Amelia Island Southern Fiction : A Song to Count Your Blessings

November 25, 2019

A Song to Count Your Blessings

In this special season of giving thanks for all we have, I want to share one of my favorite songs, Count Your Blessings, by Bing Crosby, from 1954's White Christmas.

Happy Thanksgiving!

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For NOVELS of honor, treachery and epic romance plus REVIEWS, please scroll down. Ebook- just $2.99

#1 - to BUY, click on cover above -, THE LURE, THE LOVE, THE LEGEND - It is 1882. The adventure and unexpected turns don't stop until the last page of "The Goodbye Lie." Set on Florida's Amelia Island, aspiring writer Breelan Dunnigan is literally swept away, first by a tornado and then a handsome stranger, who steps into her home and into her soul. Escape to New York City brings new love, but when Breelan returns to Florida, her life is a disaster. Strong family bonds and values are soon pitted against passion, jealousy and murder in this satisfying tale. Readers will rejoice in the clever twists of plot. Rich characters, late Victorian conventions and subtle humor season the battle between honor and treachery... Review: A rollercoaster of emotions … [which] include … loving the characters. … The unexpected ending makes a jaw dropping jolt to the senses. --ReaderViews.com

EXCERPT circa 1882 - THE GOODBYE LIE

… flailing her arms, she went on and on about what might have befallen him. "Why, it could have been you, burned beyond recognition instead of one of your boys. Your beautiful face. My God! What if something hurt your face?"
He grabbed her and shook her. His words were muted as he growled, "Shut up. Shut up. Not now. Leave me be. Please, I'm begging you. Just leave me be."
He left his fiancée standing in the center of town, quite puzzled. Actually, she didn't mind as much as she pretended. She could hear a buzz of whispering now and just naturally knew empathy was directed her way. He had been so mean to her.
The man disappeared into the night. No one followed him. No one dared.

Amelia Island's VELVET UNDERTOW- HIS WANT, HIS WILL, HIS WAY... just $3.19 on Nook, $3.99 on Kindle

#2 - to BUY, click on cover above - LIES, LUST, DEVASTATION - Carolena Dunnigan witnesses the unthinkable and her safe, secure life on Amelia Island, Florida turns to ashes. Vowing to save her siblings, she seeks work and is lured to Charleston, South Carolina. Lust, love, and decades of lies do fierce battle, driving her into Pennsylvania's deadly Johnstown Flood of 1889. It scours away secrets of the past, but will anyone survive the churning undertow of it all?... REVIEW: 5 of 5 stars-- I was there in the story, especially the flood. I could smell the stench and taste the water...Amazon review by Blue Sparrow

EXCERPT circa 1889 - Amelia Island's VELVET UNDERTOW

"I wish you'd develop a splash of patience!"
Ignoring her, Grey brushed past, instantly recognizing he'd interrupted something. His confirmation was her ruddy face and puffy lips. It was a blessed good thing he'd come along when he had. "Patience? I've been freezing my ass off outside, waiting for your highness like some lap dog. When you say five o'clock, I damn well expect you to be downstairs waiting for me at five o'clock. I sure don’t have to ask what you’ve been up to. And where is this man who tempts you so much, you're willing to debase yourself at his mere beckoning?"
Carolena looked to the velvet pillows now crushed on the floor. Wadded in the corner was the blue dress. There was little sense denying it. Then again, who was he to tell her what was proper? He'd bedded hundreds of women, she was sure, so he had no room to talk.
Remaining calm, lest her feeling of guilt show, she told him, "Signor Alontti is attending to business. He sends his regards."
"Yeah? I'll just bet he does. Come on. Let's get the hell out of this lair before I find your lover and lay him out!"

LATEST RELEASE - Amelia Island's MARK OF A MAN, the RAINS, the RAGE, the ROMANCE - ebook-$3.99

#3 - The time is 1898. Amidst the Spanish American War and a horrifying hurricane, the beloved Dunnigan family struggles to salvage their once wonderful island existence, now dripping with danger. Hero or heel, Pat Dunnigan lives hard and loves wild. His sister, Marie, is a magnet for trouble. Will she forgive the unforgettable? Will Pat's demons become hers? Poignant. Passionate. Powerful. This is Amelia Island's Mark of a Man ... REVIEW: Intense drama, passion and laughter satisfy every emotion. With an assortment of realistic characters, convincing dialogue and slap-you-silly moments, Mark of a Man will delight and charm. -Kate Brown, author of The Rose Legends, in papaerback & ebook

