swoon-inducing good looks, spent his adult life pursuing a recording contract and love, never holding on to either. After eighteen years, he drops back into Sandra’s life, reigniting an attraction he can’t deny.

When Carson reappears, Sandra must choose again. As life confronts her with yet another turning point, will her decisions find her eternally sleeping with the lights on – or will she finally discover a way to turn them off?

BUY LINKS:

AMAZON eBook, Print, and Audio

BARNES AND NOBLE

iTUNES

And everywhere good books are sold.

Learn more about the characters in Sleeping with the Lights On HERE

Read the first chapter HERE

My Weird Little Secret

MUSE MONDAY

Mason look alike

Ever so often, a character from one of my stories will come to mind. They won't appear in the exact context of the book. For instance, I just finished writing a book and haven't started the next one. That led me to thinking about Phoebe, from Southwest of Love and Murder, who is a murder mystery writer. She's still living on the ranch with Mason and her son Sky. I actually wondered what she might be writing right now.

My brother just got back from an Alaskan cruise, which led me to wonder about

My backyard in Minnesota

Sandra Holiday from Sleeping with the Lights On. Last time I heard from her, she worked as a tourist guide at a lodge in Alaska. We might've had a cup of coffee in my backyard in Minnesota before she left for the frozen tundra.

Harte's lodge

August, from A Legacy of Love and Murder, married an Austrian Inspector who bore a striking resemblance to James Bond, the Sean Connery version. I imagine she's learned to ski and sold her art studio in Tucson. Maybe she visited my Austrian friend at his lodge in the Alps.

Yep, my characters are like friends, living far enough away that I don't get in on their daily life since they solved the murder, calmed the suspense, and went on with their lives. I miss them at times just like you miss distant friends.

When you read my books, I hope you are totally wrapped up in my characters' lives. But my guess is, when you reach "the end", the story really does come to an end for you. Not so, for me.

Call me weird, but what I create, lives on. I miss them and hope the story I set in motion, the one they revealed as I wrote, continues to be the happily ever after life they deserve. And may the villains stay where the villains were condemned to when last we met. (although the truth is I thoroughly enjoyed knowing them too!)

OF MEN AND BULLSHIT

MUSE MONDAY
In 2009, I signed my first contract for a full length novel. The Wild Rose Press took a chance on me, and it's been a great partnership with them ever since. Although Sleeping with the Lights On was the first book I published, it was the second book I wrote. Six books and years later, The Wild Rose Press did publish my first book written, Post-War Dreams. I'll tell that story on another day.

Me and my inspiration, my sister

Sleeping with the Lights On started as a short story and a whim. My sister was in between marriages and moaning about the dating game. We got to talking about her experiences. I sat down at the computer and started a chronological chart on the many men she'd met. I say many. It seemed many to me. I was married at the ripe old age of eighteen and managed to stay married to the same man. She'd not been so lucky.

My working title was Of Men and Bullshit. After she went home, I started my story which morphed into the book that became Sleeping with the Lights On. A disclaimer here: there are some

The real-life Carson

imaginary characters in the book and certainly a few made up events. But the three main characters are based on real life people, personalities, and locations. I had a lot of fun writing this romantic contemporary lighthearted suspense.

Amazon Buy Link

A WHOLE 'NOTHER KIND OF FIREWORKS!

MUSE MONDAY
Is anyone really reading blogs on the 4th of July? This is one of those holidays people are out and about...on the lake, camping, having droves of friends and family over for barbecue, and heading to that one place you can see the best fireworks.

But if you are spending a little time on the computer and looking for a blog that doesn't tax your mind too much, I thought I'd throw out some one liners (or two) from my books that speak to a different kind of fireworks.

My books are about much more than fireworks, but I combed through and found a few for this 4th of July Muse Monday.

The Art of Love and Murder
1) She climbed on behind him, settled her legs along side his. He adjusted his position, pushing back against her ever so slightly. She fidgeted against the leather seat, low-slung tremors made her smile. Her hands rested at the junction of his hips and legs as the engine roared to life. The hum vibrated through her, she hugged her legs against his hips and her hands felt the taut muscles along his sides as they pulled onto Route 66.

2) “My kind of early morning woman.” He moaned as she took him in without comment. 

She fell forward and rocked, her mouth next to his ear. “Shh!” she whispered. “Don’t talk, Sheriff, you might wake me up.”

Southwest of Love and Murder

1) “Have you ever done it on the saddle?” Her cobalt blue eyes sparkled in spite of her pallor.

