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Under Cover of Dark’s Lily Bennetti under Interrogation

Apr23

What does a writer do when a character is being a little evasive? Lily Bennetti, the heroine in Under Cover of Dark (working title) has built walls so thick around her, I can’t get inside her head. While the delectable Detective Mark Johnson is cooperating beautifully in the story, Ms Lily is playing hide and seek with me. So I did what any good detective would do…I put her in the interrogation chair.

  • What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Seeing my son smile again. Learning to live without fear and trying all the things on my bucket list.Lily Bennetti

Tranquility surrounded her, as Lily sipped her glass of chilled Margaret River wine. The classic dry white and TJ’s laid-back company made it easy to relax, despite the horror of their day. That, coupled with the glorious sound of Marty and Luke’s laughter blending with the deeper male voices, had her letting down her guard a little. God bless these people—these strangers—and their power of distraction. She welcomed the distraction as a band aid on the events of the day. How long had it been since she’d heard Luke laugh?

  • What is your current state of mind?

Scared, unsure, but I’m slowly starting to recover my backbone.

“Get out, Nic.” The deadly calm in her voice was belied by her shaking hands.

Albero’s eyes narrowed on hers. “You’ll regret it, Liliana.”

  • What or who is the greatest love of your life?

At this point, I’d have to say my son Luke. But there’s a certain sexy detective who has caught my eye.Under Cover of Dark

He’d rolled up the sleeves of his white shirt to reveal strong, corded forearms, pumped now from tossing the football. His tie was stuffed carelessly in his pants pocket and the top three buttons of his shirt were undone to reveal a smooth, solid chest. That killer smile alone would have women on their knees. With a will of their own, her eyes followed the line of the buttons to the belt at his waist and she watched slim hips move with a rhythm that had heat surging through her.  Her hand shook a little with the force of it, sloshing the wine over the side of the glass.

  • What is your most marked characteristic?

I care…sometimes too much.

  • What is your greatest regret?

Not getting help for myself and my son sooner.  We wouldn’t be in this mess if I had…

Restless now, she stood and walked to the edge of the veranda. “Naïve and young, that’s what I really was. He’d never change and I did Luke more harm than good by staying.” Guilt sank heavily in her stomach. By staying, she’d put him in danger and destroyed them both emotionally. She’d forbidden him the chance to have a happier childhood.

  • Which talent do you have?

I’ve just discovered I have a talent for garden design! I’m looking forward to transforming the gardens at TJ and Scott’s teenage refuge.Lily's Garden Project

  • What qualities do you most like in a man?

Loyalty, honesty, inner strength and a caring nature

  • Who is your hero in real life?

Detective Mark Johnson, without him Luke and I could be in serious trouble.

“Mark?”

He turned to find her face inches from his. “Yes, Lily?”

“Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For everything. For helping us, for knowing what to do.”

  • On what occasions do you lie?

I didn’t exactly lie, but I withheld evidence from a police investigation to protect my son. It was necessary…to stay alive.

  • If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

I’d like to be stronger emotionally.

  • What is your motto?

I never had a goal, let alone a motto before I met Detective Mark Johnson. Now, I can say—Fight for what you believe in.

Well, there you have it. Thanks to a wonderful brainstorming session with my muse, Kerrie, this morning, we’ve helped Lily find herself a little more. Lily and I are now off on an adventure of discovery. See you soon…

What’s next for Detective Mark Johnson?

You met him in Fly Away Peta. He starts a murder investigation in Under the Hood. When will Detective Mark Johnson have his chance at happiness and what’s next for the bad guys? Find out over at Romance Book Haven.

 

Under the Hood of a Book

Mar29

How often do you read the acknowledgements in an eBook? As more of us head towards reading devices, information in forewords, acknowledgments and dedications are side-lined as the upload heads straight for the first chapter of the book. It’s a little different in paperback. We have to page past them to start the story and are more likely to stop and read them first.

I’m encouraging you today to take a moment to read the acknowledgements in eBooks too. These are the window to the soul of the book and of the author too. We can read bios and blurbs which give us facts about the author and information on what the book is about, but the clue to the author’s ‘voice’ lies in what they write in their dedications. This is the main artery to the heart of a book.

Do you agree or disagree? How often do you read the information that comes before the first chapter? Is there too much or too little information? Leave a comment below to go into the draw to win a Kindle copy of Under the Hood.

I’d like to share with you what I wrote in my dedication and acknowledgements in Under the Hood:

Acknowledgements

A huge thank you to my critique partners, whose feedback has been magnificent. They’ve helped me identify the flaws and plug the holes, and have kept me sane when I thought about giving up. A special thank you to Kerrie P and Jennie Jones, your input was gold! To the members of RWA for their ongoing support and friendship, I have learnt so much from the best in the business.

I dreamed a dream and here I am. So many people to thank for guiding me on the road to success, including the team at Harlequin Escape, my friends Leah, Lina, Hazel, Tracy, Michelle & Claire—where would I be without my girls? My boys Gavin, Shane and Daniel—you guys are the greatest. I am so proud of you all. Jean (Mom) and Hylary (Dad) for reading to me and giving me the gift of appreciation for writing and creating stories, I love you both so much. For my family, extended family, wonderful friends and, of course, my readers who keep me writing … I love that ‘Oh, wow!’ moment whenever I hear how much you’ve enjoyed one of my stories.

About the Setting

Australian businessman and politician JJ Simons founded the Young Australia League and established a holiday camp deep in the shaded Roleystone valley in 1929. Simons called his camp Araluen, an Eastern States Aboriginal word meaning ‘singing waters,’ ‘running waters’ or ‘place of lilies’. Together, League members and volunteers built cottages, designed by leading Perth architect WG Bennett, using local timber and stone. They created pathways, roads, steps and terraces and filled the dream garden with native and imported plants to create a garden heaven.

The Grove of the Unforgotten still remains today, built in memory of Young Australia League members killed in World War I.

Now known as Araluen Botanical Park, this has to be the most peaceful garden in Western Australia. Many of the cottages have been restored, except for one that burnt down, leaving only the chimney stack standing.

http://www.araluenbotanicpark.com.au/about/

I chose a similar setting for TJ & Scott’s story, because of its history and original purpose. How wonderful would it be if young people could return to this peaceful place while they search for themselves through the trials of growing up?

Unfortunately, my story is fiction and TJ is no relation to JJ Simons, but his dream and my love for his creation provided the perfect background for this story of an extraordinary woman who has her own dream and a commitment that knows no boundaries. I hope you enjoy the story.

Dedication

for my Aunty Marita

who loved her Mills & Boon collection: we shared so many wonderful stories. I hope you are proud of what I’ve achieved as you sit at God’s right hand

for my Uncle Alan

I’ll always be your little tiger. You’ll never know how much your presence meant as I struggled through my teenage years

and Aunty Rochelle

for helping Uncle Alan find his ‘happy ever after’