BENTLEY SQUARE

 

Strangers meet on the train. She, a beautiful, wealthy businesswoman. He, a down on his luck office manager. They have nothing in common. And yet, they are drawn to each other with an undeniable hypnotic magnetism. This is the story of Rebecca Robbins, daughter of one of the wealthiest men in the country and Mark Ramsay, a man shrouded in dark mystery and hiding in the shadows from death squads amid international intrigue.

Dear Gentle Readers,
BENTLEY SQUARE is the story of love and treachery.  Of all my novels, this one and THE BASLICATO  are the ones people describe as real nail-biters.

EXCERPT:

Chapter Seven 

                                           A Cover Blown, A New Identity

    Carlton and Becca went to work together the next morning.  Within the hour, Carlton ws back home alone 

   “Maddie, tell Mark I’d like to see him in the Library, please.”

    “Yes, Mr. Robbins.”

    Mark walked into the Library.  Carlton threw a letter from the State Department, the private investigator’s report from the Bensons, and some other papers on the table.  Mark looked at them and sighed.  

    "So.  Mark Ramsey isn’t your real name.”

    “No, sir."

    “Why’d you pick Mark Ramsey."

    “I didn’t pick it.  The US Government did.  State Department.  There are five hundred twenty-eight Mark Ramseys in Ohio.  I’m hiding among them."

    “From?"

    “The people who want to kill me.”

    “What the hell did you do?”

    “Nothing!  Honestly, nothing.  I swear it!  I’ll leave.  I’m sorry.  Thank you for everything you’ve done for me.  May I please see Becca before I go?”

     “Mark, I don’t know if that’s such a good idea.”

     “Please, Carlton, let me see her just one more time!”

     “Think about what would be easier on her, Mark, or whatever the hell your name is.  What name did you use before this?  And where?"

   “Robert Bailey.  Rockport, Indiana.”

   “And how long were you Robert Bailey?”

   “From the age of two until five years ago, twenty-four years.”

   “And who gave you THAT name?”

   “Your government.”

   “MY government?  My government isn’t your government?”

   “Well, yes.  It is now.  I’m a US citizen.”

   “What is your real name?  Where are you from?  Who in the hell ARE you?”

   “It’s better if you don’t know.  It’s safer.  For you and for Becca.”

   “Klaus is packing your things as we speak.  I called for a helicopter to take you to Pittsburgh, as requested by the State Department.  Our helicopter, our pilot, so you’ll be safe.  Someone from the State Department will meet me at the Pittsburgh Airport.  Wait in here."  Carlton left the room.  

     The phone rang.  “Robbins Residence,” Maddie answered.

    “Maddie, it’s Becca.  Can you find Mark for me?  He’s not answering the phone in the guesthouse or in our room.  I need to talk to him.”

     “Sure.”

     “Mr. Robbins, Becca’s on the phone for Mark.  He doesn’t answer in the guesthouse or the upstairs phone.  Do you know where he is?”

      Carlton walked to the phone.

      “Rebecca, Mark has to leave Ohio.  Right now.  Forget him.”  He hung up.  Becca panicked.

      “Gracie, how fast can you get me home?  Mark has to leave right now.”

      “Thirty-seven minutes if I speed and crash all red lights.  I’ll pick you up at the front door,” she said, running out to the parking deck.

       True to her word, Gracie had here home in thirty-seven minutes.

       “Where is he?” said called to Klaus as she ran into the house.

       "On his way to the airfield, through the safe walkway.”  She ran back outside and Gracie drove her to the airfield.  A helicopter was waiting.

     Carlton heard the helicopter approach.

    “Mark, wait here.  Gunther, go check to see if that’s really one of our pilots.  Make sure it’s safe for him.”  Carlton was ever cautious.  Gunther went out to checked out the pilot, as Becca ran in the safe walkway.

    “Mark!  Mark!” she cried.   He ran to her and grabbed her, weeping.

    “Don’t go!” she begged.

    “I have to.  I don’t want to, believe me,” Mark composed himself, holding her close.  “My heart is breaking.  Please, love, be strong.  Don’t cry.  I have to go now.  We’re all in danger if I stay.”

    “I want to come with you,” she cried.

    “If you’re with me, you’ll be in danger.  You need to stay here with your father, so you can be safe.”

   “No!  I don’t want to be safe, I want to be with you!”

   “Carlton, help me.”   Carlton came and took her out of Mark’s arms.

   “Listen,” Mark said,  “I love you.  Forever.  I’ll never stop loving you.”  He kissed her hand and then her open palm.  “There’s so much I wanted to tell you.  You have no idea what this time with you has meant to me, my darling.  It was… it’s was…”   He turned and walked through the safe walkway.

