Lori Villarreal: Writer / Author

Cookietopia, LLC

2011-10-14T05:26:00.000-07:00

Announcing the launch of my new business: Cookietopia, LLC, homemade cookies made from 50 year old family recipes. These are cookies my mom used to make during the holidays when I was growing up...yum.

Township Times Article #7

2011-05-19T10:58:00.000-07:00

Local Author writes about the Law of Attraction

Author Mandy (Menahem) Lender, MD illustrates the key concepts of the Law of Attraction (LOA) in his book, The Vision of HabakkuK: The Law of Attraction in the Holy Bible. Among the so called “Minor Prophets” was the mystic Habakkuk, who was a major thinker of philosophical and theological concepts of faith.

According to Dr. Lender, many Biblical figures such as Moses, Solomon, Elijah, Jesus, and Paul acted, healed, and taught in alignment with the LOA, although they did not use the term “Law of Attraction.” The Books of Wisdom in the Hebrew Bible are replete with key concepts that in the whole constitute the LOA.

Dr. Lender calls Habakkuk’s prescription “The best practice of the LOA in the Bible.” He is convinced for many reasons that the LOA is important in attracting good health. The third chapter in The Vision of HabakkuK is a commentary explaining 4 verses that constitute the best practice of the LOA in the Bible.

As a member of Rise and Shine, a Toastmasters club for advanced speaking, it was Dr. Lender’s turn to give a speech. While preparing for the speech, it occurred to him that if the LOA is so insistent in our lives then it should have been part of the lives of the biblical figures, going back four millennia. Studying the Holy Bible, he found evidence and direct references to the LOA and its effects in the lives and teaching of many of the biblical heroes and prophets. After giving his speech, Dr. Lender realized there was enough information for a book. Since then, he has been reading and rereading and researching biblical commentaries and documenting the evidence for the presence of the LOA in the Bible.

Among Dr. Lender’s collection of bibles are a facsimile of a Gutenberg Bible in Latin, a facsimile of the Leningrad codex in Hebrew, and a quad-centennial facsimile edition of the 1611 printing in London of the KJV by Robert Barker and sons.

Originally from Israel, Dr. Lender (1970, Hebrew University, Jerusalem) is a physician and a Bible student enthusiast. He graduated from Rosary College, with an MBA degree, (1990, Brennan school of business, Dominican University, River Forest, IL). In 1976, Dr. Lender was invited for advanced training at the Department of Veteran’s Affairs in Chicago. A job promotion brought him to Saginaw in 1993 and he decided to stay after he retired. He volunteers his time and skills at a free clinic in Bay City, supporting patients without healthcare insurance who have nowhere else to turn for their infirmities.

Dr. Lender lives on a farm in Mid-Michigan with 5 boxer dogs, and sometimes in his house in suburban Chicago. For more information about the author and his book, The Vision of HabakkuK, visit his website at http://www.visionofhabakkuk.com/.

Township Times Featured Photos

2011-05-11T17:00:00.000-07:00

You can view my pictures of the 2011 Freeland Walleye Festival featured in the Township Times at: www.lorivillarreal.com/articles/article_walleyefest2011.html

Published on Smashwords

2011-04-15T08:15:00.000-07:00

I'm now published on Smashwords, an eBook distributor for Indie Authors. For a limited time, you can purchase Twelfth Moon for only $2.00 using this coupon code: DZ98L

Visit my Smashwords Author Page

Whispers in Time Book Trailer

2011-04-10T13:20:00.000-07:00

I created this trailer a few years ago, but have updated the website address at the end.

Whispers in Time Book Trailer

Twelfth Moon

2011-04-06T14:29:00.000-07:00

Twelfth Moon (A Legend of the Pantera Novel) is now available on Kindle and NOOK.

Cadence LaPorte is about to be hanged.

For weeks, U.S. Marshal, Jonah Kincaid, has been hot on her trail for the murder of his brother. His pursuit ends in a dusty Texas town at the scene of a lynching – namely, Cadence’s. Since revenge is at the top of his list, he saves her from death-by-hanging – for now.

