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Fiction, Food, and Foolishness
Helen Henderson Greets a Penguin
Welcome Helen Henderson to Five on Friday. She and I have something in common. We’re both Geminis!
Check out her books, follow her on social media, and always remember to review the books you read!!
Henderson’s heritage reflects the contrasts of her Gemini sign. She is a descendent of a coal-miner’s daughter and an aviation flight engineer. After multiple careers including feature-story writer and correspondent, she returned to her first love–fiction. The dichotomy of her ancestry reflects in her writing which crosses genres from historical adventures and westerns to science fiction and fantasy. In the world of romantic fantasy, she is the author of the Dragshi Chronicles and The Windmaster Novels. In her books, she invites you to join her on travels through the stars, or among fantasy worlds of the imagination.
Let’s take a look at the five questions Helen chose to answer.
You open your front door and find a penguin wearing a cowboy hat. What does he say?
“My horse went lame. It’s been a long walk from Texas. Could I hang out in your freezer a while to cool off? And if you could spare a fish or two I’d appreciate it.”
Ann: I’d have to do some rearranging to fit him into my freezer. Not sure I could give up the Bluebell!
If you could be any animal in the world, what would it be and why?
A cat. They are sophisticated and aristocratic. They allow their humans to believe people run the household, but in reality the cat controls everything. If I am living in a mansion with expansive lawns and an adjoining forest preserve, I’d still be a cat but my size would reflect my surroundings. Instead of a 15-pound housecat, I’d be a lynx.
Ann: Oh, to be a cat. Eat, sleep, and only have friends when you want to!!
Are the names of characters in your novels important?
Names are incredibly important. Readers can have preconceptions and the names can either build upon them or go against them. When I first begin a manuscript, the hero and heroine tell me their names within the first few pages. The bad guy takes a while longer before he reveals his true nature and name. So that I don’t have to stop writing and come up with a secondary character’s name, many are assigned alphabetic placeholders based on their order of appearance. Later, one of their attributes is converted to Gaelic or whatever culture fits the world I’m working in. Then with a tweak or two the translated attribute becomes that given character’s name.
Ann: Names are important to me, too. And, when a reader doesn’t like one of my character’s names, it hurts my feelings.
What is the first book that made you cry?
After all the books I’ve read, it’s hard to remember a first or to choose a favorite. Honor and the cost of duty always bring out strong emotions in me. Which could be why I wove the themes into both the Dragshi Chronicles and the Windmaster Novels. Hearth and Sand, my latest release, is entirely dedicated to honor, duty, and sacrifice.
Going with the cost of honor, I’ve picked Shane as the first book that made me cry. The background music while I read would be “Desperado” and “The Lonely Man” theme from the television series The Hulk.
Ann: I don’t remember the first book that made me cry either. However, I remember “Love Story” ripped my heart out. I didn’t just cry, I wept. I think it’s great when books get that reaction from a reader.
A genie grants you three wishes. What would they be?
First wish – peace on earth. There is way too much antipathy, intolerance and anger. My second wish is for everyone to have what will make them happiest. I can’t make it any more specific as everyone’s needs are different. And for my third wish? Well, there weren’t any restrictions nor is there a warning about the sneaky games genies are known to play, so there is a lot of wiggle room. Third wish is for an unlimited number of additional wishes. Instead of the genie cheating I did.
Ann: I think three wishes would be enough for me…until a genie actually appeared and offered them. Then, I get greedy mighty quick. So, I think my first wish would be for more wishes!
The Dragshi Chronicles – The dragshi are more than just a man or woman, but two beings—one a dragon, the other a human. The pair share one body in space and time and are able to change forms with the other at will. However, for a human, a dragon form comes with more than just the freedom of the sky.
https://www.books2read.com/u/49PMZp
The Windmaster Novels –Windmaster: Revenge set Ellspeth and the archmage, Dal, on the path to her destiny, but prophecy controlled the journey. Windmaster Legacy: As archmage, Dal might be able to survive killing the future of magic, but as a man could he live with the knowledge he caused the death of a loved one.
https://books2read.com/u/bOaGQQ
Website: http://helenhenderson-author.webs.com/
Blog: http://helenhenderson-author.blogspot.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HelenHenderson.author
Twitter: https://twitter.com/history2write
Amazon: http://amzn.com/e/B001HPM2XK
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/777491.Helen_Henderson
National Lineman Day and Cover Reveal
Today is National Lineman Appreciation Day, and since my new book’s hero is a lineman, I thought this would be a good time to reveal the cover!! First, I’ll celebrate and appreciate Lineman…especially Texas Lineman.
Did you know electrical Lineman is listed as one of the top ten most dangerous jobs in America?
Other than climbing poles and working with high voltage, Lineman have other challenges to face. Knotted wires and fallen trees pose problems, along with weakened poles, all sorts of wild critters including poisonous snakes! YIKES!!
Working 40-50 feet in the air while wearing 50 pounds of protective gear is no picnic. Then factor in the weather. Wind, rain, blistering heat, freezing or subfreezing temperatures, they fight dehydration and frostbite.
