`Tis the Season to...Shop? by Brenda Whiteside #booksale #holidaydeals

I'm not a very good shopper. When I was young and Mom wanted a companion for shopping, she always chose my sister. Walking the mall was a boring detail to tackle. As an adult, I'm still not a good mall shopper, but I discovered catalogs. For awhile, I was a catalog junkie. FDW would often find me sitting in the floor of our walk-in closet perusing my stack of catalogs.

Then came online shopping. Now, I go through my morning emails of store after store, some brick and mortar, but many are strictly online establishments. Most of the year, I delete 99% of them without reading. This time of year I tend to go slowly and open the ones that might lead me to that one special Christmas present. I come from a small family. My mom loves to give EVERYONE something. Being raised by her gave me the fever for giving at Christmas, even in lean years. Those times are almost as enjoyable because you really have to hunt to find something personal but inexpensive.

Books are the perfect gift. You knew I'd get to that...right? And in this day and age, you can even gift someone with an eBook which is really affordable and personal. Finding that book that suits the recipient's tastes can be rewarding. I have one of the Love and Murder series books on sale for five more days for $.99. FYI, it's available on Nook also.

CLICK FOR AMAZON
CLICK FOR BARNES AND NOBLE
And even when not on sale, they're a good buy. The books in the Love and Murder Series are award nominated and five star reads, so enjoy. Maybe treat yourself, too!

Read the first chapter of all of my books on my web site: https://brendawhiteside.com/

Happy shopping season!

Crazy Even Before Drilling My Head by Brenda Whiteside

I've been crazy busy while not feeling well so I decided to recycle this post when I woke later than normal today and realized I hadn't written anything new for today. My apologies to anyone who might have already read a post very similar to this one on my personal blog, Discover....

What a great time I had a couple of weeks ago in Chino Valley, Arizona. The Chamber of Commerce sponsored the 50th anniversary of Yavapai College with a day long event. This is rural Arizona so there were hayrides, a truck and tractor show, pumpkin patch, corn maze, beer garden, food, dog costume contest, and vendors. I was part of that last group.

A fellow author, John J. Rust, joined me in offering our books. I signed and sold a bunch. This event was held far from town, and I

was doubtful about the attendance, but I was wrong. Lots of people and lots of readers. It was a great time.

This month is NaNoWriMo. Translation: National November Writing Month. An author can get into this seriously, or not so much like I do. If you take part in the national group, you have check in and set goals. I belong to a group called Pretendo NaNo. We set our own goals, cheer each other on, and don't judge when we fall short. I've been doing okay. The first book in my new series is taking shape. Helping our son move cut into my writing time, but family always comes first.

Another day down the drain as far as writing was yesterday. I had oral surgery. I'm having the tooth I knocked out in June replaced with a permanent one. Yesterday, they inserted the screw that the permanent tooth will be attached to. Nothing like having your head drilled. No fun. Still recovering this morning. (And still recovering two days later. I just don't recover like I used to from anything.)

I do have a book on sale right now. Southwest of Love and Murder is the second book in the series. It's on sale at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, iBooks, and The Wild Rose Press. $.99 doesn't happen often. Here is the Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00QQPMIMQ/ref=series_rw_dp_sw

I'm enjoying the cooler, darker mornings here in Arizona. This is my favorite season. What's yours?

What I Didn't Tell You by Brenda Whiteside

My favorite part of writing a book is character creation. My stories typically form at the same time a cast of characters arrives in my head. Occasionally, they've been based loosely on someone I know. Usually, they're strangers who arrive, and we get to know each other as the story forms. Almost always, everything I know about them doesn't make it into the story.

In The Art of Love and Murder, Lacy Dahl is on a quest to learn more about her birth parents. She owns a coffee cafe called The Lacy Latte. What didn't make the book?

She has a special closet just for shoes. She practices yoga twice a week and has recently talked her friend Phoebe into going to the classes with her.

Sheriff Chance Meadowlark plays opposite Lacy in book one of the Love and Murder Series. What didn't make the book?

He’s concerned about the next election and the man who will run against him. (Note: I figured he had enough problems without bringing this into the story.)

