And the Pastor Wins!! by J.Q. Rose #MFRWHooks

 

Book Hooks--excerpts from novels

   Book Hooks Blog Hop #MFRWHooks

Hello and welcome to the Focused on Story Blog. 

Today we're joining the Book Hooks Blog Hop sponsored by 

the Marketing For Romance Writers Group. 

Each participating blogger shares an excerpt from their book. Today I am featuring one of my favorite romantic mysteries, Dangerous Sanctuary.

Dangerous Sanctuary by J. Q. Rose
Romantic Suspense

Back of the Book: 

Pastor Christine Hobbs has been in the pulpit business for over five years. She never imagined herself caring for a flock that includes a pig, a kangaroo, and a murderer. 

 Detective Cole Stephens doesn't want the pretty pastor to get away with murdering the church music director. His investigative methods infuriate Christine as much as his deep brown eyes attract her.

 Can they find the real killer and build a loving relationship based on trust?

Excerpt: Dangerous Sanctuary

Previously, Detective Stephens picked up Christine Hobbs to help the police calm down a young man who was holding his grandfather hostage. Christine knew Grandfather Jenkins and his grandson because Mr. Jenkins was a member of the church. Instead of staying behind the safety of the car cruiser to try and calm the young man, Christine walked up the sidewalk toward the grandfather's house, putting her life in jeopardy.

****

Detective Stephens and Christine watched as the policeman shoved the young man into the back seat of the police car. 

“May I talk to Jason?” 

“Maybe later, Hobbs. We have to book him. I’ll call you if he wants to see you,” Stephens said. 

“I’ll go to the hospital. You’ll call Mr. Jenkins’ daughter, right? Tell her I’ll meet her there?” 

Stephens nodded. “Yeah, we’ll send a policeman over there to escort her to the hospital if she wants to check on her father or go to the jail to visit her son.” 

In a gruff voice, he said, “I’ll take you back to the church. Get in the car.” 

“Thank you.” She made her way to the black Ford, distinctly aware Detective Stephens was upset.

 In the car, he started up the engine, then turned to Christine. His face was as red as a Michigan apple. “Well, that was some dumb thing you did today. Do you realize you jeopardized the old man’s life? That kid was so hopped up on drugs we didn’t know what he’d do. The boy could’ve come at you with his knife or even a concealed gun. You don’t get what a dangerous position you were in. If you’d gotten hurt or killed, I could’ve been booted out of the department.” 

“Oh, so you’re upset because I could have lost your job for you? Is that it?” Christine turned away from him and faced forward, glaring through the windshield. She’d used her instincts to try and save the boy and his grandfather and approaching the house had worked to get him to the door. Of course, she hadn’t thought too far ahead about the consequences if it hadn’t worked. 

Cole jammed the car into gear and streaked onto the roadway. She refused to look at the detective. “Then why did you even bother to come after me? I thought you wanted me to help calm the boy down and get him away from his grandfather.” 

Stephens ignored her. Deep silence filled the car, and only the songs of the birds on this sunny morning broke it during the drive back to the church. Stephens stopped the vehicle at the side doors of the church. He placed his hand on the door handle and turned to face her. 

In a controlled and deliberate tone, he said, “Thank you. I put you in danger, and it won’t happen again. It was poor judgment on my part.” 

“Actually, Detective, I’m glad you did come to get me. I acted on an impulse because I didn’t want Roger or Jason hurt. I understand and appreciate your concern.” 

Cole looked away and fidgeted with the steering wheel. “Well, don’t ever try anything like that again. Next time no one may be backing you up. Okay?” His voice softened and his brown eyes penetrated her heart. 

“Oh, Detective, God willing I won’t be in such a situation ever again.” 

She smiled, opened the car door, and swung her lean legs out to stand on the asphalt parking lot pavement. “Thanks for the ride.” She slammed the door shut and took the church steps two at a time.

****

Click here to download the book from your favorite online bookseller.

