Marilyn Holdsworth Shares an #Excerpt from MAKING WISHES @M_Holdsworth #AmReading #WomensFic

AGGIE HAS AN ASSIGNATION...

from the novel MAKING WISHES by Marilyn Holdsworth

Her guests continued their speculations on Elloree and Tom’s marriage, and Aggie glanced across the room to where Brian Coleman was just sitting down with two other men. He looked over at her, a slow sensuous smile spreading across his handsome suntanned features, and she felt an immediate stab of excitement. Yes, this luncheon was going to be very pleasant. After the salad and seafood crepes had been served and enjoyed, Aggie and her friends lingered over coffee.

Brian Coleman exchanged more glances across the room with Aggie, and when at last he’d finished with his tiresome clients, he ushered them outside to their cars. He waved and smiled as they drove off. It had been a very profitable afternoon. He was satisfied that both had bought his pitch for a substantial raise of their insurance coverage. He glanced at his watch impatiently. She should be coming out at any moment and if he knew women, those looks only meant one thing. Damn, he wished she’d hurry. He had an early evening appointment, but there might be just enough time.

Minutes later, Aggie stepped through the door, and she looked even better to him than she had from across the room. She had been teasing him for the past month with chance encounters and seductive looks. Maybe this afternoon he’d get lucky. At last she had bidden her friends good-bye, and he walked over to her.

Aggie watched him approach, her eyes eagerly devouring his trim, athletic good looks. She greeted him, “Brian, what a surprise! Did you enjoy your lunch?” she asked coquettishly.

“Very much. Especially the view.” He smiled, allowing his eyes to travel down her sleekly clad, curvaceous body.

Aggie felt a warm tingle. The glow of the wine, the afternoon sun, and his deep,husky voice made her feel pleasantly aroused.

“I’ve been admiring you all through lunch,” he said easily. “Do you have plans for the rest of the afternoon?” He leaned closer to her, and she caught his musky, masculine scent.

​“Nothing that can’t wait,” she answered, smiling.

For more, please see Making Wishes by Marilyn Holdsworth at http://marilynholdsworth.com/making-wishes/

Elloree Prince is an attractive, creative young woman who marries a wealthy businessman, Tom Randall. After courting his bride with unrelenting determination, Tom moves her into old-moneyed Oak View, where generations of Randalls have lived for years. Outwardly, Elloree appears to settle into raising their two sons within Oak View’s stifling social structure, but inwardly, she yearns for her artistic work. An unexpected phone call from Mark Williams, her former employer, offers her the career opportunity of a lifetime, and she must make a choice. She is torn between her devotion to her sons and her love for her work. Her decision to return to Wishes, Inc. brings dramatic life changes to her and the people she loves.

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Genre - Women’s fiction

Rating – PG-13

“Abby Long is thrilled when she offers the winning bid for an antique desk at an auction. With its intricately inlaid woods and elegant style, the desk is perfect for Abby; it is the gift she promised herself to finally celebrate her thriving antique business. She has no idea that the antique desk holds a secret that will lead her on a fascinating, life-changing journey back in time.When Abby discovers a hidden diary stuffed inside a secret compartment in the desk, she can hardly wait to read the spidery, faded script. As she carefully turns the tattered pages, she reads the captivating story of two remarkable women from opposite backgrounds who somehow manage to form an unforgettable bond against the backdrop of a fledgling America struggling to find its place in the world. Elizabeth Kortright Monroe, the wife of James Monroe, and Jasmine, a young slave girl, develop an extraordinary relationship as they are united by pivotal historic events, political intrigues, and personal tragedies.

From a bucolic Virginia plantation to the bloodied, starving streets of post-revolutionary Paris, this powerful tale follows the lives of two courageous women from the past as they quietly influence—and inspire—a woman of today’s world.”

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Genre - Historical fiction

Rating – G

Widowed at thirty, Hannah Bradley is a successful journalist focusing on animal abuse issues. An accidental meeting introduces her to lawyer, Winston Caughfield III. Drawn to Hannah’s gentle beauty and fierce commitment to her work, Win joins her in a fight to save wild mustangs from slaughter. Together they rescue a badly injured horse with a mysterious background. Hannah’s search to discover the animal’s true identity leads them into a web of black marketeering and international intrigue. Action packed with crisp colorful dialogue the story propels the reader to a race against time conclusion. Marilyn Holdsworth delivers a gripping tale of mystery, adventure and romance guaranteed to hold the interest and capture the heart. She brings true-life characters together with real-life issues to create a fast-paced irresistible story.

