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

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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.

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?

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.

Author Spotlight - Janis Lane talk about research.

The problem with research is that it's so very easy to become lost in the different types of American birds, the state of our pure water systems, the plight of the American cougar —you fill in the blank of your story line. We are writers, but we are readers first. Sit me down with a non-fiction book (ebook) of any kind and I'm lost for awhile. The most difficult stage is sorting which information is useful and which is to simply enjoy.

I write Contemporary Romantic Suspense with a nature theme (Desert Breeze—SANDPIPER AFFAIR). My heroine, Abby is a wildlife photographer. After a lot of reading and researching, augmented by field trips (okay, I do use all this in my writing, I swear.), my knowledge of my subject had grown pretty extensive by the time I sat down to write. I not only knew what birds looked like, but I was acquainted with the personalities and behaviors of particular species. It was a short trip from that to using this knowledge for a bit of spoofing for the introduction of each chapter of my story. I had fun. Current bird pictures donated by my good friend from Maryland. Thank you. They are gorgeous.

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

Author Spotlight - Excerpt from Sandpiper Affair

Here's an excerpt from Sandpiper Affair. Leave a comment on the excerpt this weekend and on Monday I'll pick a name out of the hat to win a PDF copy of Janis' Sanpiper Affair. Thanks so much for supporting Janis during her spotlight week.
Moderator Steph

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The park ranger, with a decidedly masculine voice filled with a hint of laughter, questioned, “Why are you in this restricted area, miss?”

Abby sat up and brushed the clinging grains of sand from her bare legs and hiking shorts. Her hands reached in a futile gesture to tidy loose curls blowing wildly in the gusty March winds. She fiddled more as she stalled for an excuse, wondering briefly if he would believe she came here out of ignorance, and decided regretfully not.

“I’m photographing the crane chicks,” she admitted ruefully. “Okay, I knew it was restricted, but I was very careful not to disturb them. Honest, they never knew I was here.”

The too-good-looking-for-his-own-good, giant Florida State Park Ranger rubbed his jaw while he gazed down at her speculatively. Looking up at him from her nest in the sand Abby wondered if he would mind if she shot a few poses, thinking he would make a very good subject to study in her spare time—long, tanned fingers, sturdy legs. Definitely eye candy. She wondered how he felt about calendars. She sized him up and decided she could get very artistic with this man wearing a uniform, and who doesn’t like a man in a uniform?

Feeling a bit giddy both with tiredness and a kicked-back sense of humor, Abby tried to revise her thinking to a more serious vein. Probably not the best time to ask favors, she thought.

Busted in Bird land. Still…what a calendar he would make with that uniform, that smile, those shoulders. She stifled a sigh of pure visual pleasure.

You had better stop it, Miss Smarty. He has the authority to fine and kick you out of the park permanently if he so chooses. Holy Moly-- love a uniformed hunk!

Stoppit!

She stifled a giggle which was riotously rolling around deep inside her, threatening to break out. He continued to loom, gazing thoughtfully while she fidgeted in her warm nest sheltered by the dune. Surrounding them, the sporadic wind blew the smell of something baking in the sun. With her face turned upward and her eyes half-closed against the glare, she awaited her fate

Author Spotlight _ Janis Lane talks about the fun of bird watching

I have treasured memories I feel free to use in the stories I am writing. My siblings and I once saw very large birds--red tops, gray with long necks and legs--feeding near a swampy pond. One let out a trumpet call that could be heard for miles. Okay, maybe a block or two. Loud in any case.

As we watched, stifling our pre-teen giggles, our eyes widening in amazement, we witnessed the courtship dance of a pair of Sandhill Cranes. They jumped up with wings widely spread, heads thrown back and bumped chests for all the world as if someone had just made a touch down. They intertwined long necks, released, then hugged again. One of them broke away and did a victory dance all on his own. The other watched intently, then followed suit. It looked like so much fun.

As it ended—we knew it was over for they bowed to one another and walked away—one of the birds, heeding some unknown signal, lifted into the air straight up. Another followed suit and then one by one, as if on an elevator, they rose in a spiraling swirl into the clear sky above. Later I understood they were catching an invisible updraft and using it to their advantage. It was an amazing sight to see.

I couldn’t help but think bird-land behavior resembles some of our own. We enjoy eating together, make too much noise occasionally, act silly when we are in love, protect our young, and sometimes we dance with abandonment and joy. I hope you enjoy the courtship of Abby and Adam in my story and the glimpses of other bird-watching adventures and memories of mine.

Author Spotlight - Janis Lanis about about getting into the mood - to write!

How do you get in the mood for writing? I have a friend who pulls on an old red baseball hat and tucks her hair up to show how serious she is. She has a hidden source of M&M peanuts close by. She locks the door on her “office,” which is a converted guest room. She vows she has no time for guests now anyway. She has too much work to do.

