What Inspired Me to Write Summer of Deception? - My First Novel

by Elva Cobb Martin

I came up with the idea of writing Summer of Deception while visiting Boone Hall Plantation in Mt. Pleasant, near Charleston, S.C. That same trip I visited Charleston Tea Plantation on Wadmalaw Island south of Charleston.

Part of the plot motivation came from an old series of newspaper articles about the Low Country "Operation Jackpot" drug bust and trials in the mid-1980's, organized by then U.S. Attorney Henry McMaster (now the current governor of South Carolina). Several wealthy, educated Carolina Low Country people were indicted for participating in South American drug drop offs at the secluded docks of their island hideaways.

I knitted all this together and came up with an exciting, inspirational romantic suspense between the current tea plantation owner, a wounded, bitter, Marine veteran, and a young Yankee nanny who arrives at the plantation (unexpectedly) for the summer job promised by the owner's deceased uncle.

Rachel York falls for the handsome special ops veteran, but soon uncovers evidence he's involved in drug smuggling from his coast line which her deceased DEA brother gave his life to investigate. Luke Barrett falls for her, too, but ends up with serious suspicions about her and why she really came to Charleston.  And yes, she has a secret reason she came to Charleston--seeking the truth about her missing DEA brother who worked out of Charleston!

It all adds up to a crackling...summer of deception. Here's the trailer:
http://bit.ly/2D8Zzg1

If you love romance, the South Carolina Low Country, and southern plantations, you will enjoy reading Summer of Deception. Find it here on Amazon https://amzn.to/2Mh4gbl

Blessings on your summer,
Elva Martin

Elva Cobb Martin is Vice President of the SC Chapter of American Christian Fiction Writers. She is a former school teacher and a graduate of Anderson University and Erskine College. She has two inspirational novels published with Lighthouse Publishers of the Carolinas. Summer of Deception, a contemporary romantic suspense, and an historical romance, In a Pirate’s Debt. Both have spent time on Amazon’s 100 Best Sellers List for Women’s Religious Fiction. She has indie published a Bible study on Amazon, Power Over Satan, on the  believer's authority in Christ. Decision, Charisma, and Home Life have carried Elva's articles. She and her husband Dwayne are semi-retired ministers. A mother and grandmother, Elva lives in South Carolina. Connect with her on her web site http://www.elvamartin.com,on Twitter www.twitter.com/ElvaCobbMartin; Facebook http://www.facebook.com/elvacobbmartin;  and Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/elvacobbmartin  
 Link to her romance novels and non-fiction works on Amazon: http://amzn.to/2pOgVHI 

First Chapter Pointers - Part 3: Summer of Deception First Chapter

by Elva Cobb Martin

As promised, here is the first chapter of Summer of Deception,
my contemporary romantic suspense novel. Can you see the pointers illustrated for first chapters we've already shared in Parts 1 and 2? Click here for Part 2 http://bit.ly/2GG5ygy

Here are the pointers we covered in Parts 1-2:
1) Introduce the Protagonist
2) Ground the reader in a setting
3) Introduce main plot
4) Introduce conflict and/or problem
5) End chapter with a bang that will force reader to turn the page.


Amazon link to Summer: http://amzn.to/2f0y2SB

Here's the pitch to introduce the story:
Summer of Deception is the story of a young woman who determines to unearth the truth about her brother's reported death by taking a position at an historic Charleston tea plantation, only to realize the truth may destroy her new found love and could even cost her life.

Chapter One

Charleston, South Carolina

Rachel York gasped when the taxi headlights
pierced the stormy night and illuminated Barrett Hall in all its southern grandeur. Her travel fatigue faded, and she leaned forward, energized, as the cab crunched its way up the tree-lined shell drive to the entrance. At the gate, she exited the auto with her umbrella extended, and the taxi driver placed 
her large bag and tote at her side. Rachel thanked him, 
paid him, and hurried up the front walk, pulling her valise
behind her. The vehicle disappeared down the drive,
and darkness closed in as she made her way up the
front steps.

On the wide porch, she propped her umbrella
beside her suitcase, took a deep breath, and tried to
ignore a shiver of disquiet that traveled up her spine.
She would discover the truth about Ron. This summer job 
in Charleston was her first step.

