Saturday, February 11, 2017

More Good Than Bad and Ugly by Margo Hoornstra


It’s official!
Thanks to the wonders of modern medicine, a talented surgeon, the monumental support of family and friends, and the Good Lord I’m colon cancer free! One of those in the promised 92 percent cure rate group. Hooray!
Although, through the necessary CT scan, they did discover a cyst on one ovary they want to look into. “Most likely nothing,” the doctor says. “But, we need to be sure.” It seems having this type of growth when you’re pre-menopausal is common. Post, like me, not so much. Sounds a little like age discrimination, don’t you think?
I prefer to believe I’m young at heart.
At any rate, for the next however many years, my blood and various other internal organs will be scrutinized by the medical professionals with the care and precision of a proof reader going over the final, formatted galley of a romance novel manuscript.
I can certainly, and literally, live with that.
Speaking of formatted galley proofs, I recently sent mine back to Ally Robertson, Crimson Rose editor extraordinaire at The Wild Rose Press for my to be released by summer romantic suspense On the Surface. All part of the upcoming series Brothers in Blue
Try this on for a blurb:

Wrongly convicted ex-con and recent parolee Jenny Reynolds wants to forget her tarnished past and focus on a brighter future. One that begins with a return to the small tourist town where she grew up. There, she hopes to find peace while she restores her family’s once proud Rest Easy Bed and Breakfast. Fleeing an ex who refuses to let her go, the last thing she needs is the complication of another man.
Then she meets handsome handyman Brad Collins, a man who seems to care as much about restoring the B and B as she does. A man who soon becomes ready, willing and able to steal her heart. A man with more than a few secrets of his own. A dropout from law enforcement, the real Brad Collins will use anyone and anything to fulfill a personal vendetta.
When two pasts collide and danger threatens, their growing love may be the first casualty.
Now an excerpt:
He walked behind the counter, alert for unwelcome company, and pushed through swinging café doors to a small hallway. Light spilled onto the linoleum from a room a ways down and to the left. He reached its doorway in long, silent strides then paused just outside. A woman sat at a cluttered desk with her head bent over a bunch of papers, her face obscured by a mass of red, curly hair.
Granny must be into dye jobs.

He advanced a few steps forward then cleared his throat. “I’m looking for the owner?”

“What?” She jerked upright then stood so fast her vacated chair hit the opposite wall with a clang. “What for?”

Flexing her knees and curling her hands to fists, she put her body into a distinct fight or flight stance.

On instinct, he scanned for a weapon. Instead, he discovered a simple sundress hugged a slim waist. The flowered material covered what looked to be some darned nice breasts, judging by the cleavage peeking out. Her shoulders were bare. Knockout legs led to trim ankles and bare toes tipped in pink polish. His hasty assessment rose to her face where he locked gazes with none other than Jenny Reynolds. Who, according to sources he trusted, wasn’t supposed to be on site for a couple of weeks. Where the heck is Grandma?

His breathing accelerated. Forget that this Reynolds chick was one whole hell of a lot better looking in the flesh than in a mug shot he’d seen. Something else hadn’t appeared in the grainy picture. Raw fear lurked in those wide green eyes. He’d witnessed that kind of deep panic before.

Regret stabbed at his gut. “Hey! I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“Who are you?” A slight tremor betrayed an otherwise tough voice as she retrieved the chair to position between them.

“Brad Collins.” Edging into the room, he turned slightly so his field of vision included both ends of the hallway. Just in case Donahue happened to be on premises too. He spread his hands up and open. “Look, if it’ll make you more comfortable, I’ll go back outside and knock.”
****

My days to blog here are the 11th and 23rd. For more about me and my stories, please visit my website

19 comments:

J L said...

Congrats on all your good news!

Leah St. James said...

So, so happy the tests came back with good results, Margo. Thank God for modern medical technology. It's not a perfect science, and none of us like getting prodded, poked, stuck, etc., but it's still amazing. Congrats on getting the galley off to the wonderful Ally Robertson! Love the excerpt...I know you'll let us know when the book is available! :-)

Rolynn Anderson said...

Margot! Good for the doctors and your resilient bod. Big sighs of relief. And look at you with a book ready for release about a woman who has also moved on to a new life. Fine blurb and kicky excerpt. On to B&B Impossible! Congrats all around.

Jannine Gallant said...

I was very relieved to hear all went well with the tests. Now you can get back to the business of focusing on writing. As for the blurb, I've already given you my two cents (or is it up to a buck by now? LOL) on that. It sounds great!

Loralee said...

So happy for your good health news, Margo, as well as new book release! Gig answers prayers!

Loralee said...

Should be God answers prayers.

Alison Henderson said...

I'm so happy to hear the good news, Margo! And congrats on On the Surface. It sounds terrific.

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

Good medical news is always a blessing. We had ours this week. I'm thrilled you're cancer free and doing better. As for the excerpt, you had me at curly red hair. Being a redhead originally and eternally, thanks to my hairdresser, I find them quite interesting.

Diane Burton said...

So glad for your clean bill of health on the colon cancer. Such super news! Love the blurb and excerpt. Can't wait to help you promote this book.

Margo Hoornstra said...

Sorry to be late responding. Spent the better part of my Saturday at an exciting eighth grade boys basketball tournament. We won!!!

J.L. Thank you. It does feel good.

Exactly, Leah. I'm a firm believer that medicine is an art as much as a science. Lucky for me I got some of the best. Amazing is right. I'm still trying to wrap my head around it all. Oh, yes, ma'am, I will definitely let you all know when On the Surface comes out.

Margo Hoornstra said...

Thanks, Rolynn. Never thought of my bod so much as resilient, but apparently it is. If Jenny can do it, so can I, right?

Relieved, Jannine? Oh she who kept saying not to worry, I'd be fine. LOL Thanks so much for the positive vibes all along the way. Two cents? Ha! More like a few hundred bucks - two cents at a time. Your suggestion did make it better though, I will admit.

Margo Hoornstra said...

Thanks, Loralee. He sure does listen and respond, doesn't He?

Thanks, Alison. It's been quite the journey on both the health and professional fronts.

Thanks, Vonnie and congrats on your, Calvin's I'm thinking, good news as well. Yeah, red heads do tend to attract attention, don't they? In a good way, of course. Is there any other?

Thanks, Diane! Good news all around. Can't wait for you to help me promote this one, too. Stay warm!

Brenda Whiteside said...

Great news and great book coming up. Rosy!!

Andrea Downing said...

Great news all round Margo and loved the excerpt, and the blurb! Grabbed me straight away. You go, girl!

Margo Hoornstra said...

Sure is rosy, Brenda. I will take it.

Thanks, Andi. Love it when my writing grabs one. Onward!

Alicia Dean said...

Thank God!! So thrilled about your news. And, so happy that I get to be your editor. :) I just noticed in the blurb, 'wants' should be 'want' - Let me check into that for you. And, you'll hear from me soon on the next round!

Alicia Dean said...

Duh, never mind. Not enough coffee yet, 'wants' is correct. :)

Margo Hoornstra said...

Oh, Ally, always the editor. Wouldn't have you any other way. Thank God is right. I feel soooo fortunate the way things worked out, literally out! ;-)

Donna Michaels said...

Wonderful news!! Congratulations times two!