Last month I blogged about the
time for publication of my newest book, Pick
and Chews, approaching. Well, it's
here, and I'm delighted!
Monday, May 7, 2018
It's Here!
Last month I blogged about the
time for publication of my newest book, Pick
and Chews, approaching. Well, it's
here, and I'm delighted!
The official publication date
isn't until tomorrow, but I've received copies, plus some were available at
Malice Domestic. I enjoy that conference
for a lot of reasons, and one of them is getting to see my latest book on sale,
and getting to sign copies for readers who've acquired them.
Pick and Chews is my fourth Barkery & Biscuits Mystery from Midnight Ink. I love the series, and not only because it
involves dogs--as does everything I'm writing these days. But I'm especially fond of my protagonist,
Carrie Kennersly, because she is bright and versatile and does a lot of good in
her life. First, she started out as a
veterinary technician, where she developed some healthy dog treats. When a friend who owned a bakery moved out of
town, Carrie bought the shop and turned half into a barkery. I admire her for that, especially since I'm
not much of a cook. And Carrie still
works part-time as a vet tech.
Then, of course, since this is a
cozy mystery series, she became an amateur sleuth--out of necessity, since in
the first book she was a murder suspect and had to clear herself. Since then some of her friends have suffered
the same fate. In Pick and Chews that happens to be her love interest, veterinarian
Dr. Reed Storme, who's been telling her to back off from nosing around after
murders for her own safety. He's a
little less vocal about that now, since he's the one who's a murder suspect.
In addition to everything else,
Carrie holds adoption events in her barkery to help dogs who are residents of
Mountaintop Rescue find new and loving homes.
Those events are always quite successful.
I admire Carrie and all she
does. She's one of those characters I'd
love to meet in real life.
Well, okay, yes, I invented
Carrie, so of course I had to do a good job creating her background and
personality and more. And yes, I like
her a lot.
I know it's not unusual for
writers to feel happy with their created characters. Still... I particularly enjoy my Barkery
& Biscuits Mysteries and welcome readers to check them out and meet Carrie
on the page as well.
Yay, Pick and Chews!
Wednesday, May 2, 2018
eBook Deals: Barkery & Biscuits Series and Sommelier Mystery Series
Everyone loves a deal; for a limited time, grab these eBooks while they're on sale!
For a limited time, the eBook versions of the first three books in the Barkery and Biscuits Mystery Series by Linda O. Johnston and the first two books in the Sommelier Mystery Series by Nadine Nettmann are on sale!
For a limited time, the eBook versions of the first three books in the Barkery and Biscuits Mystery Series by Linda O. Johnston and the first two books in the Sommelier Mystery Series by Nadine Nettmann are on sale!
Tuesday, May 1, 2018
Chapter Wine Pairings: A Guest Post from PAIRING A DECEPTION Author Nadine Nettmann
As my third novel, Pairing a Deception, releases, it marks over one hundred wine pairings to go along with each of the chapters in the Sommelier Mystery series.
When I first started the series, I knew that wine would be a main focus of the books, but I wasn't sure how much. Don't get me wrong, I knew that my main character would be a sommelier and that Decanting a Murder would be set in Napa Valley, but it was only after I finished the novel that the idea arrived to pair each chapter with a wine.
And it made sense. Sommeliers in restaurants help pair your meal with the perfect wine to accentuate the flavors. For example, Sauvignon Blanc complements light seafood dishes while Chardonnay pairs well with rich seafood. I applied this to the chapters in my books and provided a wine that went along with each chapter for a specific reason.
Chapter One of Decanting a Murder is paired with Champagne because it's, "Ideal as an aperitif to get you started." Champagne is great to enjoy before a meal or perhaps during a cocktail hour. It starts the evening off nicely, which is why I made Champagne the very first pairing.
Sometimes the reason is clear, and sometimes it's not as obvious. In Uncorking a Lie, Chapter Sixteen is paired with a Cabernet Franc from the Sierra Foothills because, "This red wine has higher alcohol than its Cabernet Franc counterparts grown in other regions." The tension, and heat, begin to rise in this chapter.
My original goal was to pair every chapter with a wine that readers could find in their local stores, so they actually could drink along if they wanted. This is also why I didn't list specific wineries, as readers could apply their favorite wines to the pairings. But after Decanting a Murder was released, I received emails that readers loved learning about different wines in the chapters. So for the next two books, I selected wines that might be new to readers or would be fun to learn about, but still paired for specific reasons. For example, Chapter Ten in Pairing a Deception is paired with a Mencía from Spain because, "This aromatic red wine holds up well and is ideal for fans of Pinot Noir."
I was also careful to not repeat a wine, so with one hundred and four chapters in the series, there are one hundred and four unique wine pairings. I hope readers enjoy the pairings as they go along, but I would recommend only drinking one or two while reading, especially if they are fast readers. After all, there are mysteries to be solved.
***
Katie is on Cloud Wine at a Santa Barbara Festival…until a new mystery is uncorked.
With only a few days left until her Advanced Sommelier exam, Katie Stillwell hopes to balance studying with attending a wine and food festival in Santa Barbara.
