Janet Cooper

Books keep giving, while we read them, when we recall them, when we discuss them, when we share them, and, in quiet moments, when we think about the characters, the story, and the ideas presented in them. Although not a text book, authors of fiction present information to a reader via new concepts, possibilities and situations. Each teller of tales wants to share their "world" with the reader.

A book has always been my escape. Our public library, above the Fire Hall, contained a limited amount of reading material of interest to a child, so after finishing books for my age group, I was allowed into the adult area. WOW! One day I discovered FOREVER AMBER. For the time, a very risque book. Fortunately, my mother believed reading promoted thinking and permitted me to read almost anything. All types of history and biographies of famous people--particular women--became my favorites.

Having a double major in college, American history and Library Science, led me to start writing historical romances with a touch of mystery. The first, LOVING MY ENEMY, pits a woman, whose brother becomes a ship-wrecker, and a Federal Revenuer planning to stop all wreckers, not a good combination. INDEPENDENCE, the next story, occurs during the writing of the U.S. Constitution at a time when a woman had few rights and our heroine wants more. To add a little spice, the hero is a British spy attempting to uncover a threat to his country. My third tale, a time-travel, combines a museum conservator, a Lenape Indian, Quakers, and war--not conducive for any relationship.

The fourth is THE RIVER, a contemporary mystery, romance, suspense and murder. This is the first in a new series, MURDER IN THE LOWCOUNTRY. The older couple, who play secondary roles in the first book, move to a Continual Care Retirement Community where murders seem the norm and romance blossoms in very strange situations. RETRIBUTION is scheduled for release in the fall of 2015. Please check Amazon and read a Sample of any of the above.

I love watching, listening and observing people. Where they live, what they do or don't do, who their friends are and why. Their actions and ideas become fodder for writing and developing characters. Every new place one visits, every person one meets, and every situation one experiences is gathered together to create a book.

Presently, I'm the president of the Florida Chapter of Sisters in Crime, part of the national Sisters in Crime. I enjoy teaching courses at the University of Northern Florida on writing. Sharing knowledge and watching new authors develop is exciting and fun. Please join us on Facebook at Janet Cooper Author.