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****Olivia Gaines’s BLIND LUCK is
#60 in the never-ending series called INSIDE THE EMOTION OF FICTION where
the Chris Rice Cooper Blog (CRC)
focuses on one specific excerpt from a fiction genre and how that fiction
writer wrote that specific excerpt. All INSIDE THE EMOTION OF FICTION links
are at the end of this piece.
Name of
fiction work? And were there other names you considered that you would like to
share with us? Blind Luck. In this series, I toy with the notion of as humans we are
all flying blind through life and a four-letter word can change everything we
know and believe. This story is part of a bigger series which merges
specialized technicians, very apt and capable in what they do, but men and
women who live solitary lives. Our anti-hero Brody Johnson specializes in
finding and retrieving items others have taken from their rightful owners. He’s
lucky in that manner. That should
give you an idea of where the story goes from there with a four-letter word
that alters his journey home.
Has this
been published? If yes, what publisher and what publication date? The story was released on May 14th through Davonshire
House Publishing.
What is the date you began
writing this piece of fiction and the date when you completely finished the
piece of fiction? I have been working
on this series since 2017, when the first book was published titled Blind
Date. I sometimes find the novellas to be more difficult to write than
the novels. Novellas require precise language, story arcs and character
development. I don’t have the luxury to spend 12 chapters on my heroine coming
to grip with how she feels about the hero. Either she likes him or she doesn’t.
He wants a thing and she needs his help. I cut through the muck to get to the
parts people skim over anyway, to recount the story from an omniscient
perspective, allowing the reader into the action.
Where
did you do most of your writing for this fiction work? And please describe in detail. I have a dedicated work space in the corner of my bedroom that
has two windows which overlook my front yard in Southeast Georgia. I very rarely use the desk in my office. Most days I
can be found at the kitchen table, with notebooks sprawled around me, and a hot
cup of coffee at my fingertips. The flowers on the corner of my desk are
artificial because who has time to put fresh flowers in a vase everyday when my
hero is urging me to put his words on the page. The old wooden desk, is kind of
an antique that I found at a country store on my travels. A few reference books
adorn the one corner that I call my dust collectors. My favorite pens are
nestled in a silver box. I take out one every now and then and practice signing
my name. Although I am in love with https://www.getnovelize.com/
I still love the
joy of jotting down notes in my reference bible of all characters and plots
Olivia. It is my best bud. I have named my journal Thursday, just like my car
from my first best selling novel, Thursdays in Savannah.
What
were your writing habits while writing this work- did you drink something as
you wrote, listen to music, write in pen and paper, directly on laptop;
specific time of day? I never listen to music while
I work. However, I do have a theme song for each of my heroes. Anytime I need
to come back to a character in a series, I cue up his theme song to bring me
back to him, that feeling of being in his presence and essence of the man.
Yeah, it’s weird, but it works.
I take lunch at
about one in the afternoon to watch a good old-fashioned cowboy movie or show
like The Virginian. An hour is all I
get before setting back to work. Daily word goal is 6,000 words. Anything over
that and my brain is sludge.
What is
the summary of this specific fiction work? Mr. Yield is a technician who specializes in retrievals. Hungry,
he stops in at a small roadside eatery in Missouri for a bowl of grits, three
crispy strips of bacon and a cup of coffee. Already angry at the bullet hole in
his leg courtesy of Mr. Stop, the last thing he wanted was trouble.
Trouble came calling with the start of an antique watch, a woman
named Millicent and obsessive Sheriff. It was just his blind luck that all
three were about to change his life.
Can you
give the reader just enough information for them to understand what is going on
in the excerpt? In the following excerpt, Mr.
Yield, still hurting from the gun shot wound to his leg, has finally arrived
home. He hasn’t come home alone, the woman, Millicent and her son Chad are with
him. He’s tired, hungry and just wants to sleep. Brody, aka Mr. Yield, has
become a protector for the lady and her son, and now they want to repay him as
best they can.
Please
include the excerpt and include page numbers as reference. The excerpt can be as short or as long as you
prefer. Chapter 9 – Page 59
Excerpt.
Yield only nodded as he leaned his back against
the headboard while a ham sandwich materialized on his lap, with a peeled
orange, a handful of chips, and a cold beer. A soft smile formed at the corner
of his mouth because it was exactly what he would have fixed for himself. He
ruffled the boy’s hair as he told him thanks.
“Mom, if you want to soak in the tub, I got Mr.
Brody,” Chad said. “I’ll keep an eye on him while you take your bath.”