Except Jonah thinks he’s been tracking a young boy.

And Cadence has this itsy-bitsy little problem: The women in her family are shape-shifting panthers, and once a year they’re compelled to mate with any male who happens to be in the vicinity – and become bound to him for life.

Jonah Kincaid is the last man on earth Cadence would wish to bind herself to. If she doesn’t find a way to escape him soon, she’ll be mauling the infuriating (handsome) U.S. Marshal – but as a woman, not as the panther.

Township Times Article #6

2011-04-05T12:32:00.000-07:00

National Denim Day Wednesday, April 27

Wearing jeans on “Denim Day,” during April’s National Sexual Assault Awareness Month has become an international symbol of protest against erroneous and destructive attitudes about sexual assault. Community members throughout Saginaw County can show their support by contributing $5.00 and wearing jeans/denim to work. Proceeds will benefit the Sexual Assault Center’s Nurse Examiner Program at Child & Family Services.

While April 27th is officially marked as Denim Day, Carrie Schultz, Marketing and Development Director of C&FS, is quick to say that any day during the year will do. Some companies participate throughout the entire year by having a Denim Day every Friday. Others might pick a certain month.

The history of Denim Day began when in Rome—Italy, 1997, an 18- year-old girl was raped and abandoned by her 45 year old perpetrator in an alley. Undeterred, she prosecuted him and won. The perpetrator was convicted of rape and sentenced to jail.

Months later, in 1998, the perpetrator appealed the sentence. The case made it all the way to the Italian Supreme Court. Within a matter of days the case against the driving instructor was overturned, dismissed, and the perpetrator released.

Why Denim?

In a statement released by the Head Judge, he argued, “Because the victim wore very, very tight jeans, she had to help him remove them… and by removing the jeans… it was no longer rape but consensual sex.”

Enraged by the verdict, within a matter of hours the women in the Italian Parliament launched into immediate action and protested by wearing jeans to work. This call to action motivated and emboldened the California Senate and Assembly to do the same, and Denim Day was born.

So far this year, there are approximately 45 participating Denim Day Companies. Schultz would like to get more companies involved to help raise awareness of erroneous and destructive attitudes about sexual assault, and to show their support of the invaluable services provided by the Sexual Assault Center’s Nurse Examiner Program at Child & Family Services.

The Sexual Assault Center of C&FS provides 24 hour crisis intervention & advocacy, sexual assault & abuse counseling, victim advocacy, legal advocacy, sexual assault response team, community education & prevention. Child and Family Services is a non-profit agency which has been providing services to individuals and families for over 140 years. Other services include the Employee Wellness Center-EAP and the Counseling Center.

Activities scheduled throughout the month of April include:

April Coffee sleeve awareness campaign begins at your favorite local coffee shop.
April 5, 6:30 p.m. and April 7, 11:00 a.m., Story Time and crafts at Barnes and Noble in Saginaw
April 8, Strike out Sexual Assault Bowl-a-thon at Saginaw’s Stardust Lanes
April 16, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., YMCA Healthy Kids Day at the Saginaw YMCA
April 21, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Happy Bear Takes to the Streets at Child and Family Services 2806 Davenport –please honk!
April 27, Companies participate in National Denim Day
April 28, Bennigan’s Benefit – All Day

For more information on how you and your co-workers can join in on “Wear Denim to Work Day,” e-mail Carrie Schultz, MSA, Development/Marketing Director, Child and Family Services, at cschultz@cfs-saginaw.org, call her at 989-790-7500 ext. 229, or visit their website at www.childandfamilysaginaw.org.

Kissing Mr. Bellamy

2011-04-03T15:10:00.000-07:00

My third romance, Kissing Mr. Bellamy is now available for purchase on Kindle and NOOK.

Featuring Emily and Roger from Whispers in Time.

