Catching up after a holiday by Pamela James

Today's blog is about catching up after a holiday weekend. I find it very difficult to catch up after a long holiday weekend.
We didn't do anything productive on our three day weekend. I mean yes a few things were accomplished but not the things that should have been done.
I did finish reading a book. Yep just one book over three days.
I did cross stitch and i texted with friends.
Frank made some wonderful meals.
Today however is quite different. I actually do have to dye my hair, it's going to rain all day and overnight. It feels like Monday instead of Tuesday which is bound to throw me off all day.

I haven't been up but an hour and feel like I need a nap. What is on my to-do list is are these things.
1. Library trip (which won't happen because the library hours changed and they are not open after five on Tuesdays. Refer to above that I will think it's Monday all day) also with the rain and storms I won't be driving in it.
2. Clean up my closet (maybe)?
3. Post reviews (a better chance of this and post blog see current finger typing)
4. Put something in the crockpot for supper? (probably will happen) which means chilidogs or some such nonsense.
5. Walk dog (see above rain she won't go outside and well she is smarter than her owners) but eventually she will have to go...
6. Dishes are done at least to begin with so it will be not so hard to deal with the kitchen today.
7. Keep an eye on the weather (we live in tornado alley) and so this is a must do for all day.
8. A good day to start to organize my books (this is one I am looking forward to and is long overdue)
9. Talk to my daughter it's been days so that must happen.
10. I will write on my book today which this should have been number one but I need more coffee.
11. Read, read read...
12. Stitch stitch stitch
After all of this is anybody's guess....
First thing before my to-do list is coffee. Do you have a routine you follow in the mornings? Is it hard for you to catch up after a long weekend or holiday?
What books should I go to the library this week and put in a request for to read?
Happy Reading,
Pamela

An Interview with Carola Dunn

An Interview by Pamela James

MM: Carola, where do you write your books?

My first I wrote at the kitchen table. I've had dedicated office in the house for decades now. I have a big window looking down the garden and a good view of the bird feeders—without which I might write faster...

MM: Why, when, where and how did you begin writing your books?

I'd had lots of part-time and temp jobs while my son was small and we were moving often. When at last we settled down, in 1979, my (now ex) husband wanted me to get a "proper" job. At the same time, I'd read and reread Georgette Heyer's books so many times I knew what was coming on the next page; I read some  newly published Regencies and decided I could do at least as well, and trying would postpone the job hunt.

I wrote longhand. Having to my surprise actually finished a manuscript, I thought I might as well try to get it published. Once I'd typed it up, I sent out queries with 3 chapters (not the first 3; the how-to book I consulted just said 3 so I picked what I considered the best). A couple of rejections and three requests for the rest of the ms—and I got an offer remarkably quickly.

Having sold one, of course I had to write another... In the end I wrote 32 full-length Regencies and about a dozen novellas, all now available as ebooks. Then I turned to mystery. The Daisy Dalrymple mysteries, set in England in the 1920s, now number 22, and there are 3 Cornish mysteries out.

MM: 2016 is here what are your writing plans?

I finished my 4th Cornish Mystery, Buried in the Country, in December and I've already started on the next Daisy mystery.

MM: On a personal note. Be our tour guide and tell us about the attractions of where you live and why you like living there?

After growing up in England and living in Southern California for many years, I moved to Eugene, Oregon, nearly 25 years ago, the longest I've ever lived anywhere.

Oregon is a beautiful state with a stunning coastline, mountains, rivers, lakes, and high desert all easily accessible from Eugene. Some special places are Crater Lake, Mount Hood, the Columbia Gorge, the Painted Hills, the John Day Fossil Beds, and extraordinary lava formations. Most of the time, though, I'm quite satisfied with my daily walk (with dog) by the Willamette River in Eugene.

It's not true that "old Oregonians never die, they only rust away," but we do have high rainfall in winter. The climate is quite like England's. That's what keeps it so green.

For a mid-size city, Eugene supports an excellent symphony orchestra and classical music station, essentials to my life. The city library is good—another necessity. The presence of the University of Oregon is another plus.

Eugene is a friendly, laid-back place. After 20 years in ever-more-crowded Southern California (and more sun than I, as a redhead, can cope with) , I love it here.

MM: Do you ever binge watch some of your favorite shows, movies or read some of your favorite series? If so which ones do you watch and read?

I don't have a TV so no shows or movies. I like to reread books, especially mysteries, written in the periods I write about. A first reading is for the story and characters. On rereading, I'm more interested in the period details and "zeitgeist", and the way the mystery is constructed.

Apart from those, books I regularly reread are The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Lord of the Rings, and all of Jane Austen.

MM: What is one of your favorite meals and dessert?

