What If?

During the question and answer period a poor defenseless high school student asked a question that stumped the panelists.

She said, “I have really great characters. I know everything about them and I’m ready to write about them. How do you decide, or get inspiration for, stories to put them in?”

Dead silence descended.

No doubt these were people whose minds bubbled endlessly with ideas and possibilities.

And, unable to think of an answer they passed on to other questions. I was not able to track the girl down after the session, and I doubt she will ever read this note, but I have some thoughts on the subject. Although authors do not often realize this consciously, all books are written to answer a question. . . .” What if . . . ?”

What if . . . Maid Marion was the Sheriff of Nottingham? It is historically accurate. More than one woman served as Sheriff during the absence of her husband off on the crusades or after the death of said husband or her father. Would Robin have escaped quite so quickly? Would she have caught him faster? What tortures would she inflict?

What if . . . you were a member of a culture that on the night of your eighteenth birthday you were supposed to dream the identity of your fated spouse? What would you do if you didn’t have the dream? What would you do if you did and discovered he was three mountain ranges, an ocean, a desert and a war zone away? Would you bother to go looking for him? Would you stay home? Would you lie and say you dreamed he died? Would you tell the truth? What would get you moving?

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Ridiculous by D .L. Carter

Funny. Sexy. Cross Dressing. Not your mother’s Regency Romance. After the death of her miserly cousin Antony North, Millicent Boarder is determined her family should never be poor or vulnerable again. To protect them she conceals her cousin’s death and assumes his identity. Now she must face the Ton and the world as Mr. North and accept the price she must pay for her family’s safety -- she will never be loved.

Which means now is the perfect time for her to meet a duke! Up to his neck in a mud puddle.

“I have never left a review for a Kindle eBook before - in fact I had to create an account to leave this one! But this book was a truly wonderful find and I wanted other people to discover it too. I purchased this book while it was free due to some promotion by the publisher I think but I would have paid $7 or $8; it is far and away the best book I’ve ever read on my Kindle.The book itself is laugh out loud funny. The characters are witty and like-able without straying into caricature territory. The plot treads several well worn tropes, but takes them on in a new and fresh way. For example, one of the female characters is masquerading as a man. It is clear that at some point, a reveal must be made. Even before starting the book, I felt confident that I knew how it would go, since all books that use this plot device are the same. But I was wrong! It was handled so differently from other books. I wish I could go into more detail without spoilers, but suffice to say, this book had several such pleasant surprises

Bound to Morocco: Book One in the Morocco Series by Leslie Hachtel

What if your family sold you to a Sultan’s Harem?

Drugged and kidnapped, Shera finds herself on a ship to Morocco to serve the Sultan. Abandoned and alone, Shera must find a way to escape and confront the people who betrayed her. She gets help from an unlikely source: the man who kidnapped her. But, he has his own secrets. And, when their partnership turns to love, the two must face constant danger to endure. But will they ever be free?

“I’m not a huge connoisseur of historical fiction, but I really enjoyed this book. Read it in one go, which means that the author did a few somethings

“I enjoyed this book. Its fast-paced storyline keeps the reader involved and interested. It’s a romance but much more than that. It has mystery, intrigue and thrills. Morocco is like a picture painted for the background of the story.”

The Roughneck & the Lady by Erin Wade

When Care-flight delivered a roughneck to Dr. Heather Hunter’s trauma unit, it turned her world upside down. Heather found herself in love with someone her mother found socially unacceptable. Someone whose job was so dangerous Heather fought falling in love to avoid a broken heart.

Little did she know that her loved one was courting danger far deadlier than working on an oil rig. In the fast-moving, hard-loving, world of Texas oil tycoons and terrorists hell bent on destroying the Texas oil industry Dr. Hunter finds love in the fast lane breath taking and indescribably satisfying.

“I really enjoyed this book. Great love story with lots of action. Great character development. I highly recommend this book.”

“Erin Wade has done it again. She’s written a book that totally enveloped me. I was drawn into the story & lived in it’s pages! Trin, the roughneck, was so much more than she seemed. Heather, the talented surgeon, performed a miracle operation on Trin. This book has everything I could wish for— drama, love, mystery, love, angst & well—more love! Thank you, Erin Wade for another great book. I’m looking forward to my next journey with you.”

Walking Through Fire by C J Bahr

Simon MacKay, the last Earl of Cleitmuir, was murdered two hundred years ago because of his family’s dangerous legacy. Alone and cursed he haunts his home in order to protect the lost treasure.

Antiquities expert, Laurel Saville, leaves Chicago to visit her best friend in the romantic Scottish Highlands. When the ghostly Simon saves her life, she pledges to help him, which is hindered by treasure hunter Alex MacKenzie.

Laurel risks everything to help Simon resolve the issues keeping him earth bound. But will she lose him forever or is there a way Laurel can keep him with her on this earthly plane?

Review: 5* Richly Written Story Gripping To The Last Page “Treasure. Ghosts. Romance. Set in the Highlands. What’s not to like? Twists and turns you don’t see coming? What’s not to like? When you discover a little gem like this book in a sea of “I’ve read every highland book and they’re all the same” it’s something to shout from the roof tops. Laurel and Simon have great chemistry, the tension is there, but there’s also something you don’t see in books... compassion. This a great book!”. - Book Goddess Leah

Once Upon a Tablecloth by Leslie Hachtel

Nick Jordan acquires failing restaurants, then makes them prosperous. But when Lily Mercer calls him for help, he didn’t count on falling in love. Or that someone wants to kill her. And with so many obstacles and threats, can she survive? Can their love?

“This story is funny, steamy, suspenseful, and romantic with wonderful strong characters both male and female it was a nice way to pass an afternoon.” - Amazon reviewer

“I loved this book! Leslie has a talent for bringing life and relatability to her characters! She has written another winner in my opinion. This is a wonderful romantic suspense book for anyone who enjoys a good love story with twists and a who did it type plot!” - Shani K.