BOOK CLUB FRIDAY--GUEST AUTHOR F.M. MEREDITH

F.M. Meredith, AKA Marilyn Meredith, is the author of over thirty published mysteries and police procedural novels. A frequent visitor to this blog she sits down today for an interview. Learn more about her at her website and blog. 

When did you realize you wanted to write novels?

Since I was in grammar school.

How long did it take you to realize your dream of publication?

After several false starts, my first book was published in 1982. However, it received nearly 30 rejections before I received an acceptance. (In between, I did much rewriting.)

Are you traditionally published, indie published, or a hybrid author?

I’ve been published many ways, but right now I have two mid-list publishers.

Where do you write?

In my home office usually, though if I’m on a trip, I may do some writing wherever I can.

Is silence golden, or do you need music to write by? What kind?

For me, silence is golden—or as silent as it ever is in my house.

How much of your plots and characters are drawn from real life? From your life in particular?

Some of my plot ideas come from news stories I’ve read—though they mainly spark the idea and I go from there. As for characters, many of them are composites of people I’ve met during my life. No one ever recognizes themselves, thank goodness.

Describe your process for naming your character?

I collect names from graduation programs and anywhere else. I match up one first name with a different last name. Of course the name has to fit a character. I also look up ethnic names on the Internet.

Real settings or fictional towns?

Rocky Bluff is a fictional beach town in Southern California with many of the characteristics of a beach town I lived in for over 20 years. Surrounding it are real towns.

What’s the quirkiest quirk one of your characters has?

One of the favorite characters in the RBPD series is a police officer who always goes by the book, but still has things go awry, so much so, that he is often the object of his fellow-workers’ jokes. However, in Violent Departures, things have begun to change for him.

What’s your quirkiest quirk?

Do we really recognize our own quirks? I don’t know how quirky it is, but I like to accomplish things. I don’t like to just fool around and do nothing.

If you could have written any book (one that someone else has already written,) which one would it be? Why?

Perhaps, a book similar to Wm. Kent Krueger’s Ordinary Grace. This book really impressed me, especially how well he got inside the young main character.

Everyone at some point wishes for a do-over. What’s yours?

Many of the big mistakes I made as a young woman. As for writing, I wish I’d had the time and money to learn more about the craft of writing earlier in my life.

What’s your biggest pet peeve?

People who don’t do what they say they will.

You’re stranded on a deserted island. What are your three must-haves?

A good study Bible, matches, something to write on.

What was the worst job you’ve ever held?

Working in an auto parts store—I was totally out of my comfort zone.

What’s the best book you’ve ever read?

I’ve read so many and loved many. The one I read over and over was Gone With the Wind and it’s been years since the last time.

Ocean or mountains?

I loved living by the ocean and visit there often. Now I live in the mountains and love being here.

City girl/guy or country girl/guy?

I grew up in Los Angeles, but now live in a dinky little town, definitely in the country. (I do miss big city living at times. Having to drive 1/2-hour to shop or go to the movies is a pain—but then again, the traffic isn’t bad like it is in the city.

What’s on the horizon for you?

Who really knows what the future holds for sure? But right now, my plan is to keep writing and promoting.

Anything else you’d like to tell us about yourself and/or your books?

Because it has been popular on my other blog tours, once again I’m offering the chance for the person who comments on the most blog posts during this tour to have a character named for him or her in the next Rocky Bluff P.D. mystery.

Or if that doesn’t appeal, the person may choose one of the earlier books in the series—either a print book or Kindle copy.

Tomorrow, I’m headed over to http://pat-writersforum.blogspot.com/

The question I’m answering is: How do you keep up with your characters and what’s happened?

Violent Departures

College student, Veronica Randall, disappears from her car in her own driveway. Everyone in the Rocky Bluff P.D. is looking for her. Detective Milligan and family move into a house that may be haunted. Officer Butler is assigned to train a new hire and faces several major challenges.

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#TRAVEL WITH SERENA--GUEST AUTHOR A.R. KENNEDY & BASEBALL STADIUMS

Let’s Go Mets!

