My Critic Group is the BEST!

Today is a beautiful day! I mean that literally in that the temperatures are in the 80s with little humidity and a great breeze. I also mean that figuratively, emotionally and physically. For the last few months I have felt like I have been under a giant thunderhead. I thought it was my looming book deadline but have learned it was a multitude of things and too many to go into in a blog.

However I would like to say to my critic group that I love you guys dearly and thank you for letting me talk on Friday. I know we didn’t get any work done but you don’t know how much it meant to me to be honest and vent. Between that, my first great nights sleep in months and the medication that I think is finally fixing my debilitating headaches, I may not only survive but thrive. I can’t tell you how good that feels. I also feel energy and ambition that I haven’t felt in way too many months.

It also doesn’t hurt that I know where I’m going in the short term and can plan. You know how I like to have the details in order or I go crazy! So the next time we meet, I promise we will get some work done and I will be a regular member  You guys are the best.

Not only that they are each published! Check out their varied works. You won’t be disappointed. How could great friends not write great books? Click on their name to see them on Amazon!

Joselyn Vaughn

Tess Grant

JQ Rose

Anthology's Top Ten Lessons Learned

            I am proud to be an author in the Corner Café: A Tasty Collection of Short Stories. This was the brainchild of Dani Greer, owner and chief expert on BBT Cafe with the help of Helen Ginger and Bob Sanchez. Sherry Wachter at Magic Dog Press did the delicious cover.

This project is a study of book marketing 101 and while the results aren’t in yet, the experience has already been invaluable for me. The top 10 lessons I’ve learned are:

1.      Always follow the rules. You don’t want to hold up a project because you didn’t listen or read.

2.      Always listen to the teacher or boss. They are making the decisions and you need to do whatever they ask.

3.      To be part of a group effort, you must put in the effort to do your part. (I have been lax in this area but hope to have a strong finish.)

4.      Brainstorming through emails develops great ideas but can fill your inbox in a short period of time.

5.      Book marketing is an evolving science and if you blink, you may miss the next great marketing idea.

6.      You need to be a member of a tribe, pin daily, tweet, post to Facebook, Google Plus and other things I’ve never heard of but they do sell books. (At least a couple)

7.      No matter how many times you look at the words someone can find a typo in it. (Thank you Dani and Helen for all those versions until we got to the final. I haven’t found any typos yet!)

8.      Hootsuite can schedule posts to facebook and twitter. Who knew?

9.      Screen shots of good things about your books and their rankings are great ways to preserve them for future use and to track results of book sales.

10.  The final thing I’ve learned is that in the book business, you can never have enough contacts or friends to converse and commiserate with. They are a fantastic life line and I am thankful for each of my fellow authors and the others on the Blog Book Tours loop who give of themselves, their talent, and their time to promote others.

Please follow the other blogs in the tour.

June 13 Chris Verstraete http://candidcanine.blogspot.com

June 14 Helen Ginger http://straightfromhel.blogspot.com

June 15 Kathy Wheeler

June 18 Morgan Mandel Double M http://morganmandel.blogspot.com

June 19 Pat Bean http://patbean.wordpress.com

June 20 Shonell Bacon http://chicklitgurrl.blogspot.com

June 21 Alberta Ross http://albertaross.wordpress.com

June 22 Karen Casey Fitzjerrell http://karencaseyfitzjerrell.blogspot.com

June 25 Pat Stoltey http://patriciastoltey.blogspot.com

June 26 SB Lerner http://www.susanblerner.com

June 27 Maryann Miller http://its-not-all-gravy.blogspot.com/

June 28 Mary Montague Sikes http://marymontaguesikes.blogspot.com

June 29 Stephen Tremp http://breakthroughblogs.blogspot.com

Summer Reading Plans

This week I'm starting off the start of summer with my wonderful critic buddies doing a blog hop. This is my first blog hop but not my last. Joselyn Vaughn, Tess Grant and JQ Rose know my worst mistakes, my greatest fears and my best writing moments. If you like my books, check out theirs. I love them. The are teh best. I mean both the authors and their books) Add them to your summer reading list.

Summer: It should bring images of hot, lazy days at the beach, long bike rides and kayaking across lakes. It should be a slowing of activities, communing with nature and enjoying ice cream, lots of it…I mean all three. That doesn’t seem to happen in my life. If anything with longer hours of daylight, I try and pack in more.

My dream day would be watching the sun rise and walking along the beach and then a late morning nap with a warm breeze. The afternoon would be spent reading a great book and then getting dressed for dinner with the love of my life. I doubt I’m going to get my dream day but what I am going to make a point of doing this summer is getting in some reading time. It is hard for me to read for pleasure when I’m writing. I analyze the books instead of getting lost in the story. That is the one thing I don’t like about being a writer is that reading books has now become work. Kind of like the reading you had to do in your high school English classes. Took all the fun out of the story when you had to figure out the character’s motivation and what setting added to the plot.