Top meal: Indian restaurant buffet. Top dessert: my mother's hazelnut torte, which is a hazelnut meringue sandwiched with raspberries and whipped cream. Neither for frequent consumption!

MM: Do you like to cook or bake?

Not much into cooking. I like baking but do it infrequently as I also like to eat the products.

MM: What is your favorite part of being an author?

Hearing from happy readers! I especially like letters/messages/whatever from people who have found escape from their troubles in my books.

MM: Do you belong to any writer's groups? What are some of your favorite conventions? How about bookstores and places to autograph your books?

I belong to Sisters in Crime. My favourite convention is Left Coast Crime, smaller and friendlier than Bouchercon.

I pretty much stick to the West Coast for signings: Seattle Mystery Bookshop, Mystery Ink, Mysterious Galaxy, and Bob's Beach Books on the Oregon Coast. So many favourites have closed, alas.

MM: What is the strangest writing question you were ever asked?

I don't remember any particularly strange questions. The strangest letter I've ever received was from a woman who was all het up about one of my Regencies, saying she'd never read another because of the degenerate morals of the hero of that book. Further correspondence elicited that she hadn't actually read the book (A Susceptible Gentleman). She was basing her opinion on the description on the back cover, which I hadn't written. Back cover blurbs are notoriously inaccurate and hyped up. At that point I gave up trying to explain.

MM: They say it takes a village to become a published author. Who is in your village?

For the first book, a supportive husband, a friend who offered to type the manuscript, and another friend who had a book about how to submit to publishers and  what to expect of a contract. (I didn't have a typewriter and I'd never taken any creative writing classes nor read any how-to books.)

Since then, I've had loads of help from all sorts of people. I find as soon as I say I'm researching for a mystery/crime fiction, most are happy to answer questions on their area of expertise.

MM: What was your most perfect writing day?

The most perfect day is the day my editor tells me the "delivery and acceptance" cheque is on the way!

MM: Leave us with some words of wisdom by your protagonist?

Both Daisy and Eleanor would say, "If you expect to like the people you meet and treat them that way, most people will turn out to be likable."

Website: www.CarolaDunn.weebly.com

Facebook: personal page + Carola Dunn Author, Daisy Dalrymple, Cornish Mysteries, and RegenciesByCarolaDunn.

Review: Wedding Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke

Hannah Swensen is getting married. Hannah thinks that marrying Ross Barton is long overdue since he was her college crush.
Hannah is also going to New York City for the food Channel's Dessert Competition. This is all very exciting and when Ross can join her in New York City she can't think of anything fulfilling and wonderful to happen to her. What's even better is that her little sister Michelle will be joining her as her assistant in the competition.
To top all of this off Hannah's Aunt Nancy knows one of the judges and is quick to give Hannah and Michelle the inside scoop on what he likes and doesn't like in the food and presentation.
Better yet Mike and Norman like Ross and have known him as long as Hannah has known Ross Moishe her cat even loves Ross although everyone knows that Moishe also loves Norman and his cat.
Life couldn't be sweeter and Hannah is finally happy to take her slice of life and happiness.
However sooner rather than later the judge and Chef Hannah was happy to get kudos from is murdered. Michelle finds the body and Hannah knows on many levels and for many reasons she has to solve this murder.
She doesn't want her honeymoon haunted by nightmares and visions of murder.
Everyone in Lake Eden Minnesota knows Hannah can win the competition and solve the murder. She doesn't know how but Hannah is a multitasker and will find a way to solve the murder and whip wonderful desserts.
Did I mention the shows, the wedding and Lake Eden is being taped live?
There is not room for anything to go wrong/.
At least Hannah doesn't have to worry about the wedding, her mother, other sister Andrea, Lisa her business partner and a few close friends are seeing to the wedding. Hannah does have to try on wedding dresses and make time to follow the scent of murder.


I have to say this is a very fun book in the series to read. this has been the book I have waited on and it doesn't disappoint anyone.
So many fun tidbits and I love Hannah's clothes.
If you want a cozy to fit the month of June, a wedding mystery and a culinary delight of a book you can't miss reading this book.
The recipes are to die for and I have to say I am going to try to make a couple of these no fail recipes.
Joanne Fluke knows how to keep me turning the page on murder, mayhem and family.
Reviewed by Pamela James
Library copy --hardback.

An Interview with Miss Willie

Interview with Miss Willie

MM: Willie give us the backstory on when and how you became the Parsons Public Library Children’s Librarian?

WM: I became the Children’s Librarian in October 2008.

MM: What changes have you seen happen in the children’s library through the years?