Paperback and hardcover available at amazon

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George McDonnell is Dead! by J. Q. Rose #MFRWHooks #bloghop

Book Hooks--excerpts from novels

   Book Hooks Blog Hop #MFRWHooks

Hello and welcome to the Focused on Story Blog. 

Today we're joining the Book Hooks Blog Hop sponsored by 

the Marketing For Romance Writers Group. 

Each participating blogger shares an excerpt from their book. 

This is the time of year when the snowbirds fly south looking for warm sunshine and gentle breezes. So I am sharing an excerpt from Terror on Sunshine Boulevard, a story located in Florida in a community of snowbirds. Watch out!. It is a bit frightening, filled with mystery and the paranormal, as well as some quirky characters.

From an Amazon Reviewer-"Just read the whole book last night. Loved it! Lot's of twists and turns. Kept wondering what was going to happen next. Great book. Great story. Beautiful cover. Thank you! Keep em' coming." 

Terror on Sunshine Boulevard by J.Q. Rose
Frightening, Mystery, Paranormal

BACK OF THE BOOK:  Rescuing a naked woman lying in a geranium bed? Investigating mysterious murders Not the usual calls for first responder Jim Hart. He expects slip and fall accidents or low blood pressure emergencies in his retirement community of Citrus Ridge Senior Community and Golf Resort. The ghastly crime scenes turn the wintertime fun into a terrifying season of death and mystery when the authorities cannot track down the predator responsible.

 Jim and his wife Gloria could escape the horror and grief by returning to their northern home, but concern for their friends and residents keep them in Florida. With the entire community in a dither over the deaths, the Harts participate in the normal winter activities of golfing, dancing, and pool parties with their friends to distract them from the sadness and loss.

 Can Jim and Gloria work with the authorities to discover who or what is killing the seniors on Sunshine Boulevard and stop the increasing body count?

EXCERPT: Chapter One

Gloria Hart burst through the double glass doors of the large multi-purpose room of their park’s community center. She was delighted to see all of the ladies still standing in groups around the large room instead of poised to begin the exercise class. She was running late. Although a resident of Citrus Ridge Senior Community for more than three years, she’d driven along Sunshine Boulevard, the main artery around the park, and missed the turn-off to the community center.

Gloria re-shouldered her heavy bag holding her water bottle and barbells, and moved her rolled exercise mat under her arm to keep it from crushing against her chest. She dropped her bag on the floor and unrolled the mat in the spot she always claimed at every class meeting. Like pew seats in a Sunday morning church service, each person staked out her favorite “place” to exercise and kept it.

She hustled over to join the big circle of friends in their usual space in the room. The ladies shifted a bit to make space for Gloria in the circle. She breathed a sigh of relief knowing she wasn’t late again. Being late was a sign of disrespect, but Gloria respected every gal in this room for exercising their bodies and joining in the group. Perhaps they didn’t all do the moves like their limber instructor, Bridgett, but at least they tried.

Gloria noted several circles of women around the room. A flashback to eighth grade when her clique of classmates stood in the hall before class. Memories danced through her mind of best friends, gossip, and popularity contests. Odd how things were still the same nearly fifty years later.

 “Good morning, everyone.” She smiled widely as she greeted her friends. But instead of the usual happy chorus of “Good morning Gloria,” her friends in the circle weakly smiled with the acknowledgment of her presence. Silence fell over the group. Everyone’s eyes lasered in on her. Gloria felt uncomfortable. What were they waiting for?

Finally, her friend Pamela asked, “Well, are you going to tell us about George McDonnell?” Her voice a higher pitch. “Did Jim hear anything yet?” Pamela’s voice ratcheted even higher.

Gloria turned to face Pamela. “No, I haven’t heard anything. Why? Is he sick?”

“No, he’s dead.” Rosemary, Pamela’s best friend, waited a beat for Gloria to absorb the news. “Jim’s one of the first responders for the park. Wasn’t he called to the scene yesterday?”