EXCERPT circa 1898 - Amelia Island's MARK OF A MAN

A Reader's Description of Amelia Island's Mark of a Man

Feisty Jack Patrick and shy, sweet little Marie are all grown up now, and like all of us did at that age, they are struggling to prove they have “come of age.” But unlike most of us, coming of age can be a difficult and dangerous thing to do when it coincides with the Spanish American War of 1898. Especially when the young people in question are also caught in the middle of an epic natural disaster of the century! They find themselves completely responsible for the safety and well being of their frightened and mostly helpless family members.
I feared for my dear Dunnigan friends as they faced their dangers and demons, and thrilled with them in their good times, too. These young people endeared themselves to me in a way that made them most real and beloved in my heart.
This is a fast paced, engaging read that stayed with me so much, I am already starting my second read-through! -Bonnie S., Missouri

REVIEWS of Amelia Island's GOODBYE LIE Trilogy©

- A rollercoaster of emotions … [which] include … loving the characters. … The unexpected ending makes a jaw dropping jolt to the senses.
-ReaderViews.com

- A well thought out and designed mystery. The ending was most definitely a surprise."
-HistoricalHearts.com

- From Amelia Island's Mark of a Man - This is the best line I have ever read. "Time was, she longed to live solely from the air of his lungs for it would mean they were completely dependent upon one another." -Barbra B, Tallahassee, FL

- Engaging historical romance … Known to her admirers as Gracious Jane Marie, the author has written a delightful story with THE GOODBYE LIE. Set in the late 1800's …, the story takes off to … far away desires, lies, and deceit. I look forward to the next [novel in the series], VELVET UNDERTOW."
-Jennifer Wardrip for RomanceJunkies.com

-Just read your romance novel [The Goodbye Lie] and want you to know I thoroughly enjoyed it. Captain Waite Taylor reminded me of Rhett Butler and Breelan- Scarlett O'Hara. The setting [Amelia Island] was most interesting to a native of these parts. Congratulations! I hope your novel is a Big Hit.
-Mary Leary-Amelia Island, FL

-I'm fixin' to read it again for the third time! It [The Goodbye Lie] kind of reminds me of some of my childhood growing up here. [Florida] I can actually visualize it. It's a rare book where you can visualize the story. It's really, truly, absolutely wonderful. Can't wait for more!
-Amy N, Yulee, FL

-I could smell the flood waters... [Velvet Undertow]
-Bonnie S, Joplin, MO

-I thought The Goodbye Lie had twists and turns. Velvet Undertow had more! I'm in love with Waite and Grey and Trip and Paulo. I love them all, bad guys included. I was late to work because I stayed up until 3am finishing VU. Thank you!
- Susan M, Hollywood, CA

-Now that you're on Kindle and Nook your characters have gone from the 19th century to the 21st!
-Bob, PA

What a wonderful talent you have.
-Pastor Ida, Amelia Island, FL

Amelia Island's GOODBYE LIE Trilogy on Kindle

ORDER AMELIA ISLAND'S TRILOGY TODAY!

E-books:
The Goodbye Lie Kindle Edition $2.99
Amelia Island's Velvet Undertow Kindle Edition $3.99
Amelia Island's Velvet Undertow NOOK Buy As Gift: $3.43
Amelia Island's Mark of a Man Kindle Edition $3.99

Paperbacks:
Request your signed & personalized paperbacks of The Goodbye Lie, Velvet Undertow & Mark of a Man at graciousjanemarie@yahoo.com. Each novel is on sale for $14.95 with FREE SHIPPING!!! Get All Three novels in the set for $44.85, a $9.00 savings over original retail plus FREE SHIPPING!!!

You're a GOODBYE LIEr if you relish-

- Gone with the Wind and/or Little House on the Prairie.
- a series, a saga, a soap opera, a mini-series or all of them.
- the intrigue of a small Victorian seaside town in the deep South, Fernandina on Amelia Island, Florida.
- reading romantic romance vs graphic sex.
- children, siblings and family.
- hearing gossip but never spreading it.
- comical family bickering so long as it's not your family.
- descriptions so on the mark, you can "smell the flood waters."
- tried and true recipies made with pantry ingredients, nothing exotic or expensive.
- Victorian social graces, customs, dress, etc.
- realistic Southern sayings.
- suspense and can't wait to see what happens on the next page or chapter.
- unexpected plot twists and surprise endings.
- watching old black and white movies.
- filling your mind's eye with coastal images.
- happy endings.