EMILY TEMPLETON'S uncle is dead, and a valuable Egyptian relic is missing. As the investigation of her uncle's murder progresses, so does the attraction between Emily and MR. BELLAMY. For the prim and proper Miss Emily Templeton, kissing Mr. Bellamy has become a most un-prim-like, improper obsession.

Another Novel Coming Soon

2011-03-30T06:50:00.000-07:00

I'm working on editing Kissing Mr. Bellamy right now. I've designed the book cover and hope to have it published on Kindle and NOOK and have it available for purchase by Friday. The first chapter and the cover can be viewed at: www.lorivillarreal.com.

Another eBook Published

2011-03-25T13:33:00.000-07:00

The Devil Rogue is now available for purchase on Kindle and NOOK. Check out the links at the top of the page, or go to my website: www.lorivillarreal.com for more information.

Township Times Article #5

2011-03-23T13:13:00.000-07:00

(courtesy photo)

Operation Tribute to Freedom: Local soldier recently returned from Afghanistan

Operation Tribute to Freedom (OTF) shares the stories of Soldiers who have or are currently serving in support of Operation New Dawn, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. The program connects these Soldiers with their local communities through speaking and appreciation events, as well as media outreach.

When Saginaw local Sgt. Simon Baum deployed to Afghanistan as an infantry team leader with the 82nd Airborne Division, he left as a family of two but knew he’d return home to a family of five—as just days before he left, his wife learned that she was pregnant with triplets. Halfway through the deployment, he returned home to witness the premature birth of his three daughters, and then made the hard decision to return to Afghanistan to complete the mission with his unit.

While out on a patrol mission in June 2007, an improvised explosive device detonated near Baum’s convoy, and he sustained multiple serious injuries, including a broken wrist, fractured fibula and torn cartilage in his knee. After arriving stateside for further medical treatment, he was diagnosed with a mild traumatic brain injury.

In December 2007, just before his comrades returned from Afghanistan, Baum was transferred to the Warrior Transition Battalion at Fort Bragg, N.C., and worked tirelessly to avoid a medical discharge. Anxious to serve again on the frontlines, he was committed to making a full recovery and returning to his unit.

After an arduous recovery, Baum was able to rejoin his unit in early 2009, and by August, he and other members of Task Force Fury were on their way back to Afghanistan. During his recovery, he was promoted and would serve overseas as a team leader.

Yet Baum’s pre-deployment training could not prepare him for one transition that he would face throughout the course of his year-long deployment: becoming a father. Just two days before he left for Afghanistan, Baum and his wife learned that they were expecting triplets.

Just a few months into the deployment, however, Baum received a call to return to Michigan for the premature birth of his daughters. Although he was able to be in the delivery room for all three births, he returned to the battlefield just weeks after their birth. However, when the opportunity presented itself for Baum to serve with the rear detachment at Fort Bragg, N.C., Baum took the job—he was still able to serve with his unit, but it also allowed him to help his wife care for their infant daughters.

Balancing his sense of duty to his country and his role as a father of three infants has been a challenge, but Sgt. Baum has made a resolute commitment to both.

Baum lives with his family in the Cameron, N.C. area. In the future, he would like to attend Officer Candidate School (OCS) and serve as an officer.

“I want to take what I’ve learned in the Army so far, and lead as an officer. I like being at the front of the fight, not just supporting it from behind,” he said. “In the Army I feel like I’m doing something with my life. I love my job and my family, and I’m willing to sacrifice time away from my family rather than have something like 9/11 happen again.”

Every Soldier has a story to share and OTF wants to tell yours. If you are a Soldier who has or is currently serving in support of Operation New Dawn, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, sign up with Operation Tribute to Freedom at www.army.mil/otf/soldiers.html.

Soldiers from communities across America are serving in Iraq or Afghanistan. If you would like to have a Soldier share their personal experiences at your community or organization event, or would like to honor a local hero, fill out the Request for Event Support Form at www.army.mil/otf/eventorganizers.html.

