January WIP Joy: Part 2 of 4

Welcome back!  If you missed last week's post, this month I am answering a series of questions about my next novel, "In the Cards"!   It's a supernatural mystery with a good dose of humor and a lot of heart.  
If you subscribe to my newsletter this week, you'll receive a short story which takes place ten years before the novel and gives you a decent introduction to one of its three heroes, Ral O'Dailigh.   What's better than free stories?   Now, on to the questions!

Share a favorite line from your WIP about a character. 
Beatrice was pretty certain this was the first time she’d been befriended by force.  Something about the sheer amount of energy June held was encouraging, rather than overwhelming.  

Share a favorite piece of description from your WIP.
Like a cathedral's arch, the oak paneling of the door pointed at the top, framing a thick, marbled and frosted pane of orange glass.  The light of a fireplace within came through the windows, sending warped patterns of warm light rippling over the brick walls of the tower.
​

Share a favorite piece of dialogue from your WIP.
​“It’s cool,” the cashier droned, meeting Beatrice’s eyes over the top of her book.  “Every few days I lock June and Ral in an alternate plane of existence and take over the store.  I’m slowly building my power threshold so that I can eventually take over the world.  But now that you know that, I’m going to have to…”
“Kill me,” Beatrice said, knowing a practical joke when she heard one.
“Nah, that’s too James Bond.  I was thinking I might keep you in my basement until it’s time to feed my ravenous zombie army in training.”  She cracked a bright smile, marked her spot, and stuck out her hand.  “I’m April."

"Zombie Army" by Vesnet (via DeviantArt.com. Image is linked.)

Share a favorite line about emotion from your WIP.
Pity threaded through Ral’s anger as the silence stretched between them.

What scene did you delete, despite loving anyway?
There was a flashback of Ral's uncle, Duncan, bringing him to meet the man he worked for.   It's the scene that contains the descriptive line I used above.   I really, really wanted to show how close Ral and his uncle were, but putting the scene where it was slowed things down, and there were other opportunities to show their relationship.   The tower still makes an appearance, but saving its approach for a more dramatic moment seemed a better choice.  

Share a piece of feedback which made you smile.
Most of my feedback so far has come in the form of Likes & Retweets on my #2bitTues lines.  I did receive a comment on an excerpt I shared on my Facebook page, though:  "I love it! So much detail: I can picture exactly where he is."  

How do you want your target audience to be affected by this story? 
I know that when I look for books, there is a certain feeling I'm in search of, a certain experience that mirrors and expands on something I've already read or seen.   Sometimes, when I can't find the book that has that feeling, I write it. 
I'd like fans of supernatural fiction to think that "In The Cards" is that new novel that feels familiar.  I hope that it scratches that "genre itch" in just the right spot. ​​

---