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Coffee & Chat, News & Events

Coffee & Chat #17

Today we’re celebrating the 4th of July here in the states and it’s a hot one today. Actually, it’s been a hot one all week and we still have more days left for this heatwave to bake us. I’m trying to keep this in perspective but I’m not gonna lie, it’s hard. And while it would probably be a good idea to sip an iced coffee, I don’t like iced coffee so I’ll grab my mug of freshly brewed coffee and start today’s chat with you. I have something to share! And it’s below!

THE HIDDEN CORPSE (book 2 in the Food Blogger mystery series) has a cover and I’m thrilled with it. If you subscribe to my newsletter you’ve already seen the cover (if not, check your inbox). My publisher, Kensington, did a fabulous job creating the cover and I just adore Bigelow on the cover. Love him to pieces.

Here’s the blurb from the back cover:

Former reality TV baking show contestant and recent divorcée Hope Early is trying to find her recipe for success as a food blogger—but murder keeps getting in the mix . . .

When Hope’s elderly neighbor perishes in a home fire, she can’t help but feel somewhat responsible. Only the day before, Peggy Olson had called her over, having burned a pot on the stove while she was sleeping and filling the house with smoke. In fact, she couldn’t even remember cooking. Clearly, it was dangerous for the woman to live alone.

But it turns out she wasn’t alone. When a second body is discovered in the basement of the burned house, suddenly what appeared to be a tragic accident is beginning to look like premeditated murder. As rumors spread like wildfire, Hope is determined to sort out the facts and smoke out a killer, but she might be jumping from the frying pan straight into the fire . . .

Includes Recipes from Hope’s Kitchen!

The book will be released on March 26, 2019 but is available for pre-order from your favorite book retailer (links are on the book page for The Food Blogger series if you’d like to place your order now.)

Keeping with writing updates, I’ve hit the 40,000 word mark in my first draft of SILENCED IN SEQUINS. I’ve mentioned before I work from a detailed outline but it’s flexible which came in handy a couple of days ago. I felt there needed to be an extra scene to heighten the danger Kelly has put herself in by nosing around the murder and to also let her have some reflection on her granny’s recent passing. The scene came together and I wrote it and so far it’s my favorite scene in the book.

Sometimes it seems like it’s all work and no play but I did manage to get out and work in the garden. I admit, it’s not my most favorite thing to do (bugs, poison ivy, excessive sunblock) but after awhile I do find myself enjoying the gardening tasks. And I definitely find myself enjoying the flowers that bloom.

I caught a glimpse of our raccoon and her FIVE babies the other morning. They were heading for their little home after a night of foraging. The babies were adorable. I also caught a glimpse of our wild rabbit. She was out for quite a while munching on leaves. I love all of the wildlife that I get to see here on our quiet little road.

I’m going to wrap up this post. It’s been great catching up with you and I hope you’ll take a moment and let me know  what you’re doing this week? Any vacay plans? What are you reading? I’m always looking for recommendations to add to my TBR.

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Coffee & Chat, Life, Writing Updates

Coffee & Chat #16

Time flies, doesn’t it? The fourth of July is just days away and then summer will be in full swing. Wasn’t it just Memorial Day weekend? LOL. I’ve been so focused on writing I guess the days just got away. I’m so glad you’re here now so we can catch up. Go ahead and grab your cup of coffee (I’ll get mine) and I’ll fill you in on what’s been happening.

I’ve been spending a lot of my time at my desk working on two manuscripts. I’ve finished the third book in the Food Blogger Mystery series and sent it to my critique partner. So far, I’ve gotten half of the manuscript back and it’s parked safely in my inbox while I finish writing the first draft of book two in the Resale Boutique Mystery series. I’m having a lot of fun writing the  book, tentatively titled Silenced in Sequins but I admit I’m having a hard time getting into the Christmas spirit. The book is set around Christmas and I need to find my inner HoHoHo as I brace for a stretch of 90+ degree days coming up. I saw a commercial for the Hallmark channel and I think they’re doing a Christmas movie marathon. I’m confident a week of watching Christmas movies will get me in the holiday spirit. What do you think?

