Monthly Archive for May, 2010

25 Years Ago Today: Beth Solheim, Author of the Sadie Witt Mysteries

Published on May 31, 2010 in 25 Years Ago Today. 8 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

I’d like to welcome my fellow Sister in Crime Beth Solheim. Like the main character in her Sadie Witt mystery series, Beth was born with a healthy dose of imagination and a hankering to solve a puzzle. She learned her reverence for reading from her mother, who was never without a book in her hand.

By day, Beth works in Human Resources. By night, she morphs into a writer who frequents lake resorts and mortuaries and hosts a ghost or two in her humorous paranormal mysteries. Raised and still living in Northern Minnesota, Beth resides in lake country with her husband and a menagerie of wildlife critters. She and her husband are blessed with two grown children and two grandsons.

I’m pleased to announce that Beth is my first guest author to share what her character was doing 25 Years Ago Today. Tell us, Beth, what was Sadie Witt doing 25 years ago?


BETH: In 1984, my character, Sadie Witt, owner of the Witt’s End Resort, greeted yet another guest to Cabin 14. A dead guest, that is. And this guest has a big issue to solve before he can cross back over. This guest unsuspectingly witnessed the 1975 disappearance of Jimmy Hoffa, notorious Teamster leader with alleged mob connections, and Sadie must help him prove the disappearance. If information is revealed using the dead guest’s name, his family will be in peril.

To add to Sadie’s tribulations, a second dead guest arrives who has an equally taxing predicament to solve before she can make her final death decision. At odds with Sadie for years, this woman must now depend on an unorthodox death coach to help her uncover a clue in her husband’s warehouse of stolen merchandise. A clue that will free her grandson from the clutches of kidnappers who hold him ransom.

Sadie’s an eccentric, fun-loving resort proprietor who sees the dead. She’s not thrilled with her death coach responsibilities, especially when she has to help her guests solve crimes. Unfortunately, the steady stream of guests from the mortuary next door never ends. And, don’t let Sadie hear you say she’s fashion challenged. Mini skirts, halter tops, spiked hairdos and an asp tattoo are the norm for this spunky sleuth, who is a complete contrast to her prissy twin sister, Jane.

To find out more about Beth Solheim and her character Sadie Witt, visit Beth’s web site.

Check it out on Amazon.

25 Years Ago Today: Childhood Lessons on the Craft of Writing

Published on May 26, 2010 in 25 Years Ago Today. 27 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , .

While organizing my bookshelf, I stumbled across a special book that I haven’t picked up in years. It bears a quill pen designed onto a simple brown hard cover and the title “Writing: Unit-Lessons in Composition.” I bought this college textbook from a used bookstore when I was about 11 years old.

According to the handwritten names scrawled on the inside cover, it previously belonged to students named Tom and Donna. I remember marveling at the vivid excerpts that opened each chapter, compelling passages from works such as The Pearl by John Steinbeck, The Points of My Compass by E.B. White, and To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.

I’d read the accompanying lessons on the craft of writing, digesting tips about how to describe motion with visual details, use connotations effectively, arrange objects in a spatial order, and use figurative language wisely.

Pretty heavy reading for an 11-year-old girl, but I felt as if I’d been given a behind-the-scenes pass into the world of books and authors. As a child, I fondly remember completing many exercises in the book. Here are a couple exercises:

1. You remember the small details of a scene – crackling leaves under your feet, the crooked arms of a barren tree. Find the words to make your reader see and feel them, too. Using this technique, describe one of these topics: a football field during and after a game; a children’s birthday party; the streets after a fall rain or winter snowfall.

2. Write a paragraph in which you describe the actions of two people, such as two girls silently combing their hair before the same mirror; or a boy and a girl approaching one another in an empty hallway.

If you have a descriptive paragraph from your own writing (either published or unpublished), or if you want to try one of the above exercises, please feel free to share your passage in the comments!

25 Years Ago Today: Susan Whitfield, Author of the Logan Hunter Mysteries

Published on May 24, 2010 in 25 Years Ago Today. 6 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .


I’d like to welcome Susan Whitfield, author of the intriguing and award-winning Logan Hunter Mystery series. A native North Carolinian, Susan lives in eastern NC with her husband and near their two sons. The fourth and possibly the last in the Logan Hunter series, Sin Creek, will be available in Fall 2010. Susan is currently working on The Goose Parade of Old Dickeywood, not part of the series. She also has plans to write an historical mystery about an ancestor who was a Knight of the Bath under King Henry I.

Susan has compiled recipes from mystery writers across the country into a cookbook called Killer Recipes, due for August release. Proceeds of the recipe book will benefit the American Cancer Society. (Don’t miss my recipes in Susan’s book, including the sinfully delicious Terrormasu!)

Susan, you certainly sound like a busy lady. Tell us, what were you doing 25 years ago?

SUSAN: Twenty-five years ago, I was still teaching high school English and my son, Heath, was a sophomore shortstop on my head coach husband’s AAAA high school baseball team. Between ball games, I graded about 150 student papers nearly every day. I believed in improving their basic writing skills and in giving them quick feedback.

The team went on to win the North Carolina State 4444 Baseball Championship. What a thrilling day that was for all of us! Your question is so timely because we’ve invited all team members, their families, and coaches back to our house for a 25th reunion in June. As you have probably figured out, I was not writing novels at that time. I worked full-time and went to school full-time to earn my Master’s and then my doctorate. I always wanted to write and finally got around to it once I retired from my principalship in 2005. I am loving it!

Be sure to visit Susan’s web site and blog for information on her books.

Check out Susan’s books on Amazon.

Twenty-Five Years Ago Today Book Trailer Featured in May Contest

Published on May 21, 2010 in General News. Closed Tags: , , , , , , , , , .

The book trailer for Twenty-Five Years Ago Today is entered in the May 2010 YGR Best Trailer contest over at YouGottaReadVideos.Blogspot.com. The contest is designed for fun and to help book trailers gain more exposure.

Readers, if you enjoy watching book trailers to find prospective titles for your to-read list, you’ll find a gold mine of videos for your viewing pleasure. If you’re an author, you might be interested to know that they sponsor monthly book trailer contests. Submissions are being accepted for June.

Voting for the May awards will close midnight May 26th. Head on over to the polls and cast your vote!

If you haven’t seen the Twenty-Five Years Ago Today book trailer, you can view it below.

25 Years Ago Today: Guest Blog Guidelines for Published Authors

Published on May 20, 2010 in 25 Years Ago Today, General News and Guest Blog Guidelines. 6 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

This guest blog feature is going on hiatus due to time constraints. If you’ve already written a column for the previously advertised open submission period, please query. If we have already touched base about being a guest before this hiatus went into effect, then that agreement will still be honored.

Over the coming months, I will be featuring guest authors of mystery, suspense, thriller, literary fiction, romance, non-fiction and other genres on this blog. Published authors who are interested in writing a 25 Years Ago Today column, please e-mail me through my web site.

Please note that this is a family-friendly blog and I need to keep the post content and book covers PG-13.  I ask that you follow this blog via Google Friend Connect or Networked Blogs if you plan on submitting a post. I will not be scheduling anyone until I have their materials in hand. If we touch base about penciling in a tentative date for a blog tour stop, your post must be submitted at least 30 days before that date.

Here are the guidelines below:

1. Use this question as a springboard to write a short article, about 200-250 words: What were you doing 25 Years Ago? This is a tie-in for my book Twenty-Five Years Ago Today. You can respond either for yourself, spinning a memory into a short article, or in the voice of one of your fictional characters – subtract 25 years from his/her age and make up a fictional moment from his/her past.

If responding as your character, please make this clear to me with a line such as: My character Cassidy Novak from the book Sink or Swim is answering this question. Try to keep it under 250 words. Have fun and feel free to be creative!

2. Include a short third person bio in paragraph form (try to keep around 100 words)

3. Low resolution jpeg of the book cover you wish to highlight

4. Low resolution jpeg of your headshot if you wish

5. link to your web site and/or blog

6. a one or two line teaser or description of the book or series that you are most actively promoting.

7. What category does your book (or books) fit into?

8. Optional – Would you like to do an e-book giveaway? Giveaways are posted on sites that list book-related contests. My blog is also connected to Giveaway Scout.com, which automatically scans thousands of blogs to bring their readers the latest blog giveaways, coupons, sweepstakes and contests.

