Fact vs. Fiction

by Shannon Baker

I am not the kind of writer who can make up whole worlds from my imagination. My plots always come from real stuff, the cool facts I read about. For instance, when I moved to Flagstaff and found out about the controversy to pump manmade snow on the San Francisco Peaks--land sacred to 12 tribes--I had to write a story about it

I needed a protagonist in the center of the storm who had everything at stake. That turned out to be Nora Abbott, owner of the ski resort. Driven, insecure, timid and ferocious in equal measure, Nora sprang onto the pages.

In my research about the tribes involved, I stumbled across the Hopi. Suddenly, my book took off in a whole new direction that lent itself to a mystery series. My Hopi research turned up so many intriguing aspects of their history, culture, and beliefs I couldn’t address even a fraction in one book. So I was excited when Midnight Ink offered me a three-book deal. Tainted Mountain delves into the Hopi prophesies and explains a little bit about their ceremonies. It introduces kachinas and their role in Hopi lives.

For Broken Trust, I wanted to focus on a different aspect of Hopi’s connection with the world. Hopi are concerned about end times. According to Hopi beliefs, we now live in the fourth world and we’ve just about messed it up so badly we’re approaching the end of this world and emergence to the fifth world. Sad news for most of us, since not very many will survive to start the fifth world.

In Broken Trust, Nora returns to her favorite place, Boulder, and lands a job at an environmental trust. (Coincidently, I also moved back to Boulder while I was working on this book.) But all is not as it seems. The trust is a hotbed of conflict and corruption. Nearly a half million dollars is missing and Nora’s predecessor is murdered.

Nora’s mother pops onto the scene with her own drama. She is determined to hook Nora up with handsome Cole Huntsman. Cole has been waiting for a year to let Nora get over the death of her husband and the traumatic events in Flagstaff, but he’s ready to start a relationship with her. In the meantime, with the help of quirky staffers at the Trust and an Ecuadorian hunk, Nora uncovers a plot that could destroy one of the most pristine locations on the planet. 

And how, you might or might not be asking, is such monumental destruction possible? That was the really fun part for me. I got to research conspiracy theories surrounding HAARP (High-frequency Active Auroral Research) and using weather as a weapon of mass destruction. This stuff is scary/interesting. I spent hours watching Jessie Ventura and others present the case that the shadowy Powers That Be are planning to control our minds/kill us all/wreak havoc on the environment. I dabbled in learning a little (very little) about Tesla towers and the potential for sustainable energy.

When I sold Tainted Mountain I was happy and proud of my new baby. We all know the analogies of writing and publishing books to having babies. I don’t know if anyone else felt this way, but when I was expecting my second baby, I worried I’d never be able to love it as much as I loved my first one. And even though I’d planned and wanted the baby with all my heart, part of me was jealous it would come between me and my firstborn. Weird, I know. But I kind of had the same misgivings about creating a series and wondering if I’d love the second book as much as the first.

The book is here and, just as it was with my kids, I do love book two as much! I learned a lot between book one and two and even more between two and three. It turns out I like writing a series and I’m glad Nora got to live on.

Look for Tattered Legacy, which is set in Moab, next spring.

What about you? What is the most interesting or fun fact you learned while reading fiction?

Fall Releases from Midnight Ink!

By: Maegan Beaumont

Check out these great new mysteries for Fall!

Black Thursday
By: Linda Joffe Hull A Mrs. Frugalicious Shopping Mystery #2 

"A fun and savvy mystery."—BOOKLIST

Catwalk
By: Sheila Webster Boneham 
An Animals in Focus Mystery #3

“Janet MacPhail's latest adventure will delight dog lovers, cat lovers, and mystery lovers…. Five stars for Catwalk!” —SUSAN CONANT, AUTHOR OF THE DOG LOVER'S MYSTERY SERIES

The Question of the Missing Head
By: E. J. Copperman, Jeff Cohen An Asperger's Mystery #1 

 "[A] delightful and clever mystery."—PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