“You don’t mind, Chad? Brody?” she asked, hoping
they wouldn’t.
Both of their hands waved at her, shooing her
off. Hungry, Brody lifted the sandwich and took a bite. It was almost perfect,
just a tad of spicy brown mustard, not too much mayo, and a slice of tomato.
The boy made the sandwich exactly like he preferred it and for the first time,
he felt it. The connection which Gabriel saw between him and the kid.
Chad, wearing a long sleeve tee and sweat pants,
kicked off the worn-out sneakers and climbed up on the far side of the bed. He
gently passed the remote he had in hand over to Yield. Pressing down on the
microphone button on the remote, Yield spoke into the device.
“Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom,” Yield
said, and the television flashed on, and he moved the plate to the center of
the bed. Chad took a chip as his eyes focused on the big screen of television
and the theme music started. Brody Johnson didn’t see much of the movie as he
drifted off the sleep. Small hands tugged on the covers, pulling them up to his
chest. He touched the man’s forehead with the back of his small hands, checking
for fever, just like his Mamma does to him when he was feeling bad. Content that
Mr. Brody wasn’t feverish, the boy relaxed a bit.
Chad took the plate to the kitchen, making
himself a sandwich as well before returning to the bedroom and climbing in
beside his new dad. He happily munched on chips and his own meal, sipping on a
bottle of water, keeping watch over Brody Johnson as he slept.
Why is
this excerpt so emotional for you? And
can you describe your own emotional experience of writing this specific
excerpt? I actually cried when I wrote this scene. Brody
is such a tough no holds barred kind of man who says what he means and means
what he says. He doesn’t vacillate on decision making, hence the code name, Mr.
Yield. Chad, the boy breaks him down making the hardened man realize he still
had love to give, especially to a child who needs him.
Were
there any deletions from this excerpt that you can share with us? The remainder of the scene is very poignant for me as
Millicent realizes she no longer lives in a tattered trailer with paper thin
walls scared for her life. The fridge is full of food versus left overs from
the Waffle House where she works. The tough man who protected them is resting
peacefully. Chad has a room of his own. For the first time in his little life,
he feels safe as does his mother. Still, neither wants to take a chance, so
they sleep close by Brody.
Excerpt
“In the morning, I’m making waffles,” she said, locating the
laundry room. “I’ll do a load or two in the morning as well.”
She explored the family room and his office, inhaling the
scent of his cologne and loving everything she saw and touched. Her eyelids
felt heavy, which ended her exploration of the house, and slowly she made her
way down the hall to locate the room Chad had chosen as his own.
“Holy shit, this is my baby’s bedroom?” It reminded her of a
scene set for rich kids who attended an exclusive prep school where the
teachers turned into vampires and bit the children. His suitcase wasn’t in the
middle of the floor as she’d expected, but in his closet. Pulling it out, she
was surprised to find it empty. Millicent checked the dresser and found her son
had put his few items of clothing away. The drawers swallowed the meager
contents of three pairs of underpants, two pairs of socks, and a couple of tee
shirts.
“Life has been hard for us,” she noted, going across the
hall to carry the boy over to his room.
In the master bedroom, she stood at the foot of the
king-sized bed, watching them both sleep. Instead of breaking the
picture-perfect moment, Millicent crawled up the center of the bed, bending her
knees to slide her legs under the covers and scooted close to Brody. He exhaled
and draped his arm over her hip.
“For this Oh Lord, I give thanks,” she said softly, touching
Brody’s hand and lacing her fingers into his.
Once last check ensured that both her guys had covers, and
she leaned her head against the pillow, feeling safe for the first time in many
years, and went to sleep.
****
His leg was asleep. That tingling feeling started when he
turned and the blood all started to rush in. The left arm ached a bit as he
tried sitting up, but couldn’t because something was holding it down. Instead
of reaching for the light, his hands softly patted to feel what was on his arm,
only to discover the body of his new wife.
The boy was in the bed, too.
“Well, just for tonight,” he said, freeing his arm. Brody
double-checked the cover situation making sure everyone was shielded, and he
moved closer to Millicent’s body, the warmth seeping into him as he snuggled
up, closing his eyes. “Dammit, I’m married and a father.”
He went back to sleep with a smile on his face.
Other works
you have published? The Technicians thus far is a three book series.
Blind Date: The Man was given
an assignment- to take care of Shanice Olleh. However, he never expected to
find a child or the woman he sent to handle, be so attractive. Making a call
which could end his career or his life, he forever alters Shanice's life after
one blind date.
Shanice Olleh agrees to a blind date with her boss's friend, but the evening shifts when a hired hit man takes an interest in his mark.
