ALee Drake

Welcome New Year

2011-01-01T23:08:00.002-05:00

It's been a year since I've posted anything on my blog. WOW...time flies... doesn't it ?
I have trouble here because I don't want to ramble for the sake of using up space...and I usually don't feel I have anything of value to share. But I do tonight.
This morning I was greeted by the thrilling announcement that the review of my first book, Thistle Dew, by SERIOUSLY REVIEWED was number 1 of the"most viewed" review of 2010.
This is quite an honor and really boosts my confidence in my writing. Thank you SR for such a terrific review.
And only to accentuate that life is indeed a roller coaster ride, our family sadly begins the new year with the funeral of my lovely mother-in-law. In previous blogs I've written of heroes and heroines...my mother-in-law is another heroine I've had the privilege to know and love. There are numerous jokes and stories about mother-in-laws...I really lucked out. She loved me like a daughter from the start and how could I not cherish the woman who raised her son to be my best friend, husband and wonderful father to our children.
My mother-in-law, a proud woman of Polish heritage taught me to make golumpki, perogi, and kapusta. She taught me to make a Polish Easter table, carve a butter lamb and make borste. I've been her daughter-in-law for 39 years. My mother-in-law and I were friends...and I will miss her dearly.
So...on that note...what about you're mom-in-law? Friend or foe.

2010-01-15T20:38:00.002-05:00

Both of my daughters are amazing women. I didn't raise them to be amazing but they managed to be anyways. All five of our children became alpine ski racers. Kirsten, a severe asthmatic, raced through high school and college. Oftentimes after each run, the ski patrol would be waiting for her at the bottom of the hill with an oxygen tank as she collapsed struggling for breath. They usually suggested she forgo her second run, but she never quit. She would finish her second run with every ounce of energy she had and usually final in a respectable top seed.

Sarah, likes to climb mountains. She hiking most weekends to achieve the esteemed recognition as a 46er. (One who has reached the summit of all 46 Adirondack high peaks.) She has also been accepted as one of the 12 women globally who will be climbing the three highest peaks in Africa in a program called 3peaks 3 weeks in January 2011. Heroines indeed.

Who are your real life heroines? We write about women who are strong, independent, wise. Women who we relate to and admire. I know they aren't wholly fictitious.
Who are the true heroines in your life?

My Heroes

2010-01-06T16:39:00.003-05:00

The hero and heroine of THISTLE DEW are character blends of many people that I admire and consider heroes. My heroes are strong in the sense that they move forward despite obstacles that life throws at them. You might recognize some of my characters in these real life heroes.
My brother Scott, a diabetic since the age of 16, has worked hard, played hard and been an outstanding Dad and now Grandpa. Even after this summer, when he was in the ICU for a week and then air lifted to a bigger hospital, he came back as feisty as ever.
My brother Doug has been a hero since her went into a burning house at Christmas to find a poor mans wallet containing all the money he had in the world. He became a fireman, an EMT and now retired, he cares for my brother Scott.
My grandson Luke is a hero too. Born with serious birth defects, surgery at Washington DC Children's Hospital at age 1 day old and has had about 6 surgeries since, (Luke learned to walk in a body cast). Today he is a healthy active 10 year old.
These are only three of my real life heroes. I have more to share at a later date.
BUT...until then...who are your real life heroes?

2009-10-26T19:50:00.002-04:00

An Interview with TWRP author Lynn Romaine

2009-10-24T21:54:00.005-04:00

Welcome to my interview with Lynn Romaine. Just last week The Wild Rose Press released Lynn's eco-suspense/romance novel Long Run Home. She has taken a few minutes today from her busy schedule to answer some questions a;;owing us some insight into this very talented author.

Hi Lynn,
Personal:
1. Describe your writing space. Do you have an office? How is it decorated?
(does this count as 1 question?????) I have three computers - two for work work and one for writing and email - they're in my living room - my writing space. I like everything in the same place basically - It has a bunch of CD's, a bunch of my favorite books, my lounge chair for taking a break, my TV and a wood burning stove. It's very nice and cozy - I like cozy.
2. What do you eat or drink, nibble or sip while writing? Usually coffee and chocolate (yes, I indulge a lot)
3. What music inspires your writing? A particular artist or group...specific song/s? If I'm writing suspense which I do 50% since I write romantic suspense, I like jazz or blues; if I'm writing romance part, I might put on something soft but don't like lyrics with the music - but Joni Mitchell gets me in the mood to write.
4. What does your writing schedule look like...or are you a 15 minutes here and there writer? When I'm writing, I try and write a chapter a day rough - perhaps 10 pages - if I'm editing, I try and do a chapter every two days - I don't usually mix editing and writing - I may write for a year straight and then edit for the next six months.
5. Do you have a family? and how do you handle interruptions? I don't have family at home any more but I have many accountabilities - boards, friends, and other constant interruptions, plus ten yahoo groups and other lists. I get interrupted all the time but I'm persistent in my writing so that's how I handle it.
6. Do you wear anything special while you write? Comfort clothes? No - whatever I am wearing for the day.
7. What do you daydream about? I get my stories from daydreams - since I was five, I've had ongoing stories running in my head - I switch every year maybe - but that's how I get my next book going.
8. Do you play any computer games when you're not writing? What game? No, I gave up computer games when I found writing.
9. What is your all time most favorite movie? Probably Jane Austen's Persuasion filmed by the Royal Shakepearian theater. TV show? Probably CSI Miami or SVU where I get a lot of my more gruesome ideas. Book? Tami Hoag books. Holiday? Christmas household chore? Hmm - does anyone have one? I don't.
10. Of what FIVE personal accomplishments are you most proud? 1) Writing and getting a contract on my first fiction book written in six months. 2) Raising an amazing daughter whose life is committed to making a difference helping young traumatized girls. 3) Transforming my life from someone who stuttered and wanted to hide out in life doing jobs that required no talking to someone who speaks at events and even has taught. 4) Getting a bachelor's and master's degree when I was over 50. 5) Having an amazing relationship with my ex-husband who is my best friend.

