Category: Uncategorized

Truth.

Posted on by claire o'sullivan

Man have I been tired. I think I take two sometimes three naps a day. Apparently this is normal. For like 6 months after a stroke.

Oh, yay.

Yes, I have a routine. No I won’t give up coffee. Yes, I can still do my wee exercises. Yeah yeah yeah. I know, it’s about healing, blah, blah, blah.

Truly, this is cutting into my reading and penning time. Imma gonna need an alarm on after 30 minutes. Perhaps I need this time sound asleep after all.

Tomorrow I go for PRE-OP. Anything CVA related? No. Cataract related. Again. I wondered if it was too early for surgery after the CVA but the cardiologist said I was cleared for it. Okay. LOL I won’t be able to SEE right. They’ve gotta fix a retinal tear and the other eye, remove the cataract. Will they do both same day? Who. Knows. If so, I’ll have those funky patches on each eye, and I’ll look just like an alien.

This doesn’t include surgical procedures to implant a 3 year loop recorder *THREE YEARS* to send to my cardiologist in real time what’s going on with my heart, and a TEE before the loop recorder (did I say 3 years?!). So exciting (transesophageal echocardiogram–go ahead, check my spelling, I’m closing in on naptime). Nothing to do with golf. The TEE, not the nap.

I wait upon my editor to get through her slush pile to pen my third novel to pieces and eventually get the title and cover. Looking forward to it! “Glass Slipper” still fits? Oh. Well, since you haven’t read it, then how could you possibly agree with me …? jus’ sayin’ ya know?

Working my way through “Warped,” (a bit at a time) and enjoying it, quite different from my normal genres yet still the investigations I am used to.

Today I add, my Christian genres are not the normal Amish, romcom, or even romantic suspense.

Here are the genres I love to read, thus I love to write:

Suspense

Romance

Military fiction

Thrillers

Crime fiction

And … medical as in forensics.

They are not sweetness, they are not pretty stories. They do revolve around either the salvation message or the sanctification message. Physical disasters and war, crime, thrillers are a picture of spiritual warfare in real life–finding the evil, the ugly demons plaguing our lives, as we bring out the sword of the Spirit and fight.

Now. Tell me about what you read? Write? Seriously. Inquiring minds want to know.

And as always, links to the first Whiskey River novel, romantic suspense, and followed by a standalone military intrigue/romance…

He’s a warrior. And figures she’ll be cooperative. Scott’s got no idea.
She’s clueless. He’s laughing. Catherine has no idea why she’s being dogged by a homicide detective. He has no idea why she wants to run away. Of course, she’s a thief but … really!

What are your favorite reads?

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Welp …

Posted on by claire o'sullivan

So after two small strokes, I got back to work both physically, writing and reading. AKA “rehab.” The strokes were ‘small’ since my husband was fast on the phone. In fact, everything happened in the order truly ordained. What Satan meant for evil, God meant for good. If I had the stroke in the middle of the night, the damage would have been devasating. If my husband hadn’t noticed it immediately and called 911, if the EMTs weren’t here in less than five minutes, further damage would have ensued.

Even though the CT scan was ‘clear,’ the ER doctors opted to offer the clot busting medication (I was alert, just couldn’t talk), and if I hadn’t as best as could say, PUSH IT, I wouldn’t be typing much less talking. The possibility of being with Lord did not escape me, but apparently he isn’t through with me yet.

Within one half hour, I was almost back to normal. If I hadn’t been transferred to the ICU, I wouldn’t have been watched so closely, and I may have been released early. Within 2 days on the neuro floor, I had either another stroke or the continuation of the first one. If I didn’t know it would be likely, if they didn’t repeat testing, one can only wonder. Of course I read all of the information, and a second stroke within two days is rather standard. All the MRIs showed these proved to be right on.

I might add, on the way to the 2nd hospital, I texted my editor. Bahahahahaha!

I might add her reaction was a bit different.

Now I am basically back to ‘baseline,’ pre-stroke. But I’ve done a lot of rewiring exercises by forcing my affected areas to rewire neurons around the damage (the damage is done, it will never work again, but ya only have billions of neurons. Rewire!) Neuroplasticity exercises work even with old strokes and CP.

