My summer break!

My blog - including The One-Link Lowdown - is taking a short summer break while I move house with my family and get settled down at last into our 'forever' home.  But keep checking in, as I hope to have news soon about my next release, a contemporary women's novel, A Different Kind of Honesty.

See you soon!

The One-Link Lowdown on...Linda Swift!

My guest today is Linda Swift.  Writing for 6 publishers, Linda has ten books of fiction and four short stories currently available, with two additional books and three short stories to be released this year.  She’s lived in many places throughout the world, and while living in the UK in 1999-2000, she visited many of the castles where Mary Queen of Scots was a "guest" and became fascinated with both castles and the queen.  The result of that stay was her latest release, Maid of the Midlands, which will soon  be followed by a sequel, Mistress of Huntleigh Hall.  Welcome, Linda!

What’s the naughtiest thing you've ever done? 

As a small child living in a rural area, I robbed a setting hen’s nest of all her eggs to make mud pies. I took them one at a time, stirring more dirt and water into the mix each time. When I had a pan full, I realized my “crime” might be discovered so I dug a shallow hole and buried the mixture. I didn’t get caught and never did confess until years later when pregnant with my first child. I suppose I was wondering what secret sins my own child might commit later on and I told my mother about the incident. She accepted my story as the unimportant act that it was but my belated confession certainly lifted a heavy weight off my conscience! 

What’s the worst job you've ever had? 

In the early days of my marriage I was a stay-at-home mother, my husband was in a work training program, and money was scarce. I didn’t want to take a regular job and leave my children so I sold cosmetics door-to-door for a few hours during the day while my mother babysat. I hated every minute of it. I am not a natural born salesperson and knocking on the doors of strangers was pure torture.

I think I’d hate that too, and I admire you for sticking with it!  So in complete contrast, tell me about the best job you've ever had.

I have it now. To be able to write books, have them published, and experience the response of people who read them is a dream realized. I enjoyed my work with children in public education in three states over a number of years, but always in the back of my mind was the desire to be a published writer. Creating stories, receiving new covers, the release of the finished product, having book signings, presenting programs about what I do, all are very satisfying. I even enjoy the editing process! Did I mention getting royalty checks? Okay, I’m working longer hours for less pay than any job I’ve ever had except selling cosmetics, but this not about money as any truly dedicated writer knows.

What would be your perfect day?

I would sleep until I woke naturally, have breakfast of my choice, take a walk, work in my study. I would meet a friend for lunch. In the afternoon maybe work for a while or read or nap. I’d go out to dinner with my husband, watch the evening news on TV, read the newspaper and/or a book. About midnight, I’d be ready for bed again. I am never bored staying home and doing simple things. Did you notice that cooking or doing housework was not included in my day? I would have paid help for that, of course.

It sounds like bliss, especially the bit about no housework!  Linda, what's your favourite sandwich, and where in the world is the best place to eat it? 

A chicken salad sandwich (with pecans and grapes in it) on rye bread would be perfect served at an outside cafe on Coronado Island overlooking the Pacific.

I might just have to try out that recipe, it sounds delicious!  Which household chore would you happily give up forever?

Only one? How can I choose a “least” favorite? I suppose cooking which seems so boring day in and day out. I don’t mind preparing special meals for holidays but the repetition of doing this over and over depresses me. But to my credit, I love to iron. Too bad almost everything now is wrinkle-free or else supposed to be worn with wrinkles!

What talent or skill would you love to have that you don’t have now?

I would love to be able to play piano and I took lessons for a few months as a child but they didn’t “take” on me. So I did the next best thing by marrying a man who played piano (and now electronic keyboard) beautifully. I also wanted to have a beautiful voice and be able to sing well but I only mouth the words when I sing in church to avoid those nearby wondering how a frog got into the building. Both my son, daughter, and son-in-law are musical and are working or have worked as professional musicians. All three were in a Broadway musical that toured the country for two years, so my wish has been granted in a convoluted way

Indeed!  And as I know you’ve said before, you make music with words, Linda!  Tell me, what drives you seriously nuts?