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Genre – Contemporary fiction

Rating – PG

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 Connect with Marilyn Holdsworth on Facebook & Twitter

Website  http://marilynholdsworth.com/

Blog http://marilynholdsworth.com/blog/

Kate Bracy on Avoiding the Rejection Blues #WomensFic #WriteTip #AmWriting

3 Ways to Avoid the Rejection Blues

I am a major coward when it comes to rejection. I’ve quit my share of [relationships, projects, critique groups, religious organizations] rather than face the possibility of not measuring up. But over time I have discovered that people who stay in the game long enough to get somewhere have one thing in common: Resilience. And I have learned a thing or two about how to develop it.

We usually use “resilience” in the psychological way, meaning emotional resilience or, “an ability to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change.” But, as a writer, I like the image of what engineers mean by resilience, which is “the capacity of a material to absorb energy when it is deformed elastically and then, upon unloading to have this energy recovered.”

Whoa! If you’ve ever had your essay or poem torn apart by a vicious critique group, that pretty much sums it up. You have to absorb the unkind energy of everyone’s criticism while your work is distorted and misunderstood. Then, when the critiquing stops and they’ve unloaded their opinions, you are supposed to snap back and recover. Like Gwyneth Paltrow after a pregnancy. Or Spanx.

And you know what? You can. You can become the resilient writer who weathers the storms of rejection, and finally finds her audience. Here’s how.

One

No “Therefores.” Rejection stings – maybe even paralyses – not because someone didn’t like our work, but because of the meaning we attach to that opinion. If your piece isn’t accepted for that collection, or you don’t win the contest, or the agent says, “no,” do not, repeat, do not add your own “therefores.” Especially the “therefore all my work is crap” variety. Rejection is based on a set of standards, and your interpretation of what it means can torture you. It’s not permanent, and it has no bearing on your worth. Don’t give it any more power than it deserves.

Two

Accept rejection as information. If you can pull your feelings out of the fray, take the “criticism” or rejection as information and learn what you can to improve. Many writers I know are so sensitive to critique that they toss in the towel before they glean the value of the information. I had dynamite beta readers for my novel, and they gave me feedback that seemed hard or heavy at the time. But because I had chosen people who were rooting for me, I set aside my ego and accepted every comment as “information.” It is a great gift to get real and honest response to your work, so don’t squander it.

Believe me, your readers out in the world are going to notice these same things, so if you get constructive feedback, decide which of it you want to learn from, and what you think is off-base. I don’t seem to mind if someone corrects my golf swing or tennis backhand. In fact I’m grateful for it from the right person. Think of your writing as a sport you want to get better and better at, and “rejection” tells you lots that you want to know. Trust your heart and instinct and give your ego the day off.

Three

Try again. If you can accept that your work wasn’t right for that [person, project, contest, website] set it aside and try again. If it’s something you really want to offer to the world, you can find a new venue for it, or make changes and resubmit it. Painters do not get into every juried show; sculptors may never have their own exhibition; actors don’t get a call-back every time. Whatever you do, don’t spend more than an afternoon in wound-licking activities.

Here are some thoughts by people who should know:

“This manuscript of yours that has just come back from another editor is a precious package. Don’t consider it rejected. Consider that you’ve addressed it ‘to the editor who can appreciate my work’ and it has simply come back stamped ‘Not at this address’. Just keep looking for the right address.” Barbara Kingsolver

“Don’t be dismayed by the opinions of editors, or critics. They are only the traffic cops of the arts.” Gene Fowler

So, go for a walk, eat an ice cream sundae, or sob into your pillow. But tomorrow – or the next day – sit down and write.

Winner of four independent publishing awards, including the IndieReader Discovery Award in Women's Fiction, this debut novel hits the mark for smart, discerning readers.

There's nothing about her life that doesn't need a little work, so Melanie Davis thinks of herself as a "fixer-upper." Her history with men leaves her gun shy; her teenaged daughter can't string two civil words together; her best friend Donna just found out she has a life-threatening illness. When Donna also reveals a decades-old secret that still haunts her, Melanie makes it her mission to solve the mystery and reunite Donna with a precious link to her past - before it's too late. 

