SPOTLIGHT: AUTHOR ALANA LORENS

Welcome to my blog! I am thrilled to introduce award winning author Alana Lorens, and who’s work embodies creativity, insight, and passion.

Author Bio

Alana Lorens (aka Barbara Mountjoy) has been a published writer for over 45 years, including seven years as a reporter/editor at the South Dade News Leader in Homestead, Florida, after working as a server, a pizza maker, and a floral designer. She writes non-fiction, romance, adventure, and suspense novels. She is the author of the Pittsburgh Lady Lawyers series, which draws on her years as a family law attorney in the state of Pennsylvania. One of the causes close to her heart came from those years as well–the fight against domestic violence. She volunteered for many years at women’s shelters and provided free legal services to women and children in need. Alana resides in North Carolina, and she loves her time in the smoky blue mountains. She lives with her daughter, who is the youngest of her seven children, and she is ruled by three crotchety old cats, and six kittens of various ages.

MORE INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT ALANA, AND A GREAT TIP FOR BUDDING WRITERS:

Even though I practiced as a Miami attorney for six years, I had never contemplated using that experience as basis for a story. True, I have the Pittsburgh Lady Lawyers series, using my Pennsylvania practice as background for some romantic suspense stories, but Miami hadn’t been on my radar. Until my daughter Bethany suggested using the anxiety-relieving mantra that she’d learned in the pandemic.

The University of Rochester Medical Center describes it like this: 

 

The University of Rochester Medical Center describes it like this:

5: Acknowledge FIVE things you see around you. It could be a pen, a spot on the ceiling, anything in your surroundings.

4: Acknowledge FOUR things you can touch around you. It could be your hair, a pillow, or the ground under your feet. 

3: Acknowledge THREE things you hear. This could be any external sound. If you can hear your belly rumbling that counts! Focus on things you can hear outside of your body.

2: Acknowledge TWO things you can smell. Maybe you are in your office and smell pencil, or maybe you are in your bedroom and smell a pillow. If you need to take a brief walk to find a scent you could smell soap in your bathroom, or nature outside.

1: Acknowledge ONE thing you can taste. What does the inside of your mouth taste like—gum, coffee, or the sandwich from lunch?”

 
 

Join me as we delve into the world of her new novel. Cruel Charade is a Mystery, Action-Adventure, Thriller. Get ready to be inspired and captivated by her words as we embark on this literary journey together.

BLURB

Miami attorney Bet Lenard has had a rough year. She’s battling an unknown illness that drives her to drink to cope with her pain. Her lawyer husband has divorced her and taken the best part of their business, their home and their children.

On the night of May 16, 1996, Bet finds herself in the Everglades in the middle of the night, drugged, lost and next to a burned car with a dead body in it. Hoping she’s hit bottom, Bet must drag herself out of her living hell and discover who tried to kill her. Was it her ex-husband, not satisfied with stealing everything that mattered? An angry client, unhappy with the outcome of their case? Her best friend’s husband, livid that Bet’s restraining order kicked him out of her life forever? Police officers fuming that Bet helped a client convict a dirty cop who was their friend? She has no idea.

As she tries to sort out the motives behind her would-be killer, even more suspects come to light. The only thing keeping Bet sane is her relationship with her therapist, who encourages her to struggle and survive, despite everything that’s gone wrong. How will Bet discover the truth and bring her enemy to justice before they strike again and, this time, succeed?

Excerpt

Who tried to kill me? Did they do it themselves? Send someone else with dirty hands? 
The steady beep from the next curtained area grabbed Bet’s wandering attention, and she held onto it like a lifeline as her suppositions spiraled out over the next half hour. Two years she’d worked as a criminal defense attorney now, two years’ worth of “innocent until proven guilty.” The “proven” part haunted her sometimes. She’d won the freedom of numerous accused who she believed fairly strongly had deserved their anticipated punishment. 
Those ones you never asked the question: Did you do it? It was better not to know. 
Someone unhappy with their representation? Maybe. 
Someone unhappy because her representation got someone off? Maybe. 
Someone from the Metro-Dade police department, where a client of Bet’s had testified against two officers and had them fired for misconduct. At my urging. And I’m sure they know it. And they don’t forget things like that. 
And whose was that charred body? 
The curtain was shoved back and a Black woman in blue blazer and slacks came in, clipboard in hand. She stared at Bet first, dark eyes piercing over the top of her cheaters, then she sniffed, cleared her throat, and looked at her paperwork. 
“I’m Tasha, from Social Services, here to make sure your care proceeds smoothly, Miss…ah, March.” Her eyes narrowed. “Jo March? Really?” 
Bet tried like hell to keep a straight face. “My mother was a reader.” 
“Mmm-hmm.” Said in that snarkily judgmental way that only a Black woman can. She paused, obviously waiting for something more. Bet didn’t give it. 
“Well then. Our records show you haven’t been at this hospital before, so I’ll need to go over the demographics. You also declared no insurance. Who will be covering the bill for this treatment?” 
“I’ll handle it.” 
“I can offer financial assistance through the hospital if… You’ll have to qualify through our income scales.” 
“Not necessary.” Bet squirmed, the pain solidifying. “What I need… Is there a doctor in our near future? Or at least some water?” 
Tasha tapped a pen on her clipboard. “Let me see if you’re allowed to have water.” She pursed her lips and stepped out. 
Bet took a deep breath. Tasha’s once-over look had reminded her she’d been lying in a swamp half the night. She slid off the bed, kicked off her remaining shoe, and went to the small sink. Taking a handful of paper towels, she soaked them in warm water and painfully washed the smears of mud off her legs and arms. A tear ran down her cheek, and it burned.  
“My face, too?” she muttered. A mirrored medicine cabinet hung opposite. She steeled herself, then took a peek. Her right cheek was pocked with red blisters. “Damn it to hell.” Even her hair hung with a ragged, blackened edge where it must have come in contact with the flames. The rest was a tangled red-gold rats’ nest.

Amazing!

Want to find out more about Alana and her writing? Why not check out her links below:

Amazon
Walmart
BooksAMillion
IndieBound
Barnes & Noble
Kobo
Google Books
ITunes

Goodreads

Bookbub

Thank you for joining me today, Alana, it’s been a pleasure hosting you and I wish you every success with your writing.

But that’s not all folks, why not scroll through previous posts – there’s plenty to read. 

We would also appreciate any comments (all things writerly of course) in the box below. Many thanks for your time. It’s so great to share these stories with you. 

mybook.to/twentyone #historical #romance #drama #fiction #saga #women #film in all good book stores libraries and amazon and ebooks

Comments (7)

  • manager

    It's always a pleasure hosting authors, and I am so grateful to be able to share your work, Alana. Wishing the very best. Lynn

  • Ilona Fridl

    Best of luck to your book!

  • Alana Lorens

    Thanks so much for having me!!!

    • manager

      Absolutely thrilled to have you here, thank you for joining me.

  • Kim Janine Ligon

    Love the anti anxiety tips and the book looks intriguing. Lynn thanks for hosting. Another book for my tbr!

  • Alana Lorens

    Was great to be here. thanks, Kim, Ilona and Lynn!

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