Here I am at Target Field, home of the Minnesota Twins, for the Sprinter Series, April 2013. I’m equipped to watch my New York Mets play, with my radio and scorecard, and to stay warm in the 30 degree temperatures. The Twins were so nice—they gave all fans free hot chocolate!

Anyone who has read the Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mystery series knows that Anastasia and her kids are rabid Mets fans. Today we welcome author and fellow Mets fan A. R. Kennedy to talk about her passion for baseball and her debut series. Learn more about A. R. and her books at her website.

There’s nothing better than when you combine two or more of your favorite things. And I’m not talking about peanut butter and chocolate. I’m referring to my love of travel and baseball.

In the past seventeen years, I’ve traveled all over the US to visit forty-two Major League Baseball stadiums. I can tell you where to get the best nachos (Miami’s Marlins Park,) where to get the best sandwich (Primanti’s at Pittsburgh Pirates PNC Park,) who has the best ballpark tour (Washington’s Nationals Park) and where to meet the nicest ballpark staff (Minnesota Twins Target Field.)

In my quest to see all the stadiums, I’ve seen five games in six days while in one state (California), driven through three states to see four games in five days (Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Cleveland and Detroit,) and learned Chicago doesn’t want me to move there. In my two visits to the beautiful city, I’ve felt the extremes of their weather—freezing in May and sweating in August (over 115 degrees with the heat index!)

Weather is always a challenge when traveling. It’s of particular concern when you’re traveling hundreds or thousands of miles to see an event that’s held predominantly outside. One of my most memorable trips was to Minnesota Twins Target Field in April 2013 for the series they dubbed ‘The Sprinter Series’ (The Spring-Winter Series.) I watched two amazing games at the beautiful ballpark, with starting temperatures in the thirties, while it snowed. The opposing team, my team—the New York Mets—kept me warm by winning both games!

It all began in 1998 when I wanted to see the phenomena of the home run race and Mark McGuire. I drove eight hours to watch two games with no McGuire home runs but the atmosphere—Busch Stadium packed with baseball loving fans—was phenomenal.

In the next few years, I planned my summer vacations around MLB schedules. With teams who played within driving distance of each others’ schedules laid out on the floor, I spent hours organizing a trip to maximize my time. Some stadiums are too far from others and I tried to go there when the Mets were playing. I’ve seen the Mets play in twelve stadiums, not including their own. In recent years, I’ve re-visited MLB cities to check out newly built ballparks.

My baseball travels have also included trips to Canada. As many may know, Toronto’s Blue Jays’ home, the Rogers Centre, has a hotel attached. The Renaissance Toronto Downtown Hotel is the only hotel in the world inside a major sports venue, with some rooms featuring a field view. Of course, I had to stay in one of those rooms. It was like having my own personal suite. I’ve also visited Montreal’s Olympic stadium. There is a reason the Expos moved. I hope future travels include more international trips.

The highlights of my baseball trips:

* Seeing our beautiful country (and other parts of the world.) A 2001 trip to Minnesota’s Hubert H Humphrey Metrodome led me to Ely, Minnesota and kayaking the Boundary Waters—an amazing part of our country. A great outdoors store there, Piragis Northwoods, helped me, and I later traveled with Piragis on their international kayaking trips to Iceland and Greece.

*In Los Angeles, I watched a fourteen inning game. Why’d I stay? George Mallory said it best, “Because it’s there.” (I stayed even longer at a game at my home team’s Citi Field- 20 innings, 6 hours and 25 minutes—and yes, they lost.)

*Traveling with my Mom. She’s gone with me to fifteen of the stadiums, despite no interest in baseball. But she did enjoy those nachos!

*Meeting fellow baseball lovers. I spent most of a game at Minnesota’s Target Field talking to an usher who told me about the history of the team, that the majority of their fans wanted to see baseball played outside and shared his love for his team. I love talking baseball!

Next trip…Atlanta’s new stadium to open in 2017.

Unless MLB decides to schedule another international season opener…

To celebrate the Opening Week of baseball, all 3 Nathan Miccoli Mystery books are on sale—Gone But Not Missed, Gone But Not Goodbye, and Gone But Not Healed. (And all contain scenes at Mets home park, Citi Field.)

