I've Been Nominated for the Mystery Blogger Award!

Click here to listen to this blog post.

_Okoto Enigma is the creator of this award.

A FUN BLOG HOP

Thank you, Juneta Key for this nomination.  Thank you for being the spark and driving force behind the quarterly short story blog hop, Storytime Blog Hop. I'm glad you challenge us to share our stories because having a deadline helps me sit down and do it! I love Juneta's blog.  She is a champion for writers and shares wonderful tips on writing.  You should check it out here.

Storytime Blog Hop spearheaded by Juneta Key.

The Rules:

Rule 1:  Put the award logo/image on your blog. (ABOVE)

Rule 2:  List the rules. (You’re Reading Them)

Rule 3:  Thank whoever nominated you and provide a link to their blog. 

Rule 4:  Mention the creator of the award and provide a link as well. (ABOVE under LOGO)

Rule 5:  Tell your readers three things about yourself.

THREE THINGS ABOUT ME

1. I kicked up my heels as a hobo from Hooverville in the chorus line of the community players production of Annie. So much fun and a dream fulfilled.
2. My name, Janet, is my mother's middle name and my middle name is my grandmother's middle name, Lee.
3. I was inspired to keep writing when I really thought I couldn't do it anymore after reading Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg.

Rule 6:  You have to nominate a bunch of people (some say 5 others say 20).

1. Joan Y. Edwards--Never Give Up
2. Helena Fairfax
3. Marsha R. West
4. Joselyn Vaughn
5. Anna Simpson--Elements of Emaginette
6. Nan Sanders Pokerwinski--Heartwood
7. Anyone that would like to join us, Consider yourself nominated.

Rule 7:  Notify your nominees. (Done.)

Rule 8:  Ask your nominees any five questions of your choice, one weird or funny question.

1. What was your favorite food when you were 10? And now what is your favorite food? Oops, is that 2 questions?
2. Who influenced you to become a writer? There may be many people who guided you in your journey?
3. What is your favorite book on writing, publishing, or marketing?
4. Did you have an imaginary playmate when you were a kid? Tell us about it.
5. If you had the opportunity to hug anyone from the past or the present, who would it be and why? Uh, that may be 2 questions too. But you're a writer. You can handle them!!

Rule 9: Share a link to your best post. According to my stats, one of the favorites in 2017 was Someone Hacked my Facebook Page, Now What Do I Do?

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Answering Juneta's very interesting questions...

1. If you could get a redo on ONE thing in your life without impunity, what would it be? I wish I had gone to Northwestern University and studied journalism.
2. If you had three wishes, what would your THIRD wish be? Eating ice cream every day of my life.
3. Describe your “true self” in three words. Optimist, supporter, reliable
4. If you were a Star Wars character, who would you be? Can be anyone in old, new or expanded universe, but you cannot take a test to find out.  Who do you see yourself as?  If you don’t know Star Wars, use Lord of the Rings, or Pirates of the Caribbean or Harry Potter as a substitute only if you are not familiar with Star Wars.  I know, not everyone is as crazy about it as I am. Oh boy. To be very honest, and I know you wouldn't understand this, Juneta, but I am not a fan of Star Wars. As far as Lord of the Rings, we did a scene from the play in my college drama class and I hated it, so I never read the entire story. And I have not gotten around to Pirates or Harry Potter. Ok--I'm boring. BUT I do love the Star Wars stirring musical theme. 
5. If you had the opportunity to know your future, would you?  Why or Why not? NO! Then I would worry every day about what was coming up and how to face it. I like taking one day at a time and savoring the good times. Those good memories help me overcome the bad times.

Thanks, Juneta. This has been fun!

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So excited to kick off the Summer Readers Circle on next Friday, June 1, when multi-talented award-winning author Tricia Gill takes her seat in the circle with us. 

The Summer Readers Circle begins on Friday, June 2
Be here for fun and prizes!

Join us every Friday this summer to meet authors, discover great reads, and win prizes.

Forgiveness Brings Peace, Dangerous Sanctuary Virtual Book Tour Continues, Excerpt

 The Dangerous Sanctuary Virtual Book Tour continues. Click here visit me today (Monday) at Juneta Key's blog, the Writer's Gambit. She asks great questions. 

Click here for the Tuesday Books We Love Insider blog when I take you on a tour of a chocolate factory in St. Augustine, FL. Yummy!! Free cyber samples of chocolate shells. 

Forgiveness by J.Q. Rose

Tis the season of hope, love, peace and joy, but not for everyone. People have relationships that have gone wrong. They're hurting and can't enjoy the festivities no matter how much they pretend they are. If ever there was a time to forgive, the Christmas season is it! People are more open to sharing feelings. If you are ready to forgive someone or ready to accept forgiveness, do it now.

I was inspired to write Dangerous Sanctuary when a friend told me she couldn’t forgive her ex-husband. They had gone through a mean, stressful divorce after he left her for another woman. She was a Christian woman trying to live a Christian life, but she just couldn’t seem to get over his betrayal. Deep inside she had to admit she could not forgive his actions.