The rain pounding against the slate roof stopped
as quickly as it began. The moon angled out from
behind a cloud, and Rachel glanced around the
plantation’s wide portico with its six imposing
columns and rocking chairs bathed in shadows. The
brass horse-head knocker adorning the entrance added
to its aura.

She held her wristwatch to the moonlight and 
grimaced. Ten o’clock. She’d arrived five hours late
and with her cell phone dead. How early did the
elderly Mr. Barrett retire? Did he think she would
change her mind about his job offer? No way. It was an
answer to prayer.

Rachel breathed in the moist air. The sweet smell
of gardenias delighted her. Swinging her thick hair
behind her shoulders, she lifted the knocker and let it
go. The sound broke the quietness like a pistol shot.
A sharp bark from behind startled Rachel’s
already antsy nerves. She whirled around. A gray
German shepherd the size of a calf stood on the steps.
She grabbed her umbrella and pointed it at the beast as
if it were a sword.

"Gabriel, what are you growling about?" A tall
man stepped into view from a path beside the house,
shaking rain from his cowboy hat. The moonlight
revealed his strong build and rich tan. He wore an eye
patch and an olive green T-shirt etched with the word
Marines.

When he caught sight of Rachel, he commanded
the dog in a strong low voice, "Come, Gabriel." The
animal obeyed, and he snapped a leash on its collar.
"Sorry if this big mutt frightened you. He’s not
ferocious, but we don’t broadcast it. And the umbrella
wouldn’t suffice for your defense if he wanted to
attack—which he doesn’t." The man chuckled, a
pleasant sound in the shadows.

Was he a farmhand or some kind of security
patrolling the grounds? Rachel breathed easier and
lowered her umbrella. She opened her lips to speak,
but the porch flooded with light and the door opened.
Rachel turned.

A gray-haired woman in a wilted apron stood in 
the partial opening. She glared at Rachel with
narrowed blue eyes that rounded as she spied the
luggage.

"I’m Rachel York. Mr. Barrett’s expecting me.
Sorry I’m so late."

"Mr. Barrett, eh? He didn't tell me he was
’specting nobody, ’specially for overnight." She
frowned and pursed her lips. "And I'm the
housekeeper. What did you say your name was?"

“Rachel York." Not expecting me? And not just for
overnight—but the whole summer.

The woman opened the door wider, and her eyes
fell on the man in the shadows. "Oh, there you are."

Rachel glanced back at the man and dog.
He spoke to the housekeeper. "Mrs. Busby, show
our guest to the game room in about two minutes."

"Yes, sir."

Obviously not a farm employee. Or a guard.

Rachel pulled her luggage into an elegant entrance hall
lit by a grand chandelier. A delightful fragrance wafted
up from roses on a side table. She propped her suitcase
upright and dropped her carry-on beside it. Glancing
around, she tilted her chin and smiled. What a place to
have a job for three months. Even a nanny job. Just who 
was the striking man?

The housekeeper disappeared down the hall, and
Rachel tried to still a flutter in her stomach. How could
her arrival be a surprise to the help? 

The woman soon returned and gestured for Rachel to 
follow. They turned past a curving staircase and down 
two steps into an enclosed patio dotted with plants and 
white wicker furniture. Rachel’s metal-capped heels clicked
across polished brick. The house appeared to be exactly the kind of historic residence she expected a southern plantation
owner like elderly Charles Barrett to own. That day in
the college office, Dean Woods described it perfectly as
a Gone with the Wind setting. Her future employer
laughed and nodded at them both.

The woman gave a brief knock at a door and
opened it. She motioned for Rachel to enter and came
in beside her.

Rachel inhaled the delightful woodsy scent of
cedar chips and turned at the sound of the masculine
voice she recognized from the porch.

"Hello, again." The man and the dog stood in front
of an unlit fireplace at the far side of the room. He
wore a towel around his neck and Levis tucked into
army boots. The German shepherd wagged its tail and
started to move forward. But its master spoke a
command. "Sit, Gabriel."

The dog obeyed.

