Colleen Collins's Blog, page 9
October 2, 2014
Who Would I Most Dislike to Be On a Spaceship With?
Ali Kahn, the editor of the Australian online magazine Festivale, interviewed me for its "Usual Questions" series, which includes interviews with authors such as Lawrence Block, Janet Evanovich and many others. One interesting question was who would I most dislike to be on a spaceship with? Oh, I definitely had an answer for that.
Below is an excerpt from the interview...
Shaun Kaufman and Colleen Collins
Colleen Collins Answers the Usual Questions
Colleen Collins and Shaun Kaufman co-write th...
September 17, 2014
Six Research Tips for Writing a Private Detective Character
Online resources, books & conferences can aid a writer's understanding of real-life P.I.s
In my recent private-eye romance novel,Hearts in Vegas (July2014), the hero is a P.I. Because I am also a private investigator in real life, I didn’t have to research his career all that much. But even if I weren't a P.I. there are ways I could have learned some basic techniques and tools of the trade to help me write a private eye or sleuth character. In this article, I’ll offer six such tips.
Six Resea...September 11, 2014
September 15-16: 24 Hour Movie Marathon Tribute to Lauren Bacall
TCM's movie tribute to Lauren Bacall includes the 4 films she made with Humphrey Bogart
I plan to have my book proposal into my editor by next Monday, September 15, because I want to settle in after that to watch the inimitable Lauren Bacall in a back-to-back showing of her movies on Turner Classic Movies (TCM). It starts at 8 p.m. with an interview with Bacall, followed by 12 of her films, including the 4 she made with Bogie.
Below is the movie schedule, following by a link to TCM's bio of L...
September 6, 2014
Can a Private Investigator Get Romantically Involved with a Client?
"Are there any legal restrictions on a P.I. getting involved with a client, the subject of an investigation, a fellow P.I., or a law enforcement officer who’s involved in the same case? If not, are there generally accepted ethical guidelines or is it totally up to the P.I.’s own judgment? How about any lawsuits arising out of these kinds of relationships?"
To read the answer, click here
Thanks for dropping by, Colleen Collins
"As an experienced private detective and a skilled storyteller, Colleen Collins is the perfect person to offer a glimpse into the lives of real female P.I.s"
~ Kim Green, managing editor of Pursuit Magazine: The Magazine of Professional Investigators
Secrets of a Real-Life Female Private Eye
August 25, 2014
Win a Bundle of Romantic-Mystery Books!
This week I'm the "Author Spotlight" at Book Bench for Romance Lovers on Facebook. Drop by and comment or "Like" my post to be entered to win all 3 books in my private-eye romance series!
Click This Link: Book Bench for Romance Lovers
A winner will be randomly selected this Saturday, August 30, and can choose whether to receive the print or ebook versions of the following books:
The Next Right Thing"Colorful, skillful description and lively, fully fleshed-out characters contribute to this g...
August 6, 2014
A LAWYER'S PRIMER FOR WRITERS: Types of Lawyers - Criminal Law
On Sale for $1.99 Through August 8:A LAWYER'S PRIMER FOR WRITERS: FROM CRIMES TO COURTROOMS-Written by a defense lawyer with 30 years experience in the criminal justice system and a bestselling author/P.I. Not only for writers, the book is also for fans of legal film/books, researchers & those curious about the world of legal eagles.
Put together with the user in mind, this intelligently organized handbook for practicing writers will make you sound like a practicing lawyer.
— Warwick...
July 30, 2014
Contest Ends August 3! Win All 3 Books in Series + $20 Amazon Gift Card
Hearts in Vegas (Harlequin Superromance)
By Colleen Collins
Last contest of the month for my new release HEARTS IN VEGAS, the third book in the private-eye romance series! Scroll down the page to the Rafflecopter form and enter to win all three autographed print copies (The Next Right Thing, Sleepless in Las Vegas and Hearts in Vegas) plus a $20 Amazon gift card.
This book completely took me by surprise. I went into it thinking oh easy romantic read. What I got was a freaking suspensefu...
July 1, 2014
New Release: A LAWYER'S PRIMER FOR WRITERS - 99 cents through July 7!
, written by a defense attorney and a bestselling author, is being offered at 99 cents during its launch week!"Put together with the user in mind, this intelligently organized handbook for practicing writers will make you sound like a practicing lawyer."
~Warwick Downing, former DA in Colorado and author of The Widow of Dartmoor, a sequel to Hound of the Baskervilles
Sampling of Book Topics: A History of Trials, Players in the Courtroom, The Courtroom Setting, Jury Experts, Types of Courts, Law Firms, Types of Lawyers, Lawyers & Ethics, Lawyers & Technology, Trial Preparation, The Steps of Civil & Criminal Trials, Appeals, Recommended Legal Films for Writers, Articles on Crimes, DNA Testing, Forensics, Personal Injury Cases
A LAWYER'S PRIMER FOR WRITERS is available on Amazon
June 27, 2014
Ends July 27! Bookgiveaway: HEARTS IN VEGAS, a private-eye romance
Hearts in Vegas (Harlequin Superromance)
By Colleen Collins
HEARTS IN VEGAS, the third book in my private-eye romance series for Harlequin is now available! I had so much fun writing this story about a reformed jewel thief turned insurance investigator (Frances Jefferies) who goes undercover to retrieve a 20-million dollar necklace. What stands in her way is Las Vegas private eye Braxton Morgan, who doesn't believe she's a reformed thief, but the real deal.
You can order Hearts in Vegas by...
BookExcerpt +Contest: HEARTS IN VEGAS, a private-eye romance
Hearts in Vegas (Harlequin Superromance)
By Colleen Collins
HEARTS IN VEGAS, the third book in my private-eye romance series for Harlequin, is being released July 1! I had so much fun writing this story about a reformed jewel thief turned insurance investigator (Frances Jefferies) who goes undercover to retrieve a 20-million dollar necklace. What stands in her way is Las Vegas private eye Braxton Morgan, who doesn't believe she's a reformed thief, but the real deal.
You can order Hearts in...
