JANET W. BUTLER couldn't decide whether to be a musician or a writer ... so she's elected to do both. After earning her degree in Music Theory from Roosevelt University, she married a percussionist, had a couple of babies, sang in a madrigal group, discovered the world of opera choruses ... and scribbled stories, something she's been obsessive about since the age of ten.

She's a thirteen-year veteran of RWA and an eleven-year member of its Chicago-North Chapter, having served on its executive board as newsletter editor and manuscript chair (twice). She has edited the Writers Club Romance Group online mailer since 1995, as well as hosting a weekly workshop, ASK THE MENTOR, for the past four years.

Two of her biggest thrills were winning the Golden Heart in 1998 for her traditional romance, RAINMAN'S BRIDE — and both serving as vocal coach and singing the role of Mother Abbess in a high school production of THE SOUND OF MUSIC in the spring of 2001.

Janet lives in a western suburb of Chicago with her husband, Patrick, son Matt and daughter Jessica, and Cassie and Gilbert, SRC (Spoiled Rotten Cats).

Reach Janet at JButler824@aol.com

 

FROM THE ASHES
By Janet W. Butler
ISBN: 1 59025 011 7

Book Summary: James Michael Goodwin closed the driver's side door, switched to a public-radio jazz show on the car stereo, then swung the Mercedes through the side streets toward home. He was finished. Fifteen years he'd had, good years playing jazz piano in smoky two-bit college rooms and seedy bars all night. The hard work paid off in time ... and tonight, Boston's upper crust had thrown him a whale of a party. At home, James grasped the ready .38 in his left hand. Felt one last, fleeting jolt of pain as he positioned it carefully at the spot where a pulse throbbed just beneath his temple. Then he closed his eyes, slipped his index finger around the trigger. Caressed it for a moment. And, gently, squeezed.

But death wouldn't take him. His struggle would continue, and he would find himself tested anew by awakening feelings for his new protégé. She now held all the promise he'd claimed for himself. Could James bear to hear his music played by another? And could he love someone. Anyone. Ever again?

 

"Janet Butler has composed a symphony of words in her novel, FROM THE ASHES…

Despite their rocky beginning, the sparkling chemistry between James and Melody makes FROM THE ASHES a difficult book to put down. The tale of a man who has lost all hope but finds healing and love is a definite winner. I highly recommend FROM THE ASHES."
-Vickie McDonough, THE WORD ON ROMANCE

"Ms. Butler proves that from the ashes of pain and doubt, there can rise the promise of love." "**** Four Stars."
-Faith V. Smith, ROMANTIC TIMES BOOK CLUB

"FROM THE ASHES is a unique look into the world of musicians. Ms. Butler includes all the passion and dedication that fill an artist and combines that with heartrending romance. Brava, Ms. Butler, on a beautiful blend of music and love." -Dawn A. Long, WRITERS CLUB ROMANCE GROUP

"FROM THE ASHES is a wonderful love story that captures your attention from the first page. The main characters of Melody and James are both memorable and well-developed characters."

- Hattie Boyd SCRIBES WORLD (SCRIBES WORLD Reviewers Choice Award)

 

Summer, 2003 Dear Readers: If this is your first visit to this page, welcome! Look around the site, explore all the other excellent writers' resources this area has to offer—but don't forget to come back here so we can chat as well. Lots is happening in the Butler world of late. Like many others, I was one of the authors who participated in the Wal-Mart Literacy Day, April 12—which was an experience, to say the least. Any of you who have been through any kind of public appearances know that, when it comes to Saturday retail store events, literally anything, or nothing, can happen. My day fell somewhere in between; a lot of "nothing," a bit of fun . . . and was an entire-day affair for me, since I appeared at three local Wal-Mart/Sam's locations. Most of us have sent a de-briefing of our experiences to the Wal-Mart people, but if any of you attended any of these Literacy Day events, I'd encourage you to write to the Wal-Mart "Good Works" folks as well. They welcome the feedback. My highlight? Seeing Santa Claus at a Sam's in Addison, Illinois, and I have the business card to prove it! April also brought a chance to talk about inspirational romances with a friend of mine, Deb Kinnard, at Chicago-North's "mini-conference." Since many of our members are somewhat intimidated even trying to critique an inspirational, much less write one, Deb and I intended to "demystify" the experience for all concerned. (Our workshop's unofficial title was, "The Christian Virgin Cowboy's Secret Baby, and Other Titles You'll Never See From Us"). Lots of laughter was had by all, and people even suggested we take that workshop "on the road"—complete with that title, of course. We're seriously considering it. Watch this space for more details . . . . During May, I did a luncheon speech for an organization you might not think would have the slightest interest in romance writers, much less want to know if one could walk and talk at the same time—the Telephone Pioneers, a volunteer organization connected with retired telephone workers. And yes, I too was wondering what in the world I would say to them, all the way up to a few days before the speech itself! But then I looked at a wonderful button we have in Chicago-North that says, "I believe in happy endings," and it dawned on me what romance writers have in common with any other organization that serves the less fortunate. From literacy programs to soup-label drives and countless other activities, no one puts more back into their communities—pretty much unsung—than romance writers. So I pointed out to the Pioneers that, although they may not have considered it before, they and I are at least partially in the same business: providing "happy endings" for those who need them the most. In this day of increasing insecurity and trouble in the world, all of us need to remember that life can and does still include happy endings. This they immediately understood, took to their hearts—and some of them even bought books—the best happy ending of all! Moral of the story? With a little thought, writers can find many more areas of commonality with more varied groups than we may have ever dreamt possible. And for every area of commonality, we build a new network of related other areas . . . and so on . . . and so on . . . and so on. The networking possibilities, when we think about them, are astounding—as are the chances to do good. Be on the alert for both, and you'll be amazed what you can find. The bad news is that as I write this, I've been temporarily sidelined for medical reasons, meaning I've had to cancel my plans to go to New York for the RWA National Conference. However, for those of you in the Schaumburg area—I'm still on the slate for session two of the First-Time Authors Panel, being held at the Schaumburg Library on the evening of the July 24. If you're around, please do stop in, and let me know you've been a visitor here! Until then, I leave you with wishes for a "cool, and green, and shady" place to do lots of summer reading. Please do stop back in for an update in a month or two . . . Blessings, Janet