Gone but not Missed

Lillian Brannon wakes up on Valentine's Day in an exact replica of her bedroom but the only item that she believes is authentic is her dog, Laude. She is held captive in her kidnapper's basement apartment, summoned upstairs once a week for a chaste dinner. But will his kindness last, and more importantly, why isn’t anyone looking for her? Lillian’s story is interwoven with that of Nathan, a NYPD officer, who is intrigued by Lillian’s disappearance—how can a young woman be gone for two weeks before a Missing Person Report is filed? Local police believe Lillian has voluntarily abandoned a life she didn’t like. Lillian’s best friend convinces Nathan the authorities are wrong. With no jurisdiction, no resources, and no witnesses, he is compelled by the pictures of Lillian with her sweet smile and sparkling green eyes to obsessively take up the case. Armed with Lillian’s keys and personal information, he spends hours, then days in her home trying to find clues that will lead him to her.

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HEALTHY LIVING WITH JANICE--GUEST AUTHOR TRACY WEBER ON #YOGA FOR READERS

Tracy Weber is the author of the award-winning Downward Dog Mysteries series featuring yoga teacher Kate and her feisty German shepherd, Bella. Tracy loves sharing her passion for yoga and animals in any form possible. Learn more about her and her books at her website. 

Five Reasons Mystery Readers Should Practice Yoga

I’ve been a mystery writer for the past three years, but I’ve been a fan for most of my life. Like most mystery enthusiasts, I love curling up on the couch and visiting crime scenes with my favorite sleuth, amateur or otherwise. Reading transports me to worlds I would otherwise never experience and introduces me to people I would otherwise never meet. But all of that armchair sleuthing takes a toll on my body, particularly my back.

Yoga is the perfect antidote. If you practice yoga, you already know what I mean.  If not, here are a few reasons you should give it a try.

1. Reading is a sedentary activity and bodies need movement. Bodies don’t like to be stationary for long periods of time. Yoga, even simple, gentle yoga, gives our systems much-needed movement.

2. Most people read using very bad posture, which leads to over-stretched backs and tight chest, shoulder, psoas, and hamstring muscles. A well-conceived yoga practice can counteract all of it. Yoga in America is often thought of as stretching, but in reality, it’s much more than that. Yoga both strengthens and stretches, and it improves cardiovascular, respiratory, and digestive health.

3. Yoga improves energy.  When I’m in the middle of a great read, I can stay up all night, which is great until I need to get up the next morning. Yoga, even more than caffeine, helps me feel alert and rested.  And if you prefer more suspenseful mysteries, the right breath practice can allow you to fall asleep, in spite of the psycho-killer lurking in the pages on your nightstand.

4. Yoga promotes focus, which allows mystery readers to sort through clues, pay attention to subtle details, maybe even figure out whodunit well in advance of their favorite sleuths.

5. Yoga helps readers live a longer, more pain-free life.  And if we live longer, we can devour more mysteries!

Did I convince you?  If so, here are some specifics.

Any yoga pose that helps counteract the effects of bad posture will be beneficial for readers.  Back bends counteract readers’ C-shaped, slumped posture by opening the fronts of the shoulders, stretching the fronts of the hips, and strengthening the upper and lower back. Warrior I, Cobra, and Locust are great poses to start with.

I published an article about yoga poses for better posture at http://www.wholelifeyoga.com/blog/yoga-poses-for-better-posture-response-to-a-student-question-2/ The photos are especially helpful and a great place to start.

Just ask Kate Davidson, the yoga teacher/sleuth in my newest mystery, A Killer Retreat. Yoga is good for everybody. Readers, writers—even yoga studio owners with overly tight hamstrings and embarrassingly bad tempers. Bella, her unruly German shepherd agrees. Nothing beats Downward Facing Dog to prepare a guard-dog’s body for chasing away evil yoga student intruders.

In A Killer Retreat, you will be introduced to yoga principles, breath work, even a pose here and there.  Most importantly, you and Kate will solve a murder and hopefully have a few laughs along the way. You’ll also travel to the beautiful Elysian Springs Resort on Orcas Island and meet some crazy new characters, including a goat lawyer!