Operation Tribute to Freedom works with Army Public Affairs Officers (PAOs) to share their Soldiers’ stories. OTF also offers up proactive opportunities that PAOs can volunteer their Soldiers for. Register with OTF for updates on event and media opportunities or to view products designed for PAOs at www.army.mil/otf/paos.html.

For more information about Operation Tribute to Freedom and read about other soldiers and their experiences, go to http://www.army.mil/otf/index.html.

View my other articles at: www.lorivillarreal.com/articles.html

Township Times Article #4

2011-03-23T13:10:00.000-07:00

(courtesy photo)

Vow to Wow Wedding Coordinating

If you’re planning a wedding, Vow to Wow Wedding Coordinating will take your dream and turn it into reality. Whatever your vision may be of the perfect wedding, your idea is within reach, as Vow to Wow’s team of coordinators strive to make your wedding desires come true.

Nickie Sovia, owner of the Freeland-based company, has been planning and coordinating weddings since 2006, and is currently studying to become a Certified Wedding Planner. Not only does she have years of experience to her credit, but she is learning more than ever about wedding planning from the Penn Foster Career Institute. Sovia has also accumulated a large collection of useful research material which is updated daily in order to keep up with the latest fashions and hottest trends.

Sovia is Vow to Wow’s Head Coordinator, with Amber and Lisa as her Coordinating Assistants. Together, these natural born planners will be with you every step of the way, guiding you through all your wedding decisions. Their goal is to make the entire process a stress-free experience, whether it is a small, intimate gathering, or an extravagant gala.

Each coordinator is trained to handle sticky situations with the utmost discretion, and can be reached 24/7 by phone or email. Their specialty is to make certain your day has what every couple wants: “The Wow Factor!”

Vow to Wow’s team also knows who the local vendors are, and have done plenty of quality and price comparing. They have made partnerships with several vendors and venues that are willing to offer a discount of up to 20% for Vow to Wow clients.

There are three different packages available which are tailored to fulfill a variety of wedding needs:

The Hourly package retains a wedding coordinator as your event consultant at an hourly rate.

The Golden Package (the day of) is for the couple who has done the planning, but would like to ensure a stress-free day.

The Royal Package (full wedding coordination) is for the couple who would like direction, or may not have enough time, or would really just like to enjoy all the amenities that the Royal Package offers. From Engagement Day, through the day of your wedding, Vow to Wow will be there alongside fulfilling your wedding dreams.

For more information about Vow to Wow Wedding Coordinating and the special packages they have to offer, visit their website at http://www.vowtowow1.com/, email vowtowow1@gmail.com, or call 293-0344.

View my other articles at: www.lorivillarreal.com/articles

Township Times Article #3

2011-03-23T13:06:00.000-07:00

(courtesy photo)

The Girls of Grace Dance Ministry prepares for their 6th Annual Worship Concert

St. Lorenz Girls of Grace Dance Ministry will be presenting an afternoon of inspiration and worship. “Remember…Renew…REJOICE!” is a unique Concert of Worship, Dance, and Praise that will be performed at The Temple Theatre in Saginaw on Saturday/Sunday, March 19/20 at 3:00 p.m. Reserved seating tickets are available now at the Temple box office. The cost is $8.00, with children 2 and under free. Call 989-754-7469 to order your tickets. Seats are filling up quickly.

Over 100 joyful dancers and participants will share an uplifting message through narration, song, dance, personal testimonies, and media presentations. This group began nine years ago, and has grown in many ways since.

Linda Nuechterlein, Director of Girls of Grace, is a former teacher from St. Lorenz, and feels that this ministry has allowed her to combine her love for teaching kids, God's Word and dance...all in one ministry. For her, it has been a tremendous blessing to be the director of these great kids.

All leaders are volunteers including the director and instructors, parent helpers, steering committee and sewing ministry. Parents of the dancers make a small monetary donation to the ministry at the beginning of the year, and all other funds come from donations.