“Uh, no. We were gone all day.” The unexpected news slammed her like a wild pickleball, nearly knocking her off her feet and stinging her heart. George was younger than she was for Pete’s sake. He couldn’t be dead. That was incomprehensible to her. She and her husband had just visited him last week. He was a healthy man for his age. Tears stung her eyes when she remembered how excited he was about a fishing trip he’d planned.

Pamela gave her an understanding smile, flashing her perfect teeth—all her own—and touched Gloria’s back.

Gloria studied each woman’s face, hoping one of them would explain further while her mind tried to process the news. Many of the residents in the senior community mistakenly assumed Jim attended every call because he was the volunteer co-captain of the First Responders Unit, but Jim wasn’t on-call yesterday. She hadn’t heard the latest happenings in the park because they’d shopped most of the day at the flea market and relished a delicious fish dinner at their favorite restaurant, Magoo’s, arriving there just in time to get in on the early bird specials.

A flash of guilt surged through her mind. Should she and Jim have checked on George? Maybe they could have saved him if they had stopped by his house before they’d left for the day.

“I can hardly believe George is dead. I had no idea he had heart problems. He seemed to be the picture of health,” Gloria said.

“Oh, no. Nobody knows yet if it was his heart or what killed him,” Bonnie, another woman in the group, announced.

Gloria was puzzled as she saw the looks of horror exchanged by her friends.

“What happened?” Her eyes widened with concern, and then realized she had been drawn into the gossip like everyone else.

Bonnie puffed up her chest and pulled her elbows back as she leaned forward to deliver the big news. “His neighbor, Lottie Carpenter found him. She smelled him rotting in his house.” She wrinkled her nose in disgust.

####

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Do you enjoy stories with quirky characters and humor? 

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD Terror on Sunshine Boulevard now for $1.50 during the Half-Off Holiday Sale at Smashwords. 

↪Click here to visit bloggers participating in the #MFRWhooks  Blog Hop!

 

Accused of Murder by J.Q.Rose #MFRWHooks

Book Hooks Blog Hop #MFRWHooks

 Hello and welcome to the Focused on Story Blog. Today we're joining the Book Hooks Blog Hop sponsored by the Marketing For Romance Writers Group. Each participating blogger shares an excerpt from their book. I'm sharing an excerpt from Dangerous Sanctuary, a romantic suspense novel.

Dangerous Sanctuary by J.Q. Rose
Romantic Suspense

💕💕💕💕💕

REVIEW: 

"Another great mystery from J.Q Rose. I enjoyed this Inspirational mystery about Pastor Christine Hobbs. Who would have thought a Pastor would be a suspect in a murder. Add a pot-belly pig and a kangaroo into the mix and... well let's just say strange things happen." Roseanne D.

Abraham the Pig, a star in Dangerous Sanctuary

BACK OF THE BOOK: 

Pastor Christine Hobbs has been in the pulpit business for over five years. She never imagined herself caring for a flock that includes a pig, a kangaroo, and a murderer. 

 Detective Cole Stephens doesn't want the pretty pastor to get away with murdering the church music director. His investigative methods infuriate Christine as much as his deep brown eyes attract her.

 Can they find the real killer and build a loving relationship based on trust?

💕💕💕💕💕

EXCERPT FROM DANGEROUS SANCTUARY

Chapter Ten

Pastor Christine and her friend, Lacey, are sitting on the back screened-in porch of the parsonage eating pizza. Cole Stephens, the handsome detective, is investigating the murder of the church's choir director, William.

“The detective practically accused me of killing William, right there, right in the park.” Sitting on the screened-in porch at the rear of the parsonage, Christine expected Lacey to be as angry as she was at such a ridiculous idea.

Instead, her friend held her slice of pizza midway from the greasy box to her mouth long enough to ask, “Hey, you didn’t tell me you were at the park with Stephens this afternoon. How’d that happen?”