Shanice Olleh agrees to a blind date with her boss's friend, but the evening shifts when a hired hit man takes an interest in his mark.
Blind Hope: Cotter Wihlborg
made a promise that he intended to keep. He kept his word to Caleb Morrow to
take the sealed box home to the dying man’s wife and kid, arriving to find both
in dire straits. The house was in shambles, the cupboards were bare and the
widow was on death’s door. Nursing her back to health, Cotter found himself
falling in love with the land, the kid and also the woman. Both he and the
widow had a secret, leaving them clinging to a blind hope, that each would find
forgiveness for sins unspoken.
Blind Luck: Mr. Yield popped in at a small
roadside eatery in Missouri for a bowl of grits, three crispy strips of bacon
and a cup of coffee. Already angry at the bullet hole in his leg courtesy of
Mr. Stop, the last thing he wanted was trouble.
Trouble came calling with the start of an antique watch, a woman named Millicent and obsessive Sheriff. It was just his blind luck that all three were about to change his life.
Trouble came calling with the start of an antique watch, a woman named Millicent and obsessive Sheriff. It was just his blind luck that all three were about to change his life.
Anything
else you’d like to add? I also have a brand-new
best-selling series about the boy next door with a twist. The series is Love
Thy Neighbor, ranging from serious family secrets to juts a really fun read. Find
out more here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07RT73XTR/
2015 Swirl Award Winner, Best Erotic Romance,
Thursdays in Savannah.
2017 IRAE Award Winner, Best Contemporary Romance, Wyoming Nights
2019 IRAE Award Winner, Favorite Series, The Men of Endurance
2019 IRAE Award Winner, Reader's Choice Award
2019 Nominee, Top Female Authors, The AuthorShow.com
2017 IRAE Award Winner, Best Contemporary Romance, Wyoming Nights
2019 IRAE Award Winner, Favorite Series, The Men of Endurance
2019 IRAE Award Winner, Reader's Choice Award
2019 Nominee, Top Female Authors, The AuthorShow.com
When Olivia is not writing, she enjoys
quilting, playing Scrabble online against other word lovers and spending time
with her family. She is an avid world traveler who writes many of the locations
into her stories. Most of the time she can be found sitting quietly with pen
and paper plotting more adventures in love.
Learn
more about her books, upcoming releases and join her bibliophile nation at www.ogaines.com
Subscribe to her email list at http://eepurl.com/OulYf
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/olivia.gaines.31
Twitter: https://twitter.com/oliviagaines
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gaines.olivia/
Subscribe to her email list at http://eepurl.com/OulYf
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/olivia.gaines.31
Twitter: https://twitter.com/oliviagaines
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gaines.olivia/
INSIDE THE EMOTION OF
FICTION links
001 11 15 2018 Nathaniel
Kaine’s
Thriller Novel
John
Hunter – The Veteran
002 11 18 2018 Ed
Protzzel’s
Futuristic/Mystery/Thriller
The
Antiquities Dealer
003 11 23 2018 Janice
Seagraves’s
Science
Fiction Romance
Exodus
Arcon
004 11 29 2018
Christian Fennell’s
Literary
Fiction Novel
The Fiddler
in the Night
005 12 02 2018 Jessica
Mathews’s
Adult
Paranormal Romance
Death
Adjacent
006 12 04 2018 Robin Jansen’s
Literary
Fiction Novel
Ruby the
Indomitable
007 12 12 2018 Adair Valerez’s
Literary
Fiction Novel
Scrim
008 12 17 218
Kit Frazier’s
Mystery Novel
Dead Copy
009 12 21 2019 Robert Craven’s
Noir/Spy Novel
The Road
of a Thousand Tigers
