SCHEDULE: Aug. 31 - Sept. 4, 2020

Mon., Aug. 31 - ART: Armand Point
French Painter, Engraver, and Designer

Tues., Sept. 1 - BOOK REVIEW: 
The Gates of Golorath
by R.M. Garino 

Wed., Sept. 2 - INTERVIEW:
Poet Tanya Harris

Thurs., Sept. 3 - ENTERTAINMENT:
Queens of Mystery on ACORN

Fri., Sept. 4 - BOOK:
Lord of Blakeley
by Carol Ann Kauffman

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BOOK: Bentley Square by Carol Ann Kauffman

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.

Amazon Buy Link: http://tinyurl.com/laudaku



From an Amazon Review:

I just finished reading Bentley Square, Time after Time Book four, by Carol Ann Kauffman. I couldn’t put it down. Carol Kauffman carries the reader along the intriguing and dangerous paths of her main characters, Mark and Becca, as they struggle to be together, only to be faced with insurmountable challenges that not only threaten their relationship, but their lives. Just when you think you have the plot figured out…Bam…something else pops up and you can’t let go until you find out what will happen next.
I recommend this captivating international mystery, and am eagerly awaiting her next book.



But wait! Read an excerpt here before you buy:

Deadly Ambush

Becca was ready a little before eight, but wanted to give him a few minutes to walk up from the ad agency. She freshened up a bit, smoothed her favorite lilac skirt and sweater set, and squirted on a little Chanel perfume. She went down to the first floor and watched for him out the window, her heart pounding. When she saw him, she went outside to meet him.
He broke out into a giant smile when he saw her. She was right. He had one gorgeous smile when he decided to let it out. He reached for her hand. She responded, squeezing his hand.
“Hi. Mark!”
That touch! That magic touch of hers, he thought; just the feel of her hand in his was something wonderful. He remembered this warm loving feeling, but from where?
“I’m so happy to see you. I thought you...” he trailed off.
“I almost made it, Mark, my hand was on the door. I’m sorry.” “It’s okay, honey. I understand unreasonable bosses.” He smiled
again.“Mark, I have to tell you something, something I should have
told you the day we met.”
“Are you married?” He held his breath, knowing full well he still
wouldn’t back off, no matter what she answered. Now that he found her, he would pursue her, even if she were married. It would just be harder and messier. The only way he’d leave her is if she told him to go away, not some husband who obviously ignored her and left her alone too much.
“No.”
“Good. I can handle anything else. Tell me. Is it bad news?” “Well, no, it isn’t bad for me at all, but you may think it is.” “No, if you don’t think it’s bad, I won’t, either. I promise. Come
on, it’ll sound better over coffee.” He wanted to hold on to this perfect moment with her a little longer before allowing anything in to ruin it and bring him crashing back to reality.
They walked the rest of the way down to Sullivan’s hand in hand in silence, smiling over at each other every now and then, and took the booth farthest from the door. It was quieter, a little more private. He sat across from her and reached for her hand, feeling that surge of sheer bliss once again.
“Feel that?”She nodded.“It’s a cosmic connection...our cosmic connection.” “It is?” she giggled.

“Yes. And you can’t deny a cosmic connection, you know,” he smiled and nodded. This felt so good, so right to him. He washopeful, something he hadn’t felt in a very long time. And happy. Never this happy. Hopeful and happy. “I’ll buy you whatever you want. Are you hungry? You have to be, you’ve been at work all day. Sully makes a good meatloaf. And the pie is homemade. Mrs. Sullivan makes the best pies in the world,” he said, pulling ones and a five and change out of his pocket and laying it on the table. It was all he had until payday, and he didn’t care if he spent every penny of it on her tonight.
“Coffee will be fine. Black.”
“Are you sure?” She nodded. He ordered two black coffees. “Before you begin, I need to tell you something first. You know I
live at the Comstock and I work at Fusco’s Ad Agency. If I miss one day of work, or screw up just one time, he’ll fire me. I got my performance evaluation yesterday morning and it was less than satisfactory. In fact, it was horrible. I think I only got this manager’s position because I was the only one on staff who owned a suit and tie. I have no outstanding qualifications. I can be homeless and jobless very soon. I want to be very honest with you from the start, Becca. I’m no prize. Are you... sure... you want to give me a chance? You might want to think twice about even letting me hold your hand,” he said, still holding her hand, wanting to hold it forever.
“Mark, what are you trying to do? Make my bad news look good by comparison?”
He laughed, still not letting go.
“Tell me. Come on. If I told you I could be homeless and jobless within the next three weeks, what could you possibly tell me that would be worse than that? And I appreciate you not running for the door, by the way.”
“But, you see, I don’t care about those things. You can come and stay with me. There’s plenty of room where I live.” She played with his fingers. “And I have job connections here in the city, where you’ll at least get a decent lunch hour, and quite possibly some wonderful fringe benefits,” she nodded, flirting with him. “So... don’t worry about a place to live or a job, okay?”
“You’re very sweet. Now, tell me. Come on. You can tell me anything.” He smiled that big, wonderful smile and held on to her hand.
Becca was thrilled. She found him, and he was real. Not only was he real, but he was also considerate and very sweet, with an irresistible smile and big brown eyes. It was evident that he liked her, and he didn’t know she was heir to the massive Robbins fortune, or that she was already a millionaire on her own. Yet.
“Okay. Here goes. Now don’t get upset.” She squeezed his hand.