The Girls of Grace Christian Dance Ministry seeks to present their dancers as “living sacrifices” to the Lord, through reverent and expressive dance. They also seek to mentor Christian young women by spending time studying God’s Word, discussing godly lifestyles and praying together. They serve their own congregation in worship services and school chapel services. They also desire to intentionally share the message of Christ’s love beyond their own church. These events may be other worship services, weddings, conferences or a variety of community functions. Relying on God’s direction, they humbly offer their worship dance to many, but their focus always remains: “We are ultimately dancing for “An audience of One.” May all we do bring honor and glory to Jesus.

Girls of Grace Dance Ministry is in its ninth year of service. This volunteer ministry is directed by Linda Nuechterlein and a staff of instructors, a Steering Committee and a support sewing ministry, the Gracemakers. Presently, Girls of Grace has 65 dancers, ranging in age from 4th grade through College Students. Girls of Grace also has an apprentice group called Future Girls of Grace (Grades 1-3). All dancers are affiliated with St. Lorenz Church in Frankenmuth.

In the past nine years, these dedicated ladies have offered liturgical dance for approximately 200 worship services at St. Lorenz Church and School, 100 additional functions including community events, conferences, and worship services throughout Michigan, and into Ohio, and the annual worship concert- the highlight of the year.

For the past five years, the annual concert has been held at the Bronner Performing Arts Center. This year, the BPAC was already booked, so a different venue was needed. The Temple Theatre provides a beautiful venue, and an opportunity to share the powerful message with a larger, broader audience.

New this year, The Girls of Grace Dance Ministry is dedicated to reach out to the less fortunate or those in challenging situations. The leaders will be working with social service organizations (Teen Challenge, Underground Railroad, Saginaw Foster Care Program, Caring Tree Ministry from St. Lorenz, etc.) to invite folks to the concert. Those that respond to the invitation will receive free tickets to attend.

This concert is a moving testimony of faith and very inspirational. The desire of this ministry is to fill the seats at The Temple Theatre, with lots of family and friends…plus reach out to those who could benefit from an afternoon of “Good News” presented in an exciting, refreshing way.

To see a sample of last year’s concert in Frankenmuth, Michigan, visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPI7dhiQ1WI. For additional information, contact Linda Nuechterlein, Director of Girls of Grace at: linda.nuechterlein@gmail.com, or visit the Girls of Grace Website at http://www.stlorenz.org/ (Link: Girls of Grace).

View my other articles at: www.lorivillarreal.com/articles.html

Township Times Article #2

2011-03-23T12:52:00.000-07:00

(photo by Lori Villarreal)

Tiffany’s Unique Boutique celebrates grand opening

Owner Tess Orvis held her grand opening for Tiffany’s Unique Boutique Tuesday, March 1st, in style. Guests were treated to an assortment of desserts, snacks, fruit, wine and champagne, and pizza, compliments of Hungry Howie’s.

Freeland resident, Josh Johnson, was one of the first customers to receive a haircut at the new location. Johnson remembers getting haircuts by Orvis as a kid, and when he recently returned to Freeland from Colorado, decided to return to her. “It’s the most affordable haircut in town at only ten dollars,” Johnson said.

The boutique had been originally located at 135 Washington in Freeland for the past three years, until the owner of the property decided to sell. Orvis then moved the boutique to 143 1st Street (behind the post office) in Freeland, where the special grand opening was held.

Orvis, mother of three children and grandmother of four, began her career as a hairstylist 24 years ago, working out of her home. When her youngest daughter turned 14, she realized she no longer needed to work out of her home, and decided to open her boutique at the Washington location.

A full service salon, Tiffany’s Unique Boutique offers haircuts, perms, color, up-do’s, highlights, nails, manicures, pedicures, facials, makeovers, Hex tanning, airbrush tanning, NuFree hair removal, and ear candling.

Massage Therapist, Jennifer Richter, specializes in deep tissue massage, muscle manipulation, trigger-point release, as well as relaxation. Formerly of Serenity Day Spa in Saginaw, Richter has been practicing massage therapy since 2007, and recently joined the team at Tiffany’s.

