Sandra Cox's Blog, page 296
March 7, 2012
Flidderbugs and Doodling
Jonathan will be giving away a $25 Amazon gift card to one randomly drawn commenter from the tour. Tour date links: http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2011/12/virtual-book-tour-fiddlerbugs-and.html.
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Welcome, Jonathan. Tell us about Flidderbugs and Doodling.
Doodling and Flidderbugs are both prime examples of what I like to refer to as Dag-Lit. They're kind of friendly and funny and a little bit surprising. They're also both quite short – more novella than novel. Not that Dag-Lit has to be short. But as a writer, I like to say what I want to say and then get on with things – I tend not to go on and on and on. Some people who have read them seem to have been a bit annoyed at their shortness, but most people seem to appreciate that they're both exactly the right length that they need to be.
While they have much in common, they're also quite different. Doodling is more random and rambling. It's about a man who falls off the world (because it's moving too fast). He winds up marooned out in an asteroid field and spends most of his time wondering around, unsure of where he's going or what he's doing. In the end there's a bit of action and adventure, but mostly it's slow moving and gentle. I called the process of writing it "literary doodling" as I had no idea what was going to happen from chapter to chapter – hence the title.
Flidderbugs is quite different. It's a satire, with a bit of a political focus. But I also like to think of it as a sort of fable. It's about a bunch of insects who spend a lot of time behaving rather foolishly and having silly arguments about things that are really not as important as they think they are. And yes, we do get a bit of action and adventure at the end, but probably not quite as much as in Doodling. It's a bit more grounded, even though all of the events take place high up in the branches of a tree.
Hopefully they're both a lot of fun for readers. Interesting and funny stories, with deeper layers which readers can discover if they choose to take the time.
Are you a blogger? If so do you blog every day?
I'm not sure. I have a blog. I try to keep it nice and clean. I suppose it's a bit like saying I have a garden I try to look after, but I'm not sure if that makes me a gardener. It's a simple little blog called Dag-Lit Central – http://daglit.blogspot.com. The theme is "Writing that stands out from the crowd". That's one of the things about Dag-Lit – it definitely doesn't follow any fashions or trends in writing. Unfortunately I don't have the time to be getting into it every day, but I try to get a new post up at least once a week. And I always love to have guests coming to visit as well.
What do you do to promote your books?
I stand on the corner with a large club in my hand and threaten passers-by with a good thumping if they don't buy a copy. Well I wish I could do that. I guess otherwise, I try to do the usual things – Twitter it and Facebook it and blog about it, wherever I can. One thing I do a bit of is cross-promotion with other writers. I'm involved with a group of science fiction and fantasy writers called SciyourFi. Check us out on Twitter or Facebook. And if any of you knows a good corner of the internet where I can stand with my club, please let me know.
Hmm. I never thought about the club thingy. Let me know if it works....
Do you transform people you know into characters in your book?
I have been known to do it, but not that often. Generally my characters come from two places:
a. I'll get an idea for a theme or concept and try to work out how a character might exemplify that
b. I'll have a problem with the plot and try to work out a character to fill it
When I have based characters on people I know, it's usually about taking a particular aspect of that person and then transforming them quite a bit. I'd be surprised if they'd be able to recognize themselves.
Oops – I just forgot –there is one person who is very like a lot of characters in my stories – it's me.
If you were marooned on an island, what would you prefer to have with you: Your curr ent wip, or beer and a pizza?
That's a brutally hard question. I don't suppose I have the option of including a beer and pizza salesman who would accept books as payment?
Where can someone buy your books?
From the major ebook sellers:
Both Flidderbugs and Doodling are available at:
Book 1
Title: Doodling
Genre: Comic fantasy
Blurb:
Neville Lansdowne fell off the world.
Actually, he did not so much fall off as let go. The world had been moving so quickly lately and Neville was finding it almost impossible to keep up.
Doodling is an engaging comic fantasy which relates the events that befall Neville after he finds himself abandoned by the world and adrift in the middle of an asteroid field. Douglas Adams meets Lewis Carroll (with just a touch of Gulliver's Travels) as Neville wanders through his new home, meeting a variety of eccentric characters and experiencing some most unexpected adventures.
Book 2
Title: Flidderbugs
Genre: Satire/fable/fantasy
Blurb:
As Kriffle the Flidderbug investigates why his fellow 'bugs find it impossible to agree on the pressing issue of how many points there are on the leaves of the tree on which they live, he finds that the truth is more complicated, and ultimately more terrifying, than he ever could have imagined.
Flidderbugs is a political satire, a modern fable, or maybe just a funny little story about a bunch of insects with some very peculiar obsessions.
March 6, 2012
Brief Moment of Silence For My Nails
I actually had lovely (at least in my mind) long nails. But since they didn't retract at will like Wolverine's, I couldn't fasten my buttons or necklace clasps, pick change up off the floor.. well you get my drift.
Somethings I could do but with difficulty:
Type
Write with a pen. Though I must admit it was challenging taking notes in meetings.
Pop a tab on a can
Of course it didn't slow fork work down.