I hope you read my series and love it. And remember, practice a few yoga poses between chapters!

A Killer Retreat

When Kate Davidson gets an offer to teach yoga classes to wedding guests at the Elysian Springs resort, she jumps at the opportunity, even though it means being forced to endure the wedding ceremony of the center's two caretakers.

Avoiding the M-word turns out to be the least of Kate's problems when a wedding guest is found floating face-down in the resort's hot tub, shortly after a loud, public (and somewhat embarrassing) fight with Kate. The police pick Kate as their number-one suspect, so she's forced to team up with boyfriend Michael, best friend Rene, and German shepherd sidekick Bella to find the real killer. But they'll have to solve the murder before the police arrest Kate, or her next gig may last a lifetime--behind bars.

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#COOKING WITH CLORIS--GUEST AUTHOR J.M. MAURER AND NUTELLA TOFFEE PIE

J.M. Maurer is the author of the Emerging From Darkness trilogy—Seeking Love, Seeking Redemption, and Seeking Hope. Holding a Bachelor’s degree in nursing, she enjoys writing about health and wellness, infusing every emotion into her stories from laughter to tears. Learn more about J.M. and her books at her website and blog.

In the Emerging From Darkness trilogy, we meet Jessica Winters, the registered nurse who spends more time eating chocolate than making anything from it, and Matthew Moi, the sexy sex therapist who knows a great deal about the sexual benefits of cocoa, but prefers caramel. Throughout their growing relationship, the two are constantly waging a loving war, using each of their second loves—chocolate and caramel—to rile the other. So, it is only fitting that today we whip up something they both can enjoy:

Easy Nutella Toffee Pie

Ingredients:

8 oz. cream cheese, softened

12 oz. Cool Whip

2/3 cup Nutella (Okay, I’ll be honest, I use a tad more)

1 cup toffee bits

1 graham cracker or Oreo cookie pie crust (I use Oreo, of course)

In an electric mixer, mix together cream cheese and Nutella. Add Cool Whip and mix on low until combined. Stir in 3/4 of the bits. Pour mixture into crust and top with the remaining bits. Chill for at least 2 hours before serving.

Warning: This recipe works very well with strawberries—You get the idea. If not, Dr. Moi is accepting new patients. ;-)

Seeking Love

Every day, Jessica Winters does what she does best—bury herself in patient care within the walls of the neuro intensive care unit, keeping herself busy to escape the dark sadness that controls her life. But the day she sees Matthew Moi, the intriguing man seated at her new patient’s bedside, her shattered heart begins to frantically beat once again. 

As Matthew pins his mesmerizing gaze upon her, trying to distract her with his humorous and playful banter, she does her best to ignore him. Somehow he already knows a great deal about her, breaking down Jessica’s barriers and awakening her soul, drawing her out of the darkness and into his arms. 

When her painful past resurfaces, revealing truths that threaten her future, Jessica struggles through her issues and fights to stay on a healing path . . . seeking love.

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CRAFTS WITH ANASTASIA--MILK CARTON BIRDHOUSE

In honor of Earth Day, coming up on April 22^nd, I’m repeating a craft project from the very early days of Killer Crafts & Crafty Killers. Our kids are often the driving force in making us think green. Crafting is a great way for the entire family to enjoy a reuse/repurpose/recycle activity beyond separating the glass, plastic, and newspapers for curbside pick-up. So coax the kids away from the video games and spend an afternoon crafting. 

Milk Carton Birdhouse

Materials:

clean, empty half-gallon milk or juice carton

compass and pencil

hammer and nail

1/8” dowel or twig, 3” - 4” in length

wooden bead to fit dowel or twig

sandpaper

craft knife

weatherproof white acrylic primer

weatherproof acrylic paint in colors of choice

weatherproof acrylic varnish

paintbrushes

tacky glue

scissors

scraps of colored paper

3 spring type clothespins

narrow plastic cording (the kind for making lanyards)

dry pasta, popsicle sticks, buttons, cereal, etc.