WM: The children’s room have two internet computers instead of one internet computer in order for the children to use one of the internet computer they and a parent or guardian must first sign an internet agreement. Also have an education game computer and ABC mouse is install on the internet computers. The children or a parent can check out a Launch Pad Tablet that they can only use in the library. The children room has a music keyboard that they can play. The children’s room has a pet bird named Tweety.

MM: What fall events do you have planned for the children?

WM: Children’s Book and Movie Discussion for ages 8 to 11 we just finish The Chronicle of Narnia: The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis and The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis. I do some Family Morning Movies for when the children are out of school. Also did easy knitting with straws.

MM: What are some of the most popular children’s books in the different age groups?

WM: Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney

Dork Diaries by Rachel Renee Russell

Magic Tree House by Mary Pope Osborne

Junie B. Jones by Barbara Park

Thomas the Train by Awdry

Pinkalicous by Victoria Kann

Anything Star Wars

Look and Find Books

MM: Winter is coming up and I bet you have a lot of good things happening for this winter?

WM: Children’s Book and Movie Discussion for ages 8 to 11 we are going to do Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie, Mary Poppins by P.L. Travers, and The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum. A new club called Bedtime Math’s Crazy 8s Club that will meet once a week after school there will be two age groups K-2^nd and 3^rd-5^th grade. A new program called 1000 books before kindergarten. Will have a couple of family morning movies for when the children or out of school and also some children crafting programs.

MM: Okay for some fun get to know you questions. What is your favorite meal, movies, dessert, holiday, place to vacation and song/s?

WM: My favorite meal which I don’t get to often is T-bone steak, crab legs, shrimp, bake potato, salad, and Texas toast.

My favorite movies are Magic Mike XXL, The Longest Ride, The Avengers, and watching the Rio movies with my nephew.

My favorite dessert is chocolate cake with peanut butter icing but mostly anything that is chocolate.

My favorite holidays are Christmas and the Fourth of July.

My favorite place to vacation still dreaming of going to Jamaica. Pretty much anywhere I go as long as it’s not in the state of Kansas.

My favorite songs  Still Standing by Monica, Stay Down by Mary J. Blige, Trust and Believe by Keyshia Cole, Successful by Trey Songz, Let Me Love You by Mario, and Suffocate by J. Holiday

MM: Be our tour guide and tell what you like about living in Parsons and southeast Kansas?

WM: Why I like living in Parsons the town is small easy to get around not a lot of traffic and most of all my family is here.

MM: What do you read when you’re not reading young adult or children’s books? As an Adult do you have favorite adult authors whose books you like to read?

WM: No I don’t have a favorite author it just depend on what kind of mood I’m in and what catches my eye at the movement. Right now I’m reading The Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder by Jo Ann Fluke. This is the first book in the Hannah Swenson series that was put up on the Hallmark Movie and Mysteries channel that I start to watch and was unable to watch the rest of the movie so I decide to read the book to see how it ends. So right now I’m hooked on this author and I plan to read the rest of this series.

MM: Do you have some favorite workshops or conferences you like to attend?

WM: I look forward to the summer reading workshops and the summer reading craft workshops these workshops help me to plan my summer reading programs. I enjoy going to workshops and conferences that are gear towards the youth.

MM: Can you share with us some of the themes for 2016?

WM: The 2016 summer reading theme for children is On Your March Get Set Read!

MM: Lastly what are you looking forward to in 2016?

WM: The summer reading program and the Bathtime Math’s Crazy 8’s programs. Mostly just looking forward to have fun with the children and having fun and exciting programs that the children will enjoy.

Jeopardy Blog by Pamela James

If you have not watched Jeopardy this is the week to start tune to this wonderful game show.
This week is "Power Week set in Washington DC" and I thought last week was good with the teachers week. It was also in DC but I digress this week we have had a riot a minute and a lot of knowledge has been passed around.


First we have had Anderson Cooper let me tell you he is so much fun. We have had Louie CK who by the way won last night on the show. There have been CNN Morning Show Hosts, Washington Post Reporters and the ex-republican party chairman etc... that is glad he is the ex-party head.


If you have a teen you should watch this with them. It will be fodder for many discussions and open doors for around the breakfast or supper table.


The categories wonderful there is history, politics, books, novelist, vintage movie characters and movie titles. Science, Math, History, English and Literature. More topics than I have the memory to mention.


