Juliet Bell: Two authors for the price of one

Today we welcome Juliet Bell to the blog to celebrate the publication of her first novel, The Heights.

Juliet Bell is the collaborative pen name of RNA members Janet Gover and Alison May.

Juliet was born at an RNA conference, with a chance remark about heroes who are far from heroic. She was raised on pizza and wine during many long working lunches, and finished her first novel over cloud storage and skype in 2017. 

Juliet shares Janet and Alison’s preoccupation with misunderstood classic fiction, and stories that explore the darker side of relationships.
You can follow Juliet on Twitter @JulietBellBooks or find out more on her website. 

Two hundred years since Emily Brontë’s birth comes The Heights: a modern re-telling of Wuthering Heights set in 1980s Yorkshire.

A grim discovery brings DCI Lockwood to Gimmerton’s Heights Estate – a bleak patch of Yorkshire he thought he’d left behind for good. There, he must do the unthinkable, and ask questions about the notorious Earnshaw family.

Decades may have passed since Maggie closed the pits and the Earnshaws ran riot – but old wounds remain raw. And, against his better judgement, DCI Lockwood is soon drawn into a story. 

A story of an untameable boy, terrible rage, and two families ripped apart. A story of passion, obsession, and dark acts of revenge. And of beautiful Cathy Earnshaw – who now lies buried under cold white marble in the shadow of the moors.

So we have two guests for the price of one today. With that in mind, we suggested that Janet and Alison ask each other some questions about their writing. Over to you Janet…

Photo credit: Julie Cohen

  

JANET: Writing a collaboration meant we had to plan what we were doing in some detail. We became plotters which is not the way you normally write. What was the hardest part about that and what was easier than you expected?

ALISON: I am definitely not normally a planner. Generally, as a writer, I’m the queen of ‘getting a vague idea and then just writing until it’s book length and hoping for the best.’ For a collaboration, that doesn’t work, because it means you’re forever accidentally killing people off that your writing partner might have been intending to feature in the next chapter.

And I do find writing to a set plan much more difficult. For me that sense of possibility and the unknown is a big part of what motivates me to keep writing – if I know exactly what’s coming next all the way to the end, why would I need to write the book? But I guess what made up for that was the fact that there was half a book out there somewhere being written without me. Sure – I knew the story and what events would take place in those chapters, but I didn’t know exactly how Janet would put them down on the page. I think that kept the sense of mystery alive.

JANET: After we decided to adapt Wuthering Heights, we both reread the original. Was there anything when you reread it that you had forgotten or that surprised you?

ALISON: So much! I’ve never thought of Wuthering Heights as a romantic novel, and I’ve certainly never seen Heathcliff as a romantic hero – although I know some readers do. But even beyond that I was stunned by how bleak a lot of the story is, and how self-involved even the ‘nicer’ characters are.

I spent much of the reread wanting to shake pretty much everyone on the page, which sounds like it should probably mean that I didn’t like the book. That’s not the case at all. I love Wuthering Heights – it’s big and ambitious and all-consuming, but it’s also unrelenting, and I think I’d forgotten that unrelenting darkness.

JANET: We use Skype and online storage when we write together, because we live in different parts of the country and are both a bit geeky. What piece of technology do you love most – and hate most?

I’m not sure if it really counts as a ‘piece of technology’ but it’s the same answer for love and hate – social media! Twitter, facebook, Instagram – I have a love-hate relationship with them all. I love being connected to friends and family so easily. Being a writer involves a lot – A LOT – of time spent on your own inside your own imagination. It’s really easy to get very isolated, very quickly, and chatting on Twitter and Facebook is a massive help with that.

But it’s also a huge timesuck, and it pushes crises from around the world into your eyeballs in real-time in a way that I really don’t think the human psyche is evolved to deal with, and it invites you to compare yourself with everyone else’s (carefully edited) social media perfect lives.

And every now and then I think I ought to go social media cold turkey, but then I get a message from a mate I’ve not seen for months, or read a really interesting Twitter thread about Harry Potter, or feel in desperate need of a picture of an otter, and thoughts of stepping away are instantly forgotten again.

Photo credit: Julie Cohen

ALISON: So now, it’s my turn to ask the questions! So Janet, how did you get started writing fiction? I know you were a journalist - what led you into making up, rather than reporting, stories?