“I promise you I won’t get upset. Right now, sitting here with you, holding your hand, I’m feeling incredibly lucky to have found you, and nothing could upset me. I haven’t been this happy, Becca, oh, ...ever.” He smiled at her, his heart soaring. “Come on, honey, tell me.”
“Mark, I’m Rebecca...”
Shots rang out in the diner. Mark leaped over the table and covered her with his body, holding her head down on the booth seat. More shots.
Stay still and be quiet. They’re trained to shoot at any sound or movement. I’ll protect you, honey, don’t be afraid. I won’t letanything harm you. Ever.
Bedlam ensued. Screaming, glass breaking, more shots, crying, running, more shooting, shouting, something crashing to the floor. Then sirens.
Becca thought, this can’t be happening! She had just found him, and he was all she had hoped for. More, actually. And now they were going to die in this coffee shop bullet barrage. They had, what, fifteen wonderful minutes together before all hell broke loose. And who was the target of this attack? Sully? Her? Who?
“Becca? Are you okay?”
“Yes, Mark, I’m okay.” She turned to face him. “But... you’ve been hit.” The front of his shirt was covered with blood.
“I know,” he said. His voice was strong, but the pain was evident in his face. Her heart stopped when she saw his face. She sat up and helped him sit.
“We need an ambulance here!” she shouted and began applying pressure to his shoulder wound, using napkins from the table. She looked around. The diner was in shambles. Two others were shot, one was old Mr. Sullivan, the owner.
“You’re going to be okay, Mark. It’ll be okay.”
“My suit! I need my suit for my job.”
“Don’t worry about your suit. I’ll get it fixed.”
“And this is my best shirt. I wore it... just for... you.” He tried to
smile at her.“My God, you are so sweet, even all shot up and bleeding all over
the place. Don’t worry about your shirt. I know this guy named Vinnie Belvestito. Please don’t die on me, Mark! I just found you. And I think you’re terrific.”
“Me? Terrific? You do? Really?”
“Yes. Keep breathing, honey.”
“Okay,” he breathed in and out. “I will. For you.”

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ENTERTAINMENT: Line of Duty

Oh. My. Goodness.  A police thriller murder mystery drama that will have you glued to the TV - that’s what Line of Duty is. 

Seriously, this is one of the best series ever, in my humble, couch potato opinion. This one is up there with Longmire, Ozark, A Place to Call Home, and Foyle’s War.

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INTERVIEW: Mystery and Sci-Fi Author Diane Rapp

Diane Rapp

North Carolina 

U.S.A.

Good morning, Diane, and welcome to Vision and Verse, the site for Art and Author and those who love them. Can you tell us a little about what you've written?  

I have written and self-published eleven novels plus one game book.

What is your favorite genre to write?

I write mysteries and science fiction depending on which characters start telling their story to me.

Favorite food.

I find it hard to resist potato chips.

Tea or coffee?

I prefer iced tea

Pizza or ice cream?

Pizza

Wine or beer?

Wine, the fruity kind.

Where would you like to visit?

Would like to visit Williamsburg, VA where my family lives.  We miss seeing them due to Covid 19.

Favorite musical artist. 

Jimmy Buffett 

Do you listen to music when you write? 

No, but that’s a good idea. 

What?  

A Buffett album would work.

What makes you laugh?

The antics of my standard poodle while he chases a Frisbee.

