Out of My Dreams Onto the Page

When Inspiration hits my friend Jane, it pops her eyes open, prods her out of bed, and leads her straight to pen and paper. I think that may be rubbing off on me. Actually, though, I was already awake this morning, lying in bed wondering if it was “gettin’ up time.” I thought about my work-in-progress, Grave Heritage, and the foreshadowing or “plants” in the book. Then, the way the culprit is outed slipped into my head. Of course! That would work. It would go along with his profession, would give him a reason for being at Darcy’s. Then I thought, but where would Flora be? This should be only Darcy in on the showdown. The answer came: Flora is visiting Pat! Good! Now, how is Darcy going to escape this guy who is bent on destruction? Again: Darcy will be working on a certain object which has a bearing on the outcome of the story and ties in with a previous foreshadowing and will answer one of the questions that has been in the minds of Darcy and Flora. She will use this object as her weapon. Great! I see it all now.

OK. That’s down. Now, for the ending. Ah, yes! That too, ties up a loose end, answers more than one question, and is decidedly romantic in tone. Great! Those scenes, in my mind, are finished, but you know what? A whole lot has to happen before then.

Already I’m wondering what the readers’ responses will be to Grave Heritage. It is fun to read those Amazon reviews. If you’ve read The Cemetery Club, Grave Shift, Best Left Buried, or Ned’s book, Moonlight Can Be Murder, and if you enjoyed the book (or books) please leave a review on Amazon. That would be wonderful and I would so appreciate it. Experts say the more reviews, the more sales. Is that true? I don’t know but I’d like to find out!

Here are a few of those Amazon reviews which warmed the cockles of my heart:

I really enjoyed this mystery. It kept me guessing. Nettie is a widow and goes back to Oklahoma to see her uncle. She gets there to find that he is dying. His last words are cryptic and she needs to figure out what he meant. She reconnects with some old friends and makes some new friends. Who can she trust?

I picked up this book on a lark, recommended by some friends on Facebook. It soon drew me in with its lovable characters and local charm. Suitable for mystery fans of all ages, Grave Shift is proof that a good story with some twists and turns can be just as satisfying as books filled with sex and violence, perhaps more so. If you like a good murder mystery I highly recommend Grave Shift. I’m about to start on book 3 of the Darcy & Flora series, I hope that it is just as good.

I loved this book! “The Cemetery Club” by Blanche Day Manos is the first book in her Darcy and Flora cozy mystery series and I highly recommend it. The main characters were well-developed and likeable, so much so that I held my breath when the author placed them in danger. For me, the characters come first and the plot comes second. But, in this novel, the unique setting, the cast of characters and the plot combined to keep me turning the pages.

Manos hits it again with this, the third in her Darcy & Flora cozy mysteries, but this time, I knew what to expect. I wasn’t disappointed. These two older super-sleuths get into all kinds of trouble and uncover secrets hidden for years, some that affect their own lives. I love reading these. I know there will be just enough violence or suggestion of violence to be believable without being gory, and I know the hint of love in the making will excite my romantic sensibilities. I hate to say goodbye to two of my favorite characters.

A reminder that the three Darcy and Flora ebooks are still being offered on Amazon for $9.97.

Now, before those wonderful inspirational bits and pieces fly right out of my head as quickly as they flew in, I’d better capture them with pen and paper (or computer). Happy Sunday to all you readers. I love this Irish blessing: May your troubles be less, and your blessings be more, and nothing but happiness come through your door!