The Red Chair

Saturday, January 19, 2008

Sisters in Crime

Writing coach Penny Warner...
Author of over 50 books! Including "The Official Nancy Drew Handbook"...great advice and a fun read!
http://www.pennywarner.com/

Thursday, January 10, 2008

I am so proud of my sister, Kathy, who is not only very talented (she makes the best candles!)... she also has a really big heart. Recently, she was honored for her generousity, by the soldiers in Iraq. Check out her blog...very touching! http://scentsofhumor.blogspot.com/
Sometimes it takes very little to mean a lot... We can all help.

Friday, December 28, 2007

Writing Groups

I belong to some awesome writing groups that I would like to share with you:

El Dorado Writers Guild, located in Placerville, Ca. meets the first and third Monday of the month.
Contact Pat for more info at: patzimm@innercite.com

Sisters in Crime - Sacramento Ca.. (national)
Contact: http://www.sincnorcal.org/meetings/index.html

Romance Writers of America - Sacramento, Ca. (national)
Website: http://sacramentovalleyrose.com/

Woman's National Book Association, Bay area, Ca. (national)
Website: http://www.wnba-sfchapter.org/

Writing coaches:
Penny Warner
http://www.pennywarner.com/
Teresa LeYung Ryan
http://www.lovemadeofheart.com/Manuscript-Consultant-and-Career-Coach.html
Martha Alderson
http://www.blockbusterplots.com//

Friday, December 21, 2007

Reading from THE RED CHAIR at BookShop West Portal in the Bay Area, 2007

Monday, December 10, 2007

Writing Contest - Christmas 2007

Here's the update on the LDS Publisher: Christmas writing contest. Thanks to everyone who voted... however, I didn't win. I learned from the experience and for that, I am truly grateful. Thanks to everyone who supported my efforts.
As Michael Larson would say: "Onward!"

Trilogy

A peek at second book in "Red Chair" series... THE GREY DOOR - Bloodspray. When Grace Simms is rendered helpless by a lunatic, Sergeant Garret Weston intervines and Grace begins to love. But one cruel twist of fate takes her down, and destiny prevails...

THE BLACK DRESS - A sudden rash of murdered women in Brazil reveal photos of victims that resemble Grace Simms. And where is Jess Bartell? Ex-Special Forces Agent, Paul Fortier vows to protect Grace from Jess, but what he doesn't share with the young psychotherapist, is that he has a vendetta of his own.

* * * THE RED CHAIR* * *

Secretly, Grace Simms fears loving a man she can’t have and worse– ending up alone. Passionate about her profession, the young psychotherapist prides herself on being a pro. From the comfort of her red chair, she governs fear. Fear has a solution. But when she suspects someone is stalking her and finds a note threatening her life, she realizes– fear is harder to tether when it’s your own.

Someone is skulking in the dark. Someone keeps calling in the middle of the night! Grace fears the police aren’t taking the matter seriously– until the stalker takes down one of their own. Will she be next?

When police start investigating her clients; Grace struggles to relinquish control to the one man who can help her. Torn between protecting the confidentiality of her clients and catching a killer, Grace must choose between her code of ethics–and her life.

JUST A SAMPLE...

CHARACTERS:

CLIENT- BECKY JENSON:

Becky fantasizes about a mystery man who holds the key to her tortured past. Grace can relate. She fantasizes about her college crush. Together, they explore feelings of love, rejection and betrayal.

CLIENT-MARILYN BEAUCHAMP: For some women, nothing is worse for their self esteem than an empty household and a sexy model prancing across the TV screen, reminding them of their imperfections and changing shapes. Add to that, an ignorant husband who thinks being a "man" entitles him to every “Barbie” half his age. Marilyn began to pout at Grace's suggestion to focus on her own needs. “I’m sure getting a guy wouldn’t be a problem for you. Me? I’m too old for that,” she says, her eyes raking over Grace's body like sharp claws...

CLIENT - TIM ASHTON: Extending her hand in propriety, Grace went slack jawed as the man lowered the magazine and rose to the sound of her greeting. Spying each other with instant recognition, Grace had no chance to rescind her hand before Mr. Ashton took hold of it and squeezed.

“You are a vision, he said. “I must be in heaven instead of the shrink’s office.” A satisfied grin spread across his handsome face.

"Mr. Ashton, I-"

"If you would have told me your name back at the restaurant," he said, "I would have canceled my appointment."

"You still have that option, Mr. -"

"I was flirting with you-" he challenged. His blue eyes sparkled with glee.

"Yes, I realize, Mr. Ashton," she replied. Her heart sank. Of all the rotten luck. "But if we are to work together, flirting will not be allowed."