Rachel found it difficult to breathe as the man
glanced from her hair to the stilettos peeking beneath
her jeans. She resisted the urge to smooth her curls or
straighten the blazer.

He cast aside the towel and strode toward Rachel
and the housekeeper. His boots clunked on the
hardwood floor.

Mrs. Busby spoke with a stiff voice. "Mr. Barrett,
shall I place her luggage in your room, sir? Or a guest
room?"

Blood rushed to Rachel’s face. In his room? "No—
this is not the person I’m here to see."
  The housekeeper turned to her. "You said Mr.
Barrett expected you, Miss York."

"I would like to speak with Mr. Charles Barrett, if
you please. He should be expecting me."


The housekeeper’s mouth fell open, but the man
waved her out the door. She left without a word.

He turned to Rachel, a corner of his mouth
quirked up. "You mean my uncle invited you here to
spend the night? That’d be a first."

Speechless, Rachel stared at him, her cheeks hot
enough to fry an egg. Raindrops glistened on his short
black hair, and brown stubble darkened his chiseled
face. The hint of a mustache floated above thin lips
now stretched into a grin. Surely she was the victim of
a joke—and by a most handsome man, even with the
patch across his left eye.

He propped on the edge of the desk, folded his
powerful arms, and met her burning glance. "Sorry,
let’s start over. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen an
honest-to-goodness flush like the one lighting your
face."

Some apology.

"I’m Luke Barrett." A smile showed even white
teeth, and he leaned forward and extended his hand.
The low, rich timbre of his voice vibrated through
Rachel, and the scent of spicy aftershave tickled her
nose. She took a needed breath and shook hands.
Luke's calloused palm swallowed hers, and their gazes
met. A tiny shock coursed through her.

"Rachel York,‛ she said, surprised at the tightness
in her throat. She tried not to stare at the patch and 
disengaged from his handshake.

He reached up and adjusted the black oval.
"Won’t you sit down and tell me why you’re here?"

She moved to a chair and perched on its edge.
Luke sat behind the desk. A small, half-finished
woodcarving lay in front of him. He swept the 
shavings into a trash basket and dropped the wooden
piece and pocketknife into a drawer. Leaning back in
his chair, he cracked his knuckles twice and gazed at
her.

Rachel started to speak, but a grandfather clock
nearby struck the hour, making speech impossible.

Luke cocked his head until the chimes stopped.

"I’m sorry I’m late," Rachel said when silence
again reigned, "but my plane was delayed by the
storm, and I couldn’t get a phone connection. Has your
uncle retired already?"

Something like shutters closed over Luke’s face.
And he sat up straight, alert, similar to a tiger ready to
pounce. "You might say so. You claim he was
expecting you?"

Rachel’s empty stomach knotted. What was going
on? First, the housekeeper, now this nephew. Not the
welcome she hoped for. She shook off her uneasiness—
everything could be cleared up in two seconds. "Mr.
Barrett offered me a summer position caring for a
child. Would you like to see the note?"

Luke’s brow rose, and he reached a wide palm
across the desktop. "Definitely."

Rachel opened her handbag. As she searched for
the paper, his rapt attention reminded her of her
stepfather Lester’s interrogations. A lipstick plopped
out onto the floor, and she bent to retrieve it. Finally,
she found the missive and passed it to Luke.

He unfolded it and read it.

Relax. Never again would she fear Lester Black
and his stifling control. When he discovered she’d left
for a summer job states away, he might become
furious, but he could do nothing about it. She was in
the midst of a new beginning, like her brother Ron 
surely enjoyed in his earlier move to Charleston. A
pain crossed her heart. But she couldn’t think about
Ron. Not yet.

She studied the man before her. Thank God there
was nothing else about him remindful of her
stepfather. A calm strength emanated from Luke
Barrett evocative of Ron and his Drug Enforcement
Administration associates, who kept in top physical
condition.

Luke glanced up at her.

She squirmed and blinked. He’d caught her
staring at him.

