Romance Novelist Rusty Blackwood’s April Newsletter 2017 …

• Posted on 25th April 2017
• in Newsletters, Thoughts& Views
• by admin

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Hi everyone! Hope this finds you all in the spirit of spring and looking forward to the newness of it all. I am writing my Newsletter a bit early this month, as I’ve some news to share of an upcoming event that I am taking part in that I was not engaged to do at the writing of last month’s Newsletter. As it takes place on Saturday, April 29^th, it allows me to share it with everyone in enough time for those who live in my area to possibly attend. For those who don’t, I shall speak about it in the May Newsletter and now on with the news of April…

 With the exception of the upcoming event on April 29^th, I’ve not done any public events. I did a number of online events with Indie Author News throughout March, and I am happy to say that their excellent coverage has been continuing since. Totally awesome coverage, that of which I am most appreciative. I am planning on doing some more coverage with them in the upcoming months, and if their generous coverage continues long after the initial event, then it will be nothing short of wonderful.

Stay tuned for updates but in the meantime you can check-out coverage of the interview at http://www.indieauthornews.com/2017/03/indie-author-interview-rusty-blackwood.html

As shown in the image above, the annual Authors for Indies Day is happening this year on Saturday, April 29^th. Last year I took part in this event which took place at the now defunct R&B Novel Teas in Niagara Falls, Ontario. It was certainly a fun event. This year my 5 star award winning romantic fiction drama, Willow’s Walk, and I are appearing between 1 and 4 pm on Saturday, April 29^th at Hannelore Headley Old & Fine Books, 71 Queen Street, St. Catharines. I am planning a reading from Willow around 2pm. For further info, please check out the official event announcement here: https://www.facebook.com/events/225763484567122/ This is a very interesting bookshop, been around forever, and I hope those in my immediate area can stop by to meet me, and have a chat.

I was very taken with the requests for a sequel to my adult comedy short, The Misadventures of Derwood Tugbottom, that I released back in the summer of 2012. Those who have read about the audacious and bold Derwood have enjoyed it greatly, and many have asked if and when I will be doing a second. I wasn’t certain that I would, but Derwood allows the chance when reading to laugh, and it is the same when it comes to writing it. So, I have begun the sequel entitled Derwood Returns. Please enjoy this excerpt from Chapter 1: Reminiscing with Defiance

He would not be a made a fool; no longer would he beg, no longer would he pine for a woman who had made a mockery of him. It was beyond belief how she could turn away from him – him – a man who had been held in highest esteem by assorted colleagues at London’s main City Hall – he – who had bested any man that dared challenge his brilliant chess strategy, let alone his flamboyant taste in fashion. How dare she, Derwood thought as defiance seethed within him, she’ll never find another like me. Ha! She may think she has found her dandy in that unscrupulous nit she deserted me for, but she will soon rue the day! With this thought he stood to attention, before strutting to the full length mirror in the dressing area of his low-rent, West London flat. Standing rigid with his right foot slightly askew, its elongated, patent leather slipper rising on the big toe, he studied his reflection, taking it all in as he opened his mauve brocade dressing gown to reveal his newly acquired royal blue satin pajamas. She’s a fool if she thinks she can find any better than I, he thought while diligently admiring his reflection, but his stalwart defiance soon caved, as did he, upon the green vinyl wing chair adjacent a flimsy brown pressboard armoire.

Work on my newest romantic fiction drama, The Perils of Autumn, is waiting for my return, and I look forward to doing just that. The world of an English equestrian master, and the Kentucky stable that he loves, sets the scene for a breath-taking saga that is certain to hold your attention, and touch your heart.

Please enjoy an excerpt from Chapter 3: Looks Can Often Be Deceiving

The doorbell of Landon Manor sounded its Call to the Post chime, signaling those inside of someone’s arrival at the front door as efficiently as if it the trumpet was calling horses to the post. It was the only residence throughout The Meadows known for this unique doorbell, which was most befitting to its surroundings, and one that was forever remembered by those departing a visit to the stately manor. Whenever it sounded, it always caused Agnes Brewer to shake her head in a disgruntled manner, while she fought the urge to gallop toward the door as if she were a late arrival to the lineup. This morning was no different, but she paused long enough to catch her breath before opening the huge wooden door.

“Good morning,” said the young woman standing on the columned veranda, holding a suitcase in her left hand, while straightening her cap with her right. “I am Nurse Autumn Leeves from Saint Joseph Hospital. I’ve been dispatched to care for Alice Landon.”

Extending her right hand, Agnes replied, “Yes, Nurse Leeves, we’ve been expecting you. Lovely to meet you, do come in.”

Stepping into the impressive foyer, the young nurse couldn’t help but stare about in awe, for she had never seen such grandeur. Lowering her suitcase to the marble floor, she took a moment to drink it all in, before she said, “My, this is lovely. And I must say the sound of that doorbell is most impressive. It certainly let’s one know they are entering the home of an equestrian master.”

Nodding her head in agreement, Agnes stated, “That it does. I’ve heard it multiple times, and it never ceases to elicit the need to lope for the door, ha-ha. I’m sure you are most anxious to get settled in your room before meeting Mr. and Mrs. Landon. They are both looking forward to meeting you. You come highly recommended.”