JANET: It was actually the other way around. I always wanted to make up stories. I think I wrote my first ‘book’ when I was about 9 years old. I typed it on my parent’s typewriter, and made a cover for it with a drawing of a pony and the title in fancy font. My parents were practical people and realized that making a living as an author isn’t guaranteed or easy. They encouraged me to find another way of fulfilling my need to write while paying my bills. Journalism did that.

After some years, I moved out of being an on-the-road reporter into management, so I wasn’t actually writing any more. That was when I seriously started writing fiction. It’s much harder and much more fun that writing facts, but in its own way, much more rewarding.

ALISON: Why Wuthering Heights? It was you that very first suggested the adaptation - what is it about that book that captured your imagination?

JANET: I grew up in a fairly isolated part of Australia. The snow storms and rain and mists of the Yorkshire moors were very different from my hot dry world, but had much of the same feeling of wildness. I love wild places, wild animals and I guess by extension the wild souls of Cathy and Heathcliff.

Wuthering Heights touches on so many themes, love and hate, isolation and prejudice, dysfunctional families and abuse and… well the list goes on. Any one of these themes is thought provoking, but finding so much in one book is amazing. Every time I read it, something different captures my imagination. There are scenes and phrases from the book that have never left me.

ALISON: The setting in The Heights is as much a part of the story as the characters – they’re all deeply associated to the place where they live. I think of you as a bit of a citizen of the world - you've lived in Australia, the UK and New York and worked all over the world. Where do you think of as home?

JANET: I’ve called a lot of places home. We moved every few years when I was small, and Australia certainly has a lot of space to move around in. I’ve spent so much time in hotels in about 50 different countries in my day job, I even say I’m going home when I head back to the hotel at the end of the day. I guess home isn’t really a physical place in my head. Home is where I can relax and be myself, be with people I care about and there is often a cat involved.

At the moment, home is west London. I love living in London. It is an amazing city. A few weeks every year I go home to Australia where I wake to the sound of kookaburras laughing in the gum trees and often find a kangaroo near the house (yes – seriously).  It probably sounds corny, but I guess “home” is all the places that have made me the person I am.

Photo credit: Julie Cohen

Thank you Janet and Alison. The Heights is available now in ebook from Amazon, iTunes, Kobo, and Google Play.

Janet Gover grew up in a small Queensland country town, surrounded by books. After studying at Queensland University she became a television journalist, first in Australia, then in Asia and Europe. During her career Janet saw and did a lot of unusual things. She has met one Pope, a few movie stars and is on first name terms with a dolphin. She now works with television technology and travels extensively with her job, including some unusual destinations such as Iraq, Kazakhstan and the Kingdom of Lesotho. While living in Hong Kong, she met an Englishman, whom she subsequently married and she now lives in West London.

Her first fiction was published in 2002 – a short story inspired by a holiday in Wales. Her first novel was published in 2009. She now has ten published novels, one of which won the RNA RoNA Award for an epic romantic novel in 2017.  
You can find out more about Janet on her website, or on facebook or by following @janet_gover on Twitter.

Alison May is a novelist and short story writer. She lives in Worcestershire with her husband, no kids and no pets. There were goldfish once. That ended badly.

Alison writes romantic comedies and commercial women’s fiction, and has been shortlisted in the Love Stories and RoNA Awards. Her next solo novel, All That Was Lost, will be released this autumn by Legend Press.

She is also qualified teacher with a degree in Creative Writing and runs novel writing workshops and courses. Alison is currently Vice-Chair of the RNA. 
You can find out more about Alison on her website, or on facebook or by following @MsAlisonMay on Twitter.

Introducing the New RNA Social Media Co-ordinator

Hello! For those of you who don't know me already, I’ve been a member of the RNA for the past four years. I joined the New Writers’ Scheme initially, after lots of other writers recommended it to me. I've loved every minute of being on the Scheme, and have learnt so much as well. During those four years, I've self-published two contemporary romance novels, with some more on the way, and as a result, I'm just about to graduate from the Scheme to become a full, independent member of the RNA.

I thoroughly enjoy being a member of the RNA and have thrown myself into the social life it offers its members with great enthusiasm, attending conferences, parties, afternoon teas and chapter meetings all around the country. I've also been very lucky to make lots of new friends as a result of being a member, something I didn’t expect to be doing at this stage in my life. I love the way the RNA welcomes everyone as equals, so newbies can find themselves talking to big names, and mixing with writers and publishing folk at all different stages of their careers.