   “Mark!  Mark!”  She called after him, crying.  “Mark!”  He kept walking, tears rolling down his face.“I was trying to save you from this pain,” her father said, patting her back.  “You’ve got to let him go.  You have to.  The State Department’s got a new identity for him.  He’s not your Mark Ramsey anymore.”

   “Yes, he is!  Mark!” she sobbed.

      

An Interview with Author and Blogger Madame Gilflurt

Catherine Gilflurt; the Hostess of Madame Gilflurt’s Salon

 Just off Gin Lane in Georgian London or, to be less precise, a quiet yet hilly bit of England.

Good morning, Madame Catherine, and welcome to Vision and Verse, the Place for Art and Authors.    I absolutely love your blog!  It is beautiful, interesting, and educational  I highly recommend this site to my Vision and Verse readers.  Tell us a little about what you're writing.

Most of my time is taken up writing, researching and looking for inspiration for my daily articles regarding life in the long 18th century for my blog, A Covent Garden Gilflurt’s Guide to Life, which I update every day. It’s a real commitment and one that I wouldn’t be without!

As well as that, I am working on The Mistress of Blackstairs, a tale of masks, secrets and hidden histories set in the brothels of Covent Garden during the bitter winter of 1785. There are a couple of other WIPs knocking instantly at my keyboard too but they will have to wait!

What is your favorite genre to write?

Without a doubt, historical fiction. The 18th century is my passion and has been all my life; although I have written contemporary romantic suspense and 1950’s magic realism, nothing has ever come as easily to me as my Georgian works.

Favorite food.

My rakish colonial gentleman is a most talented chef so it’s very hard to choose my favourite dish but he can do some marvellous things with an Italian flavour. As I write this he is conjuring up homemade pesto, so I am looking forward to that!

Tea or coffee?

Gallons of tea; I would happily drink nothing else.

Pizza or ice cream?

That would depend on the circumstances but our local artisan ice cream producer takes some beating!

Where would you like to visit?

My favourite place is without a doubt the north Yorkshire coast; I’m fortunate to have visited it many times and will be doing so in the imminent future! The area is so beautiful and rugged, one can walk forever and just get lost in the scenery.

It’s no secret that I also sneak off to visit stately homes and country houses whenever I get the chance. It’s my mini Grand Tour!

Favorite musical artist. Do you listen to music when you write?  What?

I have so many that it’s difficult to narrow the choice down, I’m afraid. As I type this I am listening to Kate Bush, an artist I’ve loved for 30 years or so but she is just one of many!

Music is an integral and important part of the writing process for me, I can’t work without it. When I’m writing though, I have to listen to familiar music so I don’t find myself concentrating too hard on it instead of the task in hand!

What makes you laugh?

Many, many things but I can always rely on Morecambe and Wise to pick me up if I’m feeling blue.

Favorite work of art.

Mrs Siddons as the Tragic Muse by Joshua Reynolds. Visitors to my blog will know full well how much I love the work of Reynolds and as a fan of theatre too, the image of the wonderful Sarah sums up so well the grandeur of this goddess of the Georgian theatre!

How old were you when you started writing?

I’ve been writing stories ever since I can remember.

Describe your perfect evening.

Good food, laughter and the company of my colonial gentleman and our pets.

Where do you get your inspiration?

I learned the joy of storytelling from my grandfather, who knew how to weave a tale and his stories were rarely of emperors and kings, but more often of coachmen and troubadours. He made a huge impact on my life and remains my inspiration to this day.

What do you do when you get a writer's block?

I rarely get blocked on the blog but if I’m blocked in my fiction, I set it aside and leaf through some books of 18th century art and let myself drift into the untold stories of the paintings. If that doesn’t work, I take my wee dog, Pippa, for a bracing walk and just think about things that aren’t plot-related!

Who is your favorite author?

Laurence Sterne, without a shadow of a doubt.

Best book you ever read.

Perhaps unsurprisingly given my answer above, it’s The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman!

Who is the one person who has influenced your personal life the most and why?

Definitely my grandfather, as mentioned above!

If you could sit down and have a conversation with ONE person, living or dead, real or fictional, who would it be and why?

Once again, it’s Laurence Sterne. You get such a sense of mischief from his work, I would love to spend an evening at Shandy Hall.

What advice would you give someone who aspired to be a writer?

Don’t be afraid to share your work; if you are, you’ll never grow!

Do you have links so we can follow you?
Yes.

http://www.madamegilflurt.com

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Madame-Gilflurt/583720364984695

http://www.twitter.com/madamegilflurt

Also on Pinterest

Mario Sebastiano Bertolini, Artist, Teacher, and Friend

Today I would like to take a moment to reflect back upon a man who was very influential in my art education, Mario Bertolini. A mild-mannered, polite, and cheerful gentleman who saw talent in his students even when they were sure they had none. I would look right, then left, and then back to the mediocre work in front of me and think," Maybe I would benefit more from another study hall," and Mr. Bertolini would walk by and said, "Wow! What an unusual interpretation!  That is such a creative take on..." whatever I was supposed to be doing.  He was quite the artist himself, as well as a master at pulling talent out of dormant little shells.