So I am going to give myself permission to read, just jump in and read. On my list for reading is my favorite author, Catherine Coulter’s latest in her FBI series, “Split Second” and “Back Fire.” (I’m a little behind in the series.) A new favorite author is also on my to-be-read pile, Julie Hyzy’s latest in her White House Chef series, “Affairs of Steak.” If I get those three done, I may read some classics that my daughter has to read for school so we can discuss them. I will be happy if I can get my fun three done but I am determined even if I only get in five pages a day.

What about you? What books are on your list for this summer?

Let me know your reading plans and you will be entered for a chance to win one of my books, your choice. Check out these blogs for other great giveaways:

My critic buddies' blogs:
JQ Rose: http://jqroseauthor.blogspot.com/
Tess Grant: http://tessgrant.wordpress.com/
Joselyn Vaughn: http://joselynvaughn.wordpress.com/

A Case of Hometown Blues is a FINALIST

I am honored and thrilled to announce that “A Case of Hometown Blues” is a finalist in the first round of the Kiss of Death Chapter’s Daphne Du Maurier Award for Excellence in the Mystery/Suspense — Published Division. There are several categories but I was in the Mainstream/Mystery/Suspense category. The winner will be announced at the Romance Writers of America Conference in Anaheim, California in July.

It is even more of an honor because I have read both Linda Castillo and Lois Winston and love their books although I have not read “Breaking Silence” yet. I will have to read the others! Here are the finalists in Mainstream/Mystery/Suspense.

Linda Castillo – Breaking Silence

W. S. Gager – A Case of Hometown Blues

Julie Kramer – Killing Kate

Elizabeth Voss – The Winslow Incident

Lois Winston – Assault with a Deadly Glue Gun

More information on the other categories or the contest can be found here: http://www.rwamysterysuspense.org/pdf/2012PubFinalists.pdf

If you would like to check out the first couple chapters of “A Case of Hometown Blues” go here: Amazon

Or if you would like to buy it: Amazon   or Barnes and Noble   

Wondering what it is about, here is a synopsis:

When Pulitzer-winning reporter Mitch Malone's editor presses him for a favor, Malone breaks his vow to never return to his hometown. It seemed simple enough--lead a seminar for Flatville, MI's newspaper, keep a low profile and get back to the city post haste. But memories of his parents' death swarm him, and, to avoid solitude, he stops for a beer. In the crowded bar, Mitch is dismayed to see many of his former classmates--including the still-lovely Homecoming Queen, Trudy. Once the object of his teenage crush, Trudy joins Mitch. He quickly realizes she is upset and inebriated. Always the gentleman, Mitch sees her safely home, and returns to his B&B, still trying to shake memories of his parents' sad demise. The next day, he is stunned to learn Trudy was murdered and he is the prime suspect. The locals treat the murder charge as a slam dunk, and Mitch realizes he must track down the real killer to keep his butt out of jail. As he investigates, facts he thought he knew about his family unravel, and danger ratchets up. Can Mitch discover the truth that will allow his parents to rest in peace, or will he be resting with them?

Wish me luck!

Blogging on Unforgettable Characters

Kathleen Kaska graciously asked me to post on whether characters or plot make a good book. Of course I weighed in on characters carrying the plot and without them is there a plot? Let me know what you think.
http://kathleenkaskawrites.blogspot.com/2012/05/unforgettable-characters.html
 Birds and Books Blog

Mitch Malone Mondays: J. H. Bográn's Robert Prescott

Mitch Malone here and it is time for another grilling of a "willing subject." Well this one may not be willing but let’s say I know a few of his secrets and he doesn't have a choice. This interview should get me my Pulitzer Prize for journalism. How many people can interview a hit man? Robert Prescott, you are the featured character in José Bográn's short story, THE ASSASSIN'S MISTRESS. From what my sources say, this is one fine story. Let's get right to the dirt. Can you tell us how you got involved in your profession?

RP: I acquired a set of skills in the SAS. After I left the military, I used those skills to procure a better income. It wasn’t hard, actually.

Now I hear there is a beautiful blond at the heart of this story? Women always get us men in trouble. Mine is with an ebony-haired vixen but I don't want to talk about her. Tell me about your femme fatale?

RP: Chantal is different from every other women I’ve met. She also happens to be married. In my line of work, I could “eliminate” that inconvenience rather easily.  Now the question is if I should.

So there is quite the beautiful babe in your life. She quite literally fell into your lap after you rescued her. Does that happen often in your line of work?

RP: Quite the opposite, in fact. I’m in the business of making sure targets fall all the way – to the bottom of a ravine if possible.

I thought killers preferred not to have long-term entanglements. Is that true?

RP: Very much so. I wasn’t looking for love, just a temporary companion. A one-night-stand as you Americans like to say. But, alas, Chantal caught me with my guard down.

How do you get your jobs? Have an ad in help wanted?

RP:  I have my contacts. I developed working relationships with important people. The kind of people you go to when you have a problem. 

I understand you are a scotch drinker. I'm a beer man myself. Do you need a drink before or after you do a job?

Always until after the job is done. Now, I’m tempted to have a drink depending on your next question.

