Author Spotlight - Excerpt from "That Impossible Dream"

Thank you so much for supporting Shirley during her week in the spotlight. Leave a comment on today's excerpt post, today, Saturday, and Sunday along with your email (so we can get ahold of you) and I'll pick a winner on Monday to receive either a GC to Amazon or B&N or a PDF copy of one of Shirley's novels, "That Impossible Dream," or "Say Goodbye to Yesterday."

Enjoy the excerpt!
Moderator Steph

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She waved a hand to stop him. "Please...don't explain anything. I've already made up my mind anyway. I shall work as your hired governess, Mr. McKenna."

His eyes widened. "But didn’t you think, or assume...I mean, should I not explain?"

At this point, she was not ready to hear what he might have to say. It would only make matters worse. She lifted her cane again, and held it in front of her, so he might get a good hard look at what she needed to get herself around each day. It was what her stepfather carved on it which was most important to her.

"I suppose if you think I'm suitable enough at least for governing a child, Mr. McKenna, then, no, there's nothing to explain right now. After all, what else am I good for? Hmm?"

She glared at him obstinately then turned toward the window, immediately embarrassed at what she just said. After closing her eyes briefly, Geraldine veered back. She shook her head and glanced over at Erin then back at him. "I apologize for that. What I just said was terribly rude. What I meant to say was--" What exactly had she meant to say?

Still she had to add one more jab. "I wonder if this is the time to be discussing my frailties and my inconveniences, especially since I've learned you disapprove of me as much as your brothers did."

He gave her a look of shock. "Disapprove? What made you think...hardly do I--" He stared at her in silence. Finally, he finished. "I was going to explain."

She held up a hand to stop him, fixing her eyes on her skirt. "I've already informed my uncle I'd do this." She lifted her chin. "You see, I want no part of any union with you, sir -- not with any McKenna male. Marriage into your family couldn’t be further from my mind."

He looked stunned. "My grandmother suggested otherwise, Geraldine."

Twisting away and returning to her chair, she pretended to make herself more comfortable. "Whatever your grandmother or my aunt inferred, well, you no longer need to assume it's so. I have clearly changed my mind." Of course, when she said she had no interest in marrying Shaun Alistair McKenna, it was not exactly true -- okay, not at all true. Geraldine crossed her arms, angry with herself once again. She knew deep down, way deep down, she in no manner wanted to let go of the vision she alone held of herself and Alistair together. In truth, she did not want to think about Alistair in any way other than as a dear friend and potential husband. When she dreamed, she would have to make certain it happened only rarely from this point on. There was no reason he need know what might accidentally wander through her thoughts.

Buy links:

http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-353/Decisions-Book-Two-cln--That/Detail.bok

http://www.amazon.com/Decisions-Book-One-Yesterday-ebook/dp/B005HB7GPY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1349308630&sr=8-2&keywords=say+goodbye+to+yesterday

my website: http://shirleykigerconnolly.com
my author page at facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShirleyKigerConnollyAuthor?ref=digest_email#!/ShirleyKigerConnollyAuthor
my twitter: http://twitter.com/shirleyhere

Review snippet from Decisions Book One: Say Goodbye to Yesterday: “From heartache to love to forgiveness and redemption, this novel will leave the reader breathless. The best part of this story is that it's the first in a series so there's more to come! I am excited to see what Ms. Connolly has in store with the second book. Take a trip into time, learn to accept your actions and move on with new friends and a fantastic story line! – Reviews by Molly…Romance Reviews

Author Spotlight - Shirley Kiger Connelly talks about making characters come alive

Story characters are inspired by those we observe throughout our lives, by experiences we've had with friends or acquaintances, both to the good or bad. Often the inspiration for our character comes from what we wish could happen to us or what we hope would never happen, but it’s sure okay for our characters. After all, these are just characters. Even if they fall from the sky, we won't feel a thing.

How about getting a character through a dream, especially a guy character. I could give you many examples of that potential guy, but then I'd have to share him. I'm not prone to pass on what took so long for me to dream up.

The characters in our stories must come alive The last thing we want is to see the character turn into cardboard, with no life-breath, stilted, easy to discard, inanimate, and without interest to the reader.

As you write, ask yourself how interesting your character really is. Does he jump out at you? Is he a person you'd like to get to know or invite into your home one day? Maybe he’s one you wouldn’t dare say hello to.

Oftentimes, we, as writers, need to step back and look with more of an objective eye to make sure our character is substantial to the story, doesn’t lack depth, and doesn’t seem artificial.

How do you avoid those uninspiring, uninteresting little men and women? How can you breathe personality back into them?
1 Give them memories.
2 Give them flaws.
3 Give each a past life.
4 Give yours a terrible memory or a nasty relative.
5 Provide something they want desperately to forget.
6 Make them flawed but find something to give them appeal.
7 Give them feelings; make them noisy or quiet, happy or sad, smiley or frowny.

You get the idea.

Always remember, a character without substance bores the reader in no time. Before you know it they'll close your book and grab another from their TBR pile.

There are numerous ways to inspire your character into that one that the reader finds irresistible--a fragment from someone somewhere. People all around you are interesting to observe. Writers can find them everywhere. It's amazing how quickly we can find that suitable one to fit our story needs perfectly. It works every time.

