Tuesday, May 15, 2012

New query letter

So, previously, I had a tah-dah moment as in- I did it! Here's my final draft query letter! But my highly appreciated blogger friends have kindly sent me back to my "desk" in a, it's good but. . . (I'm not being sarcastic- I really do appreciate the feedback) This time, the synopsis is the entire overall story, and I doubt it will be my final draft. Feedback welcome, as always!

The title is Crossing the Culture


Deep in the jungles of the Amazon, Kate Wilson's thrill seeking lifestyle has brought her to work in a medical clinic as a volunteer nurse. She's living her dream, working as a ski patroller in winter and spending her summers down in South America. The beautiful town of Bella Vista is an idyllic setting where she bonds with the simple people, including two young sisters, Anita and Luisa. At the clinic, she works side by side with a brilliant young doctor treating the tropical ailments of the townspeople.

Reluctant to leave the place Kate is learning to call home, she returns back to the States for the ski season. Feeling alone and vulnerable, she meets a lawyer, Paul, who is smitten with her. The problem is that he represents everything about her culture that she had chosen to give up. The other problem is that she can't get Doctor Felipe out of her mind.

The powerful draw of the rainforest brings her back to the town of Bella Vista and Doctor Felipe, but she discovers that something sinister has settled upon the area. Kate had known that the farmers were growing coca plants, but in her absence the government had moved in and destroyed the crop. The drug cartel would not let this slide without retribution, and the town braces for an armed conflict. As they wait, people begin to fall ill, and they learn the guerilleros have contaminated the drinking water with cholera. Tested to their limits, Doctor Felipe and Kate fight to save innocent lives, until word leaks of an American in Bella Vista. In danger of being kidnapped, Kate must get out at once. The doctor intervenes, risking his own life to save her. Will he get her out in time?

Based loosely on my own experiences from living in Ecuador, South America for three years, and drawing on my medical background as a registered nurse, this novel depicts life in the Hispanic culture and the toll of the drug trade in the place where it all begins.

That's it! Feel free to let me know what you think of the overall story as well.

11 comments:

  1. I'm struggling to write my own synopsis so I don't really have any comments but it sounds great. I can't wait to read this.

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    1. No comments is better than, "It's terrible," so I'll take it! Thanks as always for your support. :)

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  2. thanks for your comment - yeah it's always something. I know nothing about query letters but the story does sound like a good one. Best of luck

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  3. Fun! I'm going to email you! ;)

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  4. I know a Canadian anthologist from Alberta who's writes in your genre. Claire Allum. Your story and hers have lots in common. The romance is wonderfully done, both set in SA, both intriguing and seductive. Not sure why I'm mentioning this, except I think birds of a feather should hang out together.

    Thanks for visiting my blog, Honey.

    Joylene Nowell Butler, Author

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    1. Is she published yet? I'd love to check her out- blog, twitter, etc.

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    2. How rude of me! Thanks for stopping by and joining my blog.

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  5. Ooo, I like this! You've gotten things much tighter this time around. One thing I wondered about was when you wrote "Bella Vista is an idyllic setting where she bonds with the simple people..." I was thinking maybe the word "local" would be better than "simple." When I hear "simple" I think of 'simple minded people.' Just a thought. Also, I'm passing a blog award your way when you get a moment! (:

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  6. You made a very good point! I'll change that. "Simple" can have a negative connotation and that isn't what I wanted here. Thanks for your feedback. :)

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