First Graphs: Killer Career by Morgan Mandel

Today we welcome romantic suspense author Morgan Mandel. The excerpt is a little longer than usual, but I think you won't be disappointed!

In her latest book, KILLER CAREER (Choice One Publishing), a lawyer’s career change could be a killer when her mentor, a NY Times bestselling author, does more than write about murders.

Julie McGuire wants to leave the law firm she and her partner, Dade Donovan built, so she can follow her dream to be a writer.

She’s flattered when well-known author, Tyler Jensen, shows an interest in her. Is she attracted to him or the world he represents? Dade's not taking her defection lightly, and Julie’s not happy about deserting him. Where will he fit in her life?




Excerpt from KILLER CAREER:

Julie McGuire gazed intently from her table in the filled-to-capacity dining room of the Wyndham Hotel. The Love To Murder Mystery Conference had saved the best for last. New York Times bestselling author, Tyler Jensen, now approached the podium.

His entire bearing commanded attention, from his shoulder length wavy chestnut hair pushed back behind his ears, to his sexy sideburns and piercing hazel eyes. She guessed him to be thirty-five, about five years older than she. Clever, rich, tall, and handsome, Tyler Jensen looked the embodiment of any woman’s fantasy.

“Many of you have killed,” Tyler said, pointing to his audience of two hundred plus.

Julie stared. What did he mean?

“Yes, you’ve slaughtered your creativity. You’ve squashed your dreams in favor of immediate gratification.”

My God, he knew. She ignored the tinkling sound, as a waitress placed a carafe of ice water on the table.

Julie stared, transfixed, at Jensen. His every word spoke to her. She’d taken the easy way out and become a lawyer instead of following her heart’s desire to be an author. The decision ate at her. After six years in the practice, she’d saved enough money to get by. She badly wanted to claim her dream and step forward into the world he described.

All too soon, he’d finished his speech. “Any questions?”

Julie shot up her hand. Jensen’s knowing hazel eyes fastened on her, as if assessing her straight blonde hair and tall, slight frame.

He nodded. “Yes, second table.”

On suddenly stiff legs, she rose. “What makes you write mysteries?”

“I have an urge to voyeuristically experience atrocities. I’ve no idea where the fascination comes from. Perhaps I was a criminal in a former life,” he said with a self-deprecating laugh.

Julie swallowed. His answer filled her with a vague uneasiness, but she didn’t know why.

** More information:

* 5-star review, Midwest Book Review

* Choice One Publishing

* Visit Morgan's blog

** BUY:

2010 Resolutions vs Goals

With 2010 underway, many people have already broken the New Year's resolutions they made. That's why it's better to make goals.

Goals are something to work towards and things you know can be achieved. Resolutions are often vague notions that sound like a good idea but don't usually get followed up on.

Making a list of goals is motivating and helps you to stay focused. Often when there are too many things you need to do, it's easy to get overwhelmed. By working on one goal at a time, you stay focused and once you check off that goal, you can look at your list later in the year and see what you accomplished.

So feel free to make a list here or publish it at your blog so we can all check in later and see what was completed. Here's to a successful 2010!


My Goals for 2010
1. Find an agent for the just-completed mystery set in a diner.
2. Find an agent and/or publisher for a fun kid's picture book with monsters.
3. Finish short stories in the works and find markets for completed stories.
4. Find more paying nonfiction.
5. Usual ongoing diet and exercise stuff.
6. Complete miniatures projects that are half-done.

* Later, I'll be sharing more posts on the writing process and the agent search process.

** What are your goals and projects for 2010?

Happy New Year 2010! The Year 2009 in Review

A look back on some of the year's posts for 2009. I've listed some, but not all, of my favorites, Happy New Year!

WRITING:

* Writing Tip 10: Make a Timeline by LJ Sellers
- Put writing tip in search box to get more great tips from other authors.

* Writing Tip 17: Limit Sentences says Debbie Macomber

* 10 Easy Ways to Improve your Writing
- A few reminders every now and then can't hurt.

* Five Simple Ways to Finish Your Stories - Simple. Really.

* Interview, Barbara Techel, author, Frankie the Walk 'N Roll Dog
- Inspiration from the little dog who can - and does. Fun kid's book.

* First Graphs: Makeovers can be Murder by Kathryn Lilley
- A fun mystery for readers to sample. Put First Graphs in search box to see excerpts of other books.

* Book event in Galena, Ill.
- Had a great time in a great spot with great company. Can't you tell it was great? :>)

* Interview with 'Bollywood' author Shobhan Bantwal, The Sari Shop Widow
- A fun light romance with an Indian background

* Meet author and miniaturist Margaret Grace, Malice in Miniature
- Who can beat that? Miniatures and a mystery! She shares a how-to also on day 2.

