by Iona Morrison | Jan 1, 2015
A quick glance back at 2014 tells me I had a very good year. My first novel The Harvest Clubwas released on September 5. In October I signed the contract for my second book Not for Sale. I can’t say that it fulfilled a life long dream, as a matter-of-fact it only came to be a dream a few years ago. I thought for sure I would write a nonfiction self-help style book, but a writing class, after losing my job, changed even that for me. I fell in love with fiction and found I had all these characters alive in me who had stories they wanted to tell. Fiction captured my imagination, which brought with it a joy, and passion for writing.
2014 also handed me an unexpected gift in a chance meeting. I was wrapped in a big hug and a hurt from the past was shaken from my heart. Moments like this do not happen often in life, so I am taking this gift with a smile and a deep sense of gratefulness. 2014 held a few other special surprises and firsts. I awakened to see a whole world that exists outside of my small world, with people who have none of what I have. I can pretend they’re not there or that I’m not in some way connected to them but that doesn’t change the facts. My only recourse is to learn to treat others the way that I would wish to be treated. Reminding myself that life can change in a moment for anyone for good or bad.
2014 also brought with it some big changes in my thinking about faith, my goals in life, and even my politics. I’m convinced if you don’t live it in love you won’t be able to give it away. No one will want it. I’m saying no more fad diets please, no starving or feasting just eating to live. No new fitness trends, but moving, walking, and stretching as long as I can. I want to live simply so others can simply live; to let laughter and writing intermingle in my days. Oh, and this is an absolute must, I want to enjoy this precious life with the people I love. I hope in this new year you will find many of your dreams coming true and it will give you an unexpected treasure or two to file away in memories to savor.
by Iona Morrison | Nov 28, 2014
The Spirit of the Season
I love so many things about the Christmas season. I enjoy our traditions both old and new, the ornaments, and the decorations. I love the family gatherings with kids and grandkids. I love the laughter that trickles out around the table in conversation and games that are played late in to the night. But, more than that, there is a certain magical feeling about this time of year that goes beyond the twinkling lights, gifts, and the smiling faces of children. It seems for a brief span of time the tone and rhetoric around us changes. There is no chastising of the poor for being poor, but we find creative ways to do good for others.
The glitter and snow falling like confetti is no match for the amazing stories of goodwill we hear of during the holidays. Like the story of a Jewish man I met, who played Santa Claus to poor children visiting them at their homes much to their delight. Bringing with him the gifts, they had asked for in their letters to Santa. In such acts of kindness, we can see if only briefly, a glimpse of our better selves. We are able to view what a wonderful place our world could be if we were kind, generous, and loving all year round. It renews our hope in being human when we see the lights of Christmas and Chanukah and we believe again that there is still some good left in the world. It is in this season more than at any other time, that we open ourselves not only to our family, but also to the human family letting the love and the joy of the season spill out into good deeds.
I wish you the joy of your traditions, your family, and friends but most of all I wish you the joy of doing good to someone who needs it.
by Iona Morrison | Nov 12, 2014
I read a blog which encouraged you to read page 69 of a book a if you liked to buy the book. So here is page 69 of The Harvest Club.
“They’ll slip up eventually. Bad guys always do.”Dylan changed the subject. “As soon as I caught up with the ladies, Brad and Rick veered off in another direction.”
“Stands to reason they wouldn’t want to be observed by you.” Matt closed the case file and a second file he’d opened. He picked up the second file to take with him.
“Say, are you about to call it a night?”Matt nodded.
“Give me ten and I’ll walk out with you.” Dylan turned to walk to his office.
They said goodnight to Joe on their way out the door. “You want to stop for a beer?” Dylan asked.
“Not tonight. My mind is still going over the case, and I think I just want to keep my focus for a while.”
Dylan got into his new Ford pickup and Matt went to his vehicle, his pride and joy, a cherry red ’53 Chevy pickup, fully restored, by his truly, in mint condition.
Stopped at a red light on the drive home, he thought about calling Jessie to tell her about his decision, but it was too late. He’d known for a while that he needed a fresh pair of eyes to look at some of the evidence in the case. Jessie might be that pair. After he did a background check on her and talked it over with the police chief, his mind was made up.
by Iona Morrison | Oct 29, 2014
Last week I was offered a contract for Not for Sale the second book in my Blue Cove Mystery Series. I’m excited to say the least and break out in random smiles from time to during the day. Here is a blub that gives you a small taste of Not for Sale.
“A desperate young girl cries out for help as she hides in terror, hoping against hope that someone might hear her. Jessie Reynolds does and finds herself caught up in an equally desperate search for Abigail. She has escaped human traffickers, but has no idea where she is and Jessie must find her in time. She joins forces with Matt, the chief of police, and they discover that Abigail is only one of several kidnapped children. Faced by a cold trail, they must rely on Jessie’s ability to hear Abigail’s thoughts backed up by a tracking bloodhound. But the children mean big money and that brings murder and a hit man to Blue Cove to clean up the mess. Matt and Jessie grow closer as they are forced to work side by side, but will they find Abigail in time? And will they themselves survive.”
I hope those of you who liked the Harvest Club will also give Not for Sale a try when it is released. Right now I’m in the editing process. Not every author likes edits but I do. It is when the book takes on a little polish and starts to shine.
by Iona Morrison | Oct 16, 2014
This week brought my first review on Amazon in the UK. I’m a little excited and wanted to share it with you along with a couple of other reviews. All gave The Harvest Club from The Wild Rose Press five stars.
“Yes, I agree with other Amazon reviewers of this very commendable debut novel by Iona Morrison. Reading it, you certainly wouldn’t think it was her first.
Believable characters and a briskly paced plot involve and carry you along to the heart-stopping, dramatic conclusion. Small-town Ame…rica, with sinister undertones of badness (shades of Blue Velvet) happening, ironically, around a church, is vividly evoked. And a tang of the paranormal is stirred into the tale to produce a spicy, enjoyable mix.
I didn’t see the horrific point of the title until some way in (shocking realization!) or guess the identity of no. 1 bad guy at all, so kudos to Iona for that. And yes; she’s set the scene for more highly readable mysteries in Blue Cove to come, hopefully.
Highly recommended!”
“This is a fun and fascinating mystery intricately woven to a suspenseful and exciting journey. You will find yourself turning pages fast as you follow Jesse through this intriguing story. I look forward to more terrific reads from Iona Morrison. I will be the first tn line to get the next one!”
One more for good measure:
“A great story! I enjoyed the setting of Blue Cove and getting to know the people there. Gradually we are drawn deeper into the intrigue of what Iona Morrison’s tale is REALLY all about. I learned a lot about something criminal and horrible (I won’t say what so as not to spoil it for other readers), and a most plausible, yet shameful way of covering up such crimes. I think Iona Morrison has done her homework, because the story rings true.”
