Spring Fever Has Hit Me #springfever

 

Spring has Sprung. Forsythia and flowering trees are gorgeous!

Hello from Michigan! Hope you had a great US Mother's Day. 

Spring has sprung here. So I have spring fever this week and am taking blog time to work on other projects, not necessarily writerly projects.

You may know BWL Publishing released my memoir, Arranging a Dream: A Memoir in January 2021. Next week, I will reveal the rest of the story. Please stop in to discover what has happened to the flower shop. Truly crushing news.

Tulip Time

Love the flowering trees in Michigan landscapes

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IWSG Blog Hop: What Do You Read? 99 Cents eBook Sale #IWSGbloghop

 

Hello and Welcome to the Focused on Story Blog 
AND the Insecure Writers Support Group Blog Hop

Always on the first Wednesday of the month.

#IWSGbloghop

Happy IWSG Blog Hop Day!!

and an early Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

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What is the Insecure Writer's Support Group?

Founded by author Alex J. Cavanaugh, the Insecure Writer’s Support Group offers support for writers and authors alike. It provides an online database, articles and tips, a monthly blog posting, a Facebook and Instagram group, Twitter, and a monthly newsletter. To find out more, click this link:  Insecure Writer’s Support Group

The purpose of the group is 

* to share and encourage. 

* Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. 

* Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. 

*It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds! 

You're invited to become a member of this supportive group. Click here to sign-up to join.

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Aye, 'tis a lucky day for me indeed because it's my turn to be a cohost, sharing duties with a bunch of lively leprechauns.--- Sarah - The Faux Fountain Pen, Jacqui Murray, Chemist Ken, Victoria Marie Lees, Natalie Aguirre.

You may not find a pot of gold at the end of your blog hop stops, but I bet you'll find some golden nuggets of information, inspiration and encouragement that are more valuable than gold.

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Question of the Month

March 3 question - Everyone has a favorite genre or genres to write.

 But what about your reading preferences? 

Do you read widely or only within the genre(s) you create stories for?

What motivates your reading choice?

As I romped through the wide-open cyberspace filled with books, I discovered I have my go-to genres- romantic suspense, cozy mystery, YA, time travel, historic fiction, and Westerns (written by Sandra Cox). My non-fiction choices are mainly books dealing with the craft of writing, marketing, publishing and memoir. ( I like memoirs written like fiction.) I have tried many other genres to support fellow authors in the BWL Publishing Stable and here at IWSG.I found delightful reads that widened my reading horizons. Frankly, there were some genres I sampled, but could not finish. I'm sure you have the same experience when it comes to trying something new. 

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WRITING UPDATES

1. You may remember last fall, I was revising and adding new material to my Girls Succeed: Stories Behind the Careers of Successful Women interactive eBook. I had to put that plan on hold when my publisher decided to put my memoir, Arranging a Dream on pre-order in November. 

I picked up where I left off. I contacted the 15 role models to let me know what they were up to nowadays. Afterall, it had been 10 years since their interviews. What fun to reconnect with these amazing women. And yes, they have moved on. 

I updated each interview and added another interview. I was privileged to interview add another amazing role-model for girls, an attorney. (Girls requested a chapter about the career of an attorney.) 

With so many changes, the book needs to be released with a different title and cover. In a nutshell, the book profiles successful women who made their childhood dream careers come true. Their stories will inspire MG girls to dream big and work toward making that dream come true.

So--if you have an idea for a clever title that would catch a reader's attention, please let me know.

Here are a few ideas: 

• Girls' Dreams Come True: Stories Behind the Careers of Successful Women
• Dream Careers Can Become Reality
• Dream Careers Can Come True.   

I plan to release the book in March during Women's History Month.

Naturally go together-Your Words, Your Life Story and My Life Writing Journal

2. As you may know, I am a life storytelling evangelist! To further my mission for encouraging people to write their stories, I made the needed changes to My Life Writing Journal to make it a useful tool. The writer can choose from a long list of topics to spark their memories, then jot down notes, thoughts, or a complete essay in the journal about the topic such as Travel, Hobbies, Homes, etc.

I also updated the eBook that accompanies the journal, Your Words, Your Life Story:  A Guide for Sharing Memories. 

If you have thought about sharing stories from your life, click here to download the eBook format of this guide at your favorite digital bookseller. On sale now for 99 cents.

Click here to order your life story writing journal at amazon.com. Promotional price $5.82.

Thank you!

Click here to visit more bloggers. I hope to see you on the hop!

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The Rose Courier March 2021 Edition

Stay in touch with updates from JQ--packed with articles, freebies, and photos!
Click here to sign-up for delivery once a month.

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

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

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