In my life outside writing, I work part-time for a local charity as their communications officer, overseeing their marketing, PR, social media and website activities. I also work freelance as a proofreader, website trouble-shooter and occasional supply teacher – a real Jill-of-all-trades! I live with my husband in Bedfordshire. We have two daughters; one is now away at university and the other is studying for her ‘A’ levels.

Since autumn 2016, I have been supporting Adrienne Vaughan, as deputy editor of Romance Matters, the RNA’s wonderful magazine, and now I’m taking on the role of social media co-ordinator, with responsibility for the blog, Twitter and the RNA’s Facebook page. Elaine Everest has done a sterling job for the past five years, and we’re all very grateful to her and her wonderful team for raising the RNA’s profile in that time.

I have a great blog team to support me and we're planning to keep blogging two or three times a week, with a mixture of regular blog posts about your favourite items – competitions, new releases, interviews with book reviewers and authors – as well as news items as and when they crop up, and some new ideas too. If you have any ideas for features you’d like to see, please do let me know and we will do our best to bring the subject to you.

I look forward to taking on the blog completely from Alison May in the New Year, and to taking it from strength to strength as we move forward. Thank you for all the support you have shown the blog in the past – I hope you will continue to do so for many years to come.

*****

My latest book The Vineyard in Alsace is available now.

Is there really such a thing as a second chance at love?

Fran Schell has only just become engaged when she finds her fiancé in bed with another woman. She knows this is the push she needs to break free of him and to leave London. She applies for her dream job on a vineyard in Alsace, in France, not far from her family home, determined to concentrate on her work.

Didier Le Roy can hardly believe it when he sees that the only person to apply for the job on his vineyard is the same woman he once loved but let go because of his stupid pride. Now estranged from his wife, he longs for a second chance with Fran if only she will forgive him for not following her to London.

Working so closely together, Fran soon starts to fall in love with Didier all over again. Didier knows that it is now time for him to move on with his divorce if he and Fran are ever to have a future together. Can Fran and Didier make their second chance at love work despite all the obstacles in their way? 

A romantic read set against the enticing backdrop of the vineyard harvest in France.

Connect with me here:

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Meet the news RNA committee!

Meet your new RNA Committee!

Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes of The Romantic Novelists' Association and who it is that keeps the cogs ticking over of our fabulous organisation? We take the opportunty to meet committee members and our valued helpers.

Nicola Cornick – Chairman

Historical novelist Nicola is also a historian, guide and speaker for the National Trust, and a consultant specialising in history for TV and radio. She and her husband train Guide Dog puppies too, much to the annoyance of their wonderfully patient, elderly Labrador.

”I’ve been a member of the RNA for almost 20 years and am very proud to be taking on the role of Chair. I’m aiming to increase the RNA’s visibility within the publishing industry and the wider world!”

Alison May – Vice Chairman

Alison lives in Worcester with her husband. No kids, no pets, one still un-dead cactus! She writes romantic comedy and commercial women’s fiction, and has been shortlisted in the RoNAs and Love Stories Awards. Aside from writing, Alison is a teacher and freelance trainer.

“As Vice-Chair of the RNA I want to meet as many members as possible and find out what they want from the association, and also develop links with publishers, booksellers and other writing organisations.”

Sally Calder – Hon Treasurer

Relatively new to the RNA, Sally writes gritty historical romances when she is not being an accountant in real life.

“As treasurer I’ll be overseeing how/where your money is spent. We aim to break even each year and I’d like that to continue! However, we have a healthy bank balance, giving the organisation the opportunity to consider one-off events or activities for our members and to continue to promote romantic fiction.”

Anna Scamans – Hon Deputy Treasurer

Anna Scamans writes romantic suspense as Anna Louise Lucia and her first book was published in 2008 by Medallion Press. She joined the RNA in 2002 as an NWS member and joined the Committee in 2011. She has been the Hon. Deputy Treasurer since 2012 and in between balancing writing and life with her two very young sons, she keeps an eye on the pennies at all times!

