My Blog

I like real people. You know the type. People who aren’t afraid to say that their lives are often a mess. I can relate to these people, I’m one of them. I know what it’s like to succeed and to fail. I’ve been in the in-group and just as quickly in the out feeling like a misfit, one of the weird. I used to worry about impressing others and living up to some unseen expectations. But if I can speak frankly for a moment, I like freedom more than the precarious sense of belonging where rules can change tomorrow. I may talk too much at times, or be too quiet in the next, and on occasion get carried away on a subject that I’m wildly passionate about.
There is a certain beauty in the ugliness and mess of life. It comes with its own hard lessons on what’s important and what’s not. I think this is what the world is begging for, real people, loving passionately, and living their simple real lives.

I like new ideas, yes, even radical ones. The kind of statements that reach inside of you and grab you. They stop you in your tracks, make you think, and often change the way you think. They shake things up, and make you question your own thoughts on a subject, which can be a good thing. (Even when those around you think you’ve lost your ever loving mind.)

With a twenty-four news cycle, every book imaginable on all most every subject, and the internet I’ll be honest it’s easy not to ever question or think for myself. That’s why I love it when something comes along that grabs my attention and stirs me to consider something other than the way I’ve always seen it. My favorite teachers through the years were not the ones who told me what to think but those who challenged me to think. They’d get in my face when I gave a cliché answer and ask me what I really believed on the subject. I had to dig deep and would be surprised by my own answers.

If I’ve learned one thing in life it is that the longer I live the less I know, no one has the corner on all the truth, and questions, contrary to what I was taught, are very good. By asking them I have often found a new position to think from or sometimes it simply strengthens the one I already have. In no way have new ideas or questions diminished me, but they have challenged me.

The good that has come from being open to new possibilities is that I can hear someone who believes different from me and not become defensive. I can listen, hear another perspective, and walk away having learned something new about another person. In some ways it eliminates the fear of those that are different and obliterates the me verses you and us against them mentality.

I spent many years in a rigid system in which I was right and others who didn’t see it the same way were wrong. I was in they were out. I had it they didn’t and the list goes on. (As if I could possibly know.) But, life has its own way of challenging us by throwing everything our way at once and such was the case with me. For the first time I found that my pat answers weren’t enough, I had questions, and  I needed to think through the new ideas I was hearing. I was stopped in my tracks, grabbed by those ideas, which changed little and yet changed the way I saw everything. I’ll admit that I’m cool with it, I’m a little less arrogant, and a tad nicer to be around.

It’s February and time is marching on. What once seemed like a routine medical appointment for my husband turned into a scary month of tests and waiting.  Several times we heard that terrible C word that makes your heart beat rapidly, your mouth feel dry, and your stomach turn flip flops. We began a roller coaster ride of waiting with our minds thinking of every scenario they could conjure up. Sleep at times was very far away and distant when we needed it most.

Before we ever made it to the consultation for my husband, one of his younger brothers had a heart attack and heart surgery to put in two stints. Wow, can I just say  the last few weeks have been a  whirlwind and somewhat of a blur. I know that I lived them with raw emotions and vulnerability, but the details are somewhat fuzzy. Just breathe I reminded myself often.

My husbands consultation with the doctor was better than we had hoped for. It is in the early stages and is very, small. The doctor was amazed it had been seen and wondered how they had caught it. His brother is going to be okay with a few lifestyle changes. I think it might be time to let down for a moment and truly breathe a sigh of relief from a very grateful heart. Of coarse, we have the procedure still do go through, so we are gearing up for that.

My husband is my greatest fan and has supported my writing since day one. So he was excited with me through the midst of his own personal crisis, when I received the cover for my second novel, “Not for Sale“. Life is messy, its filled with good and bad, and happy and sad. Sometimes going on all at the same time. But, it’s never more sweet than when you think it could be over. Savoring the moment that I’m living in is my plan for now and breathing just breathing.

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.

 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.

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.

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.

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.”

I thought I would share a few of the reviews for The Harvest Club that I’ve received so far. This has been a great and learning experience for me.

Just finished The Harvest Club and really enjoyed it. The characters are so believable, real and likeable and that’s important to me as I read a story. I want to be able to relate to them and “their” experiences and the author weaves an interesting and fun story through them. I also loved the setting and could visualize this cozy East Coast Ocean front community. I’ve always wanted to live in a “Blue Cove” town and Iona Morrison paints an exquisite picture to invite me in. Finally, the story moves forward at a good pace which kept me wanting for more. I love the “bitey” relationship between Jessie and Matt. We have all met Katie somewhere in our lives and she is a hoot! The combination of mystery, intrigue and everyday life was a joy to read! Mark Bork

I just finished a new (and first) novel written by Iona Morrison; title “The Harvest Club”. Wow, what a great read!! I enjoyed every page of this mystery. My criteria for a good read are style, character and plot development. Ms. Morrison’s clean, crisp writing style kept me turning pages and I was intrigued by the characters from the start. Plot development is tight and keeps you guessing all the way to the end.
The main character Jessie is a delight. It is great to see a strong woman character not painted as isolated and needy due to her strength. Always disappointing are the seemingly strong women characters that fall apart and in the end some guy comes in to rescue them. Wonderful to read a book where the female character is genuinely strong and the world doesn’t melt backwards into the 50’s!!
Throughout the book Jessie’s character never wavers, she is self-confident because of her personal convictions and ethics. Her curiosity and internal intelligence serve her well and guide her to the truth.
The setting, the plot and all the other characters are there for the reader to discover. Through her writing skill, Ms. Morrison transports you to Blue Cove and tells a story that will linger in your mind for a long time.
I say Iona Morrison nailed it!!! I cannot wait until her next book.

This is a great book! It is engaging and believable, well written with a great pace. She successfully tackles a hard subject in this work. Looking for Ms. Morrison’s next book!

I appreciate these and the other folks who took the time to write a review on The Harvest Club. You can check it out on Amazon or at The Wild Rose Press.