Between 30 to 50 workers per 100,000 are killed on the job every year. Many others suffer serious injuries and loss of limbs from electrical burns and mechanical trauma. That’s more than twice the fatality rate of police officers and fireman.
Today, take a moment to appreciate the dangers linemen face in order to keep us comfortable.
And now, a big TA-DA as I reveal the cover of my new book, True, a companion to my last book, Chirp. Each is a stand alone novel both set in the fictional town of Bluebird, Texas. True is due for release within the next few weeks. Ritter Malone, a lineman, is the hero in the book.
Sometimes it takes losing everything…
True Shanahan must be the unluckiest woman in the world. Either that or she’s cursed. After another failed relationship, True leaves Dallas with a broken heart and new attitude. It’s time to walk on the wild side. But when she makes a wrong turn and ends up in Bluebird, Texas, the only man she wants is anything but reckless.
…to find all you’ve ever wanted.
Ritter Malone is the town’s favorite son and has the local hero awards to prove it. Seems he’s always in the right place at the right time. But when he crosses paths with True, his life takes a turn he never sees coming. Her songwriting skills may be questionable, but her ability to turn him inside out is indisputable.
Welcome to Bluebird, Texas.
Where a chance meeting gives two people a chance at love.
Give away and Presale
Head over to Goodreads and signup to win one of five signed copies of Say You’ll Never Love Me which releases April 1.
Pageflex Persona [document: PRS0000035_00020]
It’s currently available for preorder @ http://www.amazon.com/Say-Youll-Never-Love-Me-ebook/dp/B01BT4A8GQ/
Sometimes, all it takes…
Raynebeaux Starr’s life is damn near perfect. She has wonderful friends. An interesting career. A man when she wants and none when she doesn’t, thank you very much. But when tragedy strikes and she’s named guardian to her six year old niece, her world is turned upside down. She finds herself alone in a new town with a small child, no parenting skills and desperate for guidance. Until she meets Father Jared Sloan. The sexiest minister she’s ever seen. He is kind, patient and a literal God-send. If only she could stop having unholy thoughts about him!
…is one little lie,
Jared Sloan’s love life is a disaster. He has one girlfriend he can’t shake, and an ex-fiancée on his doorstep wanting him back. As if things weren’t complicated enough, he encounters what must be a fallen angel in a church parking lot. Little does he know when he offers her counseling that she would be unlike anyone he’s ever experienced. He wants to be the kind of man she can trust. He also wants to taste her so bad it hurts.
…to lead you to the truth.
Can Jared convince Raynie there is such a thing as happily-ever-after? Or will his deceit only confirm her belief that fairy tale endings don’t exist in the real world. Especially not in Lubbock, Texas.
Jasper Trey
Today, I welcome back Jasper Trey to Five on Friday. Check out her book, Maeve, and remember to review the books you read!
Jennifer (or Jasper) Is a thirty something mother of two. She has a BS in Mathematics education, a Master’s in Business, a couple of certificates in wine making, a 200 hour certification in YOGA, and a love for LOVE. I have a tendency to live in my head and finally felt I had enough life experience to put one of my imaginings down on paper. I hope you find my books to be a feel good and enjoyable ride from start to finish.
BUY: https://amzn.to/2IdHzlR
WEBSITE: https://basevinesandcattle.com/jasper-trey
Blog: https://bvc1point0.wordpress.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jenofalltradz
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jen_base/
Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/Jasper-Trey/e/B072TQYXFD/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16832035.Jasper_Trey
“My love for you is like π, irrational and never ending.”
When do feelings turn from a crush to love? Do you know it is happening, or is it a gradual slide that you don’t notice? It’s a question Maeve would like to answer, but will her quest for the answer keep haunting her into the future? Can she shake a past relationship off, to have the future she’s always wanted?
Sometimes love hits you at the worst and most inappropriate times. It is irrational but never ending. In those times you have to have the patience to see things through. And faith, Philip thought, that the love he kept to himself would be returned in time.
Now for the five questions Jasper chose to answer…
You open your front door and find a penguin wearing a cowboy hat. What does he say?
“How you doin?”
Ann: Sounds suspicious. I bet that penguin wants something.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
In my house. BUT I would travel more.
Ann: There’s no place like home.
Do you remember your first kiss? Care to elaborate?
Yes, I remember it vividly. It was with the man who became my husband, and he didn’t know until years later that he was my first kiss. What can I say I was a natural at it.
Ann: I swear someday an author is going to answer this and the memory of my first kiss will come rushing back. Probably not…but I can hope.
Where were you when JFK was shot?
Not born.
Ann: I feel so old.
Do you hide any secrets in your books that only a few people will find/recognize?
Yes.
Ann: Me, too.
Oh! Those Dirty Lyrics!
Seems crazy to have a celebration day for a song from the 60s, right? Well, this was some song…even the FBI got involved. Here’s what rock critic Dave Marsh had to say about it.