Julie Vince – Hon Secretary

Julie Vince writes as Julia Wild and joined the RNA NWS in 1993. She was first published in 1997 by Scarlet, has numerous books published and most recently has been concentrating on bringing out her backlist as eBooks. In the past Julie has worked as a legal secretary, library assistant and night club waitress, but plans to remain a full-time writer from now on. She lives with her husband in Bedfordshire and has three adult children living close by.

“I love working with this enthusiastic committee in my role as the RNA’s Hon Secretary. I deal with daily admin, meeting minutes and update documents amongst other duties. Whilst in this role I would like to complete updating the Hon-Sec Handbook!” says Julie.

Jules Wake – RNA Press Officer

Jules writes contemporary romantic fiction and to date has published seven novels. A writer and a School Business Manager, she is also a former PR Consultant and writes dazzling press releases whilst communicating effectively with the media.

“Recently we set up twelve ‘down the line’ BBC radio interviews and I spent the morning in a broom cupboard-sized studio with president Katie Fforde, who gallantly flew the flag telling listeners from Jersey to Stoke, Southampton to Carlisle all about the RNA.

“I co-ordinate the publicity for the RNA Industry Award, the RoNAs and the Joan Hessayon, working with super-organised external PR, Katrina Power. Like other committee members I’m also busy writing and juggling the day job, so life is very hectic. However, the crazy workload is worth it, I’m passionate about the RNA and particularly the NWS. Since I joined I’ve made some amazing friends, learned so much about the industry and had incredible support. It’s this generosity of spirit that makes me want to be part of the committee and ensure I play my part to do the very best for the organisation.

Gill Stewart – Hon Membership Secretary

Gill Stewart, who writes as Gilly Stewart, Gill-Marie Stewart and Gillian Villiers, has been a member of the RNA since 2003. She has had two novels published by Accent Press and a number of novellas published by D C Thomson and Linford Romance Library. She lives on the west coast of Scotland with her husband and assorted cats, dogs and hens. She was Hon Treasurer of the RNA from 2013 to 2017 and has taken up this new role to help continue to support the committee and the overall organisation, which she feels gives so much to its members.

Elaine Everest – RNA Social Media Co-ordinator

Award-winning non-fiction and fiction writer, novelist, journalist and writing tutor and NWS graduate, Elaine runs Social Media for the RNA, including Twitter and Facebook accounts and the popular RNA blog. She also works with Jan Jones organising the highly prized and sought-after 1-2-1 conference appointments for delegates with industry professionals.

“During the next year I hope to increase awareness of the RNA on social media and encourage members, young and old, to make use of our busy and extremely supportive Facebook group. I also enjoy helping members with industry appointments leading up to our annual conference and that includes holding hands with the nervous first-timers and celebrating when they have good news – which happens often!” says Elaine.

Alison Knight – RoNA Scorekeeper

Alison is a professional fundraiser. She went to university aged 45 gaining a first class degree in Creative Writing at Bath Spa University and an MA at Oxford Brookes University while working full-time for Christian Aid. She writes contemporary women’s fiction as Alison Rose, and young adult time-slip adventures as Alison Knight. She is scorekeeper for the RoNA Awards.

“My role on the committee is Awards Moderator for the RoNAs – checking the scores given by the readers, making sure they’re all received and recorded properly before we check everything and announce the short lists,” explains Alison.

Immi Howson – New Writers’ Scheme Organiser

The New Writers’ Scheme (NWS) is one of the most valuable services the RNA provides, giving all NWS members the opportunity for a full manuscript critique each year. Here’s organiser Immi’s take on her role.

“My role is to administer the scheme, assigning manuscripts to the most appropriate readers, forwarding reports to members, resolving any problems and giving advice to those members whose manuscripts have been judged ‘submission ready’.

”My overall aim is for the NWS to keep pace with the changing world of the publishing industry, and that every report is as useful and constructive as possible. Future plans include introducing more support for readers to access, such as the option for further training and a ‘buddy scheme’ for ongoing support.

“I also plan to include a self-editing guide in the information given to NWS members, and full instructions on how to ‘anonymize’ a Word document, for those readers who would like to include comments in the manuscript itself. This is something that was commonly done when we ran a paper-based scheme and is less easy, but still achievable, with the new online system.

“I’m open to all feedback, good and bad, so please contact me if you have any comments on the scheme!”