Favorite work of art or sculpture.

I love sculptures of birds.  We have several sculptures in brass by an New Mexico artist Boris Gilbertson.

How old were you when you started writing?

I started writing seriously in my late thirties.  I had insomnia due to stress at work and writing stories helped me fall asleep.

Do you plan out your book with outlines and notecards? Or just write?  

I think about a story for a long time, mostly visualizing the characters.  When I’m ready, I write short descriptions of characters, and a timeline of what I think will happen.  When I start the story, things often change.

Describe your perfect evening. 

Dinner, wine, and a movie with my husband.  Hope the movie theaters open soon.

Where do you get your inspiration?

I watch nature films (a lot of my work involves animals), I take a cruise (I have a whole series that takes place on cruise ships), or I watch documentaries about real people.  Anything might send my mind into a different direction. I wrote an historical/mystery novel after reading a real diary of a woman travel writer in the 1800s.

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

I read a book by one of my favorite authors and try to get into the mood again.  Something I plan to do right away.

Who is your favorite author?

Anne McCaffery, Arthur Conan Doyle, and Agatha Christie

Best book you ever read.

“West With the Night” by Beryle Markham 

She wrote the most incredible descriptions of Africa. It is worthy of reading over and over again for inspiration.

Last book you read.

I just read “The Cottonwood Mystery Series” by author Dianne Harman. She makes a reader get really invested in her heroine.

What would you do for a living if you weren’t a writer?

I used to be a Realtor, so probably would do that again.

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

Corey has been a loving husband for 51 years.  He has been my cheerleader and biggest supporter all these years. 

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

Agatha Christie.  Her mysteries have kept me company in good times and bad, and her writing inspired me to pursue my own stories.

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

Read and enjoy the kind of books you would like to write.  After reading the first time, read each book again to spot writing techniques that make a reader invested in the characters, afraid, emotional, or happy.  How did the author do each?  Take a scene from your own work and try to revise it to accomplish one or more of these tasks.

Do you have some links for us to follow you?

Website:  www.quicksilvernovels.com

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/quicksilvernovels/

Twitter:  @dianerapp

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BOOK REVIEW: Mother Moon by Bob Goddard

I bought this book by accident. I was looking for Moonshadow by another author named Goddard. Moon. Goddard. One click and it was mine. But Mother Moon by Bob Goddard was a terrific book. A comet strikes the Earth. The only humans left are on a lunar colony. Mother Moon is the story of those lunar colonists struggle to survive, then thrive, and ultimately attempt to return to Earth. A second storyline, totally opposite of this technologically and scientifically correct one, is threaded through the book. Somehow the two storylines meet and come to a satisfying end. I kept looking for the sheep. This needs to be a movie.

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SCHEDULE: August 23- 28, 2020

Mon., Aug. 24- ART: 

View from the Beach

by Parker Kaufman

Tues., Aug. 25- BOOK REIEW: 

Mother Moon 

by Bob Goddard

Wed., Aug. 26 - INTERVIEW: Mystery & Sci-Fi Author
Diane Rapp

Thurs., Aug. 27 - ENTERTAINMENT: Line of Duty

Fri., Aug. 28 - BOOK:

Bentley Square

by Carol Ann Kauffman

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BOOK: March Blues, A Cat Collier Mystery by Carol Ann Kauffman

Small-town red-head Cat Collier runs an private investigation service called Red Cat Investigation out of her office in the beautiful Palazzo Castellano in downtown Heaton Valley, Ohio,  with the help of her secretary, Nola White, an ex-client Cat took in because she had nowhere else to go, her boyfriend, Erick “Carter” Larsen, and Carter’s father, the wealthy, influential, and shady lawyer, Detrick Bittmor.

In this third installment of the Cat Collier Short Story Mystery series, after escaping from captivity in an abandoned train car, Cat stumbles upon a homeless man at the long deserted train station, who helps her get home to Carter. 

Detrick discovers he knows this homeless man as the one-time legendary saxophone player who played in the downstairs bar when they were both young, crazy guys and the family embarks on rehabilitating the sax player and reopening the bar, “The Blues.” 

So far January through July are out in kindle format. January through March is available in paperback. 

Hopefully, the long-awaited Audiobook, January Black Ice, will be out soon. My delightful narrator became ill. I chose to wait until she's better because I think she's worth the wait. I hope you think so, too!