9. Optional – If you have a blog, would you like to exchange reciprocal blog roll links? This blog is: http://stacyjuba.com/blog/blog/ If you would like to exchange links, please note that in your submission and include your blog link. Thank you for your interest and I hope to see your column!

25 Years Ago Today: Child Finder Trilogy Author Mike Angley

Published on May 17, 2010 in 25 Years Ago Today. 4 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

I’d like to welcome Mike Angley, the award-winning author of the mystery/thriller series, the Child Finder Trilogy, which features USAF Special Agent protagonist, Major Patrick S. O’Donnell. I first got to know Mike a few months ago when he interviewed me for his blog and I found his background quite impressive.

His debut novel, Child Finder, received the Silver Medal for fiction in the 2009 Military Writers Society of America’s Annual Awards program, and when the book launched in June 2009, the Library Journal placed it on its Summer Reads list and called it a “compelling debut novel” and “a real find.” Mike retired from the U.S. Air Force in September 2007 in the rank of Colonel, following an exciting and dangerous 25-year career as a Special Agent with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (OSI). He held thirteen different assignments throughout the world, among which were five tours as a Commander of different units, to include two Air Force Squadrons and a Wing. He is a seasoned criminal investigator and a counterintelligence and counterterrorism specialist. The third book in his series is scheduled for release in 2011.

Mike, thank you for joining us. You’ve certainly had an exciting career. What jumps out at you from 25 years ago?

MIKE: In 1985, I neared the end of my first year of graduate studies at the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA. I had fallen in love with a woman who was soon to be my wife. We dated in and around Monterey and Carmel, and I cannot say enough about how romantic that part of California is. I think
the magic of the sea, surf, and sand sealed our relationship because we’ve been together ever since.

I have one special vignette to relate. I lived on campus, and one morning as I walked to the Navy Exchange, I spotted a car with Medal of Honor license plates and a decal with four stars on the windshield. I knew General Jimmy Doolittle lived somewhere in nearby Carmel, and he was the only person fitting the criteria that was still alive. It may sound stalker-like, but I waited for him to return. Eventually, a frail old man approached the car.

I walked up to introduce myself. We spoke for several minutes, and I found him to be a gentle, affable man. Jimmy Doolittle pioneered carrier-based aviation, and the few moments this hero spent talking with me will remain with me forever.

Find out more about the Child Finder Trilogy on Mike’s web site and blog.

Check out his books on Amazon.

25 Years Ago Today: Cherished Tales of Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden

Published on May 13, 2010 in 25 Years Ago Today. 4 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , .

Twenty-five years ago, I was an introverted young girl approaching sixth grade. Suddenly, girls started “going out” with boys, bullies grew bigger, and gym class got rougher. Even though I had dedicated teachers and good friends, school often felt uncomfortable to me. One particularly bad day, my eyes filling, I scribbled all over my paper bag book covers, “I hate sixth grade.”

My bedroom, filled with overflowing bookshelves, was my haven. Boy, how I wished I could go to school with spunky girl detective Trixie Belden, her friend Honey Wheeler, and join their club the Bob-Whites of the Glen. They were such a tight-knit group, and while having fun together, they solved all sorts of cool cases like The Mystery of the Emeralds, The Mystery of the Phantom Grasshopper, and The Mystery at Mead’s Mountain.

If I wasn’t curled up on my bed reading Trixie Belden, it was Nancy Drew, the Hardy Boys, or the Bobbsey Twins. For lighter fare, I enjoyed Beverly Cleary’s Ramona novels and Judy Blume’s Fudge books. I found comfort and warm familiarity in these fictional worlds and collected so many novels, that one night, my shelf buckled. A hundred books collapsed onto the floor, the loud avalanche sending my parents racing into the room.

Today, my husband has resigned himself to the fact that novels will always be strewn across my dresser and will sometimes slide onto the carpet. I’ve been known to leave books on the counter, the dining room table and near the staircase, but I’m happy to report that I haven’t worn out another shelf in 25 years.

25 Years Ago Today: Debut Romance/Mystery Author P.Q. Glisson

Published on May 10, 2010 in 25 Years Ago Today. 2 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

I’d like to extend a warm welcome to P.Q. Glisson. I first became acquainted with P.Q. on Goodreads, a social networking site for book lovers.