Anne Graham – Party Organiser

Anne Graham writes dialogue-rich historical romance as Anne Stenhouse and is published by MuseItUp, Linford Romance Library and Endeavour Press. She has worked as a civil servant and rehabilitation care worker and hopes that these roles should help create a mix of both organisational and observational skills.

Anne has the superb title of Party Organiser and explains a bit of what that involves.

“Although my email address is events@romanticnovelistsassociation.org being the RNA Party Organiser is what I actually do. This role encompasses the Awards, and ticketing some meetings, plus guest lists, name badges and general liaison with venues about facilities, refreshments and all the other little details that go into making our parties so popular.”

Adrienne Vaughan – Hon News Editor, Romance Matters

Editor of RM and RNA Industry Awards co-ordinator, Adrienne is a founder member of the indie publishing group New Romantics Press and since joining the RNA in 2011 has published three novels and a collection of short stories and poems. Her agent Lisa Eveleigh is currently marketing her latest book.

“I feel we are poised to take the RNA to the next level and have made great progress improving our industry-facing profile and communications in general. I love working with this group of talented, enthusiastic individuals who come together, not only as a cohesive team, but a force to be reckoned with!”

Jean Fullerton – Chapter Liaison

Jean joined in 2002, graduating from the NWS four years later. A member of the London & Southeast chapter, she says their support and encouragement was invaluable during that long and sometimes heart-breaking road to publication.

“I believe the local RNA chapters are the backbone of the organisation and took on the role of Chapter Liaison in 2009. Since then I’ve travelled the country meeting up with local chapters and a great number of members.

“Because I’ve gained so much from the RNA I always promised myself that I would stand for the committee when I waved goodbye to the day-job and last year I did. I hope to encourage more local chapter-led events such as study days, writing retreats, regional socials.” Since Jean took over the role new chapters have launched in new areas and even two new countries – Scotland and Ireland – she’s happy to report.

Katherine (Kathy) Garbera – Libraries Liaison

Kathy is a USA Today Bestselling author of more than 90 books, her publishers include Harlequin (Mills&Boon), HarperImpulse, and Tule Publishing. She’s a veteran author with a career spanning more than 20 years.

Being Libraries Liaison is a natural fit for Kathy, who is passionate about reading. She hopes to get localised lists of members matched to libraries in their area creating a synergy between authors, libraries and readers. She also is working – with Elaine Everest and Nicola Cornick – on an initiative to recognise librarians who are romantic fiction friendly and help support our genre, sub-genres and our members, possibly creating a Librarian/Library of the Year Award.

Celia Anderson – RoNA Organiser

Celia is a recently retired and much missed schoolteacher and the award-winning author of four novels plus numerous short stories. She is a founder member of a wonderfully supportive group of writers, The Romaniacs.

“During my time on the committee, I’ll be working towards further developing the existing – and excellent – RoNA awards scheme and promoting the RNA through its flagship awards event each March. Which will all help to raise our profile as we head towards our magnificent sixty year Diamond Anniversary celebrations in 2020,” says Celia.

Non-Committee roles:

Jan Jones, Conference Organiser

Kate Johnson, ROMNA Moderator

Janet Gover, Webmistress/Presentations

Janice Preston, NWS Admin

Evelyn Ryle, Sub-Committee (Membership & Constitution advice)

Melanie Hilton, Sub-Committee (Membership & Constitution advice)

Julie Stock, Deputy Editor Romance Matters

Sue Shepherd: Could you repeat that please?

Thank you to Sue Shepherd for this delightful piece about the use of our favourite words.

During the final, final edits of my latest novel, ‘Love Them and Leave Them’, it became apparent to both myself and my editor that there were certain phrases that I really liked to use. Of course I’m not unique, every author has their preferred words that they constantly return to, we just can’t help it.

What I found interesting about mine was the fact that not only had I often used them in the narrative

, but my characters had also used them in their dialogue. I knew all my characters very well, I could picture their mannerisms, I could hear their voices and accents, and yet, occasionally, out of nowhere, one of them would utter a phrase that simply wasn’t them at all, in fact it was 100% me.

What was happening there? Why were these characters, who I knew as intimately as any of my real life friends, suddenly saying something that was so completely ‘Sue Shepherd’?