I'm working on August Red Dawn right now. September through December are slightly more than outlines with pretty covers at this point. 

You would think I'd be writing away with all this free time, not shopping, not going out to dinner, not traveling or seeing friends for the evening. But, no. I sit and stare at the screen. I change the colors. I change the font. 

I think we as a nation have to feel better before I can feel better, mentally and emotionally, to be able to churn out anything anybody would want to read. 

Stay well. Stay safe. Be kind.

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ENTERTAINMENT: Iris, A Korean Spy Thriller

Board with regular TV?

Watched everything you like
already?

Try some of the latest in Korean TV. 

I know, you don't like to read and watch TV at the same time.  It's confusing.

No, it's not. It's like snacking and watching TV. You'll soon get the hang of it.


IRIS is a Korean spy thriller with tons of action, 
exotic location, good acting, and good writing. The
special effects are the only area that shows this was
not a big budget film. 

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INTERVIEW: Fantasy Author James Quinlan Meservy

James Quinlan Meservy

Southeast, Idaho

Good Morning, James. Welcome to Vision and Verse, the website for art and authors. Can you tell us a little about yourself? 

My name is James Quinlan Meservy, and I love literature! I live in Southeast Idaho with my wife and children, and spent my childhood living moving all across northern Utah. I consider my home town to be Mendon, Utah, a small community near Logan, Utah in the Cache Valley.

While I love most breed of domesticated dogs, especially the Siberian Husky; absolutely adore red pandas; and greatly admire kestrels, my favorite animal is the wolf.

My family enjoys spending time together; playing with Legos, hiking, playing sports, watching movies, but we love reading together. 

I have always had a fascination with falcons. I love the call of the Peregrine Falcon. As I said before, I greatly admire nearly everything about kestrels. But my favorite type of falcon of all-time is the Millennium Falcon. (Yes, I am a fan of Star Wars; specifically the films.)

When I'm not spending time with my family, at work, fulfilling various religious responsibilities, eating, or sleeping, I most likely am writing.

What is your favorite genre to write?

My favorite genre to read is classic literature (Charles Dickens is my favorite author), and my favorite genre to write is fantasy. Even when I attempt to write something that is not fantasy, my WIP becomes fantasy by the end of my first draft.

Favorite Food.

My favorite food is hamburgers.

Tea or coffee?
I cannot stand the flavor or scent of coffee, and have only had a couple of teas that I enjoyed. My favorite tea is karkade, I was first introduced to karkade when I was in Russia. I am told that Hibiscus is the English translation.

Pizza or ice cream?
I prefer pizza over ice cream. BBQ chicken pizza to be specific. Wine or beer or soda?
As far as the choices between wine, beer, or soda is concerned, I would have to say soda. However, I recently cut back on my soda drinking, and have started preferring lemonade, raspberry lemonade when available.

Where would you like to visit?

I have always wanted to the Louvre, from what I hear, I can spend an entire month in the Louvre, and still have more to see and learn.

Favorite musical artist. Do you listen to music when you write? What?
When I was a child, a friend of mine introduced me to Garth Brooks’s Greatest Hits Album. By the end of the album, I had found my life long favorite musical artist. As far as what I prefer to listen to when writing, I prefer to put in earplugs and be enveloped in complete silence.

What makes you laugh?

I rarely laugh, I mean genuinely laugh. Not much makes me laugh.

Oh, I'm so sorry. I am a laugher. I find the oddest things amusing. 

How old were you when you started writing?
The first time I really remember creative writing, I was in grade school. My teacher assigned us to write a Halloween story. I wrote a story about a magical wolf who could talk. That story served as the original inspiration for The United.

Do you plan out your book with outlines and notecards? Or just write?
When I write a new project, I start writing. I allow the story to take on its own life. Every time I have attempted to write out of an outline, the story takes on a new life and I end up tossing out my outline before I even get half-way through my first draft.

Describe your perfect evening.
I am not certain I have a perfect evening for all occasions. It really depends on my day. Some days I want nothing more than to be left alone so I can either write or work on the computer. Other days I would prefer nothing more than watching a movie with my family.

Where do you get your inspiration?

Every story I ever wrote started with a dream. Then as I write, the dream takes on its own life as a written story.
What do you do when you get a writer's block?