The weekend with Detective Dean is off to a great start—until an attendee is murdered and suspicion falls on the festival emcee, Master Sommelier Hudson Wiley. Katie tries to keep her focus on the festival and her last-minute studying, but when she discovers people aren’t who they say they are, she finds herself in the middle of a tangled web where nothing, except the wine, is what it seems.
Praise for the Sommelier Mysteries:
Pairing a Deception:
"This mystery delivers a fast, sophisticated ride with just enough twists and turns to keep readers guessing until the final confrontation."—RT Book Reviews (4 stars)
Uncorking a Lie:
A finalist for the 2018 Mary Higgins Clark Award
"Nearly every page sparkles with commentary about wine . . . Uncorking a Lie fills an appealing niche with its likable heroine and enticing, engaging world."
—ForeWord Reviews
"A good mystery with a limited group of suspects and unlimited wine lore."
—Kirkus Reviews
"A good sophomore outing for a strong new series."
—Mystery Scene
Decanting a Murder:
A 2017 Anthony Award Finalist for Best First Novel
A 2016 Agatha Award Finalist for Best First Novel
A 2017 Lefty Award Finalist for Best Debut Mystery Novel
"Filled with amusing characters, snappy dialogue and delicious wine pairings, this mystery delivers a fast, sophisticated ride with just enough twists and turns to keep readers guessing until the final confrontation."
—RT Book Reviews (4 stars)
Nadine Nettmann, a Certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers, is always on the lookout for great wines and the stories behind them. She has visited wine regions around the world including Chile, South Africa, Spain, Germany and every region in France. Nadine is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. She lives in California with her husband.
Monday, April 30, 2018
Congratulations to Kellye Garrett and HOLLYWOOD HOMICIDE, Winner of the 2017 Agatha Award!
Congratulations to Kellye Garrett and HOLLYWOOD HOMICIDE, winner of the 2017 Agatha Award for Best First Novel!
Agatha Award/Best First Novel
The Agatha Awards honor the "traditional mystery," books typified by the works of Agatha Christie and others.
The 2017 Agatha Awards were awarded at Malice Domestic 30.
Agatha Award/Best First Novel
The Agatha Awards honor the "traditional mystery," books typified by the works of Agatha Christie and others.
The 2017 Agatha Awards were awarded at Malice Domestic 30.
Tuesday, April 17, 2018
Congratulations to Our 2018 IPPY Award Winners!
Congratulations to our Midnight Ink authors and titles on their IPPY Awards!
Our 2018 winners are:
The Independent Publisher Awards or IPPYs, are designed to bring increased recognition to the deserving but often unsung titles published by independent authors and publishers.
The 2018 Independent Publisher Awards (IPPYs) were revealed via an announcement on their website.
 |  |
| Uncorking a Lie, by Nadine Nettmann Silver, Mystery/Cozy/Noir | Hollywood Homicide, by Kellye Garrett Gold, Best First Book - Fiction |
The Independent Publisher Awards or IPPYs, are designed to bring increased recognition to the deserving but often unsung titles published by independent authors and publishers.
The 2018 Independent Publisher Awards (IPPYs) were revealed via an announcement on their website.
Thursday, April 12, 2018
Seven Sinister Sisters Dish on Genres
Edith Maxwell/Maddie Day here. The Seven Sinister Sisters are on a blog tour and we're giving away books! We are seven authors with new books coming out this winter and spring, and we've been guest blogging all over cyberspace since January. You can see where we've been and where we're still scheduled on our Facebook page. Leave a comment here today to enter our grand giveaway!
http://www.edithmaxwell.com
http://www.lesliekarstauthor.com/
http://www.cperkinswrites.com
http://www.shawn-mcguire.com
http://www.rebeccawriter.blogspot.com
http://www.BeckyClarkBooks.com
I asked everyone to answer the following question: If you could write in another genre, what would it be? Here are our answers in no particular order.
Sue Star: I already do. I write science fiction and fantasy as Rebecca S.W. Bates, magical realism as Cameron Kennedy, and horror as Minta Monroe. Growing up, I always dreamed of becoming an astronaut. I chose a different path, learning that it’s more fun to make up adventures. Building other worlds, whether realistic or fantastic ones, appeals to me, as I have faith that justice will be served and humanity will find a way to survive. Although I started my writing career with science fiction, now I spend equal time writing both.
Becky Clark: Erotica. I hear that's where the money is. But since I'm a puritanical straitlaced prude, I think it might not keep me in the lap of luxury to which I've become accustomed. So I'll change my answer to "middle-grade romps." I may be a prude, but I punch above my weight with playground fart jokes. I'd still write mysteries, though, because I believe every single story is actually a mystery, whether they call it that or not. No matter what, there's always some story question that needs to be resolved.
Leslie Karst: Science fiction. I actually read more sci-fi growing up than I did mysteries, fascinated by all that world-building, the possible futures imagined in the books, and the science employed by the authors to make their inventions come across as truly believable. But since what I love most in that genre is hard sci-fi—i.e., the kind that’s based on real physics, engineering, and astrophysics—and my training and education has been entirely in the humanities, I knew I could never pull off writing it myself. So thank goodness for all those science nerds out there who do write the stories I love so well!