“What? You’re more interested in why I was at the park instead of being accused of murdering William? Come on, Lacey.” Planting her feet firmly on the cement floor, she stopped the gentle rocking of the glider. “Don’t you get it? I could be tossed in jail for something I didn’t do.”

“Don’t be silly. You’re innocent. You know it, and so does everyone else.” Lacey popped the last morsel of pepperoni in her mouth. “Anyway, tell me how you met Cole Stephens at the park. He is super cute.” Her friend licked the pizza grease from her fingers and then grabbed the thin paper napkin to complete the grease removal from her lips.

“Excuse me, Lacey. Some people in this town are spreading rumors that I killed William. I wouldn’t be surprised if it weren’t some of my own parishioners involved in spreading them. There were several folks who weren’t too happy to have a young woman for their pastor.”

“You don’t think they’d spread malicious lies to get you out of here, do you?”

“I hope not.” Christine sat back on the glider and sipped her light beer. She was too upset to eat the pizza Lacey had brought over.

“I guess we could always do our own investigation, eh?” She threw it out there to get a reaction from her friend.

“Sure, Sherlock.” Lacey laughed. “We could go to William’s house to see if someone left a note telling us who killed him.”

Christine sat bolt upright. “You’re right! We could run out there and investigate.”

“I’m sure the police have already done that. There’s nothing left to check out.” Lacey piled the paper napkins next to the half-empty pizza box on the patio table.

They sat in silence for a few minutes allowing the peaceful twilight to restore tranquility. Christine couldn’t let go of the idea of checking out William’s home. After all, William had shown her where the key was if she needed to get into his house in case of an emergency. I think trying to find William’s killer could qualify as an emergency.

Christine moved to the patio table. “We’ve got to go to William’s house and look for clues to his killer.”

“We can’t even get into his house.”

“Oh yes, we can. I know where he hides his house key. Come on, let’s go.”

“Hey, what about the pizza?” Lacey asked as Christine swooped up the pizza box and bottles.

“I’ll store it in my refrigerator for a midnight snack. Let’s go now.” Christine was fired up to prove her innocence. Sitting back and waiting to find out who murdered William was no longer an option. She needed to take action toward solving this mystery, so she and her congregation could deal with it and move forward.

💕💕💕💕💕

Available at amazon

2^nd edition Kindle http://amazon.com/dp/B07SVPS8N1

2^nd edition Paperback  http://amazon.com/dp/0228609291

↪Click here to visit bloggers participating in the #MFRWhooks  Blog Hop!

The Rose Courier

Click Here to receive updates from J.Q. Rose, articles, newsworthy events, giveaways in the Rose Courier. 

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That Pesky Shadow Man! #MFRWHooks Blog Hop

 

Book Hooks--excerpts from novels

   Book Hooks Blog Hop #MFRWHooks

Hello and welcome to the Focused on Story Blog. Today we're joining the Book Hooks Blog Hop sponsored by the Marketing For Romance Writers Group. Each participating blogger shares an excerpt from their book. Today, I share an excerpt from Deadly Undertaking, romance, mystery and the paranormal.

Deadly Undertaking by J.Q. Rose
Romantic suspense

BACK OF THE BOOK: 

Lauren Staab knew there would be dead bodies around when she returned home. After all, her family is in the funeral business, Staab and Blood Funeral Home. Still, finding an extra body on the floor of the garage between the hearse and the flower car shocked her. Lauren’s plan to return to her hometown to help care for her mother and keep the books for the funeral home suddenly turns upside down in a struggle to prove she and her family are not guilty of murdering the man. But will the real killer return for her, her dad, her brother? Her mother’s secrets, a killer, a handsome policeman and a shadow man muddle up her intention to have a simple life. Welcome home, Lauren!