In addition to being my cyber-friend, P.Q. is also the author of the modern day romance/mystery novel Her Sanctuary. The book is set in the fictional town of Sanctuary, Arizona, and shows how true love in all its passion and glory can heal even the most damaged heart.

P.Q. lives in a small town outside Savannah, GA with her husband and 22-year-old daughter. P.Q. worked in banking for 17 years and started writing after a job layoff in 2008. She loves to paint, spend time with her family and cuddle with her three Shih Tzu pups.

No pressure or anything, P.Q., but you’re the first guest author to share a 25 Years Ago Today memory. Tell us, what were you doing 25 years ago?

P.Q.: I was 25 years old, working as a teller and had just told my husband of three years that I was ready to have a baby, which ended up taking two years to get pregnant. I was married in 1981, just two weeks after starting my job at the bank. Needless to say, we didn’t get much of a honeymoon. I worked for the bank for eight years and got robbed twice. I left that bank after it had changed hands several times and went to work at another bank for about five years. I changed banks, deciding I needed to be closer to my home so I could be there for my daughter.

I stayed with a neighborhood bank for another three years or so and left the banking industry. I was burned out. I jumped from one job to another for a couple of years until I became a receptionist/legal assistant for a local law firm. I believe that’s where I honed my letter writing skills. After a couple of years, I left there and went to work for a contractor/developer as office manager where I stayed until I was laid off in 2008 because of the softening in the housing market. That’s when I took up painting. I painted commissioned work and made a moderate living until one day I started writing. I got this idea and I just sat down at my laptop and the words just flowed from my mind to the keyboard. Eight months later, I had written my first novel.

I’m not done. I am currently working on two more novels and have outlines for two more after that, ranging from young adult fantasy to period romances and back to modern romance.

Find out more about P.Q. Glisson and her debut book Her Sanctuary on the following pages:

Facebook

P.Q.’s Blog

Check it out on Amazon

Amazon Bookstore Open For Business

Published on May 7, 2010 in Amazon Bookstore. Closed Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , .

I’ve recently established an online Amazon bookstore and will feature books written by authors who have appeared, or are scheduled to appear, on my blog. If you like to discover new authors, please stop by frequently and browse. Titles will be added to the bookstore each month.

As a start, the current selection features an array of novels penned by my first group of guest authors. P.Q. Glisson, Mike Angley, Beth Solheim, Susan Whitfield, Darcía Helle, Stephen D. Rogers and Maria Savva will all be visiting over the next several weeks to answer the question “What were you (or your character) doing 25 years ago?” I hope you’ll stay tuned for their fascinating responses and to ask them some questions during their scheduled days. In the meantime, enjoy browsing their titles, book descriptions and reviews.

Check out the Amazon store.

News Flash: Kris Langley Interview

Published on May 6, 2010 in General News. Closed Tags: , , , , , , , , , .

Kris Langley, my obit writer/aspiring reporter heroine from Twenty-Five Years Ago Today, is making a special appearance today on suspense author Darcia Helle’s blog. Kris has taken the time to answer some of Darcia’s questions, and is serving as the interview subject rather than the interviewer for a nice change of pace.

Here is a sneak peek at Kris and Darcia’s interview:

Kris, welcome and thanks for coming! You decided to make a sudden career switch and wound up as an editorial assistant, while also writing obituaries for a newspaper. Was writing something you’d always wanted to do?

Kris: I was always good at writing and it came easily to me, but I wouldn’t say it was something I always wanted to do. To be honest, I never really knew what I wanted to do. It was more, where did I want to go and where could I escape from the stressful thoughts and nightmares that always plagued me. College wasn’t fun for me in the way that it was fun for my roommates. I thought it would be exciting to live in New York after graduation, but my administrative assistant job didn’t fulfill me and all the noise of the city just made me even more unsettled. I fell into journalism after I moved back home and took the newspaper job, and I feel fortunate to have re-discovered writing. I now have an outlet for all those emotions I’ve been suppressing – things I can’t say out loud, I can voice through my writing. And the written word has power. You’ve probably heard the expression “power of the press.” That makes me feel empowered also.

Read more on Darcia’s blog, A Word Please

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