Okay so it looks like I fell off the planet. Promise - I'm still here. The last four years have been ... hard. There's no other word for it. Everything is fine. I'm fine, but I've been the caregiver of my mom who has Dementia. Between her needs, work, etc I seem to have lost control of my time. I am still writing and am trying hard to get back to my blog.

In case you weren't aware Phaze and HSWF which where under the Mundania Umbrella have closed. I was smart enough to get my titles back before all this happened. I'm happy to say the three books I sold to HSWF have been picked up by Melange Books and are available through their Satin Books imprint. I have even sold a new title to them called Magical Quest due out in 2022

I have also been lucky enough to find a publisher for my Vespian Way series. I'm now with Blushing Books under the name of Bethany Drake. I have five titles out with them right now and am close to submitting two more. There's Desire's Destiny, Desire's Duty and Desire's Promise. Then there is two in my werewolf series, Tears of the Queen and Legend of the Tears. I have just finished the rough draft of the third book in the series and have plans for a fourth one the moment I submit it.

I'll probably still be sporadic here on the blog. Unless I win the lottery and can hire someone to help me I can't avoid it, but know I'm still here still working hard in the background and am hoping to do better at keeping my blog alive.

Barb:)



Saturday, December 10, 2016

Welcome Janet Lane-Walters Back to my Blog @JanetL717

I want to welcome Janet Lane-Walters. First I’d love you to introduce yourself.

As I often tell people I’ve been writing since the dark ages it hasn’t quite been that long. I’ve been published since 1968 with a few years off to return to nursing to help children through college. Many of my books have some kind of medicine involved. Some are nurse/doctor romances. Others can contain other forms of healing since I write in several subgenres including fantasy both YA and adult, paranormal and mysteries. I live in the scenic Hudson Valley with my husband of fifty-five years. I’ve four children. Our youngest is an adopted bi-racial young woman. There are now seven grandchildren, three bi-racial and three Chinese.

Tell us about your latest release.

Seducing the Baker – This is the sixth and final book in the series. The heroine owns a cupcake bakery. What fun I had researching cupcakes. The hero is a man who does investigation work for a series of magazines and is asked by one of the editors to have the heroine sign for a feature of Cupcakes – Sweet and Spicy. The hero and heroine knew each other when they lived in neighboring group homes. In face, she is the only girl who turned him down.

Now I have a few questions for you – I have found readers do like to know fun things about us writers.

1.) Who is your favorite author? Do you feel you write like them?

I don’t have one favorite author. I have a lot. I don’t think I write like any of them. Andre Norton is one of my favorite fantasy writers, but Mercedes Lackey comes a close second. In mysteries Joan Hall Hovey is a great read. For historicals Mary Jo Putney and Jo Beverly are some I like. Action adventure stories finds me reading James Rollins. Would really like to write like them all, but that would be a rather mixed up book if I tried.

2.) What was your favorite book growing up?

While growing up I was a reader and reader. I’m not sure I could point to a favorite because I read just about everything. Had read through the entire local library’s children’s book section by the time I was ten and moved to other books. I even read every one of my textbooks from beginning to end every year. I just enjoyed escaping in the pages of books.

3.) Are you a plotter or a pantser and why did you choose that method?

I’ve decided I either neither or both. When an idea comes, I sit down and tell myself a story. I write this out and this totally tell story can be from five pages to many. When I was writing my YA fantasy series there were well over a hundred pages and I knew this wasn’t one book. The characters come alive in my head and from there I divide this into chapters and write with changes occurring as the characters and I decide the original idea has changed. The one thing I am for the first two to three drafts, I write by hand. I think better with a pen in my hand and doing this gives me time to think.

4.) Do you consider writing a career or a hobby? Why?

Writing is an obsession. Writing is something I must do. Therefore it’s not really a hobby and since I don’t earn enough to live on comfortably I don’t think it’s a career. Guess I’m stuck somewhere between.

5.) What are you working on now?

I’m working on the Cancer Capricorn Connection the fourth in Opposites in Love Series. The heroine, a Cancer has an eight year old child. She is a nurse and a specialist in Rehab Medicine. The hero is an orthopedic surgeon and a Capricorn. The kicker is that he is her child’s father and when they graduated from college he took off on his motorcycle without telling her where he was going. She is angry and when he comes into her life again, she has to tell her daughter who he is.

6.) What one piece of advice would you like to pass on to an up and coming author?