Please DVR it or tune in because you won't be sorry and Alex has been thrown in his reaction a few times this week.
Such as when he asked a sports question and one of the contestants said "No we don't do sports, we are the geeks." It was great because she meant it and none of the three knew the answer. Which by the way was Came Newton.
LOLOLOL
Hugs,
Pam

My library trip blog by Pamela James

A few days ago I made a library trip. Here is what I walked away with on this last trip.
1. WDDING CAKE MURDER by Joanne Fluke and this is the book I have been waiting to read. I am not done with the book but the premise is that Hannah is getting married, going to be in a food channel network contest and a whole host of other things are happening it really is a page-turner.
2. THE LAST GOODBYE by Reed Arvin this one is a mainstream legal thriller. I haven't cracked the spine on this one must read faster this week.
3. OFFER OF PROOF by Robert Heilbrun and this is another legal thriller and I have not read it yet....
4. READING UP a STORM by Eva Gates and I am busy reading this one in the library lighthouse series. I love this book and since tornado and storm season is upon us in Kansas this book in the series fits right in with my mood and weather. Not finished with the book but should finish it this week.
5. HOME BY NIGHTFALL BY Charles Finch this is an historical mystery series to die for...and there are not one but two mysteries to solve. one in London and one in the country and a small village so needless to say besides a huge case there is another case that is also turning bigger by the minute. 1876 is going to be a big year for murder just ask Charles Lenox.


I have bought a few other books from the library table but I am giving those as gifts for Birthday and Christmas which means I can't say anything because the person I will give them to is on our blog.


I hope you will add the books I listed to your to-be-read list as I can't believe I hit the jackpot.


Hugs,
Pam

TV Review: The Family

Joan Allen stars as the town Mayor and family Matriarch who is running for state Govenor.  After ten years, their missing son, Adam shows up after escaping his captivity.  The family struggles with the past and present trying to cope with all that has happened amidst a political campaign run by their daughter played wonderfully by Allison Pill.  The series is full of twists, turns, machinations, and betrayals and secrets.  Relationships are tested and the investigation is led by a detective trying to deal with the fact she got it wrong.  Finally, there is the man who spent 10 years in prison played by Andrew McCarthy who returns as a pariah despite having not committed the crime.  I liked the complexities of the characters and the cast was superb together.  (It was funny hearing Rupert Graves with an American accent after Sherlock).  They had me all the way until the end and I was completely satisfied until the last ten minutes with the 'phone call that changed everything'.  At which point I was disgusted and deeply disappointed.  I felt it was completely unnecessary to the story arc and a blatant bid for a second season (which it did NOT get).

Terri

Review: And She Was by Alison Gaylin

Brenna Spector has an unusual neurological syndrome which makes her remember everything.  One of the interesting things about this book, is we get to see a bit of how this works in her internal dialogue.  A disappearing child in the past and woman in the present make a complex investigation for her and Detective Morasco who is working with her.

Her disorder makes it challenging for her in her work and personal life but also makes for an interesting story.

I liked the complexity of the mystery and the characters.

Terri

Review: The LaSalle Street Murders by Carol Sissom

I can understand the author's fascination with the case and her interest in investigating it.  That said, her investigation was highly flawed and her reporting very unprofessional.  She says upfront the book is about her and her experience talking with the man she identified as the killer.  The thing is, she had a very weird relationship with him which she says was to draw him out and get more information and maybe a confession from him.  She repeatedly lambastes the DA for not prosecuting but from what she presented in the book, the evidence was mostly hearsay and speculation.  Many wild theories involving Hoffa and the White House sound titillating but don't have proof to back them up.  

One of the things I found really annoying, was her going on the talk show circuit with her theories and stories and then wondering why the DA was so upset.  She also had a childish tantrum when the DA demanded her diaries, but since she had been writing down her conversations with the alleged killer every day, that seems obvious that they would be considered evidence.

Who knows, maybe he was the guy but this book didn't prove it.

On a positive note, it was a very quick read!

Terri

An Interview with Stuart Jaffe

MM: Stuart give us the backstory on your writing career?

SJ: Wow, that’s a long story. :) I’ve been writing for close to 20 years now. I spent about 10 years writing short stories, built up a healthy resume of publications, got an agent, and started writing novels. Then my career hit a bizarre wall -- well, bizarre for anybody that doesn’t know a writer. My agent took my books to all the majors, usually to an editor fairly high up, and the response always came back -- we love Stuart’s writing, we love his characters and ideas, love his story, love, love, love ... we’re not going to buy it. Ugh! Sadly, I’m not the only writer to experience this. I hit my head against that wall for several years and considered quitting, but then self-publishing became a viable thing, so I thought I’d give it a try. Six years later, I’m having a blast with readers who are excited about my next book and my next one and the one after that! I’ve also published through some small presses, so I guess I’m a hybrid writer. Nobody can guarantee you a successful writing career, but I can guarantee you one thing -- all writing careers are a wild, unexpected ride.

MM: Tell us about your books and genres?