I started thinking I needed to get out more. It’s so easy to stay inside at my desk and only venture out to run necessary errands. I remembered that last year, my first year as a full-time writer, I missed out on a lot of beautiful days because I was all work-work-work or write-write-write. 🙂 This year I wanted to make a change. Now, I’m pretty good at working out on my own. I have boundless resources for a variety of workouts, but I wanted to get outdoors – fresh air, sunshine, and some pretty sights. So I teamed up with my neighbor, Ginger, and twice a week we go for an hour walk. Some mornings we catch a glimpse of the sheep on the farm across from our road. One morning we saw a bobcat. Yeah, that was interesting. Mostly though, we spy chipmunks and rabbits. Best of all, spending time outdoors is a wonderful way to fuel the creative process. It’s not just with Ginger I walk outdoors, my pups Susie & Billy make sure I get a walk (though shorter) in practically every day. Yay, walking!

If you haven’t had the chance to read THE UNINVITED CORPSE it’s available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble in print, e-book and audio book format. Because of my amazing readers I was able to hit 50 reviews on Amazon. Thank you!

A couple of weeks ago I received my author copies of my audio book and I donated one to my town’s library. While I was there I took a few moments to enjoy the serene courtyard. Isn’t a beautiful spot to sit and read?

This past weekend I attended a full-day event in Stamford, CT hosted by the New York Chapter of Mystery Writers of America. There were panel discussions from research to self-publishing to forsenics anthropology. It was also a great day to catch up with a few of my writer friends and dinner out.

If you’ve joined the Cozy Mystery Crew you’re eligible to join our Summer Reading Program. Book your summer with a great list of reads from 12 cozy authors. For more info click here and you’ll be directed to the About section.

I’m going to wrap up this post. It’s been great catching up with you and I hope you’ll take a moment and let me know what you’re doing this week? Any vacay plans? What are you reading?

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Coffee & Chat, The Uninvited Corpse, Writing

Coffee & Chat #15 – After the release

Happy Monday! Has spring come to your area? Spring showed up a couple of weekends ago and then quickly disappeared. What the heck is going on? I’ve seen some really crazy snow totals over the past few weeks. Now, understand I’m not a fan of hot weather (when we got a preview of  spring I was getting the A/Cs ready) but I do enjoy warm weather and sunny days. It would be nice to have spring back. I can totally do without summer. 🙂

A lot has been happening here. I released a book. I finished a first draft of a book. I started an Facebook reader group with eleven other authors. Yeah, it’s been busy. But I’m loving every minute of it. Go ahead and grab your cup of coffee (I’ll get mine) and I’ll tell you a little about each one of those things.

My debut novel released on March 27th  and it was an amazing day. It felt like Christmas morning and the first day of school wrapped up into one. There was a flurry of activity online as blogs shared reviews of the book and as well wishes came from friends and family. I visited my local Barnes & Noble and saw my book on the shelf. Wow! Talk about a surreal moment. Then there were flowers from my husband and critique partner. There were text messages from those close to me wishing me a wonderful release day. Yeah, it was pretty cool.

With the release behind me, it’s now time to focus on what’s next and that would be the second draft of book number 3 in the series. The first draft has been sitting aside quietly for about three weeks now and last week I pulled out my index cards and began going through each scene in the manuscript. On each index card I wrote a brief description of every scene. I added a few new scenes that I need to add into the manuscript somewhere. That’s when my handy-dandy big kitchen island comes into play. All the cards are set out and it’s time to arrange the the manuscript.

And just to keep things interesting, I started a Facebook group with eleven other cozy mystery authors for readers. We can’t help ourselves, we’re a group of cozy mystery authors with a flair for murderous mischief and a killer appreciation for our readers so we decided to pool our resources and start the new group. We plan to dish about all things cozy mystery, host giveaways, and celebrate special occasions. So far the response has been amazing. We’re definitely feeling the love from our readers. Who are the other authors? Jenny Kales, Lena Gregory, Shari Randall, Sarah Fox, V.M. Burns, Linda Reilly, Bethany Blake, Jody Holford, Tina Kashian, Libby Klein, JC Eaton. Interested? Want to join? Come on over! Click here and you’ll be directed to the group’s page on Facebook.

 

Yeah, it’s been pretty busy here and there have been moments when it all feels overwhelming but I just remind myself that I’m doing what I always dreamed of doing so a couple of deep breaths, a quick workout and some cuddling with my pups usually sets things right. I’m looking forward to this new week. I’m diving into the second third of book 3 of the Food Blogger series. What are you up to this week?

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Coffee & Chat, Writing

Coffee & Chat #14 – Tomorrow’s the big day

Happy Monday,

Tomorrow is the big day. It’s release day for my debut novel, I’m sure you’ve heard of it by now – THE UNINVITED CORSPE. It’s just something I whipped up one spring afternoon when I got frustrated by the romantic suspense I was in the middle of. If it were that easy, right? Writing is hard. Publishing is hard. But, what can I say? I love it.