“Jesus, Phoebe.” He gripped her bottom tighter. If ever he’d had a fantasy, she’d hit on the one.

“No.” His voice rasped and he cleared his throat. “Not yet.”

2) “I’m not sure how being a woman-starved cowpoke and smelling like his horse would make a man more virile.” He rubbed his chin and feigned a serious expression. “I can tell you this naked rancher is pretty damn full of raw nature…” He flipped the corner of the blanket off his hips. “And he’d be happy to demonstrate his stamina to a certain bohemian author. Several times over.”

A Legacy of Love and Murder

1) The pause was long enough to see the deep brown of her eyes with a curious green rim and to feel the warmth of the hot-blooded American woman whose body brushed his as she passed.

When she lifted her chin higher, bringing her lips to his, the message her kiss sent matched the desire he’d been fighting.

2) The door closed. The kiss grew intense, and she had the sensation of being tasted. She was dessert.

Sleeping with the Lights On

1) “Sandra, when a gal’s figure fills in the spaces to make it a woman’s

body, a man can lose all common sense just lookin'."

2) The mere touch from  him was so lethal he may as well have been walking his fingertips up my legs and under my skirt, dancing across my panties, causing me to squeeze my thighs together in defense or arousal or both.

The Morning After

1) A moan. The man rolled to his back, kicking off covers. Abigail gasped. Her gentleman visitor wore only a bow tie and black socks.

2) The heat of his body mapped the identical heat of hers. Her breasts tingled with the contact, and she rubbed against him to spike the sensation.

Now, go enjoy some fireworks!

Too Busy to Get Into Trouble

Yes, it should be Fearless Friday, but I'm inserting a quick post...just because I can. I haven't posted a Tortuga Thursday post in several weeks. I haven't written a Muse Monday post in several weeks. We're in a transitioning stage between the farm and the RV park, and on top of that I've been dealing with multiple stages on my books. Keeping up with those stages eats up my time.

The Art of Love and Murder re-released under the Amazon Encore label. Such an honor but required a good deal of promo and tracking on my part.

Post-War Dreams released worldwide...again required a great deal of promo and

Latest release

tracking.

I re-contracted with The Wild Rose Press to redesign a cover for Sleeping with the Lights On. I never liked the cover of my first book and I'm excited to get a new one. Maybe some new life will be breathed into the book.

I had to get first edits done for A Legacy of Love and Murder. This is the third book in the series which I hoped would release this year but that's not going to happen.

And I'm back to working on The Power of Love and Money, the fourth book in the series.

I've got a list of upcoming appearances for book signings. I invite you to come by if you're anywhere in the area...or make a trip!

http://brendawhiteside.com/news.html

WHAT DIDN'T MAKE IT INTO THE BOOK...

MUSE MONDAY
When I write a full length novel, each character has a history and traits that may or may not be part of the story on the page. In order to make a character come to life, I have to know about the character's life outside my book. Here's an inside peek at how this works. Below are partial character sketches about two characters from two of my books. If you've read them, you'll learn new tidbits that didn't make it into the books. (hint: what's in red)

THE ART OF LOVE AND MURDER (first of five books in my Love and Murder Series)
Heroine: Lacy Dahl
Age: 43
Description: Lacy's eyes are a remarkable light green shade. Her hair is the color of ebony and falls below her shoulder blades. She's 5'7" and weighs 135 pounds. She's half Hopi Indian and half Austrian.

Characteristics and Personality Traits: She has a habit of lifting a tendril of hair and brushing it along her chin when she's deep in thought. Her preference is for "real" things such as ceramic over paper, real stones and metals in her jewelry and leather over plastic. She is happy, self-assured, independent and responsible.

Background: She was born in Flagstaff, Arizona. An airplane crash killed both her parents when she was a few months old. Her foster parents eventually adopted her and she was raised in Phoenix. Her childhood was normal. In high school, she excelled academically and was Homecoming Queen two years in a row. Her college degree was earned at the University of California in San Francisco where she met her husband. She married and had two children. At the time of her husband's death, three years before the story opens, she was a pharmacist and he was a surgeon. She left her profession after he died and bought a coffee cafe, naming it the Lacy Latte. Her love life has been non-existent, too busy taking care of her sick mother and the cafe.

Additional Information: She drives a crimson red BMW Z4, convertible. She runs every morning then changes into jeans and filmy blouses and expensive shoes before going to the cafe. She has a special closet just for shoes. She practices yoga twice a week and has recently talked her friend Phoebe into going to the classes with her. Her son is at a chef school in Paris and her daughter owns an art gallery in Tucson, Arizona where she is going through a divorce.