EXCERPT: 

What you need to know--The excerpt begins after Lauren ushered the "loved one's" family out the door after the visitation that evening. After they left, Gary, the police officer who was her childhood friend, shows up to check the house to be sure no bad guy sneaked in during the visitation for the public. Henry is the shadow man who seems to show up at the wrong times. Lauren's mother is in the memory care unit in the nursing home.

"You don’t need to prove how brave you are or offer any opportunity for someone to take advantage of a situation. You could be in extreme danger.” 

“That’s what I thought we had you guys for, to protect us.” She folded her arms across her chest. 

Locking his gaze on her, he said, “We can’t always be in the right place at the right time. So don’t give the bad guys any openings, okay?” 

“Duly noted, Officer.” She could hear the concern in his voice, and she liked it. “Got time for a cup of coffee? I’ll make some fresh while you check out the house.”

“That sounds good. Let me take a look around.” 

“Great. I’ll meet you in the family room. That’s where the coffee pot is.” He walked through the living room, checking for some creepy guy hiding behind the curtains she supposed. 

Lauren hummed as she made yet another pot of coffee, but this time it was for her and Gary. She was looking forward to chatting with him and catching up. As she measured the water into the carafe, the temperature in the room dropped, and she sneezed three times, a sure sign Henry was lurking nearby. 

“Hi Henry.” She never turned away from the counter. “Nice of you to wait till the family left for the evening. But Gary’s here now. No need for you to stay around, right?” Lauren caught his shadow out of the corner of her eye. 

“I guess you’re right. Bad timing on my part. I don’t want to interrupt your rendezvous with your old sweetheart.” Henry bowed low, then stood and leaned on his umbrella. Lauren chuckled as she faced Henry straight on. 

“Gary’s not an old sweetheart. He was a good friend in high school though. We were very close especially since he could work out those trig problems for me.”

 “Oh, I guess I was mistaken. I thought you two were a couple.” 

“Say what?” She wrinkled her nose at the thought. She and Gary, a couple? She put her finger to her chin to think about that. Well, he does look pretty sharp in his uniform, broad shoulders, and those eyes. Somehow the nerdy boy with the big glasses and zitty face had evolved into a muscular cop. 

Henry interrupted her thoughts. “How was your mother today?” 

“About the same. Still confused. But she remembers me, Henry. I’m hanging on to that. She still remembers me, but she doesn’t remember that Dad goes every day to visit her. I wonder if she doesn’t know him.” 

“Oh, sorry, Lauren.” Was that Gary’s voice? Lauren spun around to see him standing in the doorway. As he walked into the room, he said, “I heard you talking to someone, so I thought I’d better check in.” 

He looked around and returned her gaze with questions in his eyes. Her face flushed with embarrassment. 

“Oh, uh, no. Nobody’s here. Just me talking to myself, I guess.” She searched Gary’s face to see if he bought it. Definitely a better explanation than telling him she was talking to a shadow. 

“Come on in. The coffee should be ready in a minute.” Lauren motioned Gary to have a seat on the couch in the family room. 

“I’ll be back after I check out the garage.” Gary smiled. “I take it black.” 

“Oh, yeah, ok, the coffee.” 

Her palm smacked her forehead with the knowledge Gary must have heard her talking to Henry. She glanced at the shadow and smiled back at him through clenched teeth. 

Gary turned his back and headed down the hallway to the garage. 

She felt as if Henry could see the steam escaping from her ears. She was so angry at that cocky shadow for staying to watch and see how she was going to explain her talking to him. 

“Talking to yourself. That was good.” Henry stood up straight. “You’re pretty quick on your feet.” 

“Henry,” she hissed in a whisper. “Go away. I don’t need you around here tonight. I have company,” 

“I guess it’s a bad time for us to have a talk now that Lover Boy is here.” 

Lauren bit her lip so she couldn’t yell at the annoying Henry. She certainly didn’t want Gary to hear her give that shadow a piece of her mind or he’d be back in a second with more questions. 