ABOUT Long Run Home your recently released novel. (CONGRATULATIONS, by the way)

1. What characteristics, if any, do you and your heroine Samantha Neally share? The good characteristics we share are courage and endurance. The 'bad' one so I've been told by my editor and a recent review, is her lack of outward emotional expression - I'd call it stoicism - not the best trait perhaps in a romance heroine but I like it.
2. Did you base your hero, Joe Roper, on someone you know, a celebrity, or pure imagination? A mixture of men I admire plus a few I've seen walking down the street.
3. Do you have a critique group/ or friend with whom you brainstorm? I'm a member of womens writers exchange - a group spread around the US and Canada - about ten of us ladies writing various genres from romance to womens lit to literary
4. What message are you sending to your readers about the environment? I'm interested in having the reader be aware of the earth and the challenges without preaching about it.
5. Why did you choose a desert setting? I flew over Nevada fives times and felt a longing to be there so I did a five day research trip there, not knowing I was searching for a place for my story.
6. What scene was easiest to write? The scene where the FBI agent is tracking his prey, Sam Neally, in the tacky grocery store in her small indian reservation town.
7. Which scene most challenging? The sex scenes - making them work for my editor
8. What is the title of your current project? The Reckoner. (I'm editing Night Noise as well, an ecosuspense book that takes place in a steel town on Lake Michigan).
9. Can you give fans a glimpse into the story? The Reckoner takes place in Manitoba, Canada and is about a girl who, in defense of her older sister, murders two men. The story opens with her trying to reconcile her adult life to that of a young girl who did murder. It's a love story and a story about atonement.

10. Is there anything I neglected to ask that you would like me to mention? I am committed to supporting young women finding fulfillment in their lives by contributing to the earth. My organization I started to support this is Red Pants For The World and our current projects are raising money for young girls in Afghanistan and starting writing groups for economically deprived girls in America.

BLURB......

SAMANTHA NEALLY is in hiding. Abandoned by her mother at eleven, she was implicated in an ecoterrorist firebombing at eighteen. Since then, she’s been living in the Nevada desert, lonely and afraid. But all that is about to change when undercover FBI agent Joe Roper turns up. He insinuates himself into her world and sends her to jail. Forced to turn state’s evidence, Sam goes to work with Roper. Laying a trap for her former friends, she’s unaware that the real danger to her life lurks in the desert, someone ready to commit murder to keep her quiet.

(344 pages) Spicy

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First Kiss

2009-07-02T19:44:00.000-04:00

I love the moments before the first kiss. You know, the anticipation, when you know its going to happen, dream that it would happen, wish that it would happen, and then the almost touching of lips, when your breath mingles with his, and the energy arcs between the two of you like sparks of downed wires, and then the invisible pull that brings your lips together.
It's the first kiss. You know, the first kiss that lets you know that this is the one. The first kiss that makes you forget that you've ever been kissed before. The first kiss that as Sage remarks in my novel THISTLE DEW, "could be the trigger that started global warming."
It's the fall-in-love kiss. It's heat brands soul to soul, heart to heart and in an honest world, it is forever. Relish the moment of your first kiss and keep the heat of it burning forever.

Share with me the first kiss that let you know that he was the one.

THISTLE DEW trailer

2009-07-02T19:31:00.000-04:00

Bio

2008-08-23T12:57:00.000-04:00

ALee (pronounced AY Lee) wrote her first romance during the 2am feedings of baby #3. That first book, FLYING KITES, written in pencil in a spiral notebook is tucked away for now, but was the beginning of ALee's secret life.
It was a relief to finally release the characters and voices, their adventures and journeys to paper. Only when one story was finished , more voices, more characters begging for their story to be told. And so it goes......
ALee is fortunate to be married for 36 years to her best friend and travel buddy, Wlad. Together they have walked the volcano rim in Hawaii, salmon fished the Kenai River in Alaska,
walked a section of the Great Wall in China, been to a Snake Farm(not her choice) in Thailand, strolled at midnight down the river walk in San Antonio (very romantic), and snorkled at the City of Refuge.
ALee and Wlad have five amazing children and three grandchildren.

2008-08-21T21:19:00.000-04:00

On Becoming an Author..for real.
It's been a dream of mine for years. Every time I'd go into a bookstore, I'd go to the romance section and search. I'd see the latest books by my fellow CNYRW members, Gayle Callen, Maggie Shayne, Chris Wenger, Lani Diane Rich, CJ Berry, Gwen Bolton, and Cara Summers and wonder where my book was. That is when I realized the power of positive intention. My book was still home, on my computer waiting for me to release it, like a kite into the blue abyss. And then the moment came when I knew Thistle Dew was ready. My angel guided me to The Wild Rose Press and I submitted. The rest is one thrilling e-mail after another, the offer of a contract and the task of completing the pages in the author's packet.
The first task, after signing and returning the contract, was to create a BLOG. Let me mention that I am comfortable with the basics of wordperfect, can competently handle e-mail and have finally learned about online banking...but BLOGGING???? I don't really know how this works. Is this like an e-mail? What are the rules here? HELLO? Is anybody out there?