Showing posts with label Gone to the Dogs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gone to the Dogs. Show all posts
Friday, 14 September 2012
Author Spotlight - Excerpt from: Gone To the Dogs
Janis and I hope you've enjoyed her week in the spotlight. Enjoy this excerpt from Gone to the Dogs.
Moderator Steph
******
Adam was sitting on a bench by the door and rose at her entrance. They smiled at one another, each looking deep into the other's eyes. His hand tightened around her elbow as they followed the waiter to a reserved table against the back wall of windows -- their favorite seat.
Adam leaned forward, catching her hands in his. "Hello, Ms. Abigail Naycomb."
"Hello, Adam, the handsomest man in the world. Were you waiting for me long?"
They smiled at each other. She supposed they were in love. Well, he said it often enough, and she thought it all the time.
"Only about five minutes, but I think I was early. Have I told you that I love you?" He looked at her and she chuckled.
"I don't think you have. Would you like to tell me?"
He raised her hand to his mouth and kissed the center of her palm. She shivered with pleasure. Okay, she never said he was a slouch in the romance department, did she?
"I love you, Abby. I have loved you from the first moment I saw you crawling around on your stomach in that sand dune with your seat sticking up in the air, and the wind blowing your hair around."
She laughed at the word picture he drew and self-consciously tucked a curl behind her ear.
"No, don't. I love the way your curls surround your face. You remind me of a Renoir painting I once saw. Oh, but she was bathing in a stream. Do you suppose you could get naked so I could compare?"
Abby laughed out loud, attracting the attention of the waitress who came over to take their order. Adam, with a grin still on his face, ordered the house specialty for them both.
The restaurant was crowded with diners. Adam waved across the room at a couple who just came in. Abby waved as well. She couldn't remember their names, but she recognized their faces. She was feeling more and more confident as she grew accustomed to the small town and its inhabitants.
Out the window, the brown pelicans lined up on the deck railing, all facing outward for some show that only they could see. She and Adam both turned to enjoy the lakeside view while the wind whipped the water into white capped waves. Wheeling overhead, she could see two eagles slipping into circles around each other in some courting dance, she supposed. It was spring. There was a lot of that going on.
She turned her attention back to Adam, who was wearing a shirt in her favorite blue color. She loved the way his thick, straw-colored hair flopped onto his forehead. His eyes were striking in his deeply tanned face, and she felt she could sink into them. Gosh, I love you. He looked at her, smiling with a question on his face. She drew in a deep breath.
Thursday, 13 September 2012
Author Spotlight - Janis Lane talks about research - Part 3
I'm a Gemini with one foot in the present and another deep into the past. One of me loves Contemporary nature themes and the other dips into history with Traditional Regency Romances (Musa Publishing) with blushing heroines and dashing heroes. When writing BELOVED SOLDIER RETURNS, a Regency Romance novella, I read and researched as much as I could find regarding Roma or Gypsy cultures which was an important part of my story. Available are fascinating histories of a people almost universally disliked. Most countries receive them reluctantly. More welcome now than in the past, there are still towns and cities where the tribes are asked to leave. No wonder they were always roaming. Perhaps their closed society makes them target of curiosity and a romantic feature. It could be the dark, brooding character is popular as well.
More recently I have been reading a 'History of Regency England', OUR TEMPESTUOUS DAY by Carolly Erickson. The author has juxtaposed facts and brought history sharply into focus. It's as if she handed the reader a pair of 3-D glasses as she presents her text. Her social awareness of the era is a valuable resource. What a new land have you virtually visited lately? Do you enjoy researching for your novel ? Did you manage to pull yourself out of the research to continue your novel?
More recently I have been reading a 'History of Regency England', OUR TEMPESTUOUS DAY by Carolly Erickson. The author has juxtaposed facts and brought history sharply into focus. It's as if she handed the reader a pair of 3-D glasses as she presents her text. Her social awareness of the era is a valuable resource. What a new land have you virtually visited lately? Do you enjoy researching for your novel ? Did you manage to pull yourself out of the research to continue your novel?
Wednesday, 12 September 2012
Auhor Spotlight - Janis Lane talks about research - Part 2
GONE TO THE DOGS is a contemporary sequel to SANDPIPER AFFAIR which allows the reader to peek into the second stage of the romance between Abby and Adam. The setting was in middle Florida and it pleased me to write about some of my favorite southern food. Hope you enjoy the cat fish fry, but don't forget to eat your hush puppies with sweet pickles. The story was full of the nature that I love even as I ratcheted up the tension in places and created conflict between my favorite characters, Adam, the perfect man, and Abby, the wildlife photographer. Poor Abby mostly created her own interpersonal conflict.
I admit I had a bit of trouble with the camera angles. Even as I read and talked to people in the know, I was still uncertain whether my camera bits were sufficient. More research followed. This also involved a dip into the world of show dogs as Abby expanded her work to include pets and their masters. I learned a lot about pure bred dogs from writing and researching this story. Following behind Abby as she worked was interesting, but things got pretty exciting there at the end. You can guess why.
I admit I had a bit of trouble with the camera angles. Even as I read and talked to people in the know, I was still uncertain whether my camera bits were sufficient. More research followed. This also involved a dip into the world of show dogs as Abby expanded her work to include pets and their masters. I learned a lot about pure bred dogs from writing and researching this story. Following behind Abby as she worked was interesting, but things got pretty exciting there at the end. You can guess why.