An uneasy silence settled in the air as he
reexamined the note. A frown creased his brow.
Rachel’s travel weariness returned, and a dull pain
began to throb behind her eye. She inspected the room
to avoid gazing at him. A padlocked gun case on the
left displayed an assortment of rifles, pistols, and
revolvers. She scanned titles in the bookcase behind
Luke. Her jumbled mind made out "Marines" etched
on a manual. A Bible sat in a corner with some framed
pictures. Two of them featured a dark-headed little
girl. Her charge, perhaps? Some of Rachel’s tension
evaporated.

She stole a glance again at Luke still bent over the
letter. A muscle worked in his jaw. Obviously, he did
not know about his uncle’s job offer to her. Mr.
Barrett’s gentle face the day she talked with him in
Dean Wood’s office floated across her mind, and her
confidence recharged.

Luke dropped the letter on the desk and sat
forward. "Where did you get this, Miss York?" His
challenging demeanor startled her.

She stood and swallowed. "From your uncle, of course. 
He can explain everything.

"Uncle Charles died two weeks ago."

                                ***

 Here is a picture I used for inspiration for my hero as I wrote Summer of Deception. 

         Luke Barrett, before he lost an eye in the war.

By the way, my second novel, In a Pirate's Debt, is actually a prequel to Summer. I went back to Luke's ancestor, the first owner of Barrett Hall, a former pirate, who took the kings' pardon.

Thanks for stopping by. How did you like this first chapter? Did I miss any of the listed pointers that should be in a first chapter? If this series on first chapters has helped you, please share on your social media by clicking on the small icons below.

Blessings,

Elva

Elva Cobb Martin is vice-president of the South Carolina Chapter of American Christian Fiction Writers. She is a former school teacher and a graduate of Anderson University and Erskine College. She has two inspirational novels published with Lighthouse Publishers of the Carolinas. Summer of Deception, a contemporary romantic suspense, and an historical romance, In a Pirate’s Debt. Both have spent time on Amazon’s 100 Best Sellers List for Women’s Religious Fiction. Decision, Charisma, and Home Life have carried Elva's articles. Jim Hart of Hartline Literary represents her. She and her husband Dwayne are semi-retired ministers. A mother and grandmother, Elva lives in South Carolina. Connect with her on her web site http://www.elvamartin.com,on Twitter www.twitter.com/ElvaCobbMartin; Facebook http://www.facebook.com/elvacobbmartin;  and Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/elvacobbmartin

        Link to her romance novels and non-fiction works on Amazon:http://amzn.to/2pOgVHI

NEW RELEASE ALERT 50% OFF MARCH 24

New Release Alert!

50% off March 24 only for my debut novel

SUMMER OF DECEPTION inspirational romantic suspense. Discount is on publisher site only and for print and eBook   Click here :

 http://bit.ly/2mtIEQo

The cover for Summer of Deception, my debut romantic suspense novel, has my hero/heroine on the front cover, lovely southern azaleas and Boone Hall Plantation in Charleston, SC, my setting, that I renamed Barrett Hall. 

Summer of Deception 

A wounded warrior . . . a woman searching for truth.  

  Rachel Ann York has no idea that love, adventure, and a shocking revelation await her in Charleston, South Carolina. What can be better than spending a summer taking care of a five-year-old girl on a working tea plantation? Most importantly, she wants to investigate her brother's Atlantic plane crash and death reported by the Charleston Drug Enforcement Administration. 

        She arrives at Barrett Hall and discovers a handsome new owner and widower back from the Middle East War,the child's father,who knows nothing about her job offer by his deceased uncle. He threatens to send her home. 

        Even with his eye patch, bitterness and distrust, Luke Barrett captures Rachel's heart until the night she finds evidence he is following in the footsteps of his pirate ancestor, Captain Bloodstone, but in smuggling the white gold, cocaine, which cost her brother's life during his Carolina coastal investigation. 

         Rachel finds her faith tested by deception, danger and love. Will Luke find his faith again--and a second chance at love?     

I'm so glad you stopped by today! What do you think about my new release? Would love to hear your comments. And please do click on the social media icons below to share this special release day blog.