Buy links:

http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-353/Decisions-Book-Two-cln--That/Detail.bok

http://www.amazon.com/Decisions-Book-One-Yesterday-ebook/dp/B005HB7GPY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1349308630&sr=8-2&keywords=say+goodbye+to+yesterday

my website: http://shirleykigerconnolly.com
my author page at facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShirleyKigerConnollyAuthor?ref=digest_email#!/ShirleyKigerConnollyAuthor
my twitter: http://twitter.com/shirleyhere

Review snippet from Decisions Book One: Say Goodbye to Yesterday: “From heartache to love to forgiveness and redemption, this novel will leave the reader breathless. The best part of this story is that it's the first in a series so there's more to come! I am excited to see what Ms. Connolly has in store with the second book. Take a trip into time, learn to accept your actions and move on with new friends and a fantastic story line! – Reviews by Molly…Romance Reviews

Author Spotlight - Q&A with Shirley Kiger Connelly

STEPH: I don't know much about "That Impossible Dream." What's it about?

SHIRLEY: Geraldine Jordan has lived all her life with an unpleasant disability. She learns the meaning of painful rejection early. Any probability of obtaining a respectable suitor one day to someone like Alistair McKenna the man of her lifetime dreams is slim to none.

When Geraldine is passed off to live with her controlling-zealot Uncle Henry, she grows weary of waiting for that impossible dream -- until a treasured aunt arranges a potential marriage with an esteemed Chicago banker in search of a wife and mother for his young ward. But Geraldine’s disgruntled Uncle Henry whose always believed her unsuitable for any man of status, sets out to block the betrothal. He quickly demotes Geraldine to status of a common servant, hiring her off to a family in need of a governess.

Will the shattered Geraldine be forced to abandon all hope when she suddenly learns the prospective groom-to-be her aunt arranged for her was none other than her life-long love, Alistair McKenna?

STEPH: How long did it take you to write?

SHIRLEY: Everything I write seems to me to take forever, Steph. This one took me a year.

STEPH: How much research did you have to do?

SHIRLEY: Since this was the second in my Decisions series, I didn’t have to do too much research except for the area of Chicago, where Geraldine must go. Also, as it is about a young woman with a disability, I didn’t find that difficult either. That’s because my model for Geraldine, has character traits and reactions to her problems that are similar to what I’ve seen in my physically challenged daughter.

STEPH: How does the cover reflect the story within?

SHIRLEY: The cover artist did an awesome job. Since the story is so much about a dream that’s impossible for my heroine, the artist showed the house Geraldine must go to, but with an gated area that looks very difficult to go through. I was more than pleased with her vision.

STEPH: Geraldine is the heroine. What are her strengths? Weakness?

SHIRLEY: Geraldine’s strengths are her determination, her sweet disposition, her faith, and I believe, her stubbornness. Her weaknesses probably would have to be the difficulties she believes she has with her disability. That and her over-sensitivity about how she might look to others. She’s a typical woman, really, who has a thing about her appearance. I decided to emphasize that in the story.

STEPH: What does Alistair find appealing about her?

SHIRLEY: Her perseverance, her uprightness, that he hasn’t seen in most of the women he’s known before, her faith, and that she lives it.

STEPH: What is the theme of the novel?

SHIRLEY: Not to give up, even if things don’t look like they are going the way you might have hoped they would. And if something other than your dreams are headed your way, try to look for the good in them, rather than the bad, no matter how difficult it might be.

STEPH: As a writer, where do you draw inspiration from?

SHIRLEY: Mostly from God. Sometimes from past experiences that have taken place throughout my life or that I’ve seen.

STEPH: Do you have an ebook reader? If so, which one?

SHIRLEY: I use a Kindle. Although I love print books, at night before I go to sleep and whenever I’m traveling my Kindle works best. I really hope to get myself an ipad soon.

STEPH: Fun question: Autumn is the season for baking. Do you do any autumn baking? Pies? Cookies? Specialties?

SHIRLEY: I love to do apple pies and pumpkin pies. Not sure how I’m going to work that this year, since my husband and I are trying to go gluten free. My cookies are the pits, so I avoid them, except for eating of course. Specialties? Baked squash with brown sugar and butter and nuts, scalloped potatoes, fresh clam or mushroom soup. Autumn is my favorite time of year…could it be because I’m a redhead and those are just my colors?


Buy links:

http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-353/Decisions-Book-Two-cln--That/Detail.bok

http://www.amazon.com/Decisions-Book-One-Yesterday-ebook/dp/B005HB7GPY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1349308630&sr=8-2&keywords=say+goodbye+to+yesterday

my website: http://shirleykigerconnolly.com
my author page at facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShirleyKigerConnollyAuthor?ref=digest_email#!/ShirleyKigerConnollyAuthor
my twitter: http://twitter.com/shirleyhere

Review snippet from Decisions Book One: Say Goodbye to Yesterday: “From heartache to love to forgiveness and redemption, this novel will leave the reader breathless. The best part of this story is that it's the first in a series so there's more to come! I am excited to see what Ms. Connolly has in store with the second book. Take a trip into time, learn to accept your actions and move on with new friends and a fantastic story line! – Reviews by Molly…Romance Reviews