Lost Under a Ladder
By: Linda O. Johnston A Superstition Mystery #1

"Doggone cute."—LIBRARY JOURNAL

Adobe Flats
By: Colin Campbell A Resurrection Man Novel #3 

"A stylish noir voice."—KIRKUS REVIEWS

Beauty with a Bomb
By: M. C. Grant 
A Dixie Flynn Mystery #3

"Readers will cheer for this avenging less-than-angel as she goes after some very bad people." —PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

Of Merlot & Murder
By: Joni Folger A Tangled Vines Mystery #2 

Lively and entertaining . . . [a] well wrought whodunit." —PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

 Unraveled Visions
By: Nina Milton 
A Shaman Mystery #2

"[A] thrilling tale." —RT BOOK REVIEWS

Bitter Crossing
By: D. A. Keeley 
A Peyton Cote Novel #1

"A solid bet for Nevada Barr and Tricia Fields fans." —LIBRARY JOURNAL

Murder at Midnight
By: C.S. Challinor 
A Rex Graves Mystery #6

"A classic country-house mystery, with modern day twists and turns adding to the fun." —BOOKLIST

Maegan Beaumont is the author of the award-winning Sabrina Vaughn thriller series. A native Phoenician, Maegan's stories are meant to make you wonder what the guy standing in front of you in the Starbucks line has locked in his basement, and feel a strong desire to sleep with the light on. When she isn't busy fulfilling her duties as Domestic Goddess for her high school sweetheart turned husband, Joe, and their four children, she is locked in her office with her computer, her coffee pot and her Rhodesian Ridgeback, and one true love, Jade.

Q&A with Linda O. Johnston

This week, we sat down with Linda O. Johnston, author of Lost Under a Ladder.

Midnight Ink: How long have you been writing?

Linda O. Johnston: All my life! I recently remembered a high school Advanced English assignment I completed way back when in which I was supposed to do my own Chaucer-like verse form. I always collected ideas for assignments but this one was particularly special. If I kept it in written form I haven't found it yet, but it began, "Five bodies in the morgue lie still."

MI: What influence have other authors had on your writing?

LOJ: I loved reading Mary Stuart, Phyllis Whitney and Victoria Holt as a child. Their stories enthralled me and made me want to try writing my own romantic suspense and mystery stories.

MI: If you weren’t a writer, what would you be doing? 

LOJ: Lawyering. My law license is currently inactive since I'm writing full-time, but I enjoyed writing and negotiating contracts. They're just another form of fiction, after all. And if not lawyering or writing, I'd do more to help rescue endangered pets. But I really enjoy writing . . . 

MI: If you have a job outside of writing, what is it?

LOJ: As I mentioned, I was a transactional lawyer for many years. I specialized in real estate. I haven't practiced law for several years, though.

MI: What is/are your favorite thing/s to do when you’re not writing or working?

LOJ: Following my dogs' orders. And when I'm able, I visit with my grand-toddlers, who live in another state.

MI: Who is your favorite mystery sleuth and why?

LOJ: My favorites are always my own sleuths! I adore Rory Chasen from my Superstition Mysteries and her determination to come to terms with superstitions . . . and murders. I loved Lauren Vancouver from my Pet Rescue Mysteries because of her determination, too—to save animals. And then there was Kendra Ballantyne, from my Pet-Sitter mysteries. Kendra was a lawyer, like I was. She lived in the Hollywood Hills, like I do. And she had a tricolor Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Lexie, as I do! Of course, I've fortunately never tripped over dead bodies like Kendra . . . 

MI: Do you have a favorite murder case from a book (either yours or another author’s)?

LOJ: Nope, no favorites. They're usually whatever I happen to be reading . . . or writing.

MI: What was your inspiration for the Superstition Mysteries?

LOJ: I happened to be knocking on wood one day in the hope that a wish I'd just made would come true—that I'd come up with an idea for yet another fun mystery series. It occurred to me nearly immediately: I'd just come up with that idea!

MI: How does the Superstition Mystery series compare to your past works?