Okay so that is more than enough of the total blessing God allowed, a wake up call (seriously, sharing the Gospel as much as possible), and I finished my editing of novel three, title and cover unknown (I had thought of Glass Slipper and the addition of and Body Snatchers but my publisher frowned on the body snatchers – a term of endearment by police for those who pick up the corpse at the crime scene). I figured well … perhaps her team would come up with the best title and cover since they are the professionals.

I would say this WIP, the second in the series after “Romance Under Wraps,” is more geared towards Christians with issues. Like we don’t all have issues. For those who are not churchgoers, it is proof positive we as Christians, have difficulties, trials, and only with the help of the Holy Spirit, we must (and can) work out our issues (even if it’s grief for our own lives or those close to us), draw closer to God with intention no matter the situation.

NKJV; Philippians 2:12-13 “12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation [called ‘justification’] with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.”

It doesn’t stop with salvation. Justification is living the life, asking God for help in whatever you’re dealing with, good or bad. Walking the talk, if you will … Okay, then. Got it?

Onward!

I am nearing the end of “The Summer of the Waxman,” the ARC given to me by Brent Brantley. Wow. I cannot wait to endorse this moving book. Write in your “notes” on your phone to look for it!

Also, reading the ARC, “Warped,” by Maureen Myers Koeppel. Coming out the 14th of this month. An epic science fiction/fantasy with the dogged investigation into a murder, a girl in a coma, and a long voyage. Can’t wait to see it on the shelf and review it! In One Week!

And last, the audiobook of my thriller/intrigue/romance, “Rules of Engagement,” should be coming soon!

It. Is. Finished.

Posted on by claire o'sullivan

Okay I am NOT taking Jesus’s words out of context, but “Glass Slipper” is in the hands of the publisher, and the likely date of publishing is around about August. Giving me a LOT of time to churn through a whole lot of my – ahem – 246 books on my Kindle.

Is that an addiction or a book club?

So it’s nearly Christmas. Looks like I’ll be baking my homemade rolls for a bunch’a family. These puppies are humongous and work great for turkey sammiches the day after Christmas. Or any time.

I have A LOT of books in mind (the majority are skeletalnized with some bones and some muscles/tissue/tendons. Looking forward to writing:

  1. possible military thriller
  2. possible follow up to the Whiskey River Series
  3. possible cozy mystery
  4. possible police procedural in rural Minnesota
  5. And … I have others.
  6. SCARY

I am reading “The Kremlin Conspiracy” by Joel Rosenberg, a Christian writer and a great author with complex characters.

If you like thrillers and haven’t read his novels, check into them.

SO everyone, have a wonderful, Christ-filled Christmas, remember why we celebrate, give gifts, and sing those wonderful Christ centered songs. Merry Christmas!

And when the holidays pass, stop by again, and give me an idea of what you are reading, what you are writing, and what you think I should write!

Now what am I reading and writing??

Posted on by claire o'sullivan

I pulled out a few of my notes from some webinars, as well as non-fiction, “Death Investigator’s Handbook, a Field Guild to Crime Scene Processing, Forensic Evaluations, and Investigations.” Wow, what a mouthful for a title, but it is well-written for much of the basics of the Death Investigor who is called (after the deputy who does a walk-through, or maybe two for safety’s sake) who does another walk-through before the detectives. Can you say Locard’s principle? Anywho it’s a good start to the investigative process. By Louis N. Eliopulos.

The next and perhaps the best is “Criminal Psychology” which is surprisingly full of information on interviews and interrogations, which I mentioned in another blog. Written by multiple authors, but if you type in Ray Bull that’ll take you there.

Kathrine Ramsland has a stunning book out called, “The Criminal Mind, a Writer’s Guide to Forensic Psychology,” which will make you turn off most of the TV shows about behavioral analysts.

And for fiction, I started “Forgive the Trespassers,” which looks to me like a tear-jerker but I could be wrong. The author is Vickie Phelps, and it ends section 1, chapter 1, with a “God would forgive them this one time, wouldn’t he?” line.

Continuing Terri Gillespie’s “Cut it Out!” which centers on another of the hair maven’s gaggle of gals.

What am I working on? I am about halfway through “Glass Slipper” and figured I really needed a better system of keeping track of clues, discussions, et al, so I picked out my notebook and am writing down each chapter’s high points that must be recalled later on. Like, “did that happen on Friday or Saturday?” or “what days were the groups?” “Who taught what again?” Minor points, of course.