Intellectually we know by not forgiving others, we’re really hurting ourselves. We carry a grudge within our hardened hearts. Instead of the horrible burden going away, we seem to feed it and make it grow into hatred that seethes throughout our pores and colors our world black with resentment.

Withholding forgiveness to someone who hurts us only gives us a false sense of power and control over that person. No one likes to have a hammer held over her head with comments like, “Remember when you did so and so?” Bitterness grows and further damages the relationship.

Being the first to try and reach out and forgive someone takes strength and courage. On the other hand it takes an equally loving person to accept the offer of forgiveness. When the attempt is made, the heart soars and shoulders no longer sag under the burden of hatred and anguish.

Forgiveness isn’t easy. It may take a long time to get a different perspective on the hurt, but in the end we can try and do the best we can to resolve a relationship and relieve heartache for both parties.

My main character, Pastor Christine Hobbs, teaches about God’s forgiveness in all things. Even if we don’t feel we are worthy of forgiveness, God’s love and grace is available. All we need to do is ask.

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Dangerous Sanctuary by J.Q. Rose
Even a minister has trouble with offering forgiveness.

Pastor Christine tries to practice forgiveness in her own life, but just when she thinks she has come to terms with her husband’s cheating, lying, and eventual abandonment, she discovers she has not. No one said it is easy to forgive. In order to move on with our lives and gain peace within, Forgiveness is the key.

EXCERPT: from Dangerous Sanctuary when Christine receives a phone call from her ex which starts her stomach churning and her blood boiling.

“So how are you getting along there with your new church position?” His voice moderated. “You may not believe it, but I do think of you and wonder how you are.”

Her eyes teared up. He had no idea how much she missed him and hated him at the same time.

“I’m fine. How’re you?”

“Well, as soon as I get this apartment cleaned up, I’ll be happy. What a job. I never knew moving would be so difficult.”

“You’re moving? Where are you going?” She bit her lip. She hated to sound as if she were the least bit interested in his life.

“Nadia and I found a house.” He delivered it like a hot poker through her heart.

He met Nadia while he was away on a lengthy sales trip. She shook her head to erase the dark thoughts in her mind.

“We decided it was such a good deal, we couldn’t pass it up. I’ll send you my new address. It’s a ranch in a subdivision near that greasy spoon cafe we liked to go to. Do you remember that place? Jake’s.” His remarks were so off-handed.

“Oh, yeah.” Christine remembered Jake’s like it was yesterday.

Jake’s was the place where she told Brad she was pregnant with their baby. She remembered the joy in his face and excitement they felt about beginning their family.

She squeezed her eyes closed, trying to blot out the memory of the night she lost her baby girl in the emergency room. She was all by herself because Brad was away on a business trip. He never understood her feeling of loss, so he tried to act like it never happened. The baby wasn’t real to him as she was to her.

She realized she wasn’t listening to a word he’d spoken, so when Brad stopped talking she said, “Okay. Thanks. Gotta go. Just mail them to the church. Good-bye.” The lump in her throat prevented her from continuing the phone conversation.

Still clutching the phone in her hand, the memories of that Saturday morning conversation over two years ago surfaced in her mind. She and Brad were sitting at the kitchen table. Christine looked forward to spending time with her husband. Having a weekend together was unusual.

“So what are your plans for this weekend? Do you want to take a drive or go to a movie?” she asked as she picked up the cereal box.

Setting his coffee mug on the kitchen table, he looked directly into her eyes.

“I won’t be here this weekend.”

She stopped pouring the sugary flakes of cereal into the bowl. “Oh, really?” She turned to face her beloved husband. “I thought we could do something fun this weekend. We have so little time together anymore.”

“I’m moving out today.” He sat motionless in the chair.

“What? What did you say?” She leaned in closer toward Brad, the cereal box clenched in her hand.

“I’m leaving. I’m moving in with a friend. I want out of this marriage.” He grabbed the cup of coffee and pulled it toward him.

She clutched her stomach to stop the churning inside. Was she dreaming? This couldn’t be real. She tried to read his face, but he kept his eyes on his coffee mug.

She slammed the box of cereal down on the table and curled her hands into tight fists. With each sentence she spoke, her fists hit the table. “Wait a minute. Bradley, wait a minute. What’s happening? What are you saying?”

He glanced up furtively. Finally locking onto her eyes, he said, “I’m in love with another woman. It’s over for us.” 

Dangerous Sanctuary is available at amazon in ebook or paperback editions.

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Inspired, Excerpt from Dangerous Sanctuary

Dangerous Sanctuary by J.Q. Rose

Pastor Christine Hobbs never imagined 

she would be caring for a flock 

that includes a pig, a kangaroo, and a murderer.

Hello and Welcome to the J.Q. Rose blog,

Next month, (yikes, that would be tomorrow!), I kick off my Book Blog Tour for my romantic suspense novel, Dangerous Sanctuary. I really enjoy hopping around the cyberspace and meeting readers and bloggers. As a reader, I especially love author interviews because I learn more about the person. I have four Q and A's lined up for December. Answering the questions makes me delve into the depth of my story and the reasons I wanted to share it with readers.