Squeezing her eyes tightly closed, she said, “You’d better be gone when I open my eyes.” Not that she could do anything if he didn’t leave. Lauren squinted through her right eye. Not seeing the shadow, she opened both eyes wide and swept the room, sighing with relief. At that moment the basket full of sugar packets flew off the table onto the floor. 

“Henry!” She couldn’t stop herself from yelling his name out loud. He didn’t respond. He had slipped through the slice of time into another dimension.

####

Click the link below to download your copy of Deadly Undertaking from your favorite online bookseller. 

 AmazonUS  

Kobo 

 

Barnes & Noble 

 

Smashwords 

 

Books We Love 

Dear Friends, I am taking a break this week, but I will catch up with you this weekend! Have a great blog hop!! J

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The Rose Courier 

Click Here to receive updates from J.Q. Rose, articles, 

newsworthy events, giveaways in the Rose Courier. 

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Thank you!!

Update on the Spring Vegetable Garden, New Beginnings on the Focused on Story Blog

JQ's Books

Hello and Welcome 

to the Focused on Story Blog!

Spring has arrived!
Photo of Arboretum Park

What a wonderful feeling to have spring arrive. My son-in-law tilled up the garden last night. So GT has been out there most of the day. He's happy the soil turned up beautifully this year. According to our local weatherman, our county is in drought mode at this time, so the soil is pretty dry.

Garden in spring 2018

So far, GT has planted cabbage, broccoli and lettuce plants he started in Florida, the beet and radish seeds pasted on toilet paper, yes toilet paper, onions and peas. The new plants in the strawberry bed he planted last year are looking good.

I love gardeners. No matter how good or bad the previous garden was, they are always optimists, believing this year will be the best garden ever. Believe it!

"The garden is growth and change and that means loss as well as constant new treasures to make up for a few disasters."  May Sarton

Our sure sign spring is on the way--the blooming forsythia!

⁕⁕⁕⁕⁕

With spring comes new beginnings, so I feel like freshening up my blog and adding a schedule of blog postings. Below is the plan for the next few months.

The IWSG Blog Hop is always the first Wednesday of the month. #IWSG Blog Hop

At one time, I participated in the Author Toolbox blog hop, but the hop has ended. So I added the topic, Tools for Writers, to my schedule for the second Wednesday of the month. I hope it will be helpful to authors to keep up on finding new tools for writing and using the evolving technology.

Third Wednesday will include a post from one of these topics--Marketing for Romance Writers Book Hooks, #MFRWhooks, Guest Authors/ Bloggers/Influencers

 

Fourth Wednesday will cover memoirs/life stories with guests who have a published memoir to share with you, tips on writing memoirs and reviews of memoirs I have read and enjoyed.

Fifth Wednesday, if the month has one, will be my writing updates or a topic I share about writing, publishing or marketing, travel and fun. I titled it Serendipity. According to the dictionary, Serendipity happens "when someone accidentally finds something good." I hope you will find something good on this blog!!

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PLEASE NOTE: In July, Blogger will no longer be sending emails from bloggers to their subscribers to notify them when a new blog article has been posted. I post every Wednesday on this blog, so if you don't get a notification from me, it's not because I have not posted. Please check-in on Wednesdays. I will also use Instagram and Facebook to announce new posts. (If I can figure out IG soon!!!) 

You may receive an email from me if you are a subscriber asking you to subscribe to the once-a-month edition of the Rose Courier.

You can keep up to date with me when you subscribe. It will arrive in your inbox automatically if you sign-up below. Thank you for your continuing support.

⁕⁕⁕⁕⁕

Girls Succeed!
Empowering girls to dream big!

GOOD NEWS--The re-release of Girls Succeed! was April 15. The e-Book launched with a big bang, even making it into amazon's top 100 bestseller list in its category! I am driven to get this book into the hands of young readers. The fifteen amazing women who tell their stories of how they achieved their childhood dreams can inspire girls to work to make their dreams come true.

Click here to download your copy of Girls Succeed! Stories Behind the Careers of Successful Women.