Tell me what you’re reading, whether memoire, fiction, non-fiction, short stories. I really, really would love to know!

Do click like and please reply. Share if you are so moved. Love to hear from readers, authors, and new writers.

Laughing. Just ‘Cause

Posted on by claire o'sullivan

Today is another day of work. Reading or writing. Has any writer noticed that unless you go for a hike or whatever, yer behind starts to look a lot like the couch/chair your’re sitting in?

Me neither.

Not Me

Recent books I’ve read: SEVEN of ’em. What, you may ask? Yesterday I read a SP romance called “Staking Claims,” by Judge Rodriguez. A historical romance set in Colorado, an Irish immigrant is salvaged so to speak by a ‘real’ Irishman. Complete with brogue. Aye, lass. This was a fast & enjoyable read. The suspense and pain was up front and there was healing & redemption as the novel continued. This is not my usual genre. Ya know what I write: romance, blood, gore, political cabals, etc.

“Staking Claims” was a nice break.

I’d mentioned in another post that I was going to read Jane Daly’s “Broken,” so when her upcoming book is released, I’ll be ready. Well, Jane, I’m ready! “Broken is a slow-burn romance in a series of at least two books. How am I supposed to know how many books she’s planning for this? Tsk.

Here:

Next: I finished both of LG Westlake’s slow-burn romantic suspense, “Calculated Risk,” (I had to re-read to catch up with characters), and “Calculated Encounters.” She also has a devotional Bible study for daily or read-through that was awesome. All three were awesome. “Isa” in the “Calculated Risk” series is constantly going in the opposite direction she is told–and yet is able to find and solve real issues we face (in her novels of course). You can find both novels here:

Also, find her devotional, “God’s Will,” here (it really, really is good):

I completed, “Scars,” the beta I’d read, by Linda Rodante. As always there is a good deal of suspense with budding romance, and often a surprise ending in her books. Linda has been a great help to me as an author, and she was the first Christian novelist whose books I’ve read (I think I have one more left. Stop me! Stop me! I can’t purchase anymore books!), and she’s drawn me into so many real-life issues that her characters are well known to me now. And here it is (I pre-ordered this). Jump on it. Here:

Also, I read another S/P author, Eric Johnson’s “What do You Mean I Can’t Stay for Dinner?” The title belies the intensity of a futuristic/modern warfare. I loved this book. Loved it. It has scads of military information that ahem I may use in later books. The dialogue is mostly inner thoughts by a Russian pilot within military maneuvers. But the military! The craft! The research was well-done. You can find the .99 cent special here:

Before these, I read Piper Bayard’s “The Leopard of Cairo.” Wow. The threat of a nuclear bomb is as close as can be, and is an adventure, action, and political thriller spanning the globe. John Viera is on the precipice of salvaging his marriage with many a promise, then dragged into espionage. Again. BTW gals, when I picture John, my brain sees Antonio Banderas.

In between reads, I am writing, sometimes quite slowly. Sometimes, on a roll.

That’s what I’m talkin’ about

Also last but not least in the least, I read “Waxman,” by Brent Brantley. A very moving story of an infant rescued from a house fire and disfigured for life–and who also had a genetic disease that caused even more problems. Living as a hermit, he still undergoes threats and harassments from townspeople. But he is a man of great faith, and the sheriff takes to the wise man immediately. It’s also a not over the top romance. Really another excellent book.

So take your pick from sweet historical western to gritty political thriller. I love ’em all. But as you can see, I have not tackled the books I said I would ‘last post.’ Well, they’re in the big “Q” (if queue is going to be pronounced Q then … just spell it like that).

I must write more than ONE scene today. Must. I might add that I read a number of non-fictions that I’ve mentioned before. Though I am due to read another of Lynette Easton’s, Terri Black’s, Piper Bayard’s, Sue Coletta’s, Steve Roger’s “Into the Room,” and several of Lisa Black’s as well as Lisa Gardner’s and Dale Amidei’s. There are more. A lot more.

SO TELL ME WHAT YOU’VE READ THAT I’M not supposed to buy right now … Kindle has a lotta room.