Don’t give up. Persistence pays. Find a time every day to write and it doesn’t matter how many words you put on the paper. Just keep writing until you reach the end. Then revise, revise, revise.

7.) If you had the ability to time travel and your first visit was to see a younger version of yourself what would you say to that younger self?

Life is full of interesting things. Enjoy.

8.) You just got a million dollars, whether it’s from an inheritance, the lottery, or a sweet book deal doesn’t matter. What would be the first thing you would buy for yourself?

A plane ticket to see my kids who live at a distance.

9.) If you could un-invent one thing in the world what would it be?

Gun powder.

10.) What is your favorite movie/TV Show? Why?

I enjoy most crime shows. Right now Hawaii Five-O heads the list. Like all the actors.



Excerpt from Seducing The Baker


Chapter Two

A frown creased Grace’s forehead. Did she know this man? Something resonated in her memories but no name bobbed to the surface. He resembled the faceless man of her fantasies. The hair, short and styles instead of long and shaggy. Was he someone she’d seen on TV, except she watched cooking shows, not sports, prime time or movies?
“How did you get in here?”
“By the door.”
His crooked grin brought a name closer to the surface. Did he look like someone she should know? “Why did Bonnie let you come into the kitchen?”
“The arrival of a flock of customers derailed her.”
Grace sucked in a breath. Who was he? He was too young and too well-dressed to be one of the men her mother had dragged home years ago. “Do you really think the cupcake is good?”
“I do.” He finished the last bite and crumpled the paper. With a flick of his wrist he tossed the small wad into the trash bin across the room. “You’ve achieved a miracle. Edible fruitcake.”
His smooth words spread over her skin like a swatch of velvet. Whoever he was he talked about the treat like a man who knew food. Was he a rival? Had he come to steal her recipes? He certainly hadn’t appeared to ask for a job. Not when he wore what looked like custom-made clothes.
“What will you call this one?”
Grace stepped back. The cold marble of the worktable edge pressed against her back. “Fruitcake.”
“Not like any I’ve ever tasted.” He grinned. “I hate holiday parties where the hostess pushed dark dense stuff she’d ordered by mail or baked.”
Grace laughed. “I’ve eaten some of that kind. This was my sixteenth try to make an edible one.”
He stepped closer. “Persistence pays. You’ve created a light cake with the traditional flavors and the right amount of fruit. The touch of rum in the frosting is perfect.” He raked his fingers messing his perfectly stylish dark hair. “Is it legal?”
“Just a flavor essence.” Definitely the competition. Warmth shone in his deep brown eyes. When he stepped in her direction she grasped the pastry bag. “Who are you?”
“Don’t you remember me? I’ve never forgotten you.”
The dimple in his left cheek made her want to touch. Seduction filled his voice. A whiff of evergreen beneath the aroma of the bakers reached her. He oozed the kind of danger she had to time to allow in her life. The suggestive gleam in his eyes raised a need to run. Only, she was trapped.
He placed his hand on her arm. Though the touch was light she felt as though his fingers branded her. “Think back, Grace.”
“I’ve never seen you before.”
“Sure you have.”
“Really?”
“I sure remember you. Years a go I made a play and you turned me down. When I said you would be sorry, you said I would be the one to regret.”
With warp speed her thoughts flew to the fence between the group homes. Was he really? He looked so different from the boy she’d known. The features of the face in her thoughts matured and became the man crowding her space.
“Jules Grayson, what are you doing here?”
“Representing Good Eatin’. Since you refused to sign the contract for a future feature article I thought the personal touch might work. I didn’t realize who you were until you turned.”
A smile broke her somber mood. “Most of my communication was with Allie Blakefield.”
“You and I spoke twice but the moment I mentioned the magazine you hung up. Just listen to my spiel. I’m sure I’ll do a better job of making the case than I did years ago.”
Though knowing he didn’t plat to steal her recipes her instincts remained on high alert. Her thoughts raced from what had been to what ifs. Not a good place to be.
“I sent the proposal back unsigned. The feature doesn’t fit with my plans for growing the business. A year from now or maybe two I might take a chance. I’ve seen too many in this field move to fast and fail.”

Where You Can Find Janet:



Buy addy for Seducing The Baker



Saturday, December 3, 2016

Meet the Author's of Baby It's Cold in Space!

Hi All,

My guests this week are all part of a new anthology. One I’m sure you’re going to enjoy. I have asked each author to let us know which story is theirs in Baby it’s Cold in Space and asked them to answer the following questions.

