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Showing posts from October, 2014

First Week of Blog Tour for River Spirits

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Here is the schedule for the first week of the River Spirits blog tour, along with the topics I've written about. Remember, the person who leaves comments on the most blogs will win his or her choice of being a character in my next book, or choosing an earlier book in the series--any format. Nothing ever happens without problems, so instead of beginning on Nov. 1, I have two posts on November 2nd. Nov. 2    http://judys-stew.blogspot.com                      Coming Up With a Title Nov. 2    http://lindathorne.blog.com/ The Bumpy Road of Publication for the Tempe Crabtree Series Nov. 3.   http://wordmuseum.com/ Where Deputy Tempe Crabtree Came From Nov. 4    http://Susanvankirk.com/category/blog/     The Setting for the Deputy Tempe Crabtree Series Nov. 5   http://gumbojustice.blogspot.com/ Indians or Native Americans? Nov. 6    http://livevicarrieous.com   A Few Questions and Answers Nov. 7.  http://jrlindermuth.blo

And the Promo for River Spirits is About to Begin by Marilyn Meredith

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Yes, it's that time again. I have a new book out in the Deputy Tempe Crabtree series: River Spirits. You might think I have a "thing" for titles with the word Spirit or Spirits in them. After all, the last book was called, Spirit Shapes. I can assure you, it wasn't planned. I didn't even have a title for this latest book until near the end. In fact, I didn't know there would be spirits of any kind in the book until I was writing the final chapters. Yes, I'm one of those who doesn't plan ahead anymore than knowing a brief structure of what I want to happen in the mystery. I think the author did a great job of capturing the river spirits. In fact, I like all the covers she's done for this series. I'll be embarking on a blog tour for River Spirits starting on November 1. Of course there is a contest to go along with it.  In my next blog post I'll include the first week tour schedule and the rules for the contest.

Missing Bouchercon This Year by Marilyn Meredith

Despite the fact that Bouchercon is in California again this year, Long Beach to be exact, I've chosen not to go. It makes me sad because I'll miss seeing all the authors who attend, many of them are friends that I only get to see at events like this. Many mystery readers also go to Bouchercon and I'm friends with many and won't be seeing them either. At first I did plan to go, even had a roommate all scheduled. But unfortunately she only made reservation for Friday and Saturday night at the hotel. Frankly, it's best to arrive on Wednesday because other events are always planned. Also, if you are a small press author, the probability is that if you are put on a panel it will be on Thursday or Sunday. Also, the only way I'd go would be to fly (I never drive in L.A. anymore, far too scary for this old lady). I'd have to fly from Bakersfield into LAX then take a taxi or other mode of transportation to the Long Beach hotel. For two nights, it just wa

HEALER by John Wills

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Hi Marilyn. Thank you for allowing me to visit with you and your readers. I have exciting news!—my latest novel, HEALER , is now available on Amazon, or at my publisher’s website: Oak Tree Press. HEALER is the heartwarming story about 16-year-old Billy Anderson. Billy has experienced more than his share of tragedy in his young life. Made fun of in school because of a birth defect, he first endures the loss of his mother, and then his father dies in the war. One day, as Billy attends Mass, his life takes a dramatic turn. An elderly woman dies in his arms. But before she takes her last breath she tells him, “Receive the gift of healing.” Those words instantly change his life. However, Billy has no idea whether his supernatural ability will be a blessing or a curse. Also part of Billy’s journey is Police Officer Sheila Chambers, who comes into Billy’s life after answering a call about a teen out past curfew. Sheila instantly senses Billy is troubled, and without giving

Publishing in the E-Age Panel

Once again I'm fortunate to be joining a panel of members of the Central Coast chapter of Sister in Crime for a panel on the E-age. Frankly, the Internet has opened up a whole  new way of doing things for me--and for the people on the panel.  We'll be meeting in the Atascadero Library on Saturday, October 25th, 1-4. I hope some of you in the area will come and see us. Our illustrious panel consists of: Susan Tuttle Professional editor and award-winning author of the "Write It Right" 5-star review e-Book series now available on Kindle, "Tangled Webs," a novel of suspense available on Amazon.com and Kindle (print and ebook). Just released! "Proof of Identity" as both print and ebook on Amazon.com. Check out my blog at: www.SusanTuttleWrites.com < http://www.SusanTuttleWrites.com > Barbara M. Hodges Barbara M. Hodges is the author or co-author of nine published works of fiction.  She was introduced to e-books fifteen years ago