010 01 13 2019 Kristine Goodfellow’s
Contemporary
Romantic Fiction
The Other
Twin
011 01 17 2019 Nancy J Cohen’s
Cozy Mystery
Trimmed To
Death
012 01 20 2019 Charles Salzberg’s
Crime Novel
Second
Story Man
013 01 23 2019 Alexis Fancher’s
Flash Fiction
His Full
Attention
014 01 27 2019 Brian L Tucker’s
Young Adult/Historical
POKEWEED: AN ILLUSTRATED NOVELLA
015 01 31 2019 Robin Tidwell’s
Dystopian
Reduced
016 02 07 2019 J.D. Trafford’s
Legal
Fiction/Mystery
Little Boy
Lost
017 02 08 2019 Paula Shene’s
Young Adult
ScieFi/Fantasy/Romance/Adventure
My Quest
Begins
018 02 13 2019 Talia Carner’s
Mainstream
Fiction/ Suspense/ Historical
Hotel
Moscow
019 02 15 2019 Rick Robinson’s
Multidimensional
Fiction
Alligator
Alley
020 02 21 2019 LaVerne Thompson’s
Urban Fantasy
The Soul
Collectors
021 02 27 2019 Marlon L Fick’s
Post-Colonialist
Novel
The
Nowhere Man
022 03 02 2019 Carol Johnson’s
Mainstream
Novel
Silk And
Ashes
023 03 06 2019 Samuel Snoek-Brown’s
Short Story
Collection
There Is
No Other Way to Worship Them
024 03 08 2019 Marlin Barton’s
Short Story
Collection
Pasture
Art
025 03 18 2019 Laura Hunter’s
Historical
Fiction
Beloved
Mother
026 03 21 2019 Maggie Rivers’s
Romance
Magical
Mistletoe
027 03 25 2019 Faith
Gibson’s
Paranormal
Romance
Rafael
028 03 27 2019 Valerie Nieman’s
Tall Tale
To The
Bones
029 04 04 2019 Betty Bolte’s
Paranormal
Romance
Veiled
Visions of Love
030 04 05 2019 Marianne
Maili’s
Tragicomedy
Lucy, go
see
031 04 10 2019 Gregory Erich Phillips’s
Mainstream
Fiction
The Exile
032 04 15 2019 Jason Ament’s
Speculative
Fiction
Rabid Dogs
033 04 24 2019 Stephen P. Keirnan’s
Historical
Novel
The
Baker’s Secret
034 05 01 2019 George Kramer’s
Fantasy
Arcadis:
Prophecy Book
035 05 05 2019 Erika Sams’s
Adventure/Fantasy/Romance
Rose of Dance
036 05 07 2019 Mark Wisniewski’s
Literary
Fiction
Watch Me
Go
037 05 08 2019 Marci Baun’s
Science
Fiction/Horror
The
Whispering House
038 05 10 2019 Suzanne M. Wolfe’s
Historical
Fiction
Murder By
Any Name
039 05 12 2019 Edward DeVito’s
Historical/Fantasy
The
Woodstock Paradox
040 05 14 2019 Gytha Lodge’s
Literary/Crime
She Lies
In Wait
041 05 16 2019 Kari Bovee’s
Historical
Fiction/Mystery
Peccadillo
At The Palace: An Annie Oakley Mystery
042 05 20 2019 Annie Seaton’s
Time Travel
Romance
Follow Me
043 05 22 2019 Paula Rose Michelson’s
Inspirational
Christian Romance
Rosa &
Miguel – Love’s Legacy: Prequel to The Naomi
Chronicles
044 05 24 2019 Gracie C McKeever’s
BDMS/Interracial
Romance
On The
Edge
045 06 03 2019 Micheal Maxwell’s
Mystery
The Soul
of Cole
046 06 04 2019 Jeanne Mackin’s
Historical
The Last
Collection: A Novel of Elsa Schiaparelli
and
Coco
Chanel
047 06 07 2019 Philip Shirley’s
Suspense/Thriller
The
Graceland Conspiracy
048 06 08 2019 Bonnie Kistler’s
Domestic
Suspense
The House
on Fire
049 06 13 2019 Barbara Taylor Sissel’s
Domestic
Suspense/Family Drama
Tell No
One
050 06 18 2019 Charles Salzberg’s
Short Story/
Crime Fiction
“No Good Deed” from Down to the River
051 06 19 2019 Rita Dragonette’s
Historical
Fiction
The
Fourteenth of September
052 06 20 2019 Nona
Caspers’s
Literary
Novel/Collage
The Fifth
Woman
053 06 26 2019 Jeri Westerson’s
Paranormal
Romance
Shadows in
the Mist
054 06 28 2019 Brian Moreland’s
Horror
The
Devil’s Woods
055 06 29 2019
Epic Fantasy
Wings
Unseen
056 07 02 2019 Randee Green’s
Mystery Novel
Criminal
Misdeeds
057 07 03 2019 Saralyn Ricahrd’s
Mystery Novel
Murder In
The One Percent
#058 07 04 2019 Hannah Mary McKinnon’s
Domestic Suspense
Her Secret
Son
#059 07 05 2019 Sonia Saikaley’s
Contemporary
Women’s Literature
The
Allspice Bath
#060 07 09 2019 Olivia Gaines’s
Romance Suspense
Serial
Blind Luck