Mario Sebastiano Bertolini

Birth:  Jan. 27, 1925 Youngstown Mahoning County Ohio, USA Death:  Aug. 8, 1997 Youngstown Mahoning County Ohio, USA He was born at home, at 1624 Hillman Street, to parents Luigi Bertolini and Elena Macor. He grew up at 213 S. Main Street. In 1933, he and his family returned to Bertiolo, Italy for one year. He became fluent in French and Italian. He met wife Ada at a dance. When they became engaged, not all of her family were happy with the news, because Mario's family were so obviously Italian. Nevertheless they were married 7/30/49. After the marriage, everyone was eventually won over by the charm and personality of Mario. Even lofty aunt Henrietta (Bobbie) admitted that she grew to adore him. Mario and Ada lived in Iowa City together while attending Iowa State University for their teaching certification courses. They then lived at 949 Frederick in Niles, and had four children: Joseph, Mary Helen, Mary Frances, and Lawrence. Daughter Judy died in infancy. Mario was a well-known local artist, with paintings in the permanent collection of the Butler Institute of American Art. He made his living as a school art teacher. In his spare time, he was active as a member of the TAG art group of Youngstown. After a sudden fall and short stay at Northside Medical, he died surrounded by his family. He was followed in death by daughter Mary Helen, wife Ada, and more recently brother Livio. Survivors include two sons, one daughter, eight grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, sister-in-law, and several nieces and nephews. Family links:  Parents:   Luigi Bertolini (1894 - 1971)   Elena Macor Bertolini (1901 - 1979)  Spouse:   Ada Doran Bertolini (1929 - 2011) Burial: Saint Stephen Cemetery Niles Trumbull County Ohio, USA

Added by: Martin M Added by: Martin M Added by: Martin M   There is 1 more photo not showing... Click here to view all images... Photos may be scaled. Click on image for full size.

His work is vibrant and colorful and extremely hard to track down.  Here is what I found.

Not only was he my high school art teacher,  I had the pleasure of teaching in the same city school district with the delightful Mario for many years.  I also took an evening oil painting class with him.

This man was an inspiration to generations of Niles, Ohio students.  He is fondly remembered and greatly missed.

Interview with Author Jared McVay

Jared McVay

Actor, Writer, Storyteller

Good morning, Jared, and welcome to Vision and Verse, the Place for Art and Authors.  Tell us a little about yourself, like where do you live?
Where do i live? humm, good question.  Since my wife passed away three years ago, I've just been floating around. At present, I am house setting in the upper area of Washington state, just six miles from the Canadian border for a fan of mine who is chasing around the world, trying to find herself, while I finish my new book. From here, who knows?

What have I written?

Let's see, over a hundred short stories [some award winners] ghost writer for several screenplays, several screenplays of my own, a two hour pilot for a new television series, a children's book - Bears, Bicycles & Broomsticks, with eleven short stories I've written for telling events, a historical fiction novel, The Legend of Joe, Willy & Red - five star rated by both men and women. a western novel, Hackers Raid - finalist for the Laramie Award, coming out very soon, an action adventure novel, Not On My Mountain. This list doesn't count the magazine articles or newspaper columns, or other non-fiction I've written.

What is your favorite genre to write?
I write is anything and everything, fiction, but I guess my favorite would be western fiction. I've just started a new western book while waiting for Not On My Mountain to come back from the editor.

Favorite food.
Carol, I'm an ole country boy. Steak, fired potatoes, navy beans and big slices of onion, with some hot peppers on the side, with carrot cake for desert.

Sounds good.  Tea or coffee?
Once again, I'm also an ole Navy man. Coffee, black.

Pizza or ice cream?
Pizza first then ice cream for desert

Where would I like to visit?
Good question. I've been in 3/4 of the countries on this planet,,, Maybe a foreign planet?

Favorite musical artist?
Most anybody country. Although I appreciate classical, big band and 50's rock and roll

Do I listen to music when I write?
No. I like it quiet so I don't get distracted. I would get up and get my guitar and sit and play along instead of writing.

Favorite work of art?
 My departed wife was an artist, and a good one. Two of hers are my favorite.

What makes me laugh?
Many things. A well told joke, sight comedy [Tim Conway, the best at it] Sometime just a thought of the weird situations I've found myself in.

How old was I when started writing?
Humm, That would be,,, back in 1955 if I recollect correctly. That would have made me, 15 years old.

Describe my perfect evening.
A moonlit patio with a sky full of stars, Soft music coming from inside, a wonderful meal and conversation with a woman I care for, dancing close, and finally, making love until dawn.  