I could only conclude that somehow, subconsciously, my own voice was determined to be heard. This reminded me that even though these people are real to me, so much so that they wake me at night and demand to be heard, the truth is that they all came from inside my head. It makes no difference who they are, male, female, old, young, goodie or villain, they all have a little bit of me inside them. (Yes, I’m now rubbing my hands together in true Doctor Frankenstein fashion!)

In some ways I’m rather pleased they take after me, I’m extremely fond of some, and even the baddies have wormed their way into my affections. But I remain very grateful to my editor for pointing out my duplications and for making me aware when my characters spoke out of turn.

It does make me wonder what words other authors can’t help repeating? What did Agatha Christie find herself having to keep a check on? Did J K Rowling’s editor have to break the news to her that she’d gone overboard on a certain phrase? Once we, the writers, are made aware of our little foibles, we can do our best to minimise the usage in future. But words are a part of our upbringing, a part of our everyday lives, indeed, they’re a part of who we are. Our favourites are stubborn little buggers, and they will slip out!

Here are some comments from our members about their ‘favourite’ words:

“I ‘just’ ‘actually’ ‘obviously’ know what you mean. And also (hanging my head in shame) I will admit that my characters swear a lot in my first drafts, because I swear a lot. Oops!”

Alison May.

“My characters ‘just’ do so many things ‘abruptly’ or ‘suddenly’ that I dread to think what they look like in the reader’s imagination.”

Sue Moorcroft.

One of my books had a character who ‘raised his eyebrows’ about 17 times. Though I have removed some of those eyebrows since then.”

Colin Garrow

“My headmistress sleuth, Harriet Quigley, not only raises her eyebrows, she shrugs a lot and bites her lip far too often! I have to do a check before I let her go.”

Nicola Slade

“My characters are constantly pulling things. I don't mean they're on the pull, but they pull doors, pull on coats, pull away. When I edit I have to remind them to tug, drag, grab and other more interesting words.”

Kath McGurl

“My word is ‘though’ at the end of sentences. It’s especially noticeable when I write in the first person. I have to go through at the editing stage and remove a lot.”

Jennie Bohnet.

About Sue:

Sue Shepherd writes contemporary romance and enjoys creating novels with heart, laughs and naughtiness. She doesn’t pull any punches when choosing her subjects, but manages to handle her characters’ challenging situations with sensitivity and humour.

Her debut novel 'Doesn't Everyone Have a Secret?' was published by Corazon Books in March 2015.  It reached the top 10 UK Kindle chart, and also topped the romantic comedy, contemporary romance and humour charts. It became available in paperback on Amazon.UK in November 2015.

Sue’s second novel ‘Love Them and Leave Them’ was published in September 2016.

Sue lives on the picturesque Isle of Wight with her husband, two sons and a standard poodle.  Her passions in life are: her family, writing, the seaside and all the beautiful purple things her sons have bought her over the years.  Ask Sue to plan too far in advance and you'll give her the heebie-jeebies and she'd prefer you not to mention Christmas until at least November!

Love Them and Leave Them:

Sometimes you have to leave the one you love … sometimes you’re the one who’s left behind. The new heartwarming and heartbreaking romantic comedy from the No.1 bestselling author of Doesn’t Everyone Have a Secret?

On his way home, Ed makes a split-second decision that changes the lives of all those who love him. Six years on, Ed’s daughter, Jessie, is stuck in a job with no prospects, her dreams never fulfilled. It will take more than her unreliable boyfriend, Chris, and temperamental best friend, Coco, to give her the confidence to get her life back on track.

But what if Ed had made another decision? It could all have been so different …

Six years on, Ed’s daughter, Jessica, has a successful career, loving boyfriend, Nick, and a keen eye on her dream home. But when new clients, a temperamental Coco, and her unreliable boyfriend, Chris, walk into her life, Jessica’s perfect world soon starts to unravel.

Love Them and Leave Them is a story of love, families, friendship and a world of possibilities. Whichever decision Ed makes, the same people are destined to come into his daughter’s life, sometimes in delightfully different ways. And before they can look forward to the future, they will all have to deal with the mistakes of the past.

Website: www.sueshepherdwrites.co.uk

Twitter - @thatsueshepherd

Thank you so much for your words, Sue. My husband has just pointed out my over use of the word ‘grimace’ – ho hum!

If you would like to write something for the RNA blog please contact the blog team on elaineeverest@aol.com