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| The 5 W's Guest Author Series |
Hello and welcome to the Focused on Story Blog!
One of the basics when learning to be a writer is to listen to a lecture on the Five W's. The 5 W's in a story are:
WHO
WHAT
WHERE
WHEN
WHY
These questions are the essence of a story. Since we are focused on story at this blog, we need to realize just how important working out the 5 W's can be for creating a great story for your readers.
You'll find this series with my guests informative and entertaining and not a stuffy lecture in a dusty, old classroom with a professor palavering on and on and on.
Today I'm thrilled to introduce you to my guest author, Mark Love. Isn't that a great name for a romance author? Mark is generously offering an eBook format of his book to a lucky commenter. To enter the drawing, add a comment below by 9 p.m. ET, Sunday, July 14. Good luck. Now let's explore the 5 W's in Mark's romantic suspense, Fleeing Beauty.
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Thanks, J.Q.
Here's my shot at the Five W's
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Fleeing Beauty (A Jamie Richmond Mystery)
Mystery and Romance |
THE FIVE W's: Fleeing Beauty (A Jamie Richmond Mystery) by Mark Love
Who: Jamie Richmond is the star of the story. Just
ask her, she’s not shy! After working
for ten years as an investigative reporter for one of the Detroit area’s daily
newspapers, Jamie decided to pursue her passion and write mystery novels. A
stubborn redhead who is fiercely loyal to her small circle of friends, Jamie is
a magnet for trouble. Using her skills
and wits, she’s often able to unravel the mystery that draws her in. Keeping her balanced and more than a little
distracted is her blooming romantic relationship with Malone, a sergeant with
the Michigan State Police.
What: This is the third book in the series. Jamie’s
father was a very successful artist who died suddenly when she was only
seven-years-old. Now, twenty-five years
later, his studio is discovered, along with a hidden storeroom packed with
crates of his work. Jamie and her
friends undertake the project of unpacking them to make a catalogue that can be
appraised. Before they can finish, part of the collection is stolen. Now Jamie is determined to find out who is
behind the theft and recover the missing art.
In addition to the project and the mystery, there are
several subplots. Romance is building with Jamie and Malone. Her mother, Vera
and her ex-husband, Bert, are rekindling a few passionate connections. And
there’s Ian, a teenage boy who is Malone’s unofficial kid brother, discovers
Brittany, a neighborhood cutie. Along
with the artwork, Jamie also discovers several journals that her father wrote,
that give her new insights into his life.
When: It’s a contemporary story, and it takes place
during the summer!
Where: Metro
Detroit, or as some would say, Motown.
Jamie and her friends live in the suburbs, but a lot of the action takes
place right in Detroit, down near Wayne State University, an area that isn’t
far from the dark and dangerous side of the city.
Why:
Jamie likes to keep busy. Between writing novels, spending time with her
friends and unraveling mysteries, it’s all part of her life. And she wouldn’t
have it any other way.
EXCERPT: Fleeing Beauty (A Jamie Richmond Mystery) by Mark Love
In this scene,
Jamie and Malone are with her best friend Linda, and Ian, the teenage boy, who
is helping unpack the crates in the storeroom.
This sculpture was titled “Fleeing
Beauty”.
It was a woman caught in the act of
running. Tendrils of slender marble in various lengths and thicknesses extended
from her head, as if they were locks of hair billowing out behind her. Part of
her face was obscured, turned against her shoulder as if attempting to hide her
features from whoever was chasing her. The woman’s body was voluptuous, full of
dangerous curves. There was something haunting about this piece. The guys
became quiet, which was unusual. Linda slowly moved around it, taking pictures.
“Holy shit,” Ian muttered.
“Watch your language,” Malone said,
cuffing him lightly on the back on the head.
“How did he do that?” Ian said,
taking a step away. “She looks real.”
“She looks alive,” Malone said.
“Check the file,”
I suggested.
None of us could
take our eyes off the sculpture.
We spread the file
out on the worktable. There were pictures of a woman standing in front of a
drop cloth. She was blonde, with an impish smile on her face. She could have
been in her early to middle twenties. It was impossible to tell how tall she
was. Her figure was eye-catching, with a tiny waist and rounded hips. Most of
the pictures showed her in a one-piece bathing suit. There was one where she
wore a sheer negligee. There were shots of her standing on a pedestal, others
with her arms outstretched, and still others where she was looking over her
shoulder. In a couple of photos, he must have used a fan to blow her hair back.
“She’s a doll,”
Ian said.
“Jamie, I think this is the most beautiful
thing I’ve ever seen,” Linda said softly.
“You’ll get no
argument from me.”
Click a link below to download Fleeing Beauty at the following digital booksellers:
ABOUT MARK LOVE:
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| Mystery Author Mark Love |
Mark Love lived
for many years in the metropolitan Detroit area, where crime and corruption are
always prevalent. A former freelance reporter, Love honed his writing skills covering features and hard news. He is the author of the Jamie Richmond romance mysteries,
Devious, Vanishing Act and
Fleeing Beauty, and the short story
Stealing Haven, which is in the collection Once Upon a Summer.
His mystery series, starring Jefferson Chene includes
WHY
319? and the new release
Your Turn to Die. Both
Chene novels are also available on Audible. Love resides in West Michigan with
his wife, Kim. He enjoys a wide variety of music, books, travel, cooking and
the great outdoors.
You can find
him on Facebook, Amazon and his blog at the links below.
Mark's Facebook Page
Thanks for being my guest, Mark!
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BIG NEWS FOR READERS AND WRITERS!
July1-31 2019 Smashwords is having a 75% off
SALE! Check it out at Smashwords.com.
Click here to download these mysteries for $1.50 each only through July 31.
Don't forget to leave a comment to enter the drawing for
Mark Love's ebook, Fleeing Beauty!