It's getting a little warm in here, Jared.  Tell me where do you get your inspiration?
Good question. From anywhere and everywhere. I watched a movie about hobos, and wrote The Legend of Joe, Willy & Red.  My wife said, "Why don't you write a western?"  Hacker's Raid. A thought will pop into my head and walla, a short story is born. A lady suggested I write and enter a short story based on love, for a contest held up in N. Carolina. Melinda, Grand Prize winner.

What do you do when you get writers block?

Writers block? What's that. Never had it, don't want it. 

Who is my favorite author?
Whoa! That's asking a question that can't be answered in one name. So many different genres and so many authors. I like anyone in any genre who writes a story that keeps me turning the pages.  

What's the best book you ever read?
That's like the last question. What genre. I will say I'm a big western fan.

What one person has influenced your personal life the most and why?

The one person who has influenced my personal life the most, would be a man named Gene Warren, who is no longer with us. I was a tough kid, living on the streets for two years and at the age of 16, he took me in, gave me a job, and taught me about life and responsibilities - even taught me to tie a necktie. I didn't necessarily take his advice right off, but over the years, I still find myself using the things he tried to fit into my thick skull.

If you sit down and have a conversation with any one person, living or dead, real or fictitious, who would it be.

If I could sit down and talk to someone, living or dead; I think that would have to be Benjamin Franklin, or John Wayne.

Do you have any advice to aspiring writers?
First and foremost, I don't give advice because everyone doesn't necessarily believe as I do, so I just toss out what makes me tick and let them choose for themselves. Me... I just followed my dreams until I made them happen.  Just a note. I'm just an ole country boy who loves to spin a tale who has been lucky enough to find men and women from all over the world and all walks of life who likes the way I tell a story.  Thanks for having me here this morning.

Do you have some links for us to follow you?

Yes, I do!

Website:  www.jaredmcvay.com

Amazon Author Page:  http://www.amazon.com/Jared McVay/e/B0060B8M8Q

http://facebook.com/JaredMcVay   

Jared McVay

Actor, Writer, Storyteller

Novels, Children's Books

downwind.sailor@gmail.com

http://jaredmcvay.com

Blog:  Jared's Scribblings

Lord of Blakeley, Time After Time

The series, TIME AFTER TIME, follows a pair of quintessential lovers, Richard and Nicole, through their lives together, in different places, in different times, with different names and faces and sometimes even on other planets. This follows the alternative theory that the relationships we forge in this lifetime, both the good and the bad, are continued into the future, and are rooted deeply in our past. Whatever we do, whomever we love, and the good and evil deeds we do today follow us into the future. Unsettled issues will present themselves again and again, until they are ultimately resolved. Those people who have had a profound effect on us in this lifetime will find us again in the future. And although everything changes, love remains. 
Books in the TIME AFTER TIME series are: BLUE LAKE, BELTERRA, 
The BASLICATO, BENTLEY SQUARE, WAITING FOR RICHARD, and LORD OF BLAKELEY. They do not need to be read in order. 

Lord of Blakeley is the story of Andrew of Blakeley, a simple farm boy who lives on a primitive future planet. He is chosen by the lovely Lady Aleese to be her mate and rises to become the most powerful man on the planet. But a jealous man with access to mobile transport devices wreaks havoc on the young couple’s happiness, separating them, her on an alien rock planet and he, aboard a slave ship, and then dumping them in present-day Chicago. One day Aleese vanishes into thin air and Andrew is arrested for her murder and must stand trial. It is a story of devotion and jealousy, of loss and lunacy. And, in true Time After Time fashion, a story of love.

This is my Pinterest Board for LORD OF BLAKELEY.  It has photos that remind me of places in Blakeley, like Andrew and Aleese's favorite tree, farm lands, Chicago, the sky, and some impressions of Remus.  It can be found at Carol Ann Kauffman at Pinterest.  Take a look at it and tell me what you think.



Pinterest Board for Lord of Blakeley

Review from Amazon.com:

5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting and just as enchanting as the others! September 6, 2013

By C. R.

Lord of Blakeley is Carol Ann Kauffman's latest book in the Time after Time series, and it's just as wonderful as all the rest! This series keeps getting better and better!

No, these books are not "romance novels" There's no naked men, with nice abs, or page after page of sex scenes, these books weave tales of true romance, of love that is stronger then time. They embrace that love really means and don't cheapen it!

This story has all the wonderful elements of fantasy and sci-fi that Carol weaves into her classic love story. The character meet on their futuristic planet and fall in love dispite their classes, and then are horrible seperated by a jealous man. They each go through their own struggles, and fight for their love. It's heartbreaking and wonderful, and draws you in and keeps you reading. You need to know what happens in this cycle of the Time After Time series... you won't regret it!