Click here to sign up to receive the updates, articles, freebies, photos and fun in the Rose Courier. 

Thank you.

A Bittersweet Moment by J.Q. Rose #MFRWHooks

 

   

Book Hooks Blog Hop #MFRWHooks

Hello and welcome to the Focused on Story Blog. Today we're joining the Book Hooks Blog Hop sponsored by the Marketing For Romance Writers Group. Each participating blogger shares an excerpt from their book. Today, I share an excerpt from my memoir, Arranging a Dream: A Memoir, released on January 1, 2021.

Arranging a Dream: A Memoir
by J.Q. Rose

BACK OF THE BOOK: Arranging a Dream: A Memoir

In 1975, budding entrepreneurs Ted and Janet purchase a floral shop and greenhouses where they plan to grow their dream. Leaving friends and family behind in Illinois and losing the security of two paychecks, they transplant themselves, their one-year-old daughter, and all their belongings to Fremont, Michigan, where they know no one. 

 Will the retiring business owners nurture Ted and Janet as they struggle to develop a blooming business, or will they desert the young couple to wither and die in their new environment?

 Most of all, can Ted and Janet grow together as they cultivate a loving marriage, juggle parenting with work, and root a thriving business?

 Follow this couple’s inspiring story, filled with the joy and triumphs and the obstacles and failures experienced as they travel along the turbulent path of turning dreams into reality.

☘☘☘☘☘

Arranging a Dream: A Memoir

EXCERPT: Chapter 13, The Funeral Business Keeps Us Alive

    A few months into the winter season, I had the sad task of creating a small casket spray of white roses for a baby. This order was the first one I would design on my own since the baby’s visitation and funeral were scheduled on a Sunday. I waited until Sunday morning to go downstairs to the silent shop to design the miniature casket spray. 

    Switching on the lights didn’t chase away the gloom that winter morning in the design room. I noticed the chill and dampness in the air as I gathered everything I would need to create the piece. 

    I soaked the foam used as the base to hold the flowers. It had to be a small piece to fit the small baby casket. I went to the cooler and took out the white sweetheart roses, greens and baby's breath and set them on the design table. I wrapped the block of foam in green foil and taped it onto a papier-mache tray. A casket saddle used as the base for an adult-sized casket spray that fits on the foot of a casket would have been too large. 

    I set the prepared foam block next to the bucket of flowers and greens. I could not stop thinking of the heartbroken mother and father of this baby. My eyes brimmed with tears when I thought of losing Sara. How does one get through the crushing grief? The loss?  

    I prayed, “Please, Lord, be with this grieving family. Give them strength to endure the loss of their beloved baby. Give them comfort and peace. Be with their friends to help them through this unimaginable grief and loss. Be with me as I design this loving tribute to their baby. Bless my hands and sharpen my skills to help bring peace to their grieving hearts. Amen.” 

    I stepped back from the design table, closed my eyes, and pictured the small casket spray. This floral spray was the most important piece I had ever made. I took my time to place the dainty flowers and ribbons into a design to convey how special their baby was. 

    Working on this spray brought home the bond that I had with the families, my customers. My work was woven into families’ celebrations through weddings, graduation parties, and through their trials of sickness and death. I would be a part of the highs and the lows in people’s lives. I felt the weight of this huge responsibility and was humbled by the honor of being trusted to be a part of their life-changing moments.

Arranging a Dream: A Memoir is available at major online booksellers. Click the Universal Link to find your favorite retailer.

UNIVERSAL LINK  eBooks from your favorite digital bookseller.

 Paperback from amazon

Thank you for stopping in!

↪Click here to visit bloggers participating in the #MFRWhooks  Blog Hop!

☘☘☘☘☘

About JQ   

Author JQ Rose

Whether the story is fiction or non-fiction, J.Q. Rose is “focused on story.”  She offers readers chills, giggles and quirky characters woven within the pages of her romantic suspense novels. Her published mysteries are Deadly Undertaking, Terror on Sunshine Boulevard and Dangerous Sanctuary released by Books We Love Publishing. Using her storytelling skills, she provides entertainment and information with articles featured in books, magazines, newspapers, and online magazines. 