Another recent addition to Tiffany’s team is Emily Jaime, a hairstylist for 10 years. Jaime is a Freeland resident, dividing her time between work at Tiffany’s, and raising her two young children, a son, Camryn, 6 months, and daughter, Brynn, 3 ½.

Each week Tiffany’s sponsors a local home-based business by allowing them to showcase their products and services at the boutique. The first business to take advantage of this unique opportunity at the grand opening is Arbonne Skin Care, presented by Sharon Poplawski. Arbonne is not just about skin care, but also specializes in health & wellness and vitamins. According to Poplawski, Arbonne offers the best skin care products she’s ever used. For more information, call Sharon at 860-9657, or email sharonpoplawski@yahoo.com.

Future sponsored businesses include Mary Kay, Party Lights, Scentsy candles, Miche Bags, Pampered Chef, Tupperware, and Kade Jewel. The idea has been so popular that Orvis said she is booked until June.

Tiffany’s will be a participating vendor at the Burt Watson Chevrolet Mom to Mom Sale, being held March 12, April 16, and May 21, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The boutique will also be participating in the 5.01 Divas, Working Women’s Day Out, along with 30 other vendors, to be held at Burt Watson Chevrolet in Freeland on March 11, from 5:01 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Tiffany’s offers the Healthy Weight Workshop, presented by Hypnosis Delivers, with an NHG Certified Hypnotist and NFPT Certified Fitness Trainer, every 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month. The first workshop is scheduled for March 13, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.hypnosisdelivers.com, email mary@hypnosisdelivers.com, or call 810-423-6541.

Tiffany’s also took 2nd place in the 2010 Best of the Best Community Event for its participation in America’s Cover Miss & Cover Boy Pageant, with the Greek Festival being the 1st place winners that year.

Tiffany’s Unique Boutique, 143 1st Street, Freeland. Phone: 695-9797, website: http://www.freelandsalon.com/. Walk-ins welcome. Open Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and later, Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

View my other articles at: www.lorivillarreal.com/articles.html

Township Times Article #1

2011-03-23T12:37:00.000-07:00

(photo by Lori Villarreal)

The Rainbow Connection: Goodbye Snow, Hello Sunshine!

As we scrape the snow off of our windows next week in Michigan, 8 year old Kaitlyn of Midland will be waking up to sun and fun in Florida and a promise of visiting Mickey Mouse later in the day. Kaitlyn and her family will be living Kaitlyn’s dream as they experience all seven theme parks at Disney World. The Rainbow Connection, a Michigan charity that grants wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses will make Kaitlyn’s dream come true!

Kaitlyn was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma (bone cancer) in August 2009. After extensive treatment Kaitlyn was referred to The Rainbow Connection and then the magic of her wish to go to Disney World began! Through all of the doctor’s visits, hospital stays and treatment plans, knowing that she was going to Disney World gave Kaitlyn the encouragement she needed to fight each day. The thought of spending a week with all of her favorite Disney characters and eat ice cream for breakfast if she chose to, got her through some of her roughest days.

Her dream trip will start when a limousine picks up the family at their home in Midland and takes them to the airport. Upon arriving in Florida, Kaitlyn and her family will get the royal treatment with special attention throughout the parks, first in line for everything and some very special surprises.

Thanks to the big hearted folks at Sam’s Club in Saginaw this little girl’s dream will come true. The employees and management at Sam’s Club pulled together knowing what a difference they could make in the life of sick child. Sam’s Club raised the money to sponsor Kaitlyn’s through various fundraisers and local grants. “Sam’s Club is making a real difference in our community,” says The Rainbow Connection Director, Mary Grace McCarter. “It is truly heartwarming to work with them as they make dreams come true for these brave children.”

The Rainbow Connection is a local organization that focuses its efforts exclusively on Michigan children and their families, offering support services, help with utility bills, funeral expenses, information and referral, special holiday get-togethers and picnics, and college scholarships in addition to granting a wish. The Rainbow Connection receives no federal funds and depends exclusively on the kind generosity of our supporters. Eighty-nine cents of every dollar goes to granting Michigan children a wish.