Along the way Melanie discovers with startling clarity the pricelessness of love and friendship. With a finely-tuned emotional compass, Kate Bracy carries us through a trial-by-illness as funny as it is touching. Her narrator, Melanie, comes to realize the enduring power of love - between men and women, between mothers and daughters, between friends. Through her vivid, endearing characters Bracy creates a small-town world in northern New York where old loves rekindle, friendships prevail, and secret wounds are finally healed. This debut novel will leave you with an awakened heart and a strong urge to send postcards to all the people you love.

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Genre - Women's Fiction

Rating – PG-13

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Connect with Kate Bracy through Facebook

Website http://www.katebracy.com/

Twelve Houses by Olga Soaje #WomensFic #BookClub #ReviewShare

Twelve Houses by Olga Soaje
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Olga Soaje's Twelve Houses examines themes of loss, love, and self discovery as the protagonist Amelia is forcefully steered back into her present and future, after the loss of her husband has her lingering in the past. She is faced with the choice to allow her strength to elevate her work and her relationships, or to fall back, allowing her memories and past to define and defeat her. Newly widowed Amelia struggles to move on, as an undercurrent of hope and the search for meaning carries her forward.

Broken-hearted and left on her own after the death of her husband for 35 years, Amelia loses her way with her craft, unable to function as she once did. The needs of those that love her, as well as the threat of the work she cannot neglect act as a catalyst to her pursuit of something greater; something to satiate the emptiness created by the loss of her soul mate, and the strained relationship with her daughter Chloe.

In this compelling story, Amelia goes on an inspiring and telling journey toward self fulfillment and the difficulty of moving on. She shows that personal growth and development are never-ending and the ability to triumph over tragic circumstances; eventually allowing her creativity to take hold of her, and for love to embolden her once again.

Soaje's writing is gripping and emotional; the feeling of a devastating loss translates perfectly onto the page with such sensitivity and tenderness that many find so difficult to craft. She succeeds in building an incredible story for a woman who has become certain that her purpose in life has all but disappeared.

Disclosure - As a Quality Reads UK Book Club member, I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I received no monetary compensation for my book review. This book review is based on my thoughts, opinion and understanding of the book. This book review does not reflect the opinion of other book club members.

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Olga Soaje on Her Children, Writing & Motivation #Women #Writing #Contemporary

1.- How do you work through self-doubts and fear?

I think we all face this issue from time to time and the answer most of the time will remain the same: Acknowledge those feelings and move past them. The most important thing is to “move” and not allow yourself to get stuck in those negative mind frames.

2.-What make you the happiest?

Seeing my kids smile, having “date” night with my husband, writing, traveling to places I’ve never been.

3.- Why do you write?

Because I found this inexplicable joy when I started writing, I simply knew I had to do it.

4.- Have you always enjoyed writing?

I have always expressed myself better in writing than verbally and when a serious topic was on the table, it was easier for me to do it with pen and paper. I was from an early age an avid reader but somehow I saw writing as something foreign. Little did I know it would be something that would bring me so much joy.

5.- What motivates you to write?

I wish I could explain something that seems so intangible, but the best I can do is describing it as a need to do it. To express myself and get rewarded every time a reader sends me a message of how my book touched their life or inspired them.

6.- What books did you love growing up?

I loved and still do Dr.Seuss books; I also loved “Little Women” and Jane Austen lather on. In high school I started a routine of mix-reading self-help books with novels (a thing I still do).

7.-What book genre of books do you adore?

Women’s Fiction.

Self-Help

Literary Fiction.

8.-What book should everybody read at least once?

I would say there so many great books but one I always come back to for some reason is “Great Expectations” by Charles Dickens.

9.-Is there any books you really don’t enjoy?

I would say I don’t enjoy horror or terror in movies or books.

10.- Where do you get inspiration from?

From seeing life situations and thinking “What if?” there are so many stories to waiting to be told.

Can anything good follow the best thing that ever happened to you?

Amelia Weiss loved her husband of thirty-five years very much, but now he’s left her a widow. Without him, she is unable to work in her sculpture studio without crying. She no longer has a bridge to her estranged daughter. And she can’t seem to keep her mind in the present.

But when her daughter reaches out asking for her help and her agent threatens a lawsuit if Amelia doesn’t deliver for an upcoming exhibit, she’s forced to make a choice. Will she reengage with her life and the people in it—allowing room for things to be different than they were before? Or, will she remain stuck in the past, choosing her memories over real-life relationships?

Thrust fully into the present, Amelia stumbles into a surprising journey of self-discovery.

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Genre – Contemporary Fiction, Literary Fiction, Women's Fiction

Rating – PG-13

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Connect with Olga Soaje on Facebook