Sorry I didn’t post yesterday, but I have been writing, writing, writing. And when you are in the “zone” as I call it, you can’t get away from your words. Second novel coming along nicely. I have a small scene in The Coin where the grandson of the jeweler is not happy at his new … Read more
Apart from Richard and Gabriela, another of my favorite characters in the novel is Maurice Nôret, Richard’s counterpart in French intelligence. I had a blast creating him, especially his idiosyncracies, his cynicism, and dry humor. This is the first encounter with Richard. “Drop the apologies. Seldon requested priority one, and when you’re given priority one … Read more
I loved writing this scene. Hope you enjoy the humor in it (I’ve left a few things out so as to not spoil certain things, hoping you will read the novel). “Damn it,” he snapped. “Never take your eyes away from your target unless you want to get killed!” Gabriela saw red. She rounded … Read more
A bit more humor… She kept turning the bracelet on her wrist and looked up at him, her eyes a little sad. “I remember so clearly the day my mother gave me this. It was the most beautiful day in my life, even though when my parents announced I was going to participate in a … Read more
Many readers have commented that there were moments of humor in the novel, some of them outright funny. I am sharing one of my favorites. Desperately wanting to reach the refuge of her home, Gabriela opened the car door, but Richard pulled it shut.“What the heck?”Richard nodded toward the terrace. “Do you usually leave your … Read more
Unaware of the danger yet to come, Gabriela banters with Richard about the Riviera beaches. She says, “Have you been to the beaches yet?” she asked, as they began bordering the bay.“Yes. It was one of the first things I did.”“Enjoy the view?” A smile tugged at her lips.Richard’s eyes danced with humor. “That, too. … Read more
In the novel, Gabriela is a Cuban-American woman who places a coin she finds in her favorite bracelet. As I posted previously on the blog, everyone who is Cuban, or has Cuban relatives, knows and has worn bracelets made especially for them. I have one, my sister has one, my mother has one, and my … Read more
There is a scene where Roberto and Gabriela are on their way to the clearing and pass through the city of Grasse. The narrative mentions that there is a roundabout (or a rond point as the French refer to them) where, in its center, there is a beautiful sculpture of a rose with a perfume … Read more
Gabriela was left a nasty “gift” by La Poste, the post office in France. The narrative describes the package being delivered by a postman in a motorcycle. In the rural areas of France, sometimes the roads are very narrow and, oftentimes, they are difficult to access. Since my character lived in one of those areas, … Read more
Richard dragged her against the wall and flattened her body with his own. Small tremors shook her, affecting him in a way he did not want to consider. He scanned her face quickly and recognized anger rather than fear.“Are you insane?” His whisper was rough. “This could be a set up.”“And allow this sack of … Read more