Author and Blogger Juneta Key, who will host me on my blog tour December 19, had lots of wonderful questions for me, but this one gets right to the heart of the inspiration for this book. She asked:

      Your main character is a female pastor and a murder suspect, which I found unique.  What gave you the idea?

I interviewed a female pastor for my book for girls, Girls Succeed: The Stories Behind the Careers of Successful Women. I was intrigued with the pastor's story about her entry into the ministry at a time when it was basically a man's career. When she discovered

Girls Succeed! by J.Q. Rose
Inspiring and empowering girls
to achieve success
in their dream careers.
Available at Amazon

women were making breakthroughs into becoming ordained ministers in a few denominations, her dream of becoming a minister became a reality. She succeeded in earning her Master of Divinity Degree at Yale University Divinity School and was ordained by the General Conference of the Mennonite Church in Pennsylvania. 

At the time I interviewed her she was the District Superintendent of the West Michigan United Methodist Church Conference. She was responsible for sixty-nine United Methodist churches and their pastors.  Her devotion to God, her determination, and her great experiences sparked the idea for the story. 

That same year, a woman was assigned to our local church. I learned even more about being a woman pastor from her e.g. no one tells a male pastor he’s wearing cute shoes! With these two exceptional role models, I created the character of Pastor Hobbs. Since I’m a mystery writer, Pastor Christine had to be one of the murder suspects and what a contrast to have the good pastor accused of such a horrendous crime. 

Especially since Detective Cole Stephens discovered she had the opportunity and the motive for murder. Christine was an attractive and smart woman, so he didn’t mind investigating her either!

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This excerpt can give you a peek into the personality of Pastor Christine Hobbs.

EXCERPT: Dangerous Sanctuary, Chapter Six

“Hobbs, we need a preacher now!” The voice on the phone was firm and left no doubt about the urgency of the situation. “This is Stephens. I’m pulling into the church parking lot. Get out here right away.”

Christine looked out her office window to see the black Ford pulling into the parking lot and on its way to the double doors of the church entrance. She grabbed her bag and flew down the steps.

She opened the passenger door and hopped in. “What’s going on? You’re scaring me to death!”

“Two blocks from here one of your parishioners is being held hostage with a knife at his throat. His hyped-up grandson is using him as a shield to keep the officers away. We’ve been talking to him since early this morning. He asked for you.”

“Who’s the hostage?”

“Roger Jenkins. His grandson is Jason Jenkins.”

Christine swallowed hard. Roger Jenkins was indeed a church member and had been for fifty years, dearly beloved as one of the saints in the church. She had visited his wife in the nursing home several times.

The morning sun highlighted the new leaves on the trees. The tulips were at their peak of color. This was a day full of beauty and promise. No one would suspect the dark drama taking place at the small white wooden frame house on Pine Street.

Stephens pulled the car along the curb. Christine jumped out and hurried toward the policeman who motioned to her to stay low to the ground. Dread fell over her as she realized the policeman was trying to keep her from being a target if Jason had a gun. He held a cell phone in front of him and was talking to the kid inside the house.

“Okay, Jason. We have your grandfather’s pastor here,” the officer announced into the phone. He ducked down behind the car and turned to the crouching minister, greeting her with a quick nod.

“Hello, Pastor. Can you help us out here and talk this guy out of the house to give us some time till the negotiator gets here? The kid asked to talk to you. He’s threatening to kill his grandfather if we storm the place. We think he’s high, probably looking to steal some money from grandpa to buy more drugs.”

“Anyone else in there with him and Jason?”

“No, no signs of anyone else in there, just the old man and the boy. Let me give you this to speak to him. Maybe you can talk some sense into him.”

Christine slightly rose with the phone pressed to her ear. She used the car to shield most of her body as she looked toward the house.

“Jason, this is Pastor Christine. Can I come in and talk with you?”

“Wait a minute, wait a minute, Pastor. You aren’t going in there to talk. You stay right here. A hostage specialist from the state police will be here soon. You just calm the boy down.” She ignored the policeman’s stern voice and kept her eyes on the doorway of the house.

The strong young man dragged the frail old man to the screen door.  Jason kept his arm around his grandfather’s neck. The blade of a butcher knife gleamed in his hand. His left arm circled the old man’s waist, holding him upright in the doorway.

“I’m tired of talkin’. I don’t wanna talk to nobody! Everybody leave, so I can get outta here!” His hoarse voice strained to shout at the surrounding police.

Christine unfolded from her crouched position and moved around the car into full view.

“Jason, let your grandpa go. We can talk. Let me come in. We can work this out.” She moved slowly toward the wooden porch. She tried to breathe deeply and remain calm, but her heart thundered in her chest.

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Download a sample or order Dangerous Sanctuary at Amazon here for your Kindle or in Paperback.

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Join me for fun and prizes during the Dangerous Sanctuary Virtual Book Tour