A New Series
Chapter One
According to my schedule for 2024, it was time for a new series. The plan was for another series similar to Donut Lady: a older main character than we’d seen in the previous three series. I decided on a setting of a Bed and Breakfast.
By the middle of Chapter One, the real Jenna Ross, an accountant and introvert, peeked out from behind her ledger books. Turns out she was actually a twenty-four-year old widow. Who knew?
The rewrite didn’t take long, and the story for Elusive Embezzler was well underway.
Chapter Nine
Because it was a completely new series, I asked a few beta readers to read what I had so far. Their comments helped fill a few glaring potholes and gave me some ideas. So I kept on writing.
Chapter Sixteen
When I was halfway through Chapter Sixteen, I realized something was gnawing at me. I realized I needed a new Facebook group with a different perspective. And Barrett’s Banned Band of Book Bandits was born.
It’s a group unlike any of the typical Facebook Groups for readers. If you like it, fine; if not, that’s okay too. It’s low key bandits reading and minding their own business, and my business too actually, although they’d deny it. The group motto: Be Nice or Leave.
The bandits pointed out Jenna Ross was more like Maggie Sloan. I could see their point.
Chapter Sixteen
The bandits and I decided the first part of Chapter One was a little bland in comparison to the rest of the story. Even though the story was nearing the end, we did a major overhaul. While we were at it, we threw in a few tweaks to the story here and there to give it a little more edge.
Chapter Eighteen
When I reached the end, we were shocked at the turns the story took as we re-read for edits. Yes there was a mystery and a hint of romance, but there were too many twists and subplots for a romantic mystery. Even the online grammar and spell checker wanted to soften the story and lighten it up a bit and suggested maybe I should add a little kissing or something because the story had become something like this:
The (New) End
I didn’t think it was all that scary even if it did have a little heart-pounding excitement here and there. And an explosion. As a reviewer pointed out several years ago, I do love a good explosion.
Maybe I’ll use this for the cover series. Or not. The Peach Blossom Retreat does need some updating. What do you think?
Elusive Embezzler
Of course, we had to have a new cover for the Elusive Embezzler. A good friend jumped in and helped me out. He’s officially an honorary bandit.
Next up: a rewrite of the book description, and the book’s ready for its release on September 27 on the retailer sites and an earlier release date of September 20 on Barrett Book Shop. Yes, the bandits and I play favorites.
You keep reading; I’ll keep writing!
Judith A. Barrett - Author 