Directions:

1.  Lightly sand carton.

2.  Glue the carton closed, holding together with clothespins until glue sets.

3.  With hammer and nail, make two small holes in top flap for hanging loops. (Adult should do this.)

4.  Using compass and pencil, draw a 2-1/4” circle centered approximately 2” above base of carton on one side.  Using craft knife, poke a small hole 3/4” below circle.

5.  Using craft knife, cut out large circle.

6.  Poke dowel or twig through small hole.  Secure by gluing wooden bead onto dowel inside the bird house.

7.  Apply a coat of primer to carton and dowel.  (Twig can be painted or remain unpainted.) Paint in desired colors. Allow to dry between each coat.  (Note: if using roofing materials that require painting, glue them to top of carton before painting.)

8.  Glue dry pasta, popsicle sticks, buttons, cereal, or other materials to top of carton for roof.

9.  Cut shapes from colored paper and glue to sides of birdhouse.  Other materials may also be used (pictures from magazines, stickers, buttons, pasta, ribbon, scraps of wrapping paper, colored yarn dipped in glue, etc. Use your imagination!)

10.  Apply several coats of varnish to entire bird house for protection, allowing to dry between coats.

11.  Thread plastic lacing through holes on top for hanging. 

BOOK CLUB FRIDAY--GUEST AUTHOR JACQUIE BIGGAR

Romantic suspense author Jacquie Biggar sits down for a Q&A today. Learn more about her and her books at her website.

When did you realize you wanted to write novels?

Middle school. I wrote a story under the wire and it turned out to be the best in the grade. Was read out over the school loudspeakers to my embarrassment. But, after that I was hooked.

How long did it take you to realize your dream of publication?

I began writing in earnest two years ago and published the fall of 2014.

Are you traditionally published, indie published, or a hybrid author?

I’m indie published. I’d heard so many stories of slush piles and publishers changing author’s titles, even in some cases concept, that I had no interest in taking the traditional route.

Where do you write?

At my kitchen table, gazing out at a beautiful cherry tree.

Is silence golden, or do you need music to write by? What kind?

Silence all the way. I’m not a pat my head, rub my tummy kind of girl.

How much of your plots and characters are drawn from real life? From your life in particular?

It’s a mix I think. The plots are on organized crime, which I thankfully have no experience of, but the settings are reminiscent of my hometown.

Describe your process for naming your character?

This sounds silly, but they name themselves. I just start writing and out it comes.

Real settings or fictional towns?

Fictional towns based on real life versions.

What’s the quirkiest quirk one of your characters has?

In The Rebel’s Redemption Annie has the quirky habit of talking to herself. Sometimes it gets her into trouble.

What’s your quirkiest quirk?

I’d have to say my quirk is the same as Annie’s. I spend a lot of time alone. My DH works away from home, so I find myself talking out loud to the cat and dog. A few times I’ve done it out in public, super embarrassing, lol.

If you could have written any book (one that someone else has already written,) which one would it be? Why?

Black Beauty by Ana Sewell. I love horses. This book was one of the hardest I’ve ever read. I love the fact that it’s written from the horse’s POV. The description carries the reader into the tough life of a work horse. This story is indescribably sad, and yet in the end, uplifting. Unforgettable.

Everyone at some point wishes for a do-over. What’s yours?

I wish I would have finished school. At the time partying seemed like a better plan. I regret that now.

What’s your biggest pet peeve?

Dishes, I hate them with a passion.

You’re stranded on a deserted island. What are your three must-haves?

An e-reader full of books. A way to the e-reader. An unlimited supply of Diet Coke.

What was the worst job you’ve ever held?

Chambermaid. It’s a thankless job and can be pretty disgusting at times.

What’s the best book you’ve ever read?

I don’t think I can narrow it to one book, but one of my all-time favorite authors is Suzanne Brockmann. All of her stories are re-reads for me.

Ocean or mountains?

Ocean, I’m a Pisces, water is in my blood.

City girl/guy or country girl/guy?

City girl. I like the convenience of high speed Internet and variety of stores.

What’s on the horizon for you?

I’m already semi-retired and living in paradise, what more could I ask for?