SJ: I write in a variety of sub-genres of science fiction and fantasy. My bestselling series is the Max Porter Paranormal Mysteries which follows a modern man in North Carolina who discovers his office is haunted by the ghost of a 1940s detective. I take real (odd) history of the area and mix it with ghosts, witches, curses and such. The first book (which is free as an ebook) is Southern Bound, and the sixth book, Southern Curses, releases in May!

I also wrote The Malja Chronicles - a post-apocalyptic fantasy in which magic caused the apocalypse. Sort of a Xena meets Mad Max vibe. That was a six-book series that finished up last year.

Now, I’ve started the Nathan K thrillers with the first book Immortal Killers. It’s about a man with the ability to harbor two souls in his body. If he dies, he loses one soul and keeps on going. This gives him a type of immortality which he uses to go walk the Earth and help people. I also have stand-alone novels, short story collections, and a serialized story. I put out 4-5 books a year, so if you like my writing, there’s plenty to enjoy.

MM: Let's talk about your writing schedule?

SJ: I write full time, so my day is usually a mix of writing sessions with book production, promotion, and such. Each writing session can go from 30 minutes to an hour. Oh, and cooking meals, picking up my son from school, laundry, and other normal daily kinds of things. The order of the day is not so important to me. The goal, writing-wise, is word count. On a slow day, I might get 700 - 1000 words of new fiction done. On a good day, I’ll hit 2300+. I’m constantly trying to improve those numbers. It comes with time and practice. Also, we live in the middle of nowhere, so I have long drives to get anyplace. I have an audio recorder that I carry around, so on a long drive, I can get a few hundred words with ease.

MM: Both personally and professionally tell us what you look forward to this year?

SJ: Professionally, I look forward to attempting to write a series that has been in my head for many, many years. It’s the one I’ve kept putting off because I did not think I was ready or capable of making it work. But I know enough now that I think I can do it. I try to make sure that whatever I’m writing, it has some sort of challenge in it that pushes me to grow as a writer. This is going to be a BIG challenge. And yes, I’m being vague about it because it’s way too early to say anything more.  On the personal side, I look forward to gigging with my blues band, The Bootleggers. I play lead guitar and we’ve just started doing gigs. Hopefully, that will continue to grow.

MM: Be our tour guide and tell us about where you live?

SJ: I live in rural North Carolina. When my family first moved here, we lived in Winston-Salem, the location of the Max Porter books, but my wife always wanted a farm, so once we could afford it, we did it. It’s not a full commercial farm, but rather a hobby farm -- 10 acres with chickens and a horse and plenty of other critters. It’s quiet, mostly, and peaceful. Other than stupid politicians embarrassing our state, I’d say we’re pretty happy here.

MM: What would your characters tell us about you?

SJ: I doubt any writer would want to know the answer to this question. After all, it’s my job to torture my characters as much as possible for your entertainment. The less I hear from my characters on this subject, the better.

MM: Past or present what authors would you like to share a meal and stories with, what would you ask them?

SJ: Robert Heinlein, John Steinbeck, and Stephen King. Heinlein got me interested in reading. Steinbeck got me interested in the art of writing. King showed me how to mix Steinbeck and Heinlein into one. I wouldn’t really have any serious questions. I’d just want to hang with them and soak up the banter.

MM: Okay now let's get to know you a bit more. Are there shows you like to binge watch? Do you reread any books that you have enjoyed in the past? What is your favorite place to vacation, meal, dessert, song, movie and after a long writing day how do you distress?

SJ: We ditched television in favor of Netflix a long time ago. So, in a way, everything is a binge watch: House of Cards, Daredevil, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Attack on Titan, Foyle’s War, I could on and on. Writing full time at home means I get to watch a show during my lunch break. I’ve seen a lot of shows. ;) As for books, I almost never reread. There are already too many books to read in a lifetime, and I want to get in as many as I can. Favorites (well, more accurately, things I like a lot -- I can’t deem any one the absolute favorite): meal -- cheesesteak; dessert -- anything my son bakes (he’s fantastic at it); song -- Axis: Bold as Love by Jimi Hendrix (has one of the best guitar solos ever recorded); movie -- aside from all the usual like Star Wars, The Godfather, Citizen Kane, etc, etc, I’m going to add Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon to the list; and vacation -- what’s a vacation?

MM: What would you like to say to your readers?

SJ: I’d like to say what I try to say as much as possible. Thank you. Without readers, none of this amounts to anything. To me, if nobody reads my work, it’s not complete. So, thank you. Always.

MM: What was the best view you ever had and where was it?

SJ: Without a doubt, on my honeymoon. We were cruising through the Greek isles, it was around midnight and I was sitting on the back of the ship in the Mediterranean. On either side of me were two islands with small towns. Lights flickered in and out as they passed behind the trees. It looked like thousands of fireflies in the darkness while all I could hear was the quiet lap of waves against the hull. And I had just gotten married, too. One of the most peaceful times in my life.