In book two of the series, Southwest of Love and Murder, Phoebe Anderson is our heroine. She's a

writer of murder mysteries with a free-spirited personality. She has a hummingbird tattoo above her breast. What didn't make the book?

The hummingbird was tattooed by a man she dated. The name of the pure essential oil she wears is Holland and Barrett Lavender. She practiced yoga with her best friend Lacy until Lacy moved away. It was the only exercise she did. She loves sweets and dates artsy types.

Mason Meadowlark is Phoebe's counterpart. He's a rancher. What didn't make the book?

He always placed first or second in his competition at the local rodeos, but lost interest when his marriage collapsed. He spent more time in bars and partying. He’s dated every crowned Rodeo Queen since. He’s an avid reader.

My characters are my pretend friends, and I'm attached to all of them. Yeah, crazy author stuff. Are there characters you've followed in series books who you feel like you'd like to know in the real world?

Don't miss book five of The Love and Murder Series. It's up for pre-order here:
Amazon Pre-Order

A vengeful ex-husband and a high-stakes, bloody fight for land threaten a love-struck couple’s happiness.

Visit Brenda at www.brendawhiteside.com

Or on FaceBook: www.facebook.com/BrendaWhitesideAuthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/brendawhitesid2

She blogs on the 9^th and 24^th of every month: http://rosesofprose.blogspot.com

She blogs about life’s latest adventure and has fun guests on her personal blog: http://brendawhiteside.blogspot.com/

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B003V15WF8

Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3972045.Brenda_Whiteside

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/brenda-whiteside

Who's the #Character? My Alter-Ego is a Sexy Author by Brenda Whiteside

Not all characters spring entirely from an author's imagination. At least, that's the case with me. When an author says "be careful, you just might end up in my book" they aren't joking.

There is some model or true to life person in many of the characters who roam the pages of my novels. After all, truth is often way crazier and more colorful than fiction much of the time. So, just between us, I'm going to divulge some of those inspirations. You won't tell, right?

For the most part, my Love and Murder Series springs from my imagination. But not entirely. The hero in The Art of Love and Murder is Sheriff Chance Meadowlark. He started out as Lance...which happens to be my son's name. He also happens to be my son's height and build with a strong character for protection of the women in his life. When I wrote the first love scene, egad, the name had to change!

Book two, Southwest of Love and Murder, the heroine, Phoebe, is a murder/mystery writer who loves hippy/gypsy style clothing, lots of jewelry, and sex. Hum, well, she's my alter ego. And who better to model the hero after than Robert Redford. No, I don't know him personally, but it was his face I saw interacting with me, er, Phoebe.

A Legacy of Love and Murder, book three and set in Austria, is probably the purest of the series when it comes to characters. But I do have a close friend in Austria and with his help I threw in some German. He's also very good looking like the hero, Tobias Wolf.

My brother spent an awful night in a cheap motel and that one scene was inspiration for The Power of Love and Murder. I built Jake from my brother and my son. My brother owned a tile business for years and my son was a rock and roll singer in his own band for years. But another interesting character in the book is Vince Elams, an FBI agent turned hit man. A friend of mine, Vince Smale, asked if I'd put him in one of my books someday. Friend Vince is a big man and not a villain, but switching up his name did the trick. P.S. he loves the character.

Three characters in Sleeping with the Lights On do exist. I've changed them a

Mom and Dad were the stars of Post-War Dreams

little to fit the story, but they are very much the models. And I won't say which of them for sure. There was a fourth who had one minor scene...the jerk of a boss. Oh yes, I knew that man!

In other books, it might be a personality trait or physical trait of someone I've encountered or known in the past.

So, watch out! You could be in my book...let me know if you recognize anyone.

Find all of my characters on my Blog or Amazon or my Web Page.

Love and Murder Sale by Brenda Whiteside

My books don't go on sale often, so an announcement is in order. Book two, Southwest of Love and Murder and book four, The Power of Love and Murder in the popular Love and Murder Series have been reduced from $4.99 to $1.99 each on most all sites where eBooks can be found. Click on either of these to take advantage:

The Wild Rose Press - Brenda Whiteside
Amazon - Brenda Whiteside

This sale will end November 16th. Happy reading!