LOJ: The similarities to my past cozy mysteries (I also write romances) include the fact that I love having my mysteries feature pets, especially dogs. In this case, Rory Chasen winds up running the Lucky Dog Boutique, so there are plenty of dogs involved, as well as superstitions about them. Differences include the fact that, instead of setting this series in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles, as my earlier mystery series were, I invented the enjoyable superstition-centered town of Destiny, California. But like the protagonists in my earlier series, Rory doesn't especially want to solve murders yet finds that she has to, because her friends and close acquaintances keep becoming primary suspects.

MI: Tell us about Rory Chasen (and Pluckie)!

LOJ: Rory is an avowed animal lover who used to be an assistant manager at a chain pet store in the Los Angeles area. Her world was rocked when her beloved fiancé Warren walked under a ladder and died a few minutes later when he was hit by a car. Rory doesn't really believe in superstitions, and yet she needs closure. Are superstitions real? She has to go to Destiny, California, a town that's all about superstitions, to find out.

Of course she takes her beloved black and white spaniel-terrier mix Pluckie along. And a short while after they reach Destiny Pluckie insists that Rory go into the Lucky Dog Boutique—where they find its owner, Martha, lying on the floor in a back room. She's ill but well enough to know she'll be fine since she'd been on her way to a business meeting—and seeing a black and white dog on the way to a business meeting is good luck!

Rory and Pluckie run into a lot more superstitions in Destiny, yet Rory remains skeptical. She also remains in town, still seeking answers—and soon winds up helping to solve a murder where Martha is the main suspect.

MI: Do you have a favorite superstition?

LOJ: I do knock on wood, as well as crossing my fingers. Who doesn't? But it's also a lot of fun to me if I happen to find a heads-up penny or even another coin on the ground. 

MI: Do you have a pet? Tell us about him/her.

LOJ: I have two pets, Lexie and Mystie, both Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. Lexie, the older one, is a tricolor, and Mystie's a Blenheim (auburn and white). They have me very well trained, and I'm always at their bark and call. I obey them well—a lot better than they obey me.

Linda with Mystie (left) and Lexie (right)

MI: If you don’t have a pet, do you have a favorite animal?

LOJ: I do have pets, and my favorite animals remain dogs. I love 'em all, although my very favorites for a very long time have been Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. In fact, I'm addicted to Cavaliers. 

MI: What food could you live off of for the rest of your life?

LOJ: Dark chocolate! They say these days that it has some qualities that are good for you . . . 

MI: Do you have a favorite recipe?

LOJ: I'm working on some for my Barkery and Biscuits series, but although I used to cook more I take easier routes these days, including using my Crock-Pot. My personal people favorites are entrees like casseroles that contain mushrooms.

MI: What’s your favorite part about being an Inker?

LOJ: So far I've really loved the Inker community of other authors, who are all delightful and supportive and caring. Then there are my editor and publicist—also very friendly and supportive. Plus, I love the book covers. And the anticipation of starting this new series as well as a second series that will start next year: Barkery and Biscuits. In fact, there's a lot I enjoy about being an Inker!

Lost Under a Ladder, the first Superstition Mystery, is now available online and in bookstores!

October 2014 Books Available Now!

Don't miss Midnight Ink's latest releases!

 "Smart characters and intricate plotting."

—Booklist on Catwalk

"Doggone cute."

—Library Journal on Lost Under a Ladder

"A fun and savvy mystery."

—Booklist on Black Thursday

"[A] delightful and clever mystery."

—Publishers Weekly on The Question of the Missing Head

Now available from Midnight Ink, Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and your local bookseller!

Midnight Ink Pet-themed Giveaway!

To celebrate the release of Catwalk and Lost Under a Ladder, we are running a fabulous, pet-themed giveaway on our Facebook page to enter our fabulous, pet-themed giveaway!

 


Additional information:

The Midnight Ink staff pets LOVE our pet-focused cozy series so much that they insisted on sharing with your pets as well!