1.) How did you come up with the story in this anthology?
2.) Do you normally write SF? If not what is your normal genre?

And I asked one to answer this one.

3.) How did you come up with the idea for the anthology? (only 1 person needs to answer this question)




First up is Donna:

Donna S. Frelick, Saturday Night in Devils Holler

1.) There are several threads woven into this story: First, the premise of my Interstellar Rescue universe which is that aliens are stealing humans for slaves and an intergalactic abolition organization exists to rescue and return those who have been Taken. Second, my own family connection to the mountains of West Virginia. And, third, of course, the idea of romance, which is strong in all my stories.

2.) Yes, I’m a science fiction romance gal all the way! I started out writing STAR TREK fan fiction to give Jim Kirk an outlet for all his romantic inclinations!

Next is Rosalie:

Rosalie Redd, Angelo 13

1.) When I saw the title of the anthology, Baby, It’s Cold in Space an image of a capsule floating through space with a lone survivor popped into my mind.  The story morphed to become one about discovering emotions, love in particular. Of course, the dashing hero needed to meet up with a strong heroine that shows him the true meaning of love.

2.) My stories tend to be a blend of fantasy, science fiction, and paranormal romance. Angelo 13 is my first foray into the traditional science fiction romance genre and it was so much fun to write! More stories are churning, eager to get on the page.
Now meet Selene:

Selene Grace Silver, Light Up the Dark

1.) The vision of a young woman, trapped, naked, completely vulnerable--except for her wits and intelligence--in a dark space cell, just appeared in my mind. I wanted to know who she was and how she’d ended up in such a dangerous situation. I had been fiddling with the story for over a year and thought this joint project might be the venue for it.

2.) I have been writing SFR for several years, but this will be my first published story in this genre. I have several other stories from this same universe and the first full length novel is coming out at the start of 2017. I also write contemporary romance and paranormal romance.

3.) Actually, the anthology was proposed by another writer on the RWA’s Fantasy, Futuristic and Paranormal forums. She left the project early on, but eight of us hung with it and followed through on the idea. We loved the title. It’s been a great experience to work with each other and we’ve even created a website in hope of pursuing another joint project. Check us out at sfrshootingstars.com.

And Blaire Edens:

Blaire Edens, The Climate of Love

1.) My husband and son are amateur astronomers. When I heard them discussing a planet, similar to Earth, that *could* be reachable in few decades or a century, I began to wonder what we could learn from the beings that might live on that planet. Around the same time, I binged Ancient Aliens and somehow the two ideas merged in my head and I wondered if it was possible that nearby planets were populated by our ancient ancestors. I added the element of climate change because, as a woman with degrees in environmental sciences, it’s a real concern for me.

2.) I’ve been writing paranormal romance and contemporary romance for several publishers for several years. This is my first true Sci-Fi romance but most of my books have a strong science element because I’m a Smithsonian and Nat Geo JUNKIE!

Plus Jayne Fury:

Jayne Fury, Still Life

1.) When we decided on the name, Baby, It’s Cold In Space, my first thought was to explore my own feelings about the winter holiday season such as light in the darkness, hope, and new birth. From there, the story about a terraforming astrobiologist’s project as the target for a celestial terrorist began to flow. Add in one inquisitive robot and bam! This was a perfect fit for my Solar Flame series about “bodice ripping ninjas in space” romance + pulp.

2.) I’m new to the author game and SciFiRom is my current jam. I began writing SciFi fanfic in the Star Trek community and just recently broadened my horizons to create my own universe. I’m staying with SFR because the authors I’ve met have been supportive and truly inspirational. It’s a growing genre and I love it.

My last Guest is Diana Rivis:

Diana Rivis, Star Gazers

1.) I was being a television couch potato one day a while back and happened upon a documentary about parallel universes and the possibility that they exist.  It was the first time I’d ever seen the concept analyzed from a scientific point of view by legitimate scientists.  It was also the first time I’d ever heard the term, multiverse.  I was completely gob smacked!  I started to think about the possibilities of jumping from one universe to the next.  What would we find?  Would there be planets like ours?  If so, would they be populated by beings like us?  A story and characters started to form in my mind and I just HAD to write it.


2.) I’ve always loved science fiction, so that’s what I write the most often.  In fact, Star Gazers is the first of what will eventually be a three-book series.  I also write some paranormal and have a series of baby dragon short stories.