Character Reveal!

Back in October, I ran a review contest for my debut novel LADY OUTLAW. The winner was Janet Ruth of Along the Way who got to have a character in one of my WWI books named after her. Today I thought I'd give a sneak peek of the character who has Janet's name in the second book in the series.

Janet is a Army Nurse Corp nurse like the book's heroine Evelyn. They meet toward the end of the book when Evelyn is transferred to an evacuation hospital near the front lines. Conditions at the front were not only dangerous during WWI - hospitals near the front lines could come under enemy fire - but the food was bad and the mud was worse. Still, positions so close to the front like this were coveted spots for nurses.

Evelyn and Janet experience all of these hardships at the evacuation hospital. Janet, however, remains cheerful, despite the rough situation. When Evelyn questions her tent mate about her optimism, she learns about the tragedy that changed both Janet's life and her perspective. Janet's story touches Evelyn and allows her to view her own past and mistakes in a different light. Janet has become one of those secondary characters, who I think, add so much to the story and to the hero and heroine's lives.

And speaking of characters, I thoroughly enjoyed the first episode of Downton Abbey's 3rd Season! I love the new dramas and conflicts and situations, both upstairs and down.

If I had to pick my favorite characters from the show, it would probably be Matthew, Mary and Anna. I like that despite their disagreements, some quite large, Mary and Matthew still love each other. And sweet Anna - what a determined woman to see her wronged husband set free. Of course, I'd also have to say the show wouldn't be as good without the grandmother's witty one-liners that keep me laughing.

Who's your favorite Downton Abbey character?

Joy Journal

• Saw the movie Les Miserables (loved it!)
• Watched Mythbusters with my boys
• Deep cleaned and reorganized my kitchen