People who make fun of other people. I think this is the ugliest character trait anyone can have. To laugh at someone for whatever reason is probably an effort to cover insecurity and lack of self-confidence but that doesn’t excuse it.  People who don’t do what they say they will comes a close second. And people who don’t give credit to others for what they do or take credit for what they have not done is also on my list.

Which animal do you think you’re most like, and why?

I’m probably most like a cat. I am independent, and I love to curl up in a warm place indoors and do nothing. But I am loyal like a dog and so persistent that my husband says I am like a “dog with a bone” when I set my mind on something. I am also verbal like a mockingbird. So I suppose I’m really an enigma whatever species that is.

What’s the best review you've ever had?

My best review was actually a composite of four 5-star reviews (Long and Short Reviews/ Manic Readers/The Romance Studio/You Gotta Read Reviews) and Romantic Times  for my Civil War saga, This Time Forever. These reviewers compared the book to Gone With The Wind and the TV mini-series North and South. All of them “got” what I was trying to say, felt empathy for both sides of this tragic war, loved my characters as I did and validated my ability to research and create a story that was worthy of the subject. This was the “book of my heart” and in my heart I know it is the best work I will ever accomplish. It was rejected many times when submitted by my then-agent and I almost despaired ever seeing it published. Then, ironically, this US Civil War story was accepted by a Canadian publisher and through no planning on my part, it was released in the first year of the Civil War Sesquicentennial commemoration. Fate? I like to think so. 

A definite meant-to be!  Linda, it's been great getting to know more about you today, and I know my readers can catch up on all your news and books at your One-Link here to your website.  Thanks so much for visiting - good luck in all that you do!

The One-Link Lowdown on...Carol A. Spradling

A special start to the week as the Lowdown breaks its Friday habit with my guest Carol A. Spradling. Carol recently took back control of her writing by breaking away from the publishing norm and branching out independently - and she's never looked back. Her historical novels are vivid and compelling, and her latest, Shades of Gray (not to be confused with another work with a similar name!) is pulling in five-star reviews. I'm delighted she's my guest today - not least because she's one of my dearest friends! Welcome, Carol!

If you could retrieve one thing from your childhood, what would it be?

A cement heart. When I was eight years old, my grandfather made a walkway on the side of his house. He formed the leftover cement into a heart shape and gave it to me. It was lost when we moved.

What would be your perfect day?

A perfect writing day is back dropped with a heavy rainstorm, and a Twilight Zone marathon playing on the tv for company. A perfect non-writing day is spending time in the mountains with friends and family.

What’s your favourite sandwich, and where in the world is the best place to eat it?

OMG, Dunn’s Deli in Banner Elk, NC has the best sandwiches. My favourite is called The St. Patrick’s.  It is a grilled corned beef with melted muenster cheese and, here's what makes it special, it has warmed potato salad on the sandwich. It isn't a trip to the mountains without a visit to Dunn's.

That sounds delicious!  It sounds like the USA has perfected the art of sandwich-making, and I wish I could try them out!  Now, I know you're a girl after my own heart, so tell me - which household chore would you happily give up for ever?

If you were to ask my husband, he might tell you to phrase that question in the past tense. I’m not nit picky when it comes to housework. As long as my house gives the resemblance of clean, I’m good. Dusting seems to be my least favorite thing to do.

What talent or skill would you love to have that you don’t have now?

I would love to be able to sing. I can’t carry a tune to save my life.

What drives you seriously nuts?

People who drive under the speed limit and come to a near-dead stop to make a turn.

I know them!  The ones who don't want to use up all their gears at once, as my husband says!  Now - you're given a time travel machine - where would you go, and why?

I would zip to the future and take advantage of modern medicine. Then, shoot to the past when life was enjoyed at a much slower pace.

What's your guilty pleasure?

My husband and I love to eat out, nothing high end, mostly burger places.

Quite right, it's good to treat yourself!  Carol, if you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

I would want to be more intelligent. It seems to take me forever to catch on to things.