For more information about The Rainbow Connection, visit their website at http://www.rainbowconnection.org/.

View my other articles at: www.lorivillarreal.com/articles.html

eBook Sales

2011-03-14T16:38:00.000-07:00

I'm excited to say that I've already had some sales for Whispers in Time on both Kindle and NOOK, which is very encouraging.

As soon as I finish the re-write for The Devil Rogue, and design covers for Kissing Mr. Bellamy and Twelfth Moon, I'll publish those as well.

Publishing my first eBook

2011-03-11T11:00:00.000-08:00

It's official! I just published my first novel, Whispers in Time, on Amazon's Kindle and Barnes & Noble's NOOKbook.

I also plan on publishing my other two historical romances, The Devil Rogue and Kissing Mr. Bellamy, as well as the first of a 3-book paranormal series, Twelfth Moon: Legend of the Pantera, as eBooks.

For more information about any of these books, go to my author's website, http://www.lorivillarreal.com/, and read the first chapters of each.

Liking those critiques

2010-07-25T19:00:00.000-07:00

Wow! It's been a long time since I last posted, but I've been so freakin' busy. Between writing and reporting for our local weekly newspaper, The Township Times, working on website design projects, and trying to finish Twelfth Moon, Legend of the Pantera, the first of a three-book, paranormal/shape-shifter romance series, I haven't had time for much else.

--But I just had to mention that I'm a "Forties Club Finalist" (ranking #37) in The Clarity of Night "Uncovered" Short Fiction contest. This is pretty exciting for me (believe it or not) to have been chosen, and actually get some feedback on my writing.

I'm sure I'm not the only writer who suffers from an occassional lack of confidence when it comes to my writing...am I? I do try to learn from my mistakes, read about writing techniques, and read as many novels (by my favorite authors) as I can get my hands on, so any kind of feedback is well-received, and greatly appreciated.

Bonds of Friendship

2009-09-29T06:18:00.000-07:00

My main passion, so to speak, is writing romance, but I also like to write mainstream fiction, short stories, and sci-fi. Below is a short story I wrote and submitted to a Writer's Digest contest.

Bonds of Friendship, a short story by Lori Villarreal

“Last one in’s a rotten egg!” Corey yelled over his shoulder as he ran. Nearing the edge of the pond, he kicked off his sandals without breaking his stride. He jumped, drawing his knees to his chest, braced his skinny arms around them, and catapulted into the water in a perfect cannonball.

Andrew came next, entering the pond in the same manner as Corey had, shouting with delight as he took the plunge.

Jacob pulled up the rear, halting at the water’s edge, panting heavily. He dropped a tattered, bulging backpack in the grass, and bending over to rest his hands on his knees, griped about having to carry it.

Andrew laughed. “Sorry, dude, but you lost the toss to see who gets to carry it this time.”

Jacob plopped to the ground next to the backpack.

“Aren’t you comin’ in?” Corey asked.

“The water’s too cold,” Jacob whined.

Andrew called Jacob a little girl, and Jacob responded by telling him to shut up. The taunts continued until Jacob got mad and barreled into the water, propelling himself toward Andrew.

It was all in good fun, as the three of them played in the water like a trio of carefree sea lions. They’d been friends since preschool, forming a bond that could only result in shared experiences in the eight years following.

They took a break by a large oak tree to eat sandwiches. When they finished, they sat in companionable silence. A noise from the other side of the pond drew their attention. They quietly watched as a man dumped something in the water. The object was large and wrapped in a black, shiny trash bag.

Suddenly, the man looked up, his sharp gaze focusing on their position. He reached down and pulled something out of his boot. It glinted with a quick metallic flash.

Corey’s heart picked up its pace. The man was coming toward them around the edge of the pond, breaking into a run. “Let’s get out of here,” he whispered. “Now.”