With a huge smile, Autumn replied, “Well that’s nice to hear. I hope I can live up to the image that seems to have preceded me. After all, I’m not all that long out of nursing school, and have only cared for a few patients in two hospitals thus far. But I am looking forward to this assignment.”

The two ascended the impressive semi-circular staircase leading to the second floor, and proceeded in a westward direction toward the far end of the walnut paneled corridor, that of whose polished walls were lined with striking photographs displaying numerous horses in imposing stances, a few with prominent looking jockeys sitting atop them, each proudly wearing the Kentucky blue-grass green and cream silks of Landon Lawns Stables. As Autumn moved along, her eyes were strangely drawn to a portrait hanging prominently on the wall opposite the door to her room. It was that of a huge black stallion, and straddling him in a rather suggestive manner was a slight built, dark-haired jockey, attired in Landon silks, and holding a riding crop high above his head in an arch of victory. His face held an expression as if to say he would not be trifled with, lest those doing so would feel his wrath. His brooding eyes secured the onlooker’s attention, boring into the camera lens as if they were smoldering embers threatening to erupt into an inferno upon the least amount of fanning.

Autumn found this photograph somewhat pretentious, if not a tad contemptuous, but regardless of this revelation, she couldn’t help but be attracted to it. She shook her head in a manner as if to clear these insipid thoughts from within, while her eyes scanned the picture once more before following the housekeeper’s sweeping gesture into her room.

The first glance brought what could only be described as deception, for what appeared to be a normal bedroom, was in fact an entire suite, complete with kitchenette at one end, and an impressive opened balcony at the other that allowed a commanding view of Kentucky’s majestic hills beyond the rolling lawns stretching toward them. Autumn was most impressed, if not overwhelmed, but there was no denying the Landons were intent on making a good impression. At that moment she thought of her aging mother, and how pleased she would be to know her illegitimate daughter was being welcomed into such a fine residence; one that was highly respected in many circles, not just equestrian.

Inserting her head inside the entrance, Agnes said, “I hope you will find these accommodations to your liking. Mrs. Landon has always kept this suite for guests; she feels the privacy is much needed, and allows a person time to them self, instead of feeling as if they must adhere to the family’s schedule. There is a small kitchen, as you can see, and you are welcome to stock it however you wish, but I do hope you will consider taking your meals down in the kitchen with me. I will tend to your suite twice a week, unless you wish daily hired maid service like a certain someone on staff that sees himself above everybody else.”

As she continued to gaze about, Autumn couldn’t help thinking the woman’s end remark sounded a bit strange, but she shook it off, and replied, “Daily maid service would be nice, of course, but I don’t require that nor do I expect it. Twice a week will be fine, and thank you Miss Brewer, that is most generous of you. And I must say I like the idea of my own area for meals; however I’m not much of a cook, and I really have to admit to not caring for the chore. My mother spoiled me I guess. She always did the cooking, even with her long hours at the store. However I would begin dinner preparations when I arrived home from school, though the second she stepped in the front door she would take over.”

Upon entering the room entirely, the housekeeper queried, “Is that so? She sounds to be most attentive, and you must call me Agnes. I don’t stand on protocol, even though I have worked in a grand manor for many years. The manor itself is grand enough, without me thinking I am too, so please, call me by my name.”

“Then you must return the favor, Agnes, and address me by mine,” stated Autumn, and walking to the balcony door, she continued, “This view is stunning. I grew up in the heart of Lexington, so a view like this was non-existent. But after Mother and I moved to our house, the view was nicer, though still nothing like this. How long have you been employed here?”

Smoothing the front of her starched white apron, Agnes replied, “Oh, many years now. I actually began my domestic career in London, where I served a family for seventeen years, before coming to Lexington in the early sixties to become head housekeeper for a family who lived in the core of the city. But I really wasn’t there all that long before I saw Mr. Landon’s ad in The Herald. He and I go back a long ways. We were children growing up in the same depleted area of Gloucestershire. Bad times they were – terrible – neither of us knowing if we were to survive them. But we’ve each managed to climb out of that wretched life into a much finer one. And what is your story, if you don’t mind me asking?”

The Official Press Release is a very important tool in writing regardless of whether the work is self published, or published in the standard way. Press Releases open many doors, and help to shine light on areas that might otherwise remain in the dark. Please take this link to have a look at my latest release. http://bit.ly/2mDsIt9

I am most pleased to have been chosen as one of the contestants for 2017 Top Female Authors by The Authors Show. Winners to be announced in June. I’ll keep you posted!

I have stated many times how crucial reviewing an author’s work truly is, and even more so when the work is done by an indie author. I have had some excellent reader reviews and comments on both Passions in Paris: Revelations of a Lost Diary, and Willow’s Walk, and I am most appreciative of each and every one. For those who are thinking about giving my work a read, I hope you will also give it critique. That is how a written piece gains ground in both recognition, and desire to read, so I hope you will, and I also hope you enjoy what you read.

As April draws to a close I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you who so graciously continue to support my work in the many ways that you do. It’s not always an easy task to continue forward in a field that is so unpredictable with dead ends and closed doors in so many areas, but a reader’s support and encouragement helps to not only open these doors, but makes the desire to open them so much greater. So thank you.

And as always, support your local authors, and all your local talent in the Arts!

Cheers!

Rusty B.

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