What single invention would change your life for the better?

Traveling at the speed of thought. I could visit friends and family and still be home in time for dinner. 

Carol, it's always a pleasure to talk with you.  Our readers can find out more about Shades of Gray here at your One-Link to its Amazon page.  Thanks for being my guest, and I wish you so much good luck in all you do! 

The One-Link Lowdown on....Margay Leah Justice

My guest today, Margay Leah Justice, is a gal who dodges life's curve balls with style and grace, and I'm sure she'd be the first to admit it's her love of the written word that's seen her through many a rough patch. Her first novel, a paranormal romance called Sloane Wolf, is now available form Muse It Up Publishing. I'm so pleased to meet this lovely lady, and I know you will be, too. Welcome, Margay!

If you could retrieve one thing from your childhood, what would it be?

My collection of Crissy and Velvet dolls the ones with the hair that “grew.” I loved those dolls!

What’s the naughtiest thing you've ever done?

Hmm, this one could get me into trouble! I actually went parking with a guy in a cemetery once. Sounds creepy, but it was actually kind of peaceful there.

Tell us three surprising things about yourself, one of which is a fib - and we'll try to guess the fib! 

I have met Patrick Swayze and rubbed elbows with several other famous people such as Mary Tyler Moore, Dudley Moore, and Paul Michael Glaser.

 

I used to teach aerobics.

 

I’m fluent in five languages.

 

I so want meeting Patrick Swayze to be true as he always struck me as a very lovely man. Margay, tell me - what’s your favourite piece of music?

One of my all time favorite songs is Unchained Melody, it’s just a really beautiful song. Plus, there’s this scene from the movie Ghost with Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze where it figures prominently that just gets me every time I see it.

Yes, that's a real classic - in fact, the song and the movie both. What talent or skill would you love to have that you don’t have now?

I always wished I could play an instrument, like the violin.

What drives you seriously nuts?

Bad drivers – and I think the majority of them live in Massachusetts! Seriously, people, those signs and lights aren’t there for decoration. Oh, and those folks standing in the crosswalks – they’re not there to watch you drive, they actually want to cross the street.

Which animal do you think you’re most like, and why?

A cat. Well, for one, if you look up my name, it is a type of wild cat (though I wasn’t named after the cat – it’s just a coincidence!). But I think it’s also because, however I fall, I somehow manage to land on my feet. Plus, I love naps!

I can relate to the catnap thing! Now, I'm lending you my personal time travel machine for the day - where would you go, and why?

Regency England. There’s just something about that time period that really calls to me, which is probably why I love books like Pride and Prejudice and anything by Julia Quinn so much.

What's your guilty pleasure?

I am a sucker for sweets – I love chocolate and cheesecake and the like. If I could eat it all the time and not gain a pound, I’d be one happy woman. What am I talking about – the threat of weight gain has never kept me away from a good piece of cheesecake – or chocolate!

It's scientifically proven that chocolate makes you feel good, you know! Margay, if you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

I wish I wasn’t a procrastinator – or a perfectionist. I think I could get so much more done if I didn’t put it off until later – and then try to get it too perfect.

I think keep doing what you're doing, because it's obviously working! Friends, Margay's lie is that she's fluent in five languages - I'm so pleased that meeting Patrick Swayze is true!  You can find out more about Sloane Wolf here at Margay's link today. 

 

Margay, it's been great meeting you - good luck in all that you do!

The One-Link Lowdown on...Jane Toombs.

My guest today is writer Jane Toombs. Born in California, she now lives in the beautiful Upper Peninsula on the shore of Lake Superior. She's written more than eighty books in both paper and electronic formats for publishers such as Silhouette, Zebra, Harlequin and Avon. Her latest, Deception’s Bride, is a historical romance that will be up on Amazon shortly as an ebook from Books We Love. Ltd. Welcome, Jane!

If you could retrieve one thing from your childhood, what would it be?　

My diaries.

What’s on your bedside table/nightstand?　