 Blogging, photography, Pegs and Jokers board games and travel are the things that keep JQ out of trouble. She and her husband spend winters in Florida and summers up north with their two daughters, two sons-in-law,  four grandsons, one granddaughter, two grand dogs, four grand cats, and one great-grand bearded dragon.

☘☘☘☘☘

Click Here to receive updates from J.Q. Rose, articles, newsworthy events, giveaways in the Rose Courier. 

Delivered to your inbox once a month.   

Thank you!!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

A Pig, a Kangaroo and a Handsome Detective--Oh My! by JQ Rose #MFRWHooks

 

Read on to see if this Book Hook grabs you!

Book Hooks Blog Hop #MFRWHooks

Hello and welcome to the Focused on Story Blog. Today we're joining the Book Hooks Blog Hop sponsored by the Marketing For Romance Writers Group. Each participating blogger shares an excerpt from their book. Because Valentine's Day is almost here and February is the month of love, I'm sharing an excerpt from Dangerous Sanctuary, a romantic suspense novel.

Dangerous Sanctuary by J.Q. Rose
Romantic Suspense

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REVIEW: 

"I generally read edgier thrillers but a friend recommended this book, so I gave it a try. It turned out to be a witty, pleasant, and cozy little romantic thriller." Kia Heavey

Abraham the Pig, a star in Dangerous Sanctuary

BACK OF THE BOOK:

Pastor Christine Hobbs has been in the pulpit business for over five years. She never imagined herself caring for a flock that includes a pig, a kangaroo, and a murderer. 

 Detective Cole Stephens doesn't want the pretty pastor to get away with murdering the church music director. His investigative methods infuriate Christine as much as his deep brown eyes attract her.

 Can they find the real killer and build a loving relationship based on trust?

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EXCERPT FROM DANGEROUS SANCTUARY

Christine stood in the parking lot hanging onto the leash of the agitated pig in one hand and the docile kangaroo in the other. Taking her eyes from the ambulance careening out of the parking lot, she turned her attention to the animals and wondered what just happened here.  Her heart caught in her throat when she spotted Cole Stephens speed into the parking lot, barely missing the departing ambulance. What was he doing here?  He pulled up near her and jumped from the car. “I heard the call come through. I was afraid of what I’d discover at this church.” 

His serious expression broke out into a huge smile. “You never know what situation a 9-1-1 call will lead to. This… this is a first for me.” His hearty laughter echoed off the brick walls of the building. He wiped tears of laughter from his eyes with the back of his hand.

Cole’s appearance seemed to shake up the animals. Christine struggled to hang on to them, so the detective grabbed the kangaroo’s harness and tried to calm the frightened animal.  “What are you doing with the Noah’s ark critters?”

 She saw the twinkle in his eyes. Her face cracked into a smile. She had to admit it was an odd situation. She must look like an idiot standing out in the lot hanging onto these two adorable creatures. “Well, in a nutshell. A woman had a cardiac arrest here in the parking lot. As you saw, she’s on her way to the hospital, and well, these are her pets.”

Christine swept her free hand toward the animals.

“Yes, her pets.” Ella nodded and pointed to Katy and Abraham.

“Um, I guess I’m keeping them till, well, until… Let’s just say we didn’t really have time to discuss it. I’m sure you probably have a place to put them, don’t you?”

“Huh-uh, lady. I’m not taking in any animals.” He backed away as if they were wild animals ready to attack. “Anyway, my retriever would probably eat them.” His wink was disarming.

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Available at amazon

2^nd edition Kindle http://amazon.com/dp/B07SVPS8N1

2^nd edition Paperback  http://amazon.com/dp/0228609291

Happy Valentine's Day from JQ Rose

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