Back in 1963, everybody who knew anything about rock ‘n’ roll knew that the Kingsmen’s Louie Louie concealed dirty words that could be unveiled only by playing the 45 RPM single at 33–1/3. This preposterous fable bore no scrutiny, even at the time, but kids used to pretend it did, in order to panic parents, teachers, and other authority figures. Eventually, those ultimate authoritarians, the FBI got involved, conducting a thirty-month investigation that led to Louie’s undying?—?indeed, unkillable?—?reputation as a dirty song. So Louie Louie leaped up the chart on the basis of a myth about its lyrics so contagious that it swept cross country quicker than bad weather. Nobody?—?not you, not me, not the G-men ultimately assigned to the case?—?knows where the story started. That’s part of the proof that it was a myth, because no folk tales ever have a verifiable origin. Instead, society creates them through cultural spontaneous combustion.~Dave Marsh
Considering the explicit lyrics we have today in most rap songs, Louie Louie and the history surrounding it seems silly. However, back in 1963-64, on the off chance there were indeed “bad words” in the song was enough for parents to demand it be banned from radio.
Of course, back in those days, “making out” was the subject of many a Sunday morning sermon, shotgun weddings took place when a girl got in a “family way” and boys were constantly checking to see if masturbation really made hair grow on their palms!
As it turned out, the lyrics weren’t dirty…not until everyone made so much hoopla about it. Then, I think they wrote some. Here’s an interesting article with all the info, including the clean and dirty version of the song.
https://midcenturymodernmag.com/are-you-celebrating-international-louie-louie-day-37b8a14b4905
So, until next Humpday…Louie, Louie, me gotta go.
Denise Devine Beach Bride Series
Denise Devine is featured today on Five on Friday. I love the premise of her book, “Lisa.” Finding romance via a message in a bottle is so romantic! Be sure and check it out through the links provided and follow her on social media. Remember…always review the books you read because they help and encourage authors!
Denise Devine is a USA TODAY bestselling author of romantic comedy, contemporary romance, and one inspirational romance. She wrote her first book, a mystery, at thirteen and has been writing ever since. She writes about true love, happy endings and stories that touch your heart.
What are the top three things on your bucket list? And why?
South Pacific Cruise
Jordan
Go back to Israel, Egypt and Hawaii
My husband is a travel agent and it has always been our intention to see the world. I love visiting other cultures and I love cruising. This spring we’re celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary with a cruise to Spain and Portugal. Then we’re traveling to Paris to see the Louvre and spending two weeks in England.
Ann: Sounds like you have a wonderful trip planned. All I want is a week without interruption at my computer!!
What’s the one thing you do every day that you enjoy the least, but do it anyway?
Make supper! I don’t really like to cook, and when I get busy writing, I hate to quit.
Ann: I always say if I didn’t have to sleep, eat, or go to the bathroom, I could get a lot of writing done. Cooking falls under the eating part!
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Hah! Are you kidding me? A castle in England. A beach house on a Caribbean island. A villa on the French Riviera. The wine country in Italy. The mountains in northern California. Or maybe anywhere in Hawaii.
I live in Minnesota and it keeps snowing. This time last year my bulbs were coming up. I’m ready for spring!
Ann: We don’t get much snow here in Texas, so spending time in place where it snows a lot would be a dream come true. I couldn’t get out…and no one could get in to bother me! Just as long as the power stayed on, I’d be happy.
What is your favorite thing to do during your spare time…besides writing?
I’m retired from my government job, and now I write full time, so it is presently what I do all day. In my spare time, I love to sew, grow flowers, read and travel. Go to movies and eat a tub of popcorn!
Ann: I agree with all of those hobbies…except traveling. I don’t even like to travel to Walmart…and it’s just ten minutes from my house.
Are the names of characters in your novels important?
Yes, because I think names tell you something about the person’s character. A woman’s name should be either interesting or beautiful. A man’s name should be strong. People want to identify with your main characters and giving them solid names is the way to start.
I decided before I published my first book that I would use all of my nieces and nephews’ names as characters in my books. It has been a fun journey and I’m almost to the end so I may extend that to cousins!
One of my books is named after my sister. I have a book in the Beach Brides Series called Lisa. It turned out to be one of my best books.
Ann: Names are super important to me as well, but I do just the opposite. I work hard NOT to use family or friend’s names. Since I write steamy romance, their hair might catch fire if they saw their name in one of my books!
Is it possible to find true love through a message in a bottle?
Spending a week on a Caribbean island with the members of the Romantic Hearts Book Club is like a dream come true for Lisa Kaye. On their last night, each woman writes a personal message to her “dream hero,” stuffs it in a bottle and tosses it out to sea. Lisa’s real dreams crash, however, when she returns home and loses not only her job but her boyfriend in the same day. Determined to start over, she returns to Enchanted Island, the idyllic place of her childhood to manage her aunt’s bed and breakfast hotel.
Fifteen months pass without a clue to the fate of her bottle. Then it happens. She receives an email from the man who found it and she doesn’t know what to do. Should she ignore it or take a chance at finding true love?
Available on Kindle and Kindle Unlimited
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071F9P1W7
Beach Brides Series Page: https://www.amazon.com/Beach-Brides/e/B071HW8F9H
Newsletter URL: http://eepurl.com/csOJZL
Website: http://www.deniseannettedevine.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/HEAstories/
Ann Everett, Best Selling Author
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