Shawn McGuire: Mystery is a second genre for me. After releasing the last book in my fantasy series—The Wish Makers—I wanted to try something different. Halfway through my first mystery novella, I was hooked on the genre. Mystery feels like where I’m meant to be as a writer. If I were to add a third genre, it would probably be women’s fiction. Even if I don’t always intend them to, my books all have a relationship theme of some kind–romantic, friendship, family, etc. Relationships are key in women’s fiction so that intrigues me.
Patricia Hale: I’m currently working on a novel that would fall into the category of contemporary fiction or even domestic fiction. The story begins with a tragic accident involving two families vacationing together. As it unfolds, we follow them into the aftermath of the accident and experience each character’s feelings of guilt, blame and their sense of unraveling. I enjoy exploring human behavior, but not always centered around murder and serial killers! A look at everyday people facing unimaginable situations, the choices they make and why they make them is a writing adventure for me.
Cathy Perkins: The mystery genre covers such a wide territory—from thrillers and suspense to cozy, with numerous subcategories offering new areas to explore. With all those choices, I’ve never looked outside the broad “mystery” realm. Now, that said, I’ve written dark, police procedurals as well as lighter amateur sleuth stories. Next on my schedule, however, are further competing stories—another amateur sleuth for the series or a more literary historical mystery I’m dying to finish? Choice and decisions!
Edith Maxwell: I also would love to try my hand at science fiction. I used to read a lot of it, especially the fabulous (and sadly late) Ursula LeGuin. But right now I have my hands full writing two cozy mystery series plus one historical, and noodling ideas for a domestic suspense, so sci fi is going to have to take a back seat.
Readers: What genres do you like to read? Which won't you go near?
Our next stop on the tour is April 18 on the Chicks on the Case blog. Here's where you can find each of us in the meantime:
http://www.patriciahale.orghttp://www.edithmaxwell.com
http://www.lesliekarstauthor.com/
http://www.cperkinswrites.com
http://www.shawn-mcguire.com
http://www.rebeccawriter.blogspot.com
http://www.BeckyClarkBooks.com
To celebrate our new releases, the Seven Sinister Sisters are having a giveaway!
Seven lucky winners will receive an ebook from one of us.
One GRAND PRIZE winner will receive a signed copy from each of us!
Enter to win by leaving a comment. Our tour runs from January 6th to April 30th and we’re answering a different question at each blog. Leave a comment at each blog for more entries! We’ll draw the winner from all the combined comments at the end of our tour.
Wednesday, April 11, 2018
Happy #NationalPetDay!
For so many of us, our pets go beyond an animal presence in our lives; they are our children, extended members of our family who bring our soul love and nourishment.
To celebrate our pets this National Pet Day, I wanted to take a look at some of our fabulous books that celebrate the bonds we have with our pets--even as they help us solve crimes!
Join veterinary technician Carrie Kennersly, owner of the new Barkery & Biscuits Dog Bakery, as she and her canine companions navigate the mysteries of murder.
The latest release in the series, Pick and Chews, is now available for pre-order!
Looking for more Linda O. Johnston mysteries that feature dogs? Check out the Superstition Mystery series!
Join Cameron Cripps-Hayman and the rest of the Metamora Action Agency as they solve crimes, aided by their canine companions.
The latest release in the series, Fatal Festival Days, is now available for pre-order!
Read if you like: Yoga, German Shepherds, and cozy mysteries
Join yoga instructor Kate Davidson, her German Shepherd Bella, and boyfriend Michael as they solve murder after murder.
The latest release in the series, Pre-Meditated Murder, is available now.
Read if you like: Photography, animals of shapes and sizes, and cozy mysteries
Join animal photographer Janet McPhail and her cadre of animal companions as they solve murders.
The latest release in the series, Shepherd's Crook, is available now.
Read if you like: Tarot, talking cats, and cozy mysteries
When her own life is threatened with a double dose of danger, Ruby begins to wonder if she's being played for a fool. Luckily, she has Aphelia and Brandon—sibling black cats with a talent for tarot—and a feisty pitbull friend who all lend a paw in collaring the culprit before Ruby finds herself taking her final cat nap.
The first release in the series, Fool's Moon, is available for pre-order now!
The latest release in the series, Fatal Festival Days, is now available for pre-order!
Join yoga instructor Kate Davidson, her German Shepherd Bella, and boyfriend Michael as they solve murder after murder.
The latest release in the series, Pre-Meditated Murder, is available now.
Join animal photographer Janet McPhail and her cadre of animal companions as they solve murders.
The latest release in the series, Shepherd's Crook, is available now.
Bonus! Available in November:
When her own life is threatened with a double dose of danger, Ruby begins to wonder if she's being played for a fool. Luckily, she has Aphelia and Brandon—sibling black cats with a talent for tarot—and a feisty pitbull friend who all lend a paw in collaring the culprit before Ruby finds herself taking her final cat nap.
The first release in the series, Fool's Moon, is available for pre-order now!
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