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Showing posts from September, 2008

Going on Another Blog Tour

This is where I'll be visiting all month long. Hope I'll see you at one of my stops! Oct 1 http://www.murderby4.blogspot.com/ Oct 2 http://bookexcerpts.wordpress.com/2008/09/10/kindred-spirits-by-marilyn-meredith/ Oct 3 http://thebookrack.wordpress.com/2008/09/29/kindred-spirits/ Oct 6 http://theplotline.wordpress.com/ Oct 7 http://theplotline.wordpress.com/ Oct 8 Oct 9 http://bookvideos.wordpress.com/ Oct 10 http://www.thebookconnectionccm.blogspot.com/ Oct 13 http://itsallinthesetting.blogspot.com/ Oct 14 http://www.bookwormsballroom.blogspot.com/ Oct 15 http://acmeauthorslink.blogspot.com/ Oct 16 http://savvyverseandwit.blogspot.com/ Oct 17 http://bermudaonion.wordpress.com/ Oct 20 http://www.zensanity.blogspot.com/ Oct 21 http://thebookczar.blogspot.com/ and http://valleygirlmusings.blogspot.com/ Oct 22 http://valleygirlmusings.blogspot.com/ Oct 23 http://blogcritics.org/books/ Oct 24 http://reviewyourbook.com/recent_rev

First Review for Kindred Spirits

Reviewed by Cheryl Malandrinos on The Book Connection. Murder, ghostly visions, and a quest for justice are woven together to create an engaging story in Kindred Spirits , the latest in Marilyn Meredith 's Deputy Tempe Crabtree series. A forest fire rushes through the mountains of Bear Creek as Tempe searches for local artist Vanessa Ainsworth . When Vanessa's body turns up inside her burnt out studio with a bullet hole, Detectives Morrison and Richards seek Tempe's help in finding out who could have behind what might have been a perfect murder. Even though Tempe and Hutch's marriage is on the rocks, Tempe takes a trip to Crescent City to visit with Vanessa's family and friends to see if she can find any clues to who might have wanted Vanessa dead. Tempe 's involvement in the case puts her in danger, but she knows she'll never be rid of the ghostly visions haunting her until she brings Vanessa's killer to justice. In this installment of the Deputy Temp

Almost Too Much to Do

In my efforts to really promote Kindred Spirits, I've almost bitten off more than I can chew--and more than my husband is willing to chew along with me. (Pardon the cliche.) We just got back from Taylorville, fun but tiring, now this weekend we're headed to Barstow for a family reunion. Not a promo thing, but I've been asked to bring books--and the date was set nearly a year ago. The following week we're supposed to go to Bank of Books in Ventura where I was to give a talk about Creating Believable Characters but there may be a snag in that one. The publicity person who set it up is no longer there so I'm having someone check on it for me. Anyway, there's something every weekend or during the week all through October and November. Hubby is getting frustrated because he can't get any of his own projects finished. Of course he's so worn out form all the dragging around I've done with him, he spends a lot of time snoozing in front of the TV. Of course t

Home from Taylorville IL

We left early Thursday morning (3:30 a.m) to head for the Bakersfield airport to go to Phoenix and then St. Louis MO. From there we rented a car and drove to Taylorville IL and got there without a problem, thanks to our handy portable Magellan that told us exactly what to do wand when to do it. Once we found our motel, I called Billie Johnson, publisher, Oak Tree Press, to let us know we were there. The purpose of the trip was to attend the Prose in the Park writers conference where I gave two presentations, one of How to Write a Mystery and the other, Creating Memorable Characters. Hubby and I joined Billie for dinner in a really nice restaurant, enjoyed good food and lively conversation. The next day we roamed around Taylorville for awhile. In the late afternoon, Billie came to our motel and brought me a contract to publish the next book in my Rocky Bluff P.D. series. (The former publisher has closed her doors and given me back the rights to the books already published in the series.