Reading/Writing

Posted on by claire o'sullivan

I have to admit, my writing has taken over. Last night, I do believe I made significant progress on Glass Slipper. Got about (ahem) 2 sentences written. Hahahahaha.

I have thrown a partial of forensics/police procedural to author, Brent Brantley, to make certain I have my facts correct. BTW, Brent wrote “You Cannot Grasp the River.” Oh, what great book!

Suspense …

OKAY FINE. So I have a list of books I’m itching to READ *like Jane Daly, LG Westlake. I finished the Beta on Linda Rodante’s “Scars,” and loved it. She doesn’t pull away from the pain of characters who really, really deal with life issues.

So now, drum roll, here is my next list (considering I keep purchasing books this could be daunting).

Lynette Easton’s, “Acceptable Risk.”

Stevn Roger’s, “Into the Room.”

Jason William Karpf’s, “The Deliverer.”

Sue Colettta’s, “Marred,”

Vickie Phelp’s, “Forgive the Trespassers.”

Lisa Black’s, “Unpunished.”

Patricia Cornwell’s, “Cause of Death.”

Dale Amidei’s, “Sister’s Shadow.”

These are ‘just a few’ of the books on my Kindle. Not necessilary in order.

I also have (for my writing) “TONS” of DIY books and sites to help my writing. Do you? I have 1. OneStopForWriters.com (for plot, character, world building, more), and 2. ProWritingAid to check my grammar (I mean, I’d like to write English properly. You may have already noticed bloopers. I haven’t. And I don’t care in social media). 3. And I truly use old school … corkboards to put up pictures, maps, and strings to link them …

Not mine … but similar

AND 4. Inked Voices for critiques (I did use Scribophile but there are rules/regs that are a wee bit much). 5. “Say What?,” “Criminal Psychology,” “Story Trumps Structure,” “Strunk and White,” “Spunk and Bite,” Police Procedural,” “Don’t Murder Your Mystery,” “60 Ways to Murder Your Characters,” (of course, that’s Sue Coletta), Katherine Ramsland’s, “The Criminal Mind,” and her “Crime Writer’s Research.” ALSO … “Emotional Beats,” “5 Secrets of Story Structure,” and perhaps my favorite, “Master Lists for Writers.” Looking across the room on a table, I see more. Without proper glasses, I cannot see ’em. Do you see a pattern?

Do you have a list of fiction? DIY sites? Books to assist in the writing process? Once again, inquiring minds want to know. If you purchase books insanely, as do I, then you are my tribe.

Please comment, let me know what’s up with your writing and reading. Do you have the same issues? What programs do you use?

Oh, and it would be too cool to drool if you purchased my Romantic/Suspense, “Romance Under Wraps,” and my global thriller, “Rules of Engagement,” jus’ sayin.’ 😉 on Amazon.

romantic/suspense

Global Thriller

The adventure continues

Posted on by claire o'sullivan

Still on my down-time for reading after publication of “Rules of Engagement.” Whew, 5 days, 4 books, and counting. I am going for another 5 or more before returning to “Glass Slipper.”

Speaking of, “Glass Slipper,” still set in Whiskey River, Oregon, will take on a new look. You won’t know it however, because you haven’t been exposed to the rest of the manuscript I do have. Anyone else have that issue? I don’t mean rewriting/editing. Clear as mud, right?

Photo by Anna Shvets on Pexels.com

So I’ll leave it up to you to ponder what I could be up to. It is still a sequel to “Romance Under Wraps,” that much I’ll give ya.

Since I like to keep posts short so your eyes don’t glaze over, I am skeletonizing (forming the bare bones, the framework, the blueprint, outline … oh you get it) the sequel to “Rules of Engagement,” where it looks to already be a sit-down-and-chew-yer-nails read. This will be in the style of “Rules of Engagement,” and is an intrigue/thriller. Again, a lot of players.

Photo by Dziana Hasanbekava on Pexels.com

I do have a Work-in Progress (aka WIP) title but that’s just so the manuscript doesn’t say, Work in Progress (which we too, all are, not just our manuscripts, but I betcha I can find that as an actual book title).

What are you reading? What’s you’re favorite genre? I really do want to know, so *like, *subscribe, and *comment.

Downtime is good too

Posted on by claire o'sullivan

After completion of “Rules of Engagement,” now on the shelf (you have 1 more day to purchase it on sale, jus’ sayin,’), I have serious time to chill.