Some say writer’s block is a myth, others say it is an inevitable truth. To me, all writer’s block means is that my story is not quite ready to be committed to paper. So I read, or exercise, or spend time with my family, or otherwise do something else, allowing my mind to work on whatever problem that was blocking me. Best book you ever read.
The best book I ever read was either ‘A Christmas Carol’ or ‘Bleak House’ both by Charles Dickens.

Last book you read.
The last I book read was The Great Siege by J.N. Tomczak. It is Book 2 of the Kingdom of the Faeries series. It is a fantastic fantasy series, which I greatly enjoyed.

What would you do for a living if you weren’t a writer?
I presently work as a forklift operator in a dehydrated potato warehouse in Southeast Idaho. However, I seriously believe that if I were not spending so much time writing, I would be a professional archaeologist.

Who is the one person who has influenced your personal life the most and why?
The individual who has influenced my personal life the most is my wife, and conversely I believe I have had more influence on her life than anyone else. Sharing your life together, it is impossible not to be influenced by one another. I take her advice and suggestions on various things very seriously, and often find myself changing my mind, no matter how begrudgingly, after hearing her opinion on any given matter.

If you could sit down and have a conversation with ONE person, living or dead, real or fictional, who would it be and why?
Carol, that is just an unfair question. How can I choose just one literary character with whom to have lunch? I have so many favorite literary characters whom I would love to meet.

Glimpses of Time and Magic: A Historical Fantasy

Tell me about Glimpses of Time and Magic. 

We know the stories from history we've heard since childhood, but what if, behind the tales, there were magical secrets desperate to be revealed?

Pompeii was a tragedy the world will never forget, but what really caused the volcanic eruption that ended it all? Why was the great sword Excalibur really destroyed? The rolling hills of Victorian England seem peaceful enough, but what secrets really lurk there?
And would it surprise you that there are darker secrets in Ancient Rome than people ever dreamed? If the Great Fog of London isn't what it seems? You think you know Harry Houdini, but do you know the man behind all the tricks?




And what if the mystery of Roanaoke runs deeper than you could ever imagine? Could Ireland's potato famine really be caused by a mage gone mad? What if a ghost ship off the coast of England was more than a phantom?
If you like fantasy and history, then you'll love this collection of nine fantastical stories. Buy Glimpses of Time and Magic now to find out what secrets really lurk behind the stories we've all been told.

All proceeds are being donated to Feed My Starving Children.

https://www.amazon.com/Glimpses-Time-Magic-Historical-Anthology-ebook/dp/B087LB2K53/

E

Tell me about Excalibur.

My story in Glimpses is a retelling of Excalibur set on the Realm of the Light (same world as The United.)


What advice would you give someone who aspired to be a writer?
My advice to aspiring writers is to read, then write, then read some more.

Is there anything else you'd like us to know?

Yes. First, my friend Kollin Murphy was kind enough to sketch Lord Yrimwaque, a main character from The United, and I have decided to include that sketch as well. The pencil sketch plays an role in the story, and I am very grateful to Kollin for bringing that sketch to life. As a final parting note, I would like to introduce your followers to my newsletter. I send out a newsletter on the first Wednesday of every month. I give an exclusive 5K word short story, ‘Jackalopes: The Real Story’ to my followers. Jackalopes features a few different mythological creatures, including the Volkrog, a horned wolf with magical abilities.

The sign-up link is http://eepurl.com/druDar.

Friends of the    Dominion

Do you have some links for us to follow you?

Find me on the web at:

Wordpress:
https://jqmserv.wordpress.com

FB Author Page:https://www.facebook.com/pg/James.Quinlan.Meservy/

Twitter:https://mobile.twitter.com/JQM_Serv

Pintrest:https://www.pinterest.com/jqmserv

Instagram link:https://www.instagram.com/jqmserv

Amazon Author Link:https://www.amazon.com/author/jamesmeservy

Goodreads Link:https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15205860.James_Quinlan_Meservy

Google +:https://www.plus.google.com/+JamesQuinlanMeservy

YouTube:Https://youtube.com/channel/UCA3vFyWQV4CdVp4XWJT3Rkw

Newsletter Sign-up:http://eepurl.com/druDar

You can purchase The United at:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0788FLR86

Wait! Before you run off, tell us a little about your work in the anthology, Hidden Worlds, the Dwelling, Volume 1.

My story in Hidden Worlds is about what happened to the neighboring kingdoms of Myrr & Buz-Per-Addock after Arctyrus left to the Rhineland in Denizens Among Us. 

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