Meds for the next day, bottle of water, Kleenex, clock.

What’s your favourite piece of music?

Practically anything by Glen Miller (Yeah, I go waaay back)

They say vintage style is very fashionable at the moment, though! Jane, what's your favourite sandwich, and where in the world is the best place to eat it?　

Peanut butter-banana sandwich on marble rye at my kitchen table while working a crossword puzzle.

Which household chore would you happily give up for ever?

Changing the cat’s sandbox.

Ewww...I'm with you on that one. Jane, what talent or skill would you love to have that you don’t have now?

I’d love to be able to sing in tune.

What drives you seriously nuts?

Mindless drivel instead of intelligent conversation.

Sadly, there's an awful lot of it around these days. Which animal do you think you’re most like, and why?

I’d like to be like a cat, except I‘m clumsy and cats aren’t. But I do tend to be picky abut friends and tend to be a loner. Although I like being petted by the right person.

What’s the best review you've ever had?

I’d say from my writing instructor, a published mystery writer who told me Tule Witch, the book I’d finished and he’d critiqued in class, was good enough so that he was willing to send it to his agent. (He did, it sold to Avon and that was my first published book in 1973.)

That would be pretty hard to top, I'd imagine! Jane, last question - if you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

I’d like to be taller. Short people are often at a disadvantage.

Very true. I'd like to be a little taller, too. As they say, size matters! Readers, you can find out more about Jane's books at today's One-Link, her website.  Thanks so much for being my guest today, Jane. Good luck with all your future projects!

The One-Link Lowdown on...Lynette Sofras

Today’s guest is Lynette Sofras - aka The Manic Scribbler!  A former Head of English in a large school in Surrey, Lynette took the plunge a few years ago to give up her job and concentrate full-time on her writing and freelance editing.  Since then she’s had three contemporary fiction novels published, all to great reviews. Her latest, Shopping For Love, has been described as ‘a great read for everyone who believes that love will prevail!’  It’s available on Amazon along with her previous novels, The Apple Tree and Wishful Thinking.  Welcome, Lynette! 

If you could retrieve one thing from your childhood, what would it be? 

As a small child I had a large and quite old porcelain doll I called Lady Jane.  We were so inseparable that I wore her out - literally.  My parents sent her to the local dolls’ hospital for a makeover and when she returned she was so altered I hated her.  Her hair colour had changed and she had those old and cold soulless eyes, like a fish.  She went in a lady and came out a dowager.  I’m afraid I treated her abominably after that and I’d like to get her back now to apologise.  Besides, she’d probably be worth a small fortune now!

What’s the naughtiest thing you've ever done? 

Well this happened a few years ago when I lived abroad.  I was…no, I really can’t say that on your nice blog.  It’s far too naughty.  The second naughtiest thing?  Okay, I remember when…no, that’s no good either – I’m blushing just to think of it.  Shame on me – I must have been a very wicked person ;)

I think we're going to have to use our imagination on that one!  Lynette, what’s the worst job you've ever had? And what’s the best job you've ever had?

I can kill two birds with one stone on this question as my worst and best job are the same.  Being a teacher, especially head of department can be extremely stressful and difficult at times.  But it’s also the best job ever because you share those eureka moments with students when you can see their faces light up as they understand something or discover something wonderful in a piece of literature.  And that’s when you know why you became a teacher and why you put up with the worst bits.

What’s your favourite piece of music?

I have lots – and they constantly change, but one that I’ve always had a soft spot for is Ravel’s Bolero.  My father introduced it to me when I was a child, so it has very special connotations.  It was the first serious piece of music I owned – and this was long before it was over-popularised by Torville and Dean.  You hear it so often these days that some of the magic dust has worn off.  In modern music I tend to prefer female singers to males as I think they have more interesting and versatile voices.

What your favourite sandwich, and where in the world is the best place to eat it? 

I don’t usually eat sandwiches, but I would if I could have it served at one of those outdoor pavement tables at a restaurant in Rome, preferable in June.  Or in Venice or Florence – I’m not that fussy.  I just love Italy so much I wouldn’t mind what was in the sandwich.