Monday, 10 September 2012
Author Spotlight - Q&A with Janis Lane
STEPH: I don't know much about "Gone to the Dogs." What's it about?
JANIS: Contemporary Romantic Suspense GttDs is a sequel to "Sandpiper Affair." Heroine Abby is a wildlife photographer. Her love, Adam, is a large, wealthy park ranger she refers to as "…the handsomest man in the world." They're in the second stage of a romance where they must adjust to each other's idiosyncrasies and imperfections. (Now the work begins.) The story is nature based, set in middle Florida.
STEPH: How long did it take you to write?
JANIS: It takes me about a month to write a full length novel. Then I start editing. That takes another month or two, sometimes longer. Not sure I ever completely stop editing unless it is published.
STEPH: How much research did you have to do?
JANIS: For this one quite a bit. When I wrote "Sandpiper Affair" I already knew most of the nature- related material. For GttD I researched American cougars, the aquifer system in Fla. and then the kennel clubs and perhaps other facts as well.
STEPH: How does the cover reflect the story within?
JANIS: The Labrador on the front of the cover is the first cause of conflict between our besotted couple. He has been taken in supposedly temporarily, but his untrained behavior causes a disruption in the household. He is a loveable dog, but causes mischief when left alone. There is a surprise ending for him which changes the picture completely. It has a happy ending.
STEPH: Abby is the heroine. What are her strengths? Weakness?
JANIS: Abby is an independent, consummate career woman. She's had an interesting childhood and is privileged to work in her chosen profession. She is very hard working, almost a perfectionist, and independent to a fault. Her weakness is her own lack of self-confidence. She fears entering into a long term relationship with an alpha male like Adam will overwhelm her personality. She thinks she might be incapable of sustaining an intimate relationship.
STEPH: What does Adam find appealing about her?
JANIS: He thinks she's sexy. He admires all her strengths and is very patient with her weaknesses although he does not really understand them.
STEPH: What is the theme of the novel?
JANIS: Second stage of a romance where the work begins. It's a romantic suspense so there are murders and problems to solve. Danger lurks in the underbrush of Middle Florida
STEPH: As a writer, where do you draw inspiration from?
JANIS: From the things that I love and/or believe in. Nature, romance, loyalty, spirituality, history, the inherit good and evil of man. Research is a great part of it all as well.
STEPH: Do you have an ebook reader? Is so, which one?
JANIS: Nope, but I will soon. Probably a kindle.
STEPH: Favorite international cuisine?
JANIS: Italian, but Mexican would run a close second. Does Southern US count as a foreign cuisine?
Find Janis & Her Book At:
http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-303/Gone-to-the-Dogs/Detail.bok
http://janislane.blogspot.com
JANIS: Contemporary Romantic Suspense GttDs is a sequel to "Sandpiper Affair." Heroine Abby is a wildlife photographer. Her love, Adam, is a large, wealthy park ranger she refers to as "…the handsomest man in the world." They're in the second stage of a romance where they must adjust to each other's idiosyncrasies and imperfections. (Now the work begins.) The story is nature based, set in middle Florida.
STEPH: How long did it take you to write?
JANIS: It takes me about a month to write a full length novel. Then I start editing. That takes another month or two, sometimes longer. Not sure I ever completely stop editing unless it is published.
STEPH: How much research did you have to do?
JANIS: For this one quite a bit. When I wrote "Sandpiper Affair" I already knew most of the nature- related material. For GttD I researched American cougars, the aquifer system in Fla. and then the kennel clubs and perhaps other facts as well.
STEPH: How does the cover reflect the story within?
JANIS: The Labrador on the front of the cover is the first cause of conflict between our besotted couple. He has been taken in supposedly temporarily, but his untrained behavior causes a disruption in the household. He is a loveable dog, but causes mischief when left alone. There is a surprise ending for him which changes the picture completely. It has a happy ending.
STEPH: Abby is the heroine. What are her strengths? Weakness?
JANIS: Abby is an independent, consummate career woman. She's had an interesting childhood and is privileged to work in her chosen profession. She is very hard working, almost a perfectionist, and independent to a fault. Her weakness is her own lack of self-confidence. She fears entering into a long term relationship with an alpha male like Adam will overwhelm her personality. She thinks she might be incapable of sustaining an intimate relationship.
STEPH: What does Adam find appealing about her?
JANIS: He thinks she's sexy. He admires all her strengths and is very patient with her weaknesses although he does not really understand them.
STEPH: What is the theme of the novel?
JANIS: Second stage of a romance where the work begins. It's a romantic suspense so there are murders and problems to solve. Danger lurks in the underbrush of Middle Florida
STEPH: As a writer, where do you draw inspiration from?
JANIS: From the things that I love and/or believe in. Nature, romance, loyalty, spirituality, history, the inherit good and evil of man. Research is a great part of it all as well.
STEPH: Do you have an ebook reader? Is so, which one?
JANIS: Nope, but I will soon. Probably a kindle.
STEPH: Favorite international cuisine?
JANIS: Italian, but Mexican would run a close second. Does Southern US count as a foreign cuisine?
Find Janis & Her Book At:
http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-303/Gone-to-the-Dogs/Detail.bok
http://janislane.blogspot.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)