First Chapter and Contest to Win Calling the Dead

If you'll go to the Stiletto Gang blog: http://thestilettogang.blogspot.com/ you'll be able to read the first chapter of Kindred Spirits and if you post or send me a private email message you'll be entered in the draw for an autographed copy of Calling the Dead. Two copies will be given. The drawing will not be held until September 24th and the winners posted on the Stiletto Gang blog. Good luck, Marilyn http://fictionforyou.com

Susan Wingate Interview

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Susan Wingate has graciously agreed to answer a few questions about herself and her new book, Bobby's Diner. Marilyn: First off, I love the title and cover. Will you tell me how you happened to come up with the title, Bobby's Diner ? And what's the story behind the cover. Susan: Yes, I love the title and cover too. Well, as these things go, the story started with a different title. My starter title was “Sunnydale”. Then, it became “Kiss of a Doe” which changed to “A Doe’s Kiss” and finally it changed to “Bobby’s Diner.” I felt “Bobby’s Diner” was more representative of the metaphor and action surrounding the story. Also, I think it prevents the reader from forgetting why the two main characters, two women – Bobby’s widow and an ex-wife – are at odds. Now, the cover art was something the editor at ebooksonthe.net came up with. Shelley Chase asked me if I had any ideas or images I wanted to use or, at least, have them consider using. When I did not she told me she

Crescent City and a Wonderful Book Launch

I can't begin to explain how wonderful the whole of last week was. Driving to Crescent City is a pleasure after you reach Willits--from their on the scenery is spectacular driving through redwoods, and I spotted a bull Elk in a river bed, and ocean scenery along the way. When we arrived at our friends the McKinseys home, after the hugs it was time to play catch-up on all that's transpired in the last four years. Later that day, Junie Mattice, the Tolowa woman who inspired part of my latest Tempe Crabtree mystery and two of the characters, came to visit. Even though we'd spent only about three hours together the time we met, we've kept up our friendship through emails and it was like seeing an old friend. I gave her a copy of Kindred Spirits which she managed to read over the night. The next a.m. when we met again at the Ana Wulf Bed and Breakfast, she told me she loved the book and about a mistake she'd found. There already was one mistake I knew about--a biggie--

Hooray for Sisters in Crime!

Today I gave a presentation to the San Joaquin Chapter of Sisters in Crime. I belong to several chapters of Sisters in Crime: Central Coast, L.A. and I'm the president of the Internet Chapter. However, I was one of the founding members of the SJ Sinc and it has a special place in my heart. I don't get to as many meetings as I'd like, but I count the members as my friends. This was the first time anyone outside of my chapter saw copies of Kindred Spirits . Though the launch for the latest in my Deputy Tempe Crabtree book will next Wednesday in Crescent City, this was the debut. They asked me to talk about my bumpy road of publication--easy enough--nearly 30 rejections for my first book before it was accepted, 4 agents--most of whom didn't even send my book out--two crooked publishers, one went to jail, the other skipped the country--two publishers who died--publishers who decided to find a new way to make money that didn't involve books--e-publishers before there wer

PSWA Fall Newsletter

The fall issue of the Public Safety Writers Association (PSWA) is now available on the website: http://www.policewriter.com The website also contains information about the writing contest–be sure to read the article in the newsletter written by the contest chairperson–and the PSWA conference coming in July of 2009. There is an early-bird price break on the registration fee until September 30. I hope a lot of you will take advantage of this. I’ve been a member of PSWA for over ten years and watched it evolve into an organization with great resources for anyone writing either fiction (mysteries, thrillers, etc.) or non-fiction about crime, law enforcement or any other public safety entity. I’d be glad to answer questions about the conference or the organization either on list or off: mmeredith@ocsnet.net Marilyn http://fictionforyou.com

Reader Views, Good and Bad

While I was in Elk Grove at the Fine Arts Festival, I received an email from a reader who was disenchanted with my Deputy Tempe Crabtree series. Among other things, she didn't think I'd developed the character enough and she felt that Tempe wouldn't have married Hutch, a Christian pastor, because of his strict beliefs. She isn't the only one who isn't crazy about Hutch. Frankly, I love him. He's a great husband, supports Tempe in nearly everything except when she dabbles in the spiritual side of her Native American heritage. Of course, this is because he worries about her soul. He also worries about the danger she's in because of her job. They are in love, so having some problems in the relationship add conflict--and from an author's point-of-view--makes it more fun to write. Because I've been friends with and have a son-in-law who is a pastor, I know these guys stick to what they believe in. I've also known enough spouses of people in law-enforc