SOUTHWEST OF LOVE AND MURDER

Mystery writer, Phoebe Anderson, owes her success to killing her first husband on paper seventeen years earlier. Now, someone has actually done it. When she decides to take a few days away on the ranch of her best friend’s brother-in-law, she doesn’t expect romance to find her...or murder to follow her.

Mason Meadowlark is happy with his wild cowboy ways, avoiding love since the death of his baby and the end of his marriage twenty years ago. When Phoebe shows up, he fights to control his emotions, but soon wonders if she just might be worth the risk of opening his heart again. 

With an obsessed fan close on her heels, Phoebe is thrown into her own murder mystery…and the next target on his list is Mason.

Undercover Book Reviews

WOW!!!...a ride you sure as heck don’t see coming!

Long and Short Reviews

Southwest of Love and Murder is a very enjoyable book. Although it is book two in a series, it can definitely stand on its own. I recommend it to anyone looking for a romantic suspense with a sexy hero and a sassy heroine.

THE POWER OF LOVE AND MURDER

For thirteen years, Penny Sparks has managed to hide from the political powers who murdered her family. When she unwittingly exposes her true identity, not only is she marked for death, but the people closest to her risk meeting the same fate. 

Jake Winters is out of rehab and coming to grips with his demons. When he meets his sister’s roommate, Jake believes Penny might be that someone who can help him find life after rock star status…until her secrets blow up his world. 

With a government agent turned hit man closing in on her, Penny and Jake race to expose the presidential contender behind the murders of her family. Even if they win the race with death, the murder that stands between them could end their hope for a new life.

N N LIGHT REVIEWS

If you’re a fan of romantic suspense, this is a must read. If you’re a fan of suspense and/or political thrillers, you’ll love it!

KAM’S PLACE REVIEWS 

Like the other "Love and Murder" books in the series, Brenda crafted a story full of mystery, corruption, bit of romance, and ended it all with a happily ever after.

I blog right here on the 9th and 24th of every month. You can also find me:
My Web Page
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Why Oh Why Did I Do It by Brenda Whiteside.

Have you ever done something and wished you hadn't; wished you could have a total do-over. I don't normally enter contests, but I did. My publisher sent me an email about a contest, and it seemed like a good idea. A contest based on readers' votes. But...the main problem with this kind of contest is getting the word out, and that turns it into a shout and beg kind of thing. So, why did I do it? No idea. Southwest of Love and Murder placed second in a contest before it was published. It was the typical contest judged by a panel of judges and editors. My mother-in-law used to say "there is first place and no place." I guess I felt the need to try once more for first place since my second place really doesn't mean much.

That main problem I stated before is now making me cringe. Asking for votes...just feels wrong. So this will be the last time I mention it. One more stab, publicly, not aimed at anyone in particular. That's it. And since I'm up against some more well-known authors than yours truly, I have no expectations, and can forget about it.

The Romance Reviews is where you go to vote. You have to register, but it's free and safe. Your email address will be confidential. It's the only way for them to monitor that you vote only once for a book. There are several categories. Southwest of Love and Murder is in the Romantic Suspense category. Below is the direct link to my book's page. Click on the blue box that says "Action-Adventure/Romantic Suspense/Mystery. Vote Now." I'm up against some tough competition. Thanks!

http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=16654

That's it. Now I'm retiring back into my isolationist stance of ignoring contests...I think.

If I Didn't Have It...by Brenda Whiteside

View from the top of one of the trails.

It didn't occur to me I'd be without Internet this week. My husband is fulfilling a bucket list item by serving as a marshal in a pro fishing tournament in Lake Havasu, Arizona. He booked us at a beautiful state camp and RV park about fifteen minutes out of the city. There's a sandy beach for people and a separate one for doggies. There are trails and fantastic scenery right on the lake. But no WiFi? He didn't think to ask. We've never encountered this. My HotSpot box won't even connect me. My phone gets only occasional coverage and is so small I can't do much besides look at my email.

An old spreading mesquite tree

So here I am, sitting in a McDonald's. I had to drop him off at 5am then settled in this McD's. Nothing like a McD's breakfast - not! Just hope I'm caught up by lunchtime. If it's a smorgasbord you're after, this is not the place to be! I'm writing this on Friday and won't be able to respond to comments until I'm back to civilization

One of my favorites - Desert Ironwood

on Tuesday.

