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Thursday, January 31, 2013

Out of the Past-email feedback


 
Good morning Dana
I want to let you know how much I enjoyed you new book, Out of the Past. I could not put the book down until I had finished it. I cannot wait for the sequel.
 Thank you
 Leona
 
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 Dana, Enjoyed this book so much! It was a really fun, original read.  Loved how you weaved Dream Catchers in there, too! Keep writing! Sue

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Out of the Past~~One of Torie's Travels, 1891

Out of the Past Amazon Link. 


Torie inhabits the body of her great-grandaunt Mahala Wyman




                                 Dr. Jacob Krout and family



      I became aware of the weight, as a person sat down beside me and I looked over to see a man dressed in a black suit. He put a stethoscope in his ears, unbuttoned my gown and placed the disc over my chest, listening to my heart. He was Dr. Jacob Krout. He had been the doctor in Fremont for more than forty-three years. He looked young, and was probably in his early thirties. I had seen several photographs of him which people had added to his online memorial. He was buried in Cedar with his family. His wife Mary Alice was a Dinsmore.
     He quietly listened to my heart as I studied his kind face.
    “Take a deep breath Mahala,” he requested, “And another. Good.” He smiled kindly at me and buttoned my gown. “I will be making the rounds to see your sister Ivy when I leave here. She and Joshua are sure looking forward to that little one. I don’t think I have ever seen a couple more anxious for a child.”
     The doctor looked from me, to some point at my left and I became aware that someone was holding my hand. My great-great-grandma Rose was sitting beside me, in a chair.
     “We are all looking forward to that new grand baby.” Rose said, patting my hand, “I think Mahala more than anyone. How is your family, Dr. Krout? Mary Alice and little Erma,”
     “Everyone is just fine. Erma will be going on ten years next month.”
     The doctor looked back to me and smiled. “I will stop again tomorrow.” He assured, rising and taking his stethoscope from his neck to place it into his medical bag on the floor beside him.
     “I’ll see you out, Doctor.” Rose offered.
     “I can see myself out, Rose.” He patted her shoulder and walked to the door. “Until tomorrow,”
     Rose turned her attention back to me as the bedroom door closed softy and I noticed she had a bible open in her lap. She began reading to me from some chapter. I have no idea what chapter it was. The good book wasn’t one of those on my book shelf. I hadn’t cracked a bible since I was confirmed at thirteen years old. Rose finished the passage and then lifted my hand and kissed the back gently.
     “Mahala, you are the light of my life, sweetheart. I want you to know that. I love you so much. We will read and pray every day until you are well. I have faith in God. You need to have faith and believe.”

         

Out of the Past~~Bringing the past to life

Johnnie Baitsell  Out of the Past


     I noticed at that moment, the young teenage boy trying not to show his amusement at the situation. It was Johnnie Baitsell. I recognized him.
     Even odder, I knew all about Johnnie Baitsell. He was not family, but he was buried in the cemetery in Fremont. He died at fifteen years old sometime after 1900 of consumption in Texas, where his mother had taken him for the warmer climate. I had his obituary which described how he had died in his mothers’ arms—very sad.

Friday, January 25, 2013

A tiny peek at Into the Future


Into the Future, Heritage Time Travel Romance Series, book #2
Coming Fall 2013




Las Vegas, Nevada



“Torie, what is going on? Everyone is waiting for you and Dave to be seated before they open the buffet.”
I huffed a sigh at my oldest sister and pointed to our sister Sarah’s back, “A little help, please.”
Sarah turned from the mirror, pointing to the bodice of her strapless sunflower-yellow Vera Wang sheath.
“What the hell—Sarah, what are you crying about?” Margo groaned, overlooking the obvious problem. “Don’t tell me you're drunk already.”
Both Sarah and I broke into laughter directed at our normally reserved older sister. Just hearing her say hell and drunk in conversation was hilarious.

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Love's Vengeance-a favorite scene with Tim