You can help our pets celebrate this month’s releases, CATWALK and LOST UNDER A LADDER, by sending a picture of your pet (we *know* you have tons of them) to publicity@midnightinkbooks.com by Friday, October 10, at 8:00 a.m. Central. At noon, we will post all of the pictures we received and choose four winners at random.
One Grand Prize winner will receive:
- The first Superstition Mystery: LOST UNDER A LADDER
- The Animals in Focus series: DROP DEAD ON RECALL, THE MONEY BIRD, and CATWALK
- The Downward Dog mysteries: MURDER STRIKES A POSE and an advance copy of A KILLER RETREAT
- Pet toys and treats
- A mug featuring LOST UNDER A LADDER’s Pluckie

Three additional winners will receive this month’s new pet cozies:
- LOST UNDER A LADDER
- CATWALK

Launch Month

--by Linda O. Johnston

It's October--launch month for my new Superstition Mystery Series! 

I have been writing for quite a while, and LOST UNDER A LADDER, the first in the series, is far from being my first published novel, but it's different and new and I'm very excited about it. 

Why write about superstitions?  Why not!  Not everyone considers himself superstitious, but even so most of us will knock on wood or cross our fingers to try to bring ourselves good luck.

My protagonist Rory Chasen is an especially dubious person.  She never considered herself superstitious--but then her fiance walked under a ladder and died shortly afterward.  Was his death a result of walking under a ladder?  She needs to know--and so she goes to Destiny, California, which is centered around superstitions, to try to find out.

There, she launches herself into a new life, a new career as the manager of a pet boutique instead of being an assistant manager at a chain pet supply store.  LOST UNDER A LADDER is something new for her, too--especially when she finds herself having to solve a murder.

Me?  Well, I solve murders a lot.  That's what a cozy mystery author does--although I also create them first.  But this series is new in several ways to me.  It takes place in a small, fictional town instead of Los Angeles.  It includes a lot about dogs, yes, as my other mysteries do, but it also centers around something else: superstitions.

This series is also my first for Midnight Ink, although I do have a second series to begin with them next year, the Barkery and Biscuits Mysteries. 

I enjoy trying something new, especially when it comes to my writing.  My fingers are crossed (of course!) that this launch, in addition to being fun, and busy because of all the blogs and other promo I'm doing, is the harbinger of a well-received new series!

Q&A with M.C. Grant

This week, we sat down with M.C. Grant (also known as Grant McKenzie), author of Beauty with a Bomb.

Midnight Ink: How long have you been writing?

M.C. Grant: I can’t recall a time when I wasn’t writing—and even before I knew how to string the words together, I loved to create adventures with my toys. And when I didn’t have toys, I would sit on the sidewalk and create stories using bottle caps and discarded cigarette butts, or twigs, seaweed, stones, cardboard boxes, anything really. I was one of those kids who could play by himself for hours and, actually preferred it. Of course, if you don’t play with others, you’re labeled odd, but I never minded being odd. It came as a shock to me when I first started school and the teacher told my mum that I would need to transfer to “special school” because I was writing some of my words backwards. This was before they understood or even had a word for dyslexia. Fortunately, my mum insisted that despite my quirks, I didn’t have a learning disability—and I soon taught myself how to put the letters in the “correct” order. My first recollection of showing my writing to others was when I wrote and performed a series of short plays in elementary school. I attempted my fist novel in junior high, and after several rewrites, including the purchase of my first typewriter, finished it by Grade 12.

MI: What influence have other authors had on your writing?

MCG: I’ve always been a voracious reader with a strong attraction to crime thrillers and mysteries. My first mysteries were Enid Blyton’s Famous Five, followed by S. E. Hinton’s amazing YA novels, which led into collecting the entire Mickey Spillane library, plus Gregory McDonald, Raymond Chandler and Dashiel Hammett. From there, it has been a smorgasbord of talented writers from Robert McCammon to John Sandford, Andrew Vachss, Stephen Hunter, James Rollins, James P. Hogan, Ben Bova, and Isaac Asimov to name a few.

MI: If you weren’t a writer, what would you be doing?