Starving authors get to go places, right? Hahaha … but I am thinking about putting the ocean YouTube video on the big screen and sink my feet into 2 buckets of sand and drink a virgin pina colada.

Down time … yeah.

Since I have around 200 books on my Kindle, I believe I will abandon writing in extremis like I had been, a wee bit of reading won’t hurt me, will it? I figure I can write a hundred words to fiddle with “Glass Slipper,” and take a chunk out of the Kindle library that rivals the Hangzhou Zhongshuge Bookstore in Dujiangyan, Sichuan Province, China (pronounce that fast …). Well … almost.

Have a fine finish off in June and read a book. Oh, here’s a few (this one on sale ’til the 21st of June:

Just out! Free on KU. Also available on Kindle and in paperback.

And …

Debut novel, free on KU and Audible, also Kindle and in paperback

That’s the buzz for the day. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, comment, and share!

‘Sup?

Posted on by claire o'sullivan

I’ve been working like I am insane. No. Comment.

Image result for I'm Not Insane
This is my EDITOR… ahem.

Thus, I forgot to let my vast and varied blog readers (wait… what?) know that “Rules of Engagement” has been accepted by Elk Lake Publishing. Which is why I have been working my fingers to the bone, with my nose to the grindstone, dead on my feet, fingers on fire, etc., getting the manuscript vaguely edited, ready, and moderately polished for my editor. IF I get this edited on time it may be out by June or July 2022. God willing.

See the source image
Your mamma wears Army boots…

“Rules of Engagement,” the title, is subject to change per the publisher so let’s not get too attached to the title. Same with the picture concept that the publisher considers. Title and cover concepts, by the way, are rarely accepted, or even considered by publishers, so I feel incredibly blessed.

Here are “my” possible cover picture (they get to put them together and figure out if they are usable) concepts:

Scott Walker (not the governor so stop emailing me, yeesh)

Cheyenne Keyes. MAYBE. More silly than likely

Since the photos are still ‘up in the air’ (which they purchase if they approve of them), I got a few for free from Adobe Stock Photos. Naturally I thought of the next two too late.

The other picture is less whimsical and perhaps a wee bit more inline with the seriousness of the story (but y’all know I like whimsy).

Another MAYBE

Like! Comment! Share! Subscribe! OH and tell me WHAT YOU THINK about the title AND the pictures (just as an aside, titles are reused, recycled for movies, books, memes, etc.)

OKAY, off to edit.

Nerner Sarcastic GIF - Nerner Sarcastic Yay GIFs
Yay….

Rules of engagement: Submitted

Posted on by claire o'sullivan

woot woot!

Hallelujah!

Sing it!

The worst of submitting the required documents to any publisher (or most) has been completed. These fun things include a one page synopsis of the entire book (everything summed up from first to last line in one page);

It was a dark and stormy night …

… the cover letter (Dear Agent/Publisher, thank you for … etc.); the sell page (how will I manage to help promote this novel?); market analysis (How does it compare to the ten million books in the same genre? And what makes it ‘better’ or different than all the rest?); the biography, the blurb (the back flap of the book that may entice you to read); the tagline (oh that funny littlie line that hooks the reader into reading the back flap, then the book).

And of course the first three chapters.

Here is my biggest recommendation to those who are ready to submit. 1. Don’t write it into the wee hours of the night when you are sleepy.

Not like I would ever dare do that. <cough>

AND 2. Edit mother-lovin’ everything before sending it to the agent/publisher or even your editor. Because if you don’t, you may send off an automatic rejection.

And your editor, should you (and please do) employ him/her to edit your work, will find those many, many mistakes that may potentially be extraordinarily embarrassing.

Not like that would ever happen to me. <cough>

I rarely edit my social media and I am sure it shows. But I am not a professional blogger so there’s a lil’ something in me doesn’t care if a comma is off. Should I? Probably. But I don’t.

ANYWHO the whole batch was edited because my editor DID laugh as did I (thank the good Lord I didn’t send that embarrassing bit), but now the whole shebang is into the ether.

FlippinFanFantastic, I say. Now I wait because rejection could be around the corner. At which point, I may have to start this process over.

For now? Imma gonna read. I have another novel in the pike, ready to be written, but my brain needs a break.