I’ve been getting some questions about my release day so I thought now would be a good time to answer them. I have my coffee, so I’m ready to go.

Is your publisher sending you on a book tour?

I wish! Budgets are tight in publishing houses so not every author is sent out on tour. The bright side to that is I don’t have to juggle appearances with writing my next book. Or, deal with TSA.

What are you doing to celebrate the big day?

I’m still not sure yet. I’ve been so focused on writing the next books I’m contracted for and focused on being present with the promotion of THE UNINVITED CORPSE I haven’t given much thought to how I’ll celebrate tomorrow. However, I’m sure I’ll be spending a good part of the day at my computer working.

When’s the movie coming?

I wish! There’s been a lot of buzz lately about novels being turned into TV shows. Hallmark, anybody? Yes, it would be awesome to have my book turned into a Hallmark movie or for any other network or producer, but the truth is I’m not chasing a movie deal. I want to write books. If a movie happens that’s great! If not, that’s okay. I’m doing what I love.

If you’re not going on a book tour, then how are you promoting the book?

I’m currently on a blog tour. Just over 30 stops for THE UNINVITED CORPSE. It’s a mix of reviews, spotlights, guest posts and interviews. It was a lot of work at the beginning to write the posts and interviews while juggling all the other work I have but now I’m seeing it was so worth it. THE UNINVITED CORPSE is receiving some great reveiws and I’m getting good questions at the blogs where I’ve written a post or given an interview.

When’s the next book coming out?

The second Food Blogger Mystery, THE HIDDEN CORPSE, will be released in April 2019. However, I will have a new series debuting in January 2019. MURDER WEARS A LITTLE BLACK DRESS is the first book in the Resale Boutique Mystery series. That book was so much fun to write!

Those have been pretty much the questions I’ve been receiving in the past few weeks as the release date has grown closer. I’m looking forward to tomorrow. It’s not every day a gal gets published!

If you have any questions that weren’t included above, feel free to ask!

 

 

 

Coffee & Chat, Life, Writing Updates

Coffee & Chat #13 – Catching Up

Happy Monday,

Today is number thirteen for our Coffee &  Chats. This seems like a good time to catch up because it’s been awhile. I’ve been busy writing and preparing for the launch of THE UNINVITED CORPSE I just didn’t have any words left to write blog posts. It happens sometimes.

I have my coffee so let’s start catching up. First up, is my debut novel’s release. It’s coming real soon. March 27th!!! I remember when I got the offer and 2018 seemed soooo far away. Lately it’s been feeling like Boom! There it is! Like…tomorrow! I’m doing my best to to hyperventilate every day when I think about the release or how much work needs to be done. I’m trying to remain calm and carry on. So far, it’s working. But it’s really hard not to freak out over something you’ve dreamed about for so long. Seriously, getting published is sooo hard to do. But I did it. And I have to remind myself that if I expend all my energy freaking out about the release and everything that’s involved I’ll miss out on the enjoyment of the event.

A part of the release will be a blog tour. The blog tour involves reviews, interviews and guest posts. So over the next week or so I’ll be completing those interviews and wrapping up writing the guest posts. I’ll be posting on social media where you can find me during the blog tour. I’m looking forward to visiting with as many people as possible on the tour. Advanced Reader Copies of the book have been sent out and reviews are now starting to be posted online. Reading reviews is hard to do and as much as I’m beyond thrilled with the reviews so far, I know that somewhere along the way to release day there will be one or two (I pray no more) negative reviews. Maybe I should start planning how I’ll handle those reviews. Many authors I know rely heavily on chocolate.

Meanwhile, I’ve been writing the first draft of book three in the Food Blogger Mystery series. The draft is complete and I’ve set it aside to work on the outline of another book.

There’s one more thing I’d like to share before I wrap this post up. I’m not sure if you heard that I sold a new series to my publisher. MURDER WEARS A LITTLE BLACK DRESS, book one in the Resale Boutique Mystery Series releases in January 2019. Out-of-work fashionista Kelly Quinn inherits her granny’s old and tired consignment shop. An attempt to turn the shop around is foiled when a dress in the shop on consignment is connected to a murder. I had so much fun writing the book and I can’t wait to begin book two, which is the book I’m currently outlining.

It’s so fun catching up with you. Thanks for dropping by today!