MM: in closing if you could pay your writing advice forward to beginners what advice do you have for them?

SJ: The best way to succeed as a writer is to sit down and have a brutally frank and honest talk with yourself. You need to ask yourself what you really want. If you really want fame and fortune, be honest about it. Perhaps you only want to write the fiction you want and don’t care about the reader. Be honest. Because the path to each of these things is different. To earn a living as a writer differs from being a fulltime writer regardless of the money which differs from fame which differs from not caring what you write as long as you make a living writing which differs from ... you get the idea. If at the start, you get a clear idea of what you want, you’ll make better choices for your career. And, of course, never give up.

Good Morning Blog by Pamela James

Good Monday Morning,


I see it didn't show where I thought I posted the last blog "R.I.P. Jim Lavene Blog. My apology for this and I will fix it later.


This morning I wanted to wish you a good morning.


We are going having rain and the storms will be back this morning. Hopefully I m able to get back on here today and tonight. I am not finished with blog posts.


I am reading Mrs. Jefferies Wins The Prize by Emily Brightwell. I am also reading a Monica Ferris book it's in the other room or I would know the title.  I know it's main topic is about a hoarder whose house has a tree that fell on it.


Last night I read, colored and stitched. Actually I stitched all weekend.


Mother's Day I watched HOLMES this has Laura Linney in it. Very touching.
I watched actually re-watched Holmes & Houdini this is a fun series.
Sunday night: Call The Midwife, Wallander and Elementary.


Back to my Vanilla Carmel Coffee.


Love,
Pam

Blog by Pamela James

I just wanted to take a moment and to say R.I.P. Jim Lavene he passed away and will be missed greatly as is his wife who passed away six months ago. They were both talented, gifted and authors who gave all of us so much they did it with open hearts and always a smile.


Hugs,
Pamela

Kindle Book Blog by Pamela James

I hope everyone had a "Happy Mother's Day" this evening I am going to list in no particular order my kindle books that I have read the past three to four months. I think this is where I seem to do most of my book reads.


I will rate them by number but no real reviews as I just wanted to blog about my list of books. 10 being the highest and 1 being the lowest. I am still learning how to post the book covers or I would post them to this blog.


1. What the Cat Saw by Carolyn G. Hart I give this one a 9
2. Anything For A Story by Cynthia Hickey I loved this one and give it a 10.
3. Murder She Typed by Sylvia Selfman I really enjoyed this book. I rated it a 10
4. A Corpse In A Teacup by Cassie Page I rated this one a 10
5. Armoires and Arsenic by Cassie page I rate this one a 9.
6. Antique Roadkill: A Trash and Trailer Mystery by Barbara Allen. Rating is 9 I really laughed a lot.
7. Seaside Secrets (A Dune House Cozy Mystery) by Cindy Bell absolutely loved it and if I could give it a rating higher than a 10 I would but 10 it is tonight.
8. A Novel Way To Die by Ali Brandon this is a great read. I give it a 9
9. Guide Book to Murder ( A Tourist Trap Mystery Series) by Lynn Cahoon who is a gifted author. Her series is truly amazing. Rating is a 10.
10. Mission To Murder (A Tourist Trap Mystery Series) again this author is remarkable. Another 10 rating.
11. Murder on The Page by Kennedy Chase love, love and love this series. I give this one a 10.
12. Murder On the Hill by Kennedy Chase another fun mystery series. This one is also rated 10.
13. Hilda Hopkins Murder She knit by Vivienne Fagan This is a must read for any cozy author. I give it a 10.
14. Another Murder In The Inn by Barbara Fox I give this one a 8 it's very good and well written.
15. Edited For Death by Michele Drier This is a great mystery and you will enjoy every page. I give it a 10
16. The Invisible Code: A Peculiar Crimes unit Series Mystery by Christopher Fowler: What a talented author whose mystery series and characters go beyond books and time. This is one of the best series I have ever read. The plot is intricate, Bryant and May are characters you will not soon forget. I want to call these historical crime but they are also modern each book in the series is absolutely engrossing and what a page turner series. I have never read any other series that made me NOT worry about page count. This one I give up sleep for so yes if I could give this series a 20 I would. 10 it is and I really think his books should be taught in writing classes.
17. Archie Meets Nero Wolfe by Robert Goldsborough. This tell us how Archie came to work for Nero and is highly entertaining it also clears up some questions on both men. I give this one a 9 out of 10.
18. Cocaine Blues: By Phryne Fisher Mystery Book Series by Kerry Greenwood. This one is a wonderful series setting is 1920's and she is a sleuth/detective. Set in Australia there are movies made based on the series. I love all the characters, costumes and plots.
19. Dying To get Published by Judy Fitzwater. I read this series for the first time years ago and loved it. I was crushed when there wasn't anymore of them but I hear they are back now. I have this one on my kindle and if you want to have cozy fun then enjoy the this series and wait for the new ones.
I give it 10 out of 10.
Okay more on the kindle read tomorrow night.
Hugs,
Pamela

Books and Movies Blog by Pamela James

Today's blog is about books I have read in the past month or two and how I rate them. These will be short as most have been returned to the library. 