Blessings,
Elva Cobb Martin

​Author Elva Cobb Martin is president of the South Carolina Chapter of American Christian Fiction Writers (2014-2017). She is a former school teacher and a graduate of Anderson University and Erskine College. Decision, Charisma, and Home Life have carried her articles. Summer of Deception, her debut inspirational romantic suspense novel is to be released March, 24, 2017, by Pelican Books. She has also contracted an historical romance, In a Pirate’s Debt, slated for release by Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas in May, 2017. She has published a Bible study, Power Over Satan, available on Amazon.com, and she coordinates an internet Prayer Task Force. Elva is represented by Jim Hart of Hartline Literary. A mother and grandmother, Elva lives with her husband Dwayne and a mini-dachshund writing helper, Lucy, and a parakeet named Tweetie, in Anderson, South Carolina. She would love for  you to connect with her on her web site www.elvamartin.com, her blog http://carolinaromancewit helvamartin.blogspot.com on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Elvacobbmartin , Facebook http://www.facebook.com/elvacobbmartin, and Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/elva cobbmartin/

   

  

Prepping for a Cover Design

by Elva Cobb Martin

As promised in my previous post today I want to share with you the information my publisher requested from me to help build the cover design for my debut novel being released in March, Summer of Deception. Here's the type of info you'll need to get ready for  YOUR novel cover! The below excerpt comes from a document my publisher sent to me. Their requests are in bold with my answers below. And this is not ALL the document by any means--just what relates to the front and back cover design.

COVER INFORMATION FOR AUTHOR                                                  PROMOTIONAL  SURVEY

* Do you prefer faces/people on your cover? Please specify.  

I prefer people and faces.

* Do you prefer a man or a woman on your cover?

Both, if possible, with a Southern mansion in the background and miniature dachshund and black Arabian stallion perhaps on the back spread. The hero could actually be shown astride the stallion on a beach on the back cover edge. The season is summer. See following sample pictures. (I didn’t get ALL of this but I was happy with the cover)

* If you would like people on your cover, please provide general physical descriptions including hair color, skin tone, and appropriate attire.

The Heroine is 22, a recent college grad in elementary education with long, thick dark curly hair, intelligent blue/green eyes and long dark lashes, fair complexion, height 5 ft., 8 inches, 125 pounds, tall, but small bones, willowy, but well-endowed, spunky, rides horseback, good cook, heart-shaped face with wide eyes, full lips, and well-defined but pretty nose. (a suggested photo sample follows in this doc.)  

Wears sun dresses, jeans, Bermuda shorts and pullovers, sandals, but also can dress up in lovely attire for evening out. Prefer the evening attire on cover, if possible.  (GOT THIS)

The Hero is 30, a wounded Marine Middle East war hero who wears eye patch, is physically very strong, dark tan, 6 ft., 4 inches tall, weight 210, all lean muscle, thick dark hair with a tendency to curl when wet, cut military short, has thin mustache, steel gray eyes but wears the patch over the left eye damaged in military, runs a modern southern plantation, rides black Arabian stallion and drives jeep over plantation, owns Mercedes and a Ferrari.

Large strong hands, square jaw, thin lips,

Every day wear: levis, black or khaki Marine t-shirts, army boots, cowboy hat

Dress up: black tie and tux, pullover knit shirts, khaki pants. If on front cover prefer him in dress up wear, if on back cover, in his rugged levis/Marine tee/cowboy hat as plantation hard worker.

(a suggested photo sample follows of the hero). For front cover, dress for hero and heroine should match as far as dress up or every day wear. (GOT DRESS UP)

Please provide a back cover blurb for your book. Please note: this is not a short synopsis or outline of your book. The purpose of this is to interest the readers, so it should be catchy and appealing. If you have never written a blurb before, I recommend starting by going online and reading several in your genre. Which make you want to read the book? Those are good examples.

Back Cover Copy: Is the owner of Barrett Hall a man of integrity or is he part of the secret drug smuggling society that caused her brother’s death?

Rachel York has no idea that love, danger and a shocking revelation await her in Charleston, South Carolina. What could be better than spending the summer taking care of a five-year-old girl on a southern tea plantation? Of vital importance, the Charleston location will allow Rachel to learn more about her brother’s reported death by the Drug Enforcement Administration.