Love's Vengeance Amazon link



   
     For some time Desiree urged her mount along the surf unaware of Timothy in even stride beside her. She was racing to flee the scene over breakfast that ran over and over again within her mind, just as the waves crashed over the beach, time after time, sending up fine droplets as hooves met the sea. The sun upon the water set it to sparkling and the hills about them were shrouded in vapor. The air had a heavy feeling from a light rain that had fallen sometime during the night, and slowly Desiree felt her emotions coming under control as she took in the splendor of the morning all about her. She reined her horse to a walk and Timothy followed suit, slowing his mount to fall in beside her. She smiled warmly at him and then moved from the surf to the water’s edge, where she dismounted.
    “What are you doing?” Tim asked with a chuckle. He pulled Sebastian to a stop and rested his arms across the horn of the saddle, watching as she took a seat upon the sand and began removing her shoes and stockings. She jumped up and placed her shoes about the horn of her sidesaddle, tucking her stockings in the pommel.
    “Tim, take off your boots. Let’s walk a bit,” she said slapping at his foot. Bending over at the waist, she pulled her skirt forward between her legs and tucked it up in the fashion she had acquired at Nevis. She scampered into the water, kicking a spray toward him. “Come on—you won’t melt!” she goaded, letting her hair down and running her fingers through the braid, letting the tresses fly free in the warm breeze.
    Tim turned his gaze, searching the bluffs and down the white sand beach. It wouldn’t do to be seen frolicking in the waves as his crew would never allow him to live it down. But they were alone and slowly he dismounted. He plopped down upon the sand and struggled briefly with a boot, giving up and holding it out to Desiree.
    “Could you help me please?” he asked with a dimpled grin, “I have a devil of a time with these.”
     “Men! Helpless as kittens,” Desiree teased, scampering from the water and tugging his boot off easily. He removed his stocking, tucking it inside the boot for safekeeping, and then held up the other foot. Desiree was unable to get this boot to budge and so with renewed determination and vigor, she put her whole weight behind it. With a mighty heave, the boot came off in her hand and she staggered back unbalanced as her skirt came loose from her waistband. It clung to her wet legs like a living thing and with an earsplitting screech, she fell backwards into the surf, and a wave rolled over her head.
     “Ohhh…!” she sputtered, coming to her feet with her dress clinging to her shoulders and back and her hair a wet mass over her face.
     “Good God, Desiree! I am sorry!” Tim gasped, leaping into the surf to her aid. He broke into chuckles in spite of himself when she glowered at him from beneath her dripping hair.
      “You did that on purpose!” she growled, throwing her dress off her shoulders and pointing an accusing finger.
      Wide-eyed, he shook his head, his laughter growing with her accusations, “No—no I swear it! My boot is ruined! Would I have dared such a prank at the expense of my best boots?”
     Desiree tossed the sodden boot in his direction, starting past him while he tried valiantly to bring his amusement under control and grab the boot from the surf before it sank. She stopped and turned back with a deadly glare and he attempted to sober and look concerned, but then laughed all the harder for his effort.
     Desiree shook her head, with a smile creeping across her lips, “You fool!” she giggled. Then with both hands outstretched, she flung herself against his chest, toppling him back into the knee deep water, the force of the impact, causing her to fall face first beside him. They both emerged laughing and Desiree sat beside him on the sandy bottom, with her dress floating about her in the surf and cupped her hands, splashing him.
     “Touché Timothy!” she said with a giggle, arranging her sagging décolletage. She pulled her hair over the shoulders trying to hide her breasts, which were visible through the lightweight sodden muslin.
      “You—Miss Chandelle, are a little devil!” Tim announced, pulling his shirt away from his skin with effort. He unbuttoned it, pulling it off and Desiree smiled faintly, admiring his lean frame, which was well muscled, bronzed, and very similar to Stephen’s physique. In a few years he would rival his older brother, she mused silently.
     Tim wadded the shirt into a small ball and removing his remaining stocking, added it to the bundle. Then, drawing back his arm, he flung the clothing and his waterlogged boot toward shore—cursing the instant they left his hand for he realized what was about to take place, even before it occurred.
     The bundle landed with a soggy thud directly in front of the two horses and their reaction was immediate. They leapt into the air with legs coming back to the ground, stiff and wide set. With eyes bulging and nostrils flaring, the steeds trembled and snorted and in terror they bolted, racing down the beach, heading for home and hurling a shower of packed sand from beneath their pounding hooves.
     “Oh hell—Sebastian!” Tim shouted, racing from the water and holding out his arms pleadingly but the horses were well down the beach at a full gallop with tails flying high and no intention of returning. Tim turned back to Desiree who floated calmly in the rolling surf, watching her mount retreat.
     “Wonderful, Monsieur Colter,” she applauded him with a smirk, “Now whatever shall we do?”
     Tim scowled at her with his hands on hips, “This is all your fault! You—little mischief-maker!” he laughed, breaking into a wide grin. He slapped at the soaking wet breeches clinging to his thighs, then noticed that the white material was plastered to his body, leaving him almost no modesty; every detail of his frame was visible. His mouth gaped open and Desiree’s eyes followed his and then she covered her face with her hands, feeling a blush rush up to her cheeks as Tim cleaved the waves, diving in beside her.
     “I would say,” he rasped, wiping his salt reddened eyes with the heels of his hands, “that we have the makings of an enormous scandal.”
     Desiree laughed, in spite of the fact. So many times in the past she had found herself involved in a similar dilemma with one of her friends and the silly chain of events were so very typical. She couldn’t resist and engulfed Tim in an affectionate hug as they both broke into a fit of laughter and a wave crashed over their heads once more.