* Story in New Timeshares anthology
- My turn: a little about my upcoming story in this time travel anthology from DAW Books. Put new story in search box for information on other stories I've done.

* First Graphs: My Dear Mrs. Jones
- Excerpt of my story in the new anthology, The Bitter End: Tales of Nautical Terror


MINIATURES:

* Kitty's Fashionable Miniatures
- What woman doesn't love shoes? And in miniature they're even cuter! (Put miniature or miniatures in search box to see work from other great miniaturists.)

* Kitty's Chocolate Shoppe
- Kitty does it again! Who can resist chocolate - and it's calorie free! An amazing yummy room!

* Miniature Rooms in Unusual Containers
- Miniaturist Fern Rouleau has a knack for making the most interesting scenes. Chicken, anyone?

* Patty Clark's miniature babies
- Cutest little babies (and toddlers) ever; a Mother's Day interview

* 12 Days of Halloween in Miniature, Day 1
- Check out the great spooky miniatures. Boo!

* 12 Days of Christmas in Miniature: Twas the Night Before Christmas
- Enjoy 12 days of great Christmas miniatures from various miniaturists

* Thanks for visiting and see you in 2010!

Happy New Year 2010!

Happy New Year!

Hard to believe another year is here! Hope yours is great and all your goals come true!

** Come back tomorrow for the Year in Review and check some of the year's best posts on miniatures and writing.

Publishing in a Haunted House: Pill Hill Press follow-up

An interesting follow-up to yesterday's First Graphs featuring an excerpt from my recent story "My Dear Mrs. Jones" published in the new anthology, THE BITTER END: TALES OF NAUTICAL TERROR from Pill Hill Press.

I'd seen a mention on the website about the publisher being located in a haunted house. Definitely makes you wonder...

Well, "ghostwriter" and friend Courtney Mroch got the scoop today about Pill Hill House at her Haunt Jaunts blog.

Check out the flowery 1920s obituary. And no wonder this house is reportedly haunted. What a background!

Congrats, Courtney on an interesting post!

First Graphs: My Dear Mrs. Jones in The Bitter End: Tales of Nautical Terror

For today's First Graphs, I thought I'd highlight one of my latest stories, just released in the new anthology, THE BITTER END: TALES OF NAUTICAL TERROR from Pill Hill Press. (Isn't the cover cool?)

In my story, "My Dear Mrs. Jones," a woman in Victorian times facing financial ruin after her father's death makes an unusual decision, agreeing to marry the mysterious Mr. Jones.






Excerpt from "My Dear Mrs. Jones" by C.A. Verstraete

The ink glistened as it flowed from the fountain pen, the squiggles still wet and gleaming on the page.

Elsbeth Masters fought the urge to smear the vestiges of her signature across the page like blood, but she dared not. It was already too late.

The sailor grabbed the parchment in his dirt-encrusted nails and rolled it into a tight tube. “Aye, he’ll be expectin’ ye in three days time then. At the beach.”

She nodded, still not completely sure of her choice, though she knew it was necessary. A shiver hit her.

The man grunted and walked away, the clump of his boots along the rough plank floors of the trade office sounding to her like the clang of the death bell. She staggered, grasping the edge of the worn wood desk. My God, what had she done?

Buy:

Miniatures Monday: Christmas Gift

Now that it's no longer a secret, I thought I'd share a fun project I made for my friend, Courtney for Christmas.

I used a large size greeting card which I attached to a square wood floor covered with scrapbook paper. The walls are insets made from foam core board, also covered with scrapbook paper. Butt one wall on top the other to glue.

I put wood strips at the top and sides. Acrylic pieces can then be fit. The side pieces are glued to each other and to the top.

Courtney btw, runs the great blog site, Haunt Jaunts. Check it out for some neat info on haunted places!

A Merry and Blessed Christmas to all

A wonderful, happy and blessed Christmas to all. I've enjoyed meeting so many new people online and making new friends. Hope you have a fantastic 2010!

..But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." (Luke 2, KJV)

A Merry Little Christmas

Hope your Christmas is a little calmer than this guy's!

The fun elf and scene are by doll maker Nancy Cronin.

Merry Christmas!

Today: Van Gogh Injures Self

Today marks the day in 1888 when Dutch artist Vincent Van Gogh, suffering from severe depression, cut off part of his left ear while staying in Arles, France. He painted himself later with a bandaged ear in the painting titled, "Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear."

For two months previously, Van Gogh had been working with fellow painter Gauguin, who had came to stay with him in Arles. Tensions developed and Van Gogh threatened his friend with a knife before injuring himself. He was hospitalized in Arles and checked himself into a mental institution in Saint-Remy for a year.

While hospitalized, alternating periods of madness and creativity resulted in some of his best known works including Starry Night and Irises. Van Gogh died in July 1890 at age 37, two days after shooting himself.