She arrives and discovers a handsome new owner with whom to contend. The little girl’s widower father, Luke Barrett, is an unhappy, wounded, former Marine Corps Special Forces operative. He knows nothing about his deceased uncle’s job offer to Rachel and threatens to send her packing. Even with his eye patch, bitterness, and distrust, Luke begins to capture Rachel’s heart until the night she uncovers evidence he may be keeping his plantation solvent by allowing cocaine smuggling on his coastline.

Both Luke and Rachel conceal secrets. Peril and distrust, as well as love, test Rachel’s faith, and Luke’s struggle to find faith again. When all the deception rips asunder in a hurricane, will love survive?

Please provide two short, catchy phrases/selling points for your book.

These are often seen in advertisements and on the book cover. 5-10 words.

A wounded warrior . . . a woman searching for truth.

My original tag evolved into this final front cover tag:

A WOUNDED WARRIOR. A WOMAN SEARCHING FOR ANSWERS.

               CAN SHE RISK ALL TO UNCOVER THE TRUTH?

Cover/image examples. Please supply us with several examples of covers you like and feel carry the tone of what you would like to see on your cover. These need not be Prism covers--copy and paste them from anywhere. This greatly aids our artists in capturing the essence of the cover you are going for. (Here are a couple of cover ideas I submitted.)

Here is my final book cover!

How do you like this cover? Do you think the designer (Nicola Martinez, Pelican Book Group) did a good job using my information?  I gave her an A+.

In my next blog I will share some characterization pointers that helped me visualize and write about my main characters in Summer of Deception, an inspirational romantic suspense. And don't forget it will be released in March!

If you think this article would help other writers, please share it on social media by simply clicking on the buttons below.

Blessings and Onward!

Elva Cobb Martin

  

  

New Cover, Tag, & Galley Proofs

by Elva Cobb Martin

Drum Roll! Here’s the new cover of my inspirational romantic suspense novel, Summer of Deception, being released by Pelican Book Group in March. 

Tag: A wounded warrior, a woman searching for answers. Can she  risk all to uncover the truth?

Nicola Martinez, Editor-in-Chief of Pelican, designed this cover, and I think she did an excellent job. In my next blog I'll describe the information requested from me to help her build this cover and what you can do to get ready for your cover!

Next to seeing the cover design, I really do love to see the galley proofs of the novel. The interior is designed like it will be in the final printed book and it finally looks like a book.

The important thing to remember is that the galley is the last chance to make any small changes, like catch a misspelled word. BIG editing changes would have already been made in other edit rounds. Also the galley comes to you in a pdf file. Any changes you need to make have to be listed on a separate sheet of paper and sent to your editor in a list like:
Page ____  Line _____Edit _______

I am so happy this publisher numbered the lines in the galley so I can easily list the line number if I find an error. Another editor asked me to count paragraphs with no line numbers! 

Here's a sample of the galley proof and first lines of Summer of Deception. Of course when you try to copy from a pdf, you do lose a lot of the format. But this gives you an idea.

Chapter One

5

6 Charleston, South Carolina

7

8 Rachel York gasped when the taxi headlights

9 pierced the stormy night and illuminated Barrett Hall

10 in all its southern grandeur. Her travel fatigue faded,

11 and she leaned forward, energized, as the cab

12 crunched its way up the tree-lined shell drive to the

13 entrance. At the gate, she exited the auto with her

14 umbrella extended, and the taxi driver placed her large

15 bag and tote at her side. Rachel thanked him, paid him,

16 and hurried up the front walk, pulling her valise

17 behind her. The vehicle disappeared down the drive,

18 and darkness closed in as she made her way up the

19 front steps.

20 On the wide porch, she propped her umbrella

21 beside her suitcase, took a deep breath, and tried to

22 ignore a shiver of disquiet that traveled up her spine.

23 She would discover the truth. This summer job in

24 Charleston was her first step.

I try to ask at least two dear writer friends to help proof the galley with me, mainly to catch misspelled words that can manage to creep in.

I also like to set aside blocks of time to proof the galley at a few sittings so I can keep a good grasp of the story and details.

How do you like the cover?  Have you gotten to the galley stage? Would love to hear your comments. And please do click on the social media buttons below and share this article if you liked it.

Elva Cobb Martin