Anything else you’d like to tell us about yourself and/or your books?

The Rebel’s Redemption is the second in an on-going series set in the small town of Tidal Falls. I like the familiarity of series books where the reader gets to connect with the people and the area. The characters become much-loved friends and the town somewhere to visit. That’s successful writing.

The Rebel’s Redemption

Annie Campbell's predictable and cozy life gets turned on its side when her son's prodigal father returns to town. Then an old enemy shows up and the outcome will not only place her in danger, but their son as well.

Jared Martin left Tidal Falls a hotheaded youth, and has seen his share of violence in the eight years he’s served Uncle Sam. Floundering, he returns to his hometown to regain his bearings, bitter and disillusioned.

Then he finds out he’s a father.

When an old enemy follows and causes mayhem in the small town, can Jared overcome the odds to protect the woman he’s always loved and the child he never knew, or will it be too late?

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#TRAVEL WITH SERENA--GUEST AUTHOR RICKY BUSH VISITS BELIZE

Beachfront at Palencia, Belize
photo by Dave ten Broek

Ricky Bush hangs his hat down in Texas where he listens to the blues, writes about the blues, and plays the blues. His three published crime novels feature the crime fighting blues duo of Mitty Andersen and Pete Bolden. Learn more about Ricky and his books at his website and blog.

Belize It

Howling Mountain Blues, recently released in March, represents the third book in my crime fighting bluesmen series. It also represents the first book in which I chose the setting before I had a story in mind.  With my debut, River Bottom Blues, I had a firm grasp on the story I wanted to tell, then I developed the characters, followed by setting as a final consideration. My characters were set for the second book, The Devil’s Blues, so I just needed to give them their antagonists and to where they would chase them.

A trip to Placencia, Belize in 2011 with my wife, one son, two daughters/husbands, and one-year-old grandgirl with one on the way fueled the idea to set a crime story in that tropical getaway. Setting a tale there was far from my mind at that time. Actually, I received word from a publisher interested in my debut during my trip, so creating a series was not concrete during that spell.

After finishing my second book I decided my bluesmen, Mitty Andersen and Pete Bolden, needed to headline a blues festival in Belize. Of course, they’d have to run into trouble down there. So…I put them on a similar track that we enjoyed while in Placencia, with venue name changes, of course.

We stayed at the wonderful Los Porticos Villas, with a pristine Caribbean beach just out the front door. Francis Ford Coppola’s Turtle Inn was a short walk down the beach, replete with a tiki hut beach bar. Mitty and Pete had similar accommodations and booked a trip, as we did, up Monkey River to the jungle habitat of the howler monkeys (which prompted my book’s title) and ate the wonderful Kriol food at Monkey River Town’s ramshackle café.  

Their snorkeling trip to Laughing Bird Caye mirrors our, except I watched my wedding ring slip from my finger and twist it’s way to the bottom of the ocean. Caught quite a sunburned, also. As we did, they enjoyed the laid back atmosphere of Placencia (much less hustle and bustle than San Pedro.) We ate marvelous seafood at Rumfish, gelato at Tuttifruttia, bought food to cook from Ming’s Supermarket, and above all, we relaxed. Mitty and Pete experienced the same…until blues and trouble found them in paradise.

Howling Mountain Blues

When hotshot blues guitarist Wyatt “Earp” Ringold hires The Repeaters to back him up at a blues festival in Belize, Mitty Andersen and Pete Bolden expect to find fun in the sun. What they don’t expect is notorious racketeer and blues enthusiast Big Bossman, who is anxiously awaiting their arrival.

The Bossman conducts his illicit activities from a hideaway in the jungles of Howling Mountain. A botched kidnapping has recently put him on the wrong side of a Mexican drug cartel, and he hopes to rectify the situation by mixing business with pleasure at the blues festival.

Knowing that trouble always follows Mitty and Pete, ATF agent Lenora Charles insists on tagging along for security detail. When she warns them that something doesn’t quite seem right in paradise, the laid-back band members don’t take her instincts seriously—leading to another kidnapping. Can the crime fighting bluesmen pull off a dangerous rescue mission in time?

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