Monday, January 21, 2013

Out of the Past Goodreads giveaway

Congrats to April, Nancy and Lynn, who were the winners of autographed copies of Out of the Past in the goodreads giveaway. Thanks to all those who signed up to win.


Sunday, January 20, 2013

Out of the Past --a little taste of perfect chemistry


     Out of the Past

     On Saturday night, I sat in downtown Des Moines at the lovely Cosmopolitan Lounge, stirring my very apropos Cosmo drink and nodding on cue to the stylish, dripping-with-expensive jewelry, and very young wife of Derek’s client, Mr. Middle-Aged Moneybags. I listened to her describe how she had lived enough to fill ten novels with her exploits in the fast-paced world of the rich and famous.
    “You should do it. You should write a novel,” I urged her.
     “Oh, I couldn’t!” she huffed, with a self-conscious hand over her mouth, floored by the thought. “But if you ever run out of ideas, I would be happy to share.”
     “I’ll definitely keep that in mind—can’t have too many good ideas,” I said as I reached for my black clutch, which was vibrating on the oversized leather chair beside me. I pulled out my cell phone and opened the face to read a text message. It was from Dave.

“That little black dress is killer!” 

    In shock, I looked up and around the room, finally finding him seated at the bar halfway between me and the stage at the far end. He was relaxed, seated on a bar stool, drink in hand. He raised his glass to me in salute and grinned.
    Oh, I had missed Mr. Cameron.

Saturday, January 19, 2013

Out of the Past - Email Feedback

Hi Dana my friend is reading your book and keeps sending me text messages about it. You see I live in Oskaloosa Ia, and she sends me messages about is there a Oskaloosa family restruant and so on.. I was wondering are you from here if not how did you get your information this is such a small town. I plan on reading your book as soon as I get the one I am reading right now done...

I can't wait till I get into your book.  You sure did an amazing job and thank you for replying back to me. I will enjoy reading God Bless. Mary

Out of the Past


Saturday, January 12, 2013

Jimmy Thomas and Out of the Past

When writing Out of the Past, I wanted to pull from life to give the story a feel of reality. Real places, real people, both from the past and the present. A big thank you goes out to international romance cover model Jimmy Thomas and creator of RNC, who graces over 4000 book covers including my own novels and who graciously agreed to a cameo role in Out of the Past.

Just another little something different that makes Out of the Past one of the most unique time travel romances out there.

Out of the Past, Amazon







Monday, January 7, 2013

Time Travel Romance Out of the Past Amazon 5 star review

I loved this book! Move over, Nora Roberts, and make way for a new romance writer. Ms. Roquet has a rare gift for descriptions that leave an image in your mind almost like watching a movie. The love scenes sizzle! I suggest leaving a copy of the book where your significant other can find it with certain pages marked. The time travel aspect of the book was fun and seemed quite believable with a bit of imagination. As a former resident of Iowa, I was impressed with the fact that the writer has done her research about the last century in Iowa. I felt as if she was describing my family and former neighbors back on the farm. "Out of the Past" is Ms. Roquet's second book and the first in a planned trilogy. I'm looking forward to the next one. Jeanne Surber

Out of the Past

Sunday, January 6, 2013

Roslin's Salon and Day Spa and Out of the Past


One of the many real locations, where my fictional character Torie Mills spends time. I had a great time referencing many real people and places in Out of the Past and will continue to do so in book 2 and 3 of the Heritage Time Travel Romance Series. .

Roslin's is located in West Des Moines Iowa

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Stevie C's and Out of the Past

I called Stevie and told him I was writing a fictional novel but that I wanted to include some reality to the story. We talked about all the real details that I wanted to incorporate into my fictional world and I told him that I wanted anyone who was curious enough, to be able to find that there is a real Stevie C's in Iowa. They can actually have a seat at the bar Torie and Dave spend time at as well as see the rest of the real inspiration for my fictionalized downtown Fremont.

Stevie told me, "Sure, go for it."

One of the back stories and twists of reality in Out of the Past

Out of the Past Play List






The Music of Out of the Past

 1."Little Pink Houses" John Cougar Mellencamp
2 ."I Won't Make You Feel Romantic" Max Eubank
3. "Come on Get Higher" Matt Nathanson
4. "Jessie's Girl" Rick Springfield
5. "How's it Gonna Be" Third Eye Blind
6. "Never Say Goodbye" Bon Jovi
7. "Missing You" John Waite
8. "Some Nights" Fun
9. "If I Die Young" The Band Perry
10. "Chasing Cars" Snow Patrol