Thanks for stopping by. I promise your secret is safe with me, but I'm not sure about my readers. They will want more information. To help feed their curiosity, Robert's story is available for a mere 99 cents on Amazon at this link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007BOC0OW or to find out more about the author, check out his website at: www.jhbogran.net

Author Bio: J. H. Bográn, born and raised in Honduras, is the son of a journalist. He ironically prefers to write fiction rather than fact. José's genre of choice is thrillers, but he likes to throw in a twist of romance into the mix. His works include novels in both English and Spanish, short stories, contributor to The Big Thrill magazine, screenwriter for Honduras domestic television and movie reviewer for La Prensa. He's a member of the International Thriller Writers and of writer's online community Backspace.

Special Mitch Malone Edition - F.M. Meredith's Gordon Butler

Welcome to a special edition of Mitch Malone Mondays, by yours truly, Mitch Malone. Today is special because one of my favorite authors is here and while a reporter can never have favorites or be bias, I do have a fond spot for Marilyn and was happy to do her a favor. I want to make it clear that my interview for today, Gordon Butler, will not get any special treatment. He will be subjected to the same hardboiled questions as any of my other interviews so let’s gets started. Gordon, thanks for joining me today. You are an officer with the Rocky Bluff Police Department. Tell me how long and how that came to be.

Gordon: I wanted to be a policeman since I was a little kid. I believe in doing everything by the book and I probably know the laws better than anyone in the department—something that the other guys make fun of at times. When I graduated from the L.A. Police Academy, Rocky Bluff P.D. had an opening, and I’ve been with them ever since. I had a horrible training officer, so bad that he actually stole my wife away from me, among other things. But that’s a whole other story.

You’ve had your share of problems over the last few years.  Might I say you tend to put your all into your job. Can you tell me about a couple of the funny incidents now you look back on them.

Gordon: I can assure you they didn’t seem funny at the time. I’ve wrecked a couple of new police cars, not my fault, of course, chased a suspect through poison oak and had a horrible reaction, another time I leapt over a wall when going after a suspect and fell and broke my leg. But the worst happened to me recently. My fellow cops thought it hilarious—me, not so much.

Marilyn Meredith, W.S. Gager and Madeline Gornell at last years Public Safety Writers Conference.

In my next book, I’m dating a woman who isn’t all she appears to be especially when she turns up dead when we are supposed to be on a date. You have fallen for an interesting woman. What is she like?

Gordon: Benay Weiss is a gorgeous redhead. I met her when I pulled her over for a traffic violation. I’d never seen anyone with such beautiful green eyes. Mesmerized me—though I still gave her a ticket.  When her best friend is found murdered, Benay is the prime suspect. No way would she have killed anyone, much less someone she cared about. I’m going to find out the truth and make sure everyone knows Benay is innocent.

She still wanted to date after the ticket? Did you take care of it later? Better not go in that direction judging by the look in your eyes. To change the subject, you have some interesting coworkers at Rocky Bluff Police Department and a little fraternization on the job between Officer Stacey Wilbur and Detective Doug Milligan. Can you give me the dirt on these two?

Gordon: You’re a bit behind times, Officer Stacey Wilbur is now Stacey Milligan. You can read all about the wedding that almost didn’t happen in Angel Lost. Now we have two Milligans on the Rocky Bluff P.D. which is a bit confusing at times. Because I was renting a room in Doug’s house before the wedding and couldn’t find another place to stay, Stacey’s parents offered me her old room at their house. It’s working out okay, but now that I’m seeing Benay, I’m going to be looking for my own place.

Okay, I didn’t mean to make you pull your gun. Can you put that away. Just was looking for some inside information. I am a reporter after all and haven’t had a good scoop in a while. Tell me about your latest case will you.

Gordon: (laughing) Very funny. Once I’ve proved Benay innocent I’ll let you know who is the guilty party. I don’t want to brag, but this latest book about the Rocky Bluff P.D. is really my book. Oh sure, you can read about some of the other folks on the department and what’s going on with their families, but I’m the true star in this one.

Thanks, Gordon, for stopping by today. To find out more about No Bells, check out Marilyn’s website at http://fictionforyou.com. More about No Bells: Officer Gordon Butler has finally found the love he’s been seeking for a long time, but there’s one big problem, she’s the major suspect in a murder case.

F.M. Meredith, also known as Marilyn Meredith, is the author of over thirty published novels—and a few that will never see print. Her latest in the Rocky Bluff P.D. crime series, from Oak Tree Press, is No Bells. Rocky Bluff P.D. is a fictional beach community between Ventura and Santa Barbara and F. M. once lived in a similar beach area. F. M. (Marilyn) is a member of EPIC, Four chapters of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and serves as the program chair for the Public Safety Writers of America’s writing conference. She’s been an instructor at many writing conferences.

Blog: http://marilynmeredith.blogspot.com/

Marilyn's Contest: The person who comments on the most blogs on my tour will win three books in the Rocky Bluff P.D. series: No Sanctuary, An Axe to Grind, and Angel Lost. Be sure and leave your email too, so I can contact you.