When I'm hunkered down in the RV, without Internet, I do get more writing accomplished. Book four in my Love and Murder series took flight yesterday. And I got in two great walks.

Rusty waiting to go to doggie beach

This sort of inconvenience makes me wish for the days of no Internet. You can't miss something you don't have. You can't need something that doesn't exist. An elderly gentleman on his way out, stopped by my table and commented. He told me he used to be plugged in but gave it all up a couple of years ago. All he owns now is a simple phone for emergencies. Hmmm...some day maybe.

(This post was previously published with some minor changes yesterday on my personal blog, Discover Yourself. I had to make the most of my short Internet time!)

Although she didn’t start out to write romantic suspense, Brenda has found all good stories involve complicated human relationships. She’s also found no matter a person’s age, a new discovery is right around

every corner. Whether humorous or serious, straight contemporary or suspense, all her books revolve around those two facts.

Visit Brenda at www.brendawhiteside.com.

Or on FaceBook: www.facebook.com/BrendaWhitesideAuthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/brendawhitesid2

She blogs on the 9^th and 24^th of every month at http://rosesofprose.blogspot.com

She blogs about writing and prairie life at http://brendawhiteside.blogspot.com/

It's All About the Choices by Brenda Whiteside

Our lives are fashioned by our choices. First we make our choices. Then our choices make us. ~ Anne Frank

Any of the three quotes we've chosen for the month of March could apply to my life. But I've probably written enough about my combination farm life and writing career. I chose Anne Frank's quote because certainly the choices I've made in those directions have changed me. Then it occurred to me that my characters' understand the significance of her quote, too.

SLEEPING WITH THE LIGHTS ON

After two failed marriages and countless relationships, Sandra Holiday thinks she’s met the man to end her years of less than perfect choices; choices that not only derailed her travel-related career plans but also left her single and broke.

 

 Carson Holiday, a Las Vegas country crooner with swoon-inducing good looks, spent his adult life pursuing a recording contract and love, never holding on to either. After eighteen years, he drops back into Sandra’s life, reigniting an attraction he can’t deny.

 When Carson reappears, Sandra must choose again.  Only this time, nothing’s as it seems.  A secret admirer, a redheaded stalker, and an eccentric millionaire throw her on a dangerous path, with Carson her only truth.

 As life confronts her with yet another turning point, will her decisions find her eternally sleeping with the lights on – or will she finally discover a way to turn them off?

 So Sandra is all about choices!

THE ART OF LOVE AND MURDER (book one in series)

Lacy Dahl never questioned her past until the deaths of her adoptive parents and her husband. A husband who wasn't what he seemed. Her research uncovers secrets about the mother she never knew; secrets that dispute the identity of her father and threaten her life.

Sheriff Chance Meadowlark is still haunted by the murder of his wife and the revenge he unleashed in the name of justice. When he meets Lacy he is determined not to become involved, but their pasts may make that impossible. As they move closer to the truth, saving Lacy may be his only salvation.

Lacy begins to think the present is more important than her past...until Chance's connection to her mother and a murder spin her deeper into danger and further from love. Will the truth destroy Lacy and Chance or will it be the answer that frees them?

Lacy's choice to discover the parents she knew totally changes her life. Chance's choice of revenge has dictated his life. It's all about the choices they make.

SOUTHWEST OF LOVE AND MURDER (book two in the series)

Mystery writer, Phoebe Anderson, owes her success to killing her first husband on paper seventeen years earlier. Now, someone has actually done it. When she decides to take a few days away on the ranch of her best friend’s brother-in-law, she doesn’t expect romance to find her...or murder to follow her.

Mason Meadowlark is happy with his wild cowboy ways, avoiding love since the death of his baby and the end of his marriage twenty years ago. When Phoebe shows up, he fights to control his emotions, but soon wonders if she just might be worth the risk of opening his heart again.

 With an obsessed fan close on her heels, Phoebe is thrown into her own murder mystery…and the next target on his list is Mason.

Phoebe's first choice leads the way for an interesting life. Mason allowed his life to be defined by something he had no choice over. But eventually he makes his own choices.

So fictional or real life, it's all about the choices we make!

All of Brenda's books can be found here: http://brendawhiteside.com/books.html