The Novel Circle's Fascinating Turn by Syd Blue

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My second novel Circle has taken an interesting turn. It is finding a home in education because of the sea change in that system this year. The idea to create curriculum from the novel came from a teacher who found her students didn’t want to stop reading the book in class. In the backdrop of chase drones, attack helicopters and fighter jets, the gripping adventure captivated even the most reticent student. She found that all types loved Circle . Tracy Tokunaga developed the course because it was a combo of literacy and science, which fit in well with the new educational edicts. Schools have only one year left to change over to new curriculum that incorporates Common Core into every subject. And STEM is also a big push. STEM means Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. Since our country has discovered a deficit in professionals in these fields and these fields offer better paying jobs, everyone is interested in encouraging students to dig into STEM. Circle intro

Finding that Elusive Fossil by JJ White

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“Let's get one thing clear right now, shall we? There is no Idea Dump, no Story Central, no Island of the Buried Bestsellers; good story ideas seem to come quite literally from nowhere, sailing at you right out of the empty sky: two previously unrelated ideas come together and make something new under the sun. Your job isn't to find these ideas but to recognize them when they show up.” ― Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir Of The Craft If you’ve already read, On Writing , then Stephen King has already set you straight that there’s no story fairy to conjure magic ideas and plots for nascent, or even best-selling authors. You’re pretty much on your own to find that once in a lifetime tale that brings success, fame, and untold wealth. After you’ve achieved that goal then you can write about anything and somebody will buy it just because you wrote it. King also said, “ A story is a fossil you find on the ground, and you dig it out slowly, gradually uncovering its

Great Valley Bookfest

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COME CELEBRATE THE FUN OF READING! Great Valley Bookfest in Manteca, CA! Saturday, Oct 18th 2014 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm Free admission! The Promenade Shops at Orchard Valley aka Bass Pro Center Hwy 120 @ Union Road exit 280 ~ Lifestyle Rd., Manteca Yes, I'll be there and you can find me and my books in the Author's Alley. And at 2 p.m. I'll be speaking on Stage A about writing two mystery series. If you are in the area, do stop by and say hello! 

Only 99 Cents for Bears With Us!

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Yep, I'm doing it again, only this time with my Deputy Tempe Crabtree series. If you've never tried it before, here's a chance to get acquainted with Tempe. http://www.amazon.com/Bears-Us-Marilyn-Meredith-ebook/dp/B005I56ZYM/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1410706327&sr=1-1&keywords=bears+with+us+by+marilyn+meredith For only .99 you can read what Tempe is up to in Bear Creek. The title ought to clue you in that bears have a part in the story--but though they are a big part, a lot more is going on. The sale will be on from October 13 through the 17. Here are some of the reviews: Marilyn Meredith 's latest Deputy Tempe Crabtree offering, "Bears With Us," is full of the well-crafted twists and turns we've come to expect from her. It also has a lot of bear action, as we might expect from the title.  For those readers who may not live in bear-y areas, it accurately depicts what life with those creatures can be lik

Mitchell Family Reunion

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Believe it or not, I spent a whole weekend not thinking about or doing anything with writing or books. The last weekend of September, our family always gets together in Barstow, CA. Why Barstow, you may ask, since it's right in the middle of the desert. The answer is simple, it's also in between our family members and easy to get to. My sister and family live in Las Vegas. Most of my family (except for two grandsons who are out of state) live in California--Southern and Central. This year my sister was unable to attend (bummer) because her hubby just had surgery a few days before the event. Two cousins opted out for other reasons, they were missed too. However, we still had a lot of family who attended.  We hold this event at the Holiday Inn Express by the Outlet Malls (and yes, some do take advantage of the shopping.) The hotel is wonderful to us. Besides having the best breakfast of any of the Holiday Inn Expresses I've stayed in, they treat us like royalt

So Many Books, So Little Time

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I’ve loved books since I can remember. One of my first memories ever was the day the bookmobile parked across the street in front of our house (we lived across the street from the elementary school). From that day, I waited eagerly for its next visit the same way I counted the months until the State Fair. There I discovered worlds that waited for me, friends to meet and stories to share. I loved it even more than the skating rink at the end of the block. While I never thought of myself as nerdy, I am one of those rare creatures that loves school. I’d be in school today if I could. There’s always so much more to learn. Another book to read. But alas, life intrudes and we have to apportion our time accordingly. I work full time and am Mom to five offspring and Grandma to one perfectly lovely granddaughter. My oldest son is disabled and lives with us. While he’s doing well, he needs daily care and medication dispensed. My husband suffered a stroke in 2012 and also needs special da