MCG: It would have to be something creative: working behind the scenes in theatre, television or movies seems like a natural fit. In high school, I was the stage lighting designer for our theatre department and loved it. I also acted and wrote, plus I was the assistant editor of our school newspaper. I actually debated between studying journalism or theatre in university, but writing won out.

MI: If you have a job outside of writing, what is it?

MCG: I was a newspaper journalist for 30 years, but I am presently the Director of Communications for Our Place Society, a unique inner-city community center that provides over 1,200 meals per day for the poor and vulnerable citizens of Greater Victoria.

MI: What is/are your favorite thing/s to do when you’re not writing or working?

MCG: I love to read, dabble in art, and relax with my wife and daughter.

MI: What was your inspiration for this series?

MCG: Interestingly, I wrote the first draft of Angel With A Bullet, the first Dixie Flynn novel, many, many years before it was published. I wanted to write a noir-style mystery series that contained both explosive action and dark humour. Dixie also allowed me to give the series its heart.

MI: How does the Dixie Flynn series compare to your past works?

MCG: Dixie is quite a bit different from the stand-alone thrillers that I write as Grant McKenzie. For one, Dixie is written in first-person, present-tense, female perspective, while my thrillers are third-person, past-tense. I also try and have more fun with the Dixie books by including more humour and quirky, fun characters. With that said, however, the plots can be dark and dangerous, but only because I know Dixie can handle them.

MI: Tell us about Dixie Flynn. What inspired you to write a feisty newspaper reporter?

MCG: Dixie is such a fun character: she’s fierce, witty, sassy, and headstrong. And although she’s proven unlucky in love, she’s a loyal friend and protector to those she cares about. As a veteran journalist myself, I wanted to explore how that profession has changed, but also bring back some of the grimy glamour of the sliver age when the best reporters were the rebels and not necessarily the nicest people. In the 1960s, ‘70s, and early ‘80s, editorial meetings were more like cage matches of passion and intelligence, with everyone fighting to showcase the best story. Today, the decisions are made from the top down without any real input from editorial at all. Dixie is a bit of the antithesis to this, one of the last rebels working the crime beat of San Francisco.

MI: Who is your favorite mystery sleuth and why?

MCG: My favorite has to be Mike Hammer as I just love the way Spillane could tell a fists-clenched, uncompromising story. The pulp era heroes never apologized for taking the law into their own hands and getting a bit bloody.

MI: Do you have a favorite murder case from a book (either yours or another author’s)?

MCG: I really love the mystery in The Fear In Her Eyes. A distraught father receives a note from the person who killed his daughter in a drunk-driving accident one year earlier. The note includes a visitor’s pass to the prison where the driver is incarcerated, plus seven life-changing words: "I was paid to kill your daughter."

Grant at work with Flower and Boo

MI: Do you have a pet? Tell us about him/her.

MCG: I can’t imagine not having a cat. I have two at the moment and they love to curl up on my lap when I’m writing. Flower was found frozen in a barn in the middle of winter by a farmer who rushed to put her in a low-heat oven. Remarkably, she survived and has been with us for 16 years now. Boo is a pure black cat who spent a whole year in an animal shelter before we adopted him. It has taken some gentle coaxing to earn his trust, but now his purrs fill the room.

Flower

Boo

MI: What food could you live off of for the rest of your life?

MCG: I’m a big fan of soup. All different kinds of soup. I could probably have a bowl of soup and a chunk of San Francisco sourdough bread every day for lunch.

MI: Do you have a favorite recipe?

MCG: I do, but I’m one of those cooks who doesn’t follow recipes. I love to eat something new and then make a guess at how I would re-create it at home. So I rarely make the same dish in the same way twice as I’m always changing a bit here and there, or adding something new. I would love to try Turducken one of these days though—it sounds delicious.

MI: What’s your favorite part about being an Inker?

 It’s an absolute thrill to be published alongside such a great bunch of talented writers. And the editorial team is such a wonderful support—they really want the books to succeed.

Beauty with a Bomb, the third Dixie Flynn Mystery, is available online and in bookstores now!