Yes, I'd agree with you there - the sandwich would be somewhat irrelevant in those settings!  Who would you invite to your ultimate fantasy dinner party?

The Booker Prize Committee and a really good hypnotist or mind controller like Derren Brown or Paul McKenna – you do the maths!   

I like your line of thinking, Lynette!  Tell me, what drives you seriously nuts?

Well there’s that fashion young men wear with their jeans hanging off and displaying their underclothes.  I just don’t get it.  I mean I do, to some extent.  I sort-of understand the statement it makes, but I can’t believe any fashion-conscious boy actually thinks it looks good or cool. 

And the fact that so many foreigners speak better English than vast numbers of people who are born and raised here.  It seriously saddens me that we have so little pride in our own language and are wilfully allowing it to degenerate.

I'm with you on the trousers thing.  The mother in me wants to get hold of them and pull them up properly!  Now tell me, do - you're given a time travel machine - where would you go, and why?

Firstly I’d go back to my childhood and give myself a firm talking to, to ensure I worked harder at school.  After that, I’d stop off in Kent around 1890 just to show HG Wells the real McCoy; then I’d nip back another hundred years or so and tell Jane Austen’s sister, Cassandra, in no uncertain terms that she must not destroy her sister’s letters and documents.  Next, I’d whizz back to the early seventeenth century to say hello to Shakespeare and ask him if he really did write everything attributed to him, to settle that little argument once and for all and my last jaunt would be to Ancient Greece, to soak up the atmosphere and listen to Socrates in the Agora – though I guess I’d probably need a gender change, so maybe I’d have to go into the future to execute that.   

What’s the best review you've ever had?

It was one of the very first, when someone likened my writing to Jane Austen.  At first I thought this was from a friend who was playing a joke, knowing I admire Jane Austen’s writing style quite a lot.  When no one owned up to it, I had to believe the review was real and felt immensely flattered.

I'm not surprised - what a compliment!  My blog readers can check it out for themselves here at your One-Link to your own beautiful blog, where they can find out more about you and your writing and, most importantly, find out where they can buy your books!  Lynette, thanks so much for being my guest today.  Good luck with all your future projects. 

The One-Link Lowdown on...Viviane Brentanos!

My guest today, Viviane Brentanos, was born in Reading, Berkshire, but now lives on the beautiful Ionian island of Corfu.  She’ll never forget the day she made the decision to stay – ‘I still remember to this day, sitting in a café-bar, overlooking the crystal clear azure sea and saying to my friend. "I never want to leave here.” Her latest novel, a romantic suspense called Past Undone is released today by Muse It Up Publishing.

Viv describes her writing as ‘romance with a quirky, humorous Brit twist and I am always striving to make my characters real, characters we can all relate to’ – I for one definitely relate.  You’re very welcome to my blog – here we go!

What’s the naughtiest thing you've ever done? 

The naughtiest thing I have ever done or the ‘naughtiest’ thing?  Okay, let’s forget the second. I am presuming this is a family blog so let’s keep it clean. So – my naughtiest thing is, in fact, a series of naughty events. It involved knocking a policeman’s hat off and I enjoyed every minute of it. Let me take you back to 197blah blah blah. It was the year of the Osmonds, their first visit to the UK and I was desperate to see them. Unfortunately, my parents refused to let me go to London and camp outside the Rainbow theatre and queue for tickets. You guessed it. When I eventually got there in the morning.... no tickets. Hell hath no fury like a teenage girl thwarted in her attempt to see her one true love. I was not alone. Thousands of us protested, screaming for them to give us tickets [even though the management had none}. A riot followed, involving a lot of police shoving and ankle kicking. I think this is when a certain Bobby lost his hat. I do hope he ain’t reading this.

I love it!  I do remember the whole Osmond-mania thing very well.  Now, I think I can guess a little of your next answer, so tell me - what’s the best job you've ever had?