The movies are the series I might binge watch or retro movies I have watched in the past month.


Also there are current reads that I am have been reading.


The HANGMAN'S ROW ENQUIRY by ANN PURSER. This is one of my current reads. So far I love this book. Retired is not for everyone. A group of the older generation start their own inquiry detective agency.
The group is so much fun. I am giving this one a 8 out of 10 because I haven't finished reading this fine mystery.


MRS. JEFFERIES WINS THE PRIZE by EMILY BRIGHTWELL I love this series. I admit some books might be better than other but you won't find a lemon in the bunch. So far this is one of the better books.
This is about a local garden club members. Some of the ladies meet to comparer orchids and in the conservatory there is found a dead body.
MRS. JEFFERIES  is her group of behind the scenes helpers are once again drawn to murder.
They would do anything for their employer. Inspector Witherspoon has no idea how much his household helps in the investigations. Just the way the help likes it and so this murder is challenging but the household and a couple of friends rise to the occasion. So far this is 10 out of 10. I am more than halfway thru and do not look for this top change.
******
TESSED TO KILL by LILA DARE. This is a southern mystery with heart and great characters you won't soon forget. Grace knows her way around hair, style, cuts and much more. So does her mother and lately they also know their way around murder.
That is solving murders. Lila Dare is a wonderful author who know how to cozy write a mystery. Don't miss why I kept turning the pages.
This one is 10 out 0f 10.
***
Movies I have watched this past month.
A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN this retro and stars Tom Hanks and Gina Davis. This one rates 10 out of 10.


MY GIRL I love this movie as it is one that my daughter and I watched for years and dubbed our movie right down to the song. It is also retro and is of course 10 out of 10.


HOCUS POCUS I watch this one a couple of times a year. Always a family favorite and I still laugh at this movie. Love Bette Midler and of course her song. I love it when the one witch rides the vacuum cleaner.
10 out of 10.


TOPPER RETURNS Again this is vintage but I can so relax by these movies.  10 out of 10 it's kind of screwball comedy but I love it. Cary Grant is a lo of fun.


***
Series I watched or binged on this past month.
NERO WOLFE: A&E SERIES that is retro. I binged on these this past week and my am happy that my library could get them for me interlibrary loan. Definitely 10 out of 10.


CRIMINAL MINDS BEYOND BORDERS: Now I take this series one at a time. They go up and down and I just don't feel this series but I want to like it. I give it a 6 out of 10.


CASTLE: I loved this series until found out all of the behind the scenes drama. What I mean is it's going to cable and they did not invite Stana back well that's it for me. I don't the whole idea and will not continue watching this series. They lost a viewer and switching days also did not help but its not the main reason. So what once was a 10 out of 10 is now a big fat zilch.


NEW TRICKS: I binged clear up to the last season but there will be no more NEW TRICKS I loved this series. 10 out of 10.


ELEMENTARY : I  LOVE Johnnie Lee Miller and the I always enjoy this series. However this season I am a little tired of the plot line. I give it an 8 out of 10.


For tonight I am going to stop here. Mostly because it's getting late. I will return tomorrow night with more movies, books, series, author and just plain fun.


Hugs,
Pamela

An Interview with Susan Fleet

MM: Susan, how many books have you written? Where is your favorite place to write?

Six novels in the Frank Renzi crime thriller series and three ebooks. Two are collections of posts from my true crime blog. Dark Deeds, Vol 1 and Vol Dark Deeds

Women Who Dared profiles two fabulous female musicians, violinist Maud Powell and trumpeter Edna White. Women Who Dared

For actual writing, I use my computer at home, but I always take a few chapters wherever I go, because I'm always revising and thinking.  

 

MM: Tell us about how you set your books up such as plot, setting, characters, secondary characters and much more?

Plot. Most of my novels are inspired by news articles about crimes, but I change things: What if this happened in New Orleans? What if my killer was a priest? (Absolution)

What it my killer was a woman? (Natalie's Revenge)

I need to know how the book ends before I begin writing. Then I do a rough outline divided into four sections. It's a symphony in four movements! The first part is the setup. Parts two and three are the complications. Part four is the resolution.

