Open Meetings

1. What types of books do you write?
Currently I write mysteries with the same protagonist, ie, PR executive, amateur sleuth Jillian Hillcrest. I also plan to write historical mysteries once I finish the third book in my Jillian Hillcrest series.

2. What is the latest book you have written?
OPEN MEETINGS was published in July 2012. A reporter draws Jillian into the investigation of the suspicious death of an informant.

3. Is it part of a series, if so which one?
OPEN MEETINGS is the second novel in the Jillian Hillcrest mystery series. The first is ON MESSAGE published in December 2011. The third one FAIR DISCLOSURE is underway.

4. When did you start writing?
I started writing novels approximately two years ago. However, I consider my doctoral dissertation to be my first book published in the 1970s. And during my career in public relations I wrote hundreds of press releases, dozens of by-lined articles, and many, many fact sheets, corporate and product profiles. So I feel like I’ve always been writing.

5. Why did you start writing?
I started writing novels when I was laid off in 2008. I have always enjoyed writing, and find it therapeutic. I started writing mysteries specifically because I have always enjoyed reading mysteries. I enjoy the puzzle, ie, figuring out “whodunit” based on clues.

6. Who are your influences?
My mysteries are more about tracking down the clues and less about car-chasing action. My protagonist is an amateur sleuth who spends much of her time on her job as Public Relations officer at a small Silicon Valley biotechnology company. She gets pulled into mysteries through no fault of her own. And she has help from her friends and ex-husband solving the clues. I also like to offer interesting characters – not a “just-the-facts-m’am” one-dimensional sleuth.

For writing this type of mystery, there are many who have influenced me, beginning with Agatha Christie who was superb at providing clues and red herrings with both an amateur sleuth like Miss Marple and an expert detective like Hercule Poirot. A few of the others in a long list are: Dick Francis, Patricia Cornwell, Stieg Larsson, Michael Connelly, John Grisham, Mary Higgins Clark. All of these authors created memorable characters and provided challenging puzzles to solve.

7. What can we expect from you in the near future? Book signing events, other detail
I am working on my third novel FAIR DISCLOSURE, which I plan to publish the first half of 2013. I am also busy offering articles from guest experts on my blog: Strands Simply Tips

Definition of being a Mother

I remember when I had my first son. My first thoughts were what is all the fuss about. When I was younger the number of children I wanted changed from 6 to 0 as I grew older. For the simple reason, I looked at some mothers and they looked like they had been in World War 2, eever since they started having children. Their children, looked like they lived in palaces. When he was a baby, I recall, getting him ready, feeding him, bathing him and thinking this is not so hard. I could take him out to the park all day, and go clubbing all night. Life seemed too good. There were these constant debates in the media, whether, it is better to be a stay home Mum or go to work etc. Unfortunately, I never had the choice. The day it hit me, the Definition of Being a Mother, was when I was preparing him to go to school, and I had not enrolled him in any school! I thought I was all prepared listing him the year before the school year. There were Mum´s that had listed their child since they were pregnant. My first thought, what was I doing? And it was too soon, then? I was enjoying him and my life was fine, so why stress myself so early for no reason. From that moment onwards it was a constant struggle, not only for schools, but life in general. This is when I felt "Motherhood". This is when I began to question, my role as a mother. This was the time I had to think about his future, and how he would get there. Morales that I had to install in him, influences and choices I had to make for his life. Before, he went to the park and played with anyone. Now, I would watch him hanging around certain people and think, I do not want you to be my son´s friend. I never understood, why mothers felt the need to go back to work when their kids started school. I felt this was the time they needed to be there, not only because of the school hours, but simply because this is when the real hard work began. I would like to know other person´s thoughts and If they can relate to this day, i.e. when the definition of being a mother or father began for them………………… THE HIGHS, the lows, The Inbetweens, now on sale at Amazon, click this link to purchase

Decisions

THE HIGHS, the lows, The Inbetweens, now on sale at Amazon, click this link to purchase

Decision to be educated, based on the fear of being illiterate.

Decision to speak, based on the fear of never being heard.

Decision to hate, based on the fear of learning the truth.

Decision to be a friend, based on the fear of being ignored.

Decision to be a mother, based on the fear of not being in control.

Decision to travel, based on the fear of being ignorant.

Decision to swim, based on the fear of drowning.

Decision to be happy, based on the fear of a life of unhappiness.

Decision to sing, based on the fear of living in poverty.

Decision to marry, based on the fear of eternal solitude.

Decision to drink, based on the fear of remembering.

Decision to write, based on the fear of never expressing one´s fears´.

Bingo : One woman´s journey through life

FREE ON AMAZON THIS WEEKEND ONLY THE 16TH TO THE 17TH DECEMBER
Bingo is my biography passionately composed over decades. It contains my fantasies, and desires within historical events, which have resulted in a range of emotions. A powerful journey with setbacks and disappointments along the road from abuse, depression, love, struggles ‘And Still I Rise’, as my heroin Maya Angelou has claimed throughout her life.



This book has short stories, which are inspirational to all women, it is encouraging to know that you are not alone. I feel the number one reason for depression, is the feeling that you are alone, and no one is going through your problems. I have had feedback from reader's saying;” I thought it was only me”. This book bridges those frustrations and highlights that you are not alone! We may be on different sides of the globe, but sitting and reading this book poses as self-help, with the knowledge that other women can relate to your problems.
As a mother and single parent, I have included funny moments, which my children encounter on many occasions. Arriving at school to discover, my second son, has no shoes – When questioned, replies, I told him to get ready, but never asked him to put on shoes!
There is something to appeal to all sexes. Men have an understanding of emotions that women encounter in their lives. I feel the claim that ' Men are from Mars' and 'Women are from Venus' is correct, due to a lack of understanding between the two sexes. I think this book bridges that gap. I have had reviews from men claiming that they have not had familiarity, but they have been close to women who have experienced it. Therefore, they have reached a better understanding of the problems, these women have been their mother, sister or wife.
It does not appeal solely to poet lovers, due to the fact it is an easy read and an auto-biography. Many readers have voiced, they do not read poetry but they loved the book. Therefore, there is something to appeal to fans of all different genres of prose.

Bingo is a contemporary written book in poetic style in the form of an auto-biography; with emotional horrors and humor.

Bingo, now for sale at Smashwords
Bingo, now for sale at US Amazon
Bingo, now for sale at UK Amazon



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