A Review

Jane Marie Malcolm, author

FROM THE AUTHOR - I now understand the definition of a labor of love. Discovering the personalities of the Irish Dunnigan family, the players in my Goodbye Lie series set on historic Amelia Island, Florida, has been all-enveloping. As I walk the beach, with the Atlantic Ocean's cool waters washing over my feet, Breelan and Carolina and Pat and Marie, the siblings featured in the novels, whisper their secrets in the passing sea breeze. I can't help but listen as they tell their stories. Sometimes they call me out for sharing too many of their personal details, but then understand the necessity of it. Without those details, they would hold far less interest for me or my readers. Their actions and reactions, their deeds and misdeeds are the result of deep and sometimes dark developments in their lives. I am fascinated, intrigued and just plain curious as to where their whispers will lead me, and in turn, the reader. Please join our band of beloved friends, the Dunnigans of Amelia Island. - Jane Marie Malcolm

The Goodbye Lie PLAYERS

a novel set in 1882 on Amelia Island, Florida Breelan Dunnigan – A carefree apprentice newspaper writer, brunette Breelan's rash actions bring corruption into her life, landing her in the arms of a deceitful man. Lt. Trip Clelland – Charming officer stationed at Fort Clinch on Amelia Island, Florida, Trip lures innocent women, one in particular. Captain Waitre Taylor – Captain of the Gentle Comfort, Waite's honor bars him from taking the woman in his dreams as his own. Leona Visper – Tempting Songstress of the North, Leona pursues passion. Nora Duffy – Auburn haired cousin and neighbor to Breelan Dunnigan, Nora is her confidant and co-conspirator. Michael Dunnigan – Architect and Irish Catholic, Michael is patriarch of the Dunnigan clan and father to Breelan, Carolena, Jack Patrick, and Marie. "Miss Ella" Dunnigan – A German Lutheran, Miss Ella is the patient wife of Michael and perfect mother to her four children. "Aunt Noreen" Duffy – Ever-bickering and near-hysterical mother of Nora and Warren Lowell Duffy, Aunt Noreen unfortunately lives next door to her brother Michael Dunnigan and family. Clabe Duffy – A banker, Clabe is the dutiful husband to Aunt Noreen. Carolena Dunnigan – Eldest Dunnigan daughter, Carolena is serious, well schooled and blonde. Peeper Stubbits – Adopted grandmother of the Dunnigans, Peeper's infamous “elixir fixers” sometimes even work. Peeper and Aunt Noreen squabble at every meeting. Grammy – Miss Ella’s mother, Grammy and Peeper are beloved fussing friends. Lt. Will Akins – Stationed at Fort Clinch, Will is the life long best friend to Lt. Trip Clelland. Clover – Caring family hand, Clover is friend and advisor to the Dunnigan children. Catfish – Craggy old sage of a sailor, Clover is like a father to Captain Waite Taylor.

Ron Miller - Southern Author

THE GOODBYE LIE DIARIES - a link to the past...

What happens to the characters between the novels? Find out as you read their diary entries here. Just scroll down through the posts on the left and discover how Jane Marie steps back in time to interact with the very players in The Goodbye Lie series who live through the adventures created by the author.

Breelan Dunnigan might ask JM: Why would you let me foolishly risk my future when you know so many will pay the consequences?

Or from Grandmother Peeper: Why, Jane Marie, do ya keep havin' that old sourflop, Noreena, come by the house every last day? She ain't fit for spittin', let alone sharin' a cup a tea.

Or from Miss Ella: My husband is a handful. If only he will control his temper and not cuss in front of the children. It's not fitting, Jane Marie, and yet you still allow it. Why? It makes Michael seem less than gracious.

Be a part of the thoughts, worries and love between the author and characters of The Goodbye Lie...

Bille C writes:

Jane Marie,
I wanted to thank you for how "gracious" you were in meeting us and sharing a great evening of fun. ...We are meeting Friday with the rest of the girls who were not able to make it on the trip. They will be so jealous! It is true that we are officially "Good-bye Liars" since I know we will be back and not able to say good-bye to such a peaceful, relaxing place so full of history and stories that are waiting to be told. Now you just have to publish those stories, so we can read them! Thanks again for a wonderful step back into history.

Year of Living Graciously

December - Don't deny yourself holiday treats. Just don't eat the entire tray.

November - Hold hands with a friend, sibling, child or mate - in public.

October - Tell a clean joke!

September - Relax when you can and avoid looking at a clock as much as possible.

August - Teach, show or learn some sort of hand sewing like knitting, crocheting, crewel, embroidery, cross-stitch, etc. before the art of hand creation is gone!

July - Spend the afternoon reviving a beat up piece of furniture or other object with several different colors of paint and put it outside in your garden.

June - Sing along with old-timey songs.

May - Try a brighter lipstick or a new aftershave.

April -Put fresh greenery and/or flowers on the table once a week. Free from your yard or a friend's is best if possible.

March- Write a love letter to your child, sibling, parent or special friend.

February - Wear a color you never do.

January - Watch a silent movie.