The best job? Not sure it was the best in terms of great money but it certainly was a cushy number. I was employed as a doctor’s receptionist in the small Corfiot village of Benitses. Here is a rundown on a typical working day.

Husband drops me off at surgery. I open up, change into my bikini and head down to beach for an hour’s swim. Come back to office, shower, put the coffee on, nip down to local newsagents, borrow all the days’ newspapers, take them back to surgery. Pour coffee, bite into chocky croissant and then read newspapers. Once I have copied out Sudoku puzzles, return newspapers, and back to surgery for morning round of phone calls to friends. Time for lunch. Nip next door for a tasty pita. More coffee and then pull out writing pad and continue writing my next best seller. Oh did I mention my boss supplied the paper? Occasionally, someone would call or come in and request an appointment with the doctor but God help them if they interrupted my creative flow.

Tell us three surprising things about yourself, one of which is a fib - and we'll try to guess the fib!   

1} I have a phobia about driving. I will never learn to drive.

2} I am an avid reader of romance. It is my favourite genre.

3} I once received a phone call from Darren Hayes at 5am, all the way from L.A

Hmm…think, think, think!  While I’m thinking, tell me about your favourite piece of music.

Oh this is tough. I adore music of any genre but, mostly I am into rock and heavy metal. Different songs move me at different times and for different reasons. I suppose if I have to pick one, it is the closing song from the movie Gladiator. It kills me every time. It is such a heart wrencher. Oh but if we are talking heart wrenchers then I must post a list:

Sara – Fleetwood Mac

Run – Snow Patrol

Mine – Savage garden

The Idol – Wasp

I can’t go on. The tears, the tears.....

Who would you invite to your ultimate fantasy dinner party? 

Oh come on. This is easy. Enrique Iglesias, Rafa Nadal, Darren Hayes, Russell Crowe, Sheldon Cooper and Tyrion Lannester. What fun it would be. Now who would I spend the night with? Well, I love them all; a beautiful, talented bunch but.....it’s got to be Enrique. The man is simply perfection.

Well, if you’re happy to keep Enrique to yourself for the evening, may I ask you to budge along the table so I can squeeze in beside Rafa? ; -)  What a great party!  Viv - what talent or skill would you love to have that you don’t have now?

Oh this is another easy one. I wish with all my heart I could play lead guitar and play it to Angus Young/Jimmy Page/Van Halen/Slash level. I would sell my soul to appear on stage with Angus.

What's your guilty pleasure?

I am only allowed one? Shame on you, Jane, for spoiling my fun. Okay, it has to be Darren Hayes. While he is not as gut-achingly gorgeous as my Enrique, I adore this singer-song writer with a passion. I have three times flown across Europe to see him perform. He is the inspiration behind my novel, Cold, Cold Heart, his songs have kept me company through many a long, lonely night of writing. He is simply – well – simply Darren.

Viv, your life in Corfu and your writing career that’s going from strength to strength, it sounds to me like you must be so very happy with your lot!  I’m almost loathe to ask – if you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

My obsession with unobtainable men, {see answers to most of the questions. You get the picture}

I get it!  What single invention would change your life for the better?

I would love a writing machine that was wirelessly in tune with my imagination. You know the feeling. You are walking along the street while a perfect scene runs through your head. You can’t wait to get home and put it down on paper/pc but, as much as you try, as good as you can get it, it never quite matches that zone you were lost in.

You are so not alone with that wish!  Aside from writing achievements, family, etc - what are you most proud of?

Showing my Afghan hounds in the eighties. I loved it. I was good at it and they gave me immense pleasure. I wish I had time to do it again. Who knows? 

Who knows, indeed?  Viv, it’s been great talking to you today.  I wonder who has guessed your fib correctly?  It’s No. 2 – as you say, ‘I hardly ever read romance.  I love thrillers, murders.’  Last but not least, I hope our readers will follow your One-Link today over to your Muse It Up Publishers page for Past Undone, where they can read a fabulous excerpt and  treat themselves to a copy.  Thanks for being my guest, Viv- good luck in all that you do.