SLEEPING WITH THE LIGHTS ON
Heroine: Sandra Holiday
Age: 50
Description: Sandra is a green eyed, blonde. More than likely there's gray under that blonde, but we'll never know. Her hair still brushes her shoulders in soft waves. At 5'3", she's petite and just slim enough. She prefers jeans but wears form-fitting skirts to work.

Background: Sandra was born in Phoenix, Arizona. She excelled in English class but didn't have much time for her other studies. Community College held her interest for as long as it took to get her Associates of Arts degree. She married young and it didn't last two years. One night, in Las Vegas Nevada, she met Carson Holiday who was performing on the casino stage at the Sam's Town Casino. He spotted her at the bar, playing video poker with a girlfriend on each side of her. She was twenty-seven. They were married three months later. The marriage lasted five years. Why not longer? Well, you'd have to read my notes on Carson. For the last eighteen years, Sandra has had some colorful relationships from a radio DJ that was too young for her to the Iranian who disappeared and was found dead in the Salt River. Her love of travel keeps pointing her toward careers in the field but it seems every time she gets close, some man distracts her from her goal. As Sandra says, "Always a sucker for romance, but romance never lasts and I'm left without a career."

Additional Info: Sandra hates to clean. She still has clothes from high school. Beaujolais is her favorite wine and Starbuck's is her favorite coffee. She has a sister named Abby who is taller, married and her best friend.

That's a sample of how it goes. These character sketches are the first things I write when I start a new book. I add to them as the book progresses and the characters reveal more of their personalities and pasts to me. This is my favorite part of writing a book.

Both Sleeping with the Lights On and The Art of Love and Murder were published by The Wild Rose Press and are available most everywhere!

Click HERE for all my books at The Wild Rose Press.

Make My Book A Movie - I Wish

MUSE MONDAY
A few days ago, my husband and I went to see Saving Mr. Banks. I hadn't read any reviews or seen a movie trailer beyond a preview a few months back. The fact that it had something to do with Walt Disney and Mary Poppins was enough to hook me. I love Disneyland and so many of the stories Disney brought to the screen.

I totally enjoyed the movie which was about P. L. Travers', the author of the Mary Poppins series, long avoidance of allowing Disney to make a movie from her books. She said no for twenty years. How crazy does that sound? Assuming Hollywood didn't embellish the truth too much, it was a delight seeing how they turned her story into a movie. Her abhorrence of the process had me wanting to slap her upside the head for most of the movie.

At dinner, my husband asked me if I would be so obstinate if I was offered a movie deal on any of my books. Would I feel like I was handing my baby over? Giving up part of myself? Losing my creation?
Travers and I are at opposite ends of the spectrum on offering up our novels to film. Without hesitation I answered. "Are you serious?" I would loooooove one of my books to make it to the screen.

We decided Sleeping with the Lights On would adapt the best - good chick flick. My leading man came to me immediately. Matthew McConaughey would make a great country singer from Texas but now gracing the stages of Las Vegas. Carson Holiday. Swoon inducing. He's a little young, but they could make him look fifty with the magic of Hollywood.

My leading lady would be Meg Ryan. She's a couple of years too old but close enough to fifty to pull it off. Sandra Holiday faces life with a sense of humor. Meg Ryan has an effervescence about her that would be perfect.

The quirky millionaire, Wesley, who Sandra thinks is her new love would be played perfectly by Nicholas Cage. He does quirky proud. And the redheaded stalker would have to be played by Nicole Kidman. She could be obsessed and a bit crazy.


So, we have the cast. Now if I can just get the ear of some Hollywood director... It certainly is fun to dream.

After two failed marriages and countless relationships, Sandra Holiday thinks she’s met the man to end her years of less than perfect choices; choices that not only derailed her travel-related career plans but also left her single and broke. 

Carson Holiday, a Las Vegas country crooner with swoon-inducing good looks, spent his adult life pursuing a recording contract and love, never holding on to either. After eighteen years, he drops back into Sandra’s life, reigniting an attraction he can’t deny.

When Carson reappears, Sandra must choose again.  Only this time, nothing’s as it seems.  A secret admirer, a redheaded stalker, and an eccentric millionaire throw her on a dangerous path, with Carson her only truth.

As life confronts her with yet another turning point, will her decisions find her eternally sleeping with the lights on – or will she finally discover a way to turn them off?