Pretty much I, too, have come to view the second phase of writing as work. That changes the whole perspective for me. When I considered it a hobby, a fun pastime, maybe I was a little impatient with interruptions, but it wasn’t a criminal offense. Now that I’m struggling with guest blog appearances, due dates and the need to get another story out there, I can no longer treat knocks on my door, no matter how soft, as a welcome break. Okay, an occasional friend’s phone call, but not for long, I swear.

Bouncing on my big exercise ball is not a break. It’s an attempt to get the blood flow back in my butt and legs. Otherwise I’m going to wind up in the shape of a large pear. Not that there’s anything wrong with pears, but you understand. Not a desirable shape for humans.

Writing my stories is a pleasure. Everything after that is work and I’ve knuckled down to that fact. (Humming…”you can’t have one without the otherrr…er.”) How do you keep yourself attentive to the second phase of writing? How many chocolates do you have hidden away? Coffee? Tea? Chocolate chip cookies? Are you locking your office door and practicing your don’t-interrupt-me-frown? Do you have a favorite hat you wear?

I ask these questions as I hide my ancient bathrobe which is a most comfortable choice. No one will see me, right?

Author Spotlight - Janis Lane talks about her passion for characters & setting

Often I think some of my favorite choices of Contemporary books depends on how much I’m enjoying the stage (setting) upon which the actors (characters) perform. Who could not love the Sisters in Birmingham, Ala with Anne George? I still want to see the iron man statue which towers over the city. How about James L. Burke? Sadly a lot of those swampy nooks and crannies along the Louisiana coast are gone now. But the ambience of Burke’s narrative is like a coiled snake sleeping nearby on the muddy banks. Burke’s words can make you live his native state. Susan Albert lets us grow herbs with her in the hot sun of Texas, Evanovich riots in Trenton, NJ, while JD Robb takes us in flying cars into the future NYC.

I grew up in S. Georgia and spend a lot of time there and in Florida. When I wrote SANDPIPER AFFAIR, I knew I wanted to write about nature, birds and even chiggers. The terrain was a natural setting for my wildlife photographer, Abby, and her love interest, Adam. I was happy to be there. I hope you will be too. What are your favorite settings to visit in the world of fiction? Are you ever comfortable with the characters, but uncomfortable with the setting?

Author Spotligh - Q&A with Janis Lane

STEPH: I don’t know much about “Sandpiper Affair.” What’s it about?

JANIS: It’s a modern day romance which should appeal to young married who balance a home and career. Also people who love nature will enjoy. It has suspense and mystery elements, but Abby Naycomb’s internal conflict over her deep attraction to Adam Rawlings is the core of the story. There are tongue-in-cheek peeks at the behaviors of birds and their similarities to humans. There’s only a brief glimpse of a beach so don’t think this is a sand/surf story. Put that bikini away; get on your jeans and don’t forget your camera, sun screen and bug spray.

STEPH: Where did the inspiration for the story come from?

JANIS: Oh, I confess I invented Abby so I could follow her around on her “shoots.” Central Florida teems with creatures of all sorts, including but not limited to chiggers, gnats and handsome state park rangers.

STEPH: How long did it take you to write?

JANIS: I write a novel in around a month to six weeks. That’s a rough draft. It might be a year until I’m satisfied with revision after revision. I spend time plotting before ever touching the keyboard. Once I sit down to write I pretty much know the story.

STEPH: Did you have to do a lot of research?

JANIS: Umm, not sure how to answer that. I have spent a lot of time researching nature, but that’s my hobby, my avocation. For “Sandpiper Affair” I think most of the facts were already inside my head just waiting to plug into a pair of characters, Abby and Adam.

STEPH: Are you a plotter or a pantster?

JANIS: Both. I plot, but I allow my characters to take the lead if they decide to do so. I only create them. Once they have their personalities, they have their own minds. You know how it is; I keep a pretty loose rein.

STEPH: Any tips for aspiring authors?


JANIS: Write what you love. Enjoy every single minute of the task, but learn the trade.

STEPH: What was the last book you read?

JANIS: You mean besides Nancy Kay’s “Deadly Reflection?” I recommend it btw. I have open a G. Heyer, J.D. Robb, Evanovich, Jane Austen, an Anne George, Lee Childs. Love the character, Reacher. Who reads just one book at a time? Gloria Clover is on my TBR list. I won “Washed Under the Waves” and “Deadly Reflection!”

STEPH: Tell us a little about the state/country you live in.

JANIS: I live in small town America located in Western NY. We enjoy velvet days until ten at night with leaves in the Fall so colorful and beautiful it brings tears to your eyes. Geographic anomalies here are enough for the most curious traveler. When parts of the country have tornadoes, we feel bad for them. When hurricanes come, we pray for the victims. Drought hardly ever happens here. And summers mostly are comfortable. What’s a little snow a couple of months a year?