My characters fall into three categories. My series protagonist, NOPD Homicide Detective Frank Renzi and his colleagues. The bad guys. And the victims. My challenge with Frank is to make him grow and reveal his complexities in each novel. I love my villains! My bad guys, or gals as the case may be, must be as powerful as Frank or there would be no suspense. I want my readers to worry! Who will win? Frank or the villain? The victims are just as important. If readers can't empathize with the victims, they won't care what happens to them.  Unfortunately, some of them must die. Some of my readers complain about this!

My primary settings are New Orleans and Boston, with glimpses of a few European cities that I've visited.

MM: Give us an example of a good writing day?

I write six days a week. On a good day I write a chapter, about 3,000 words. The best days are when I get a brilliant idea about how to solve a plot problem or make a character more quirky.

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MM: What would your protagonist want us to know about you?

Frank would tell you how clever I was to have him start out as a detective in Boston and then move to New Orleans, like I did. Well, I was a musician, not a detective, but this lets me set my books in two wonderful cities that readers already know, or want to know about.  

MM: It takes a village to write a book. Who is in your village? What would you like to say to your readers?

I am fortunate to have Beta readers who are writers. They give me feedback on the rough draft. I depend on my copy editor/proofreader to catch errors in the manuscript. He also knows a lot about guns, indispensable for a crime writer. I do a lot of research, but I consult my law enforcement       connections in New Orleans and Boston for specific information. They have been very generous with their time, answering my many questions, and I am so grateful to them. I am also grateful to my faithful readers! Where would I be without you?  

MM: Suspend your disbelief and answer these questions. Dead or alive if you were going to have five authors over for a meal. Which meal would it be? Who would it be and what would you ask them? What would you want them to know about you and your writing?

What a great question! I would cook swordfish Teriyaki and invite them for dinner individually so I could concentrate on each one. Wouldn't want to have five crime novelists killing each other in my house! Who would they be? Elmore Leonard, the master of characters, their interior thoughts and crackling dialogue. John Sandford, for his masterful “Prey” series and protagonist Lucas Davenport. Lisa Gardner, for her ability to put her characters' emotions on the page. Don DeLillo, who never ceases to amaze me with his imaginative novels. E. L. Doctorow, for his ability to immerse readers in any historical time period. I would tell each of them how much they have inspired me and ask their advice on how to improve my writing.

MM: What is your favorite historical decade?

1900 to 1920. I know that's two decades, but the changes that took place in the U.S. during those twenty years were amazing. Innovations in technology (camera, film, recordings, airplanes, telephone). Waves of immigration and westward migration from east to west. Enormous creativity in the arts: music, painting, sculpture, dance.

MM: Do you binge watch show, movies and binge read books? If so which ones?

I don't binge watch, but I'm addicted to House of Cards, Bosch, and The Americans. Movies with Daniel Craig, Javier Bardim and Helen Miren. Books: Michael Connolly, John Sandford's Prey series, Elmore Leonard, Lisa Gardner, Patricia Cornwell, Lee Child.

MM: If you could be anywhere in the world today. Where would you be and what would you like to see?

That's a tough one. I adore Paris, but I've never been to Spain. I would love to go there and visit the art museums in Madrid, Balboa, and the magnificent Gaudi cathedral in Barcelona. And enjoy the food and wine, of course!

MM: What makes you laugh?

Watching kids play. They are so spontaneous!

MM: What life lesson has writing taught you?

When you least expect it, expect it!

MM: Be our tour guide and tell us about where you live?

For nine years I lived in a suburb of New Orleans and loved it. I made so many friends there. The French Quarter is unique with its brilliant architecture and narrow cobblestone streets. You can't beat the music clubs, the food and the ambiance. I still go there twice a year. Now I live north of Boston on the coast. I don't miss the hurricane evacuations in New Orleans, but ice and snow can be equally challenging here. That said, I love living here. Rain or shine, the ocean is endlessly fascinating, and Boston has so much to offer: classical music, two great jazz clubs, art museums and film fests. The seafood isn't bad either!

MM: in 2016 and 2017 what are you looking forward to both personally and professionally?

 Personally, I'm looking forward to swimming my mile twice a week, walking beside the ocean and getting together with friends and family. Professionally, I hope to publish Book 7 in the Frank Renzi series, and another ebook collection of crime cases.

MM: Leave us with an author quote, character quote and a writing quote?

Author quote: The first chapter sells the book; the last chapter sells the next book. Mickey Spillane. Character quote: You don't have to be nice to people on the way up if you never plan on coming down. Daddy Warbucks in Annie, a musical I played many times. Writing quote: This gun is not a gun. Single and Single, by John Le Carre