All three of them moved as one, sprinting down the same path they’d taken to get here. Cory broke ahead of Jacob and Andrew. He could hear them cussing behind him, their footsteps loud as they snapped branches, and trampled through dried leaves. Risking a quick glance back over his shoulder, he saw that the man was gaining on them, and Jacob was falling too far behind. “Come on, Jacob! Run!” he shouted, even though his lungs were beginning to burn.

Jacob tripped and crashed to the ground. The man caught up to him, yanking him up by the arm.

Andrew had stopped halfway between Jacob and Corey, fear and indecision in his wide eyes as his gaze darted back and forth.

“You don’t think I’ll let you kids get away and tell what you saw me do, do ya?” the man growled in Jacob’s face, shaking him like a rag doll. “Now I have to kill all o’ ya!”

Corey stood frozen, staring with horror at the scene. His chest rose and fell as he struggled to get air into them. Sweat and tears streaked his dirty face. His mind frantically tried to think of what to do.

Then Andrew raced toward the man holding Jacob, his arms flailing madly. “Let go of him!” he shouted, and leaped on the man’s back, kicking and clawing.

Corey wasted no time. Picking up a big stick, he ran the short distance to join the battle. He shuffled his feet, following in circles and zig-zags along with the three as they struggled, looking for an opening.

With a grunt, the man elbowed Andrew so hard, he let go and dropped to the ground, holding his side.

Corey swung the stick like he was hitting a home run, connecting with the back of the man’s head. He fell without a sound, pinning Jacob’s legs underneath. Andrew came over and helped Corey push the man off Jacob.

“You guys all right?” Corey asked Jacob and Andrew. They were all dirty and scared and out of breath, but other than that, everyone was okay.

“Do you think he’s dead?” Andrew asked shakily.

“I don’t know, but let’s get out of here,” Corey replied.
Back at their cabins, after the boys told their families what had happened, the area was teaming with police. The man was found alive, to Corey’s relief, and taken into custody. The object he’d dumped in the pond was the body of his girlfriend.

Hook, line, and query letter

2009-09-27T20:14:00.000-07:00

Here I am ... on my third romance novel, and once again searching for a literary agent. I went through the whole rigorous process of sending out queries for my first novel, Whispers in Time, and then again for my second, The Devil Rogue. I bought books like The Writer’s Handbook and Guide to Literary Agents. I searched the internet for advice on how to write the perfect query letter. I researched the list of agents that matched my genre, visited their websites for submission guidelines, and even created a spreadsheet to keep track of which agent I contacted, the date the query was sent, and their response (rejections).

After so many rejections, I decided to publish myself. I registered an account with a reputable book printer, purchased a block of ISBN's, designed my own book covers, formatted the interior, and I was on my way. I had two books out on the market, for sale by Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble.com, and a slew of other online book retailers. I did a few book signings, and didn't do too bad ... until I started getting returned books.

Boy did my bubble burst!

Little did I know what the consequences would be when the books that didn't sell began to come back to me … kinda like the acid-reflux I get from an especially garlicky plate of spaghetti.

Well anyway, the experience brought me back to that original know-in-my-gut-this-is-what-I-really-want yearning to stand out against the thousands clamoring to get their manuscripts published.

So I continue my quest to find an agent who will, by way of a query with a great hook, ask for my manuscript, will love said manuscript, and then make an offer to represent me. But that won’t be the end of it. My new, super-talented agent will have to find a publisher willing to take on this new author.

It all begins with that all-important query letter.

Who am I?

2009-09-26T14:18:00.000-07:00

Who, exactly, is "Lori Villarreal: Romance Writer?" Well, that's a question I often ask myself, especially when I've just gotten out of bed (after hitting the snooze button for the previous forty-five minutes), and I'm still in that fuzzy state between wakefulness and sleep. For a frightening moment, I'm not quite sure who I am and what I should be doing with my life. But that doesn't last very long. Once I've let the dog out, had my smoke (outside with the dog), and shuffle over to the computer, it all comes back to me - I'm a writer, goddammit!