Maybe its like learning to walk, you just have to practice using them. Regardless, I had them cut back. Sigh. They aren't completely gone, just no longer that perfect length of long.
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Through
March 10, Power Stones is a free download at Smashwords when you use the code:RE100.The link: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/54683
March 5, 2012
Minder Cover And E Book Week
This is my new cover created by Charlene Volek. Like it? Minder will be out in May.
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Blogs of interest:
Amarinda Jones
Anny Cook
Helen Woodall
Julia Barrett
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To Cele
brate Read an EBook Week I'm giving away two downloads at Smashwords, Akasha(the 2nd in the Cats of Catarau Series and Power Stones.The link for Akasha: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/47397
The link for Power Stones: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/54683
The Coupon Code for Both Books: RE100.
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March 3, 2012
Rush and Sex Videos
"It makes her a slut, right … a prostitute ... Miss Fluke, and the rest of you Feminazis, here's the deal. If we are going to pay for your contraceptives ... we want you to post the videos online so we can all watch."
And the fact that he's interested in watching a sex vid...hmm.
For those of you who haven't followed Rush's latest tirade this all came about when Sandra Fluke, a law student, testified in front of congress about the need for birth control coverage. Oh yeah, very sluttish thing to do. Cough, cough, choke, choke. Excuse me while I hack up that fur ball.
And Fluke's response to his comments: "I just thought that they were really outside the bounds of civil discourse." The woman's a master at understatement isn't she?
His outrageous comments have added fuel to the fire in the ever widening divergent paths Republicans and Democrats tread.
If you think this time he may have gone too far and wish to sign the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee petition asking Rush to apologize the link is: http://www.dscc.org/home.
If you'd like to urge Pro Flowers to quit advertising on his show, you can sign the petition at this link:http://act.weareultraviolet.org/sign/proflowersrush/?akid=39.173287.ELos4h&rd=1&t=1
Kudos , Sandra Fluke. You go, woman.
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All Kinds of Giveaways on the 31st
Night Writers is having its first ever Annual 31st Giveaway. Sound like a head-scratcher? On the 31st of each month ( March, May, July, August, October, December, January) Night Writers will be giving away free downloads. Stop by Night Writers on the 31st and leave a comment and your email addie. One random commenter will win the following downloads. Actually stop by anytime, but be sure and leave a comment on the 31st:)
Blog addie: http://www.sevennightwriters.blogspot.com
Savage Destiny, a historical romance by Jewel Adams
Crewkin, a sci-fi romance by Rhobin Courtright
The Crystal, a paranormal romance by Sandra Cox
Storms Interlude, a romantic suspense by Vonnie Davis
The Younger Days, a middle grade historical fiction by Mike Hays
Inappropriate, a mystery romance by Sherry Silver
Somewhere My Love, a paranormal romance by Beth Trissel
Cornerstone Deep, a romantic suspense by Charlene Wilson
Sherry Gloag will be giving away bookmarks
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You'll want to check this one out too. Cheryl's got some awesome giveaways.
Blogs of Interest:
Amarinda Jones
Anny Cook
Julia Barrett
Shelley Munro
Jennifer Shirk
Helen Woodall
March 2, 2012
The One Book Blurb Blitz Tour
Cheryl will be giving away a $50 Amazon.com gift card to one blog commenter.
Book Synopsis:
A fateful encounter with a savvy young producer lands aspiring writer Olena Day the role of America's bachelorette on the new reality show The One. There are just two problems: Olena despises reality TV, and technically she's not single. What could she possibly hope to gain? A book deal? But Olena's made it clear; she won't resort to the stereotypical antics often portrayed by women on reality TV. But ratings rule and the producers have plans of their own to assure the show's success even if it means exposing some of Olena's long-held and most embarrassing secrets.
Jason Nix is a former NFL superstar turned TV sports commentator. He's been dating Olena off and on for almost a year. Financially, he's set for life, but he isn't happy. When Olena's preoccupation with reality show stardom puts their relationship on the rocks, he meets a young woman from Dallas who captivates him in ways no other woman has. There's something about the makeup-free, Bible-toting Texan that Jason can't seem to get enough of, and soon makes him wonder whether she's too good to be true, or if the real problem is she's not Olena.
Step behind the scenes of the highly competitive and unique world of reality dating shows, in this relations
hip-driven page-turner that keeps delivering surprises.
Author Bio:
Cheryl Robinson was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan and resides in Ocala, Florida. She has a bachelor of science degree from Wayne State University. The One is her eighth novel. Her passion for writing was sparked while taking a fiction writing course as a college elective. She began her literary career by self-publishing two novels before acquiring a literary agent and then a publishing deal with New American Library (an imprint of the Penguin Group) who published six of Cheryl's eight novels. She is currently writing her ninth novel, Like Mom.
Links:
http://cherylrobinson.com/the-one-quiz/
http://cherylrobinson.com/the-one-book-chat/ - This is the link to RSVP for the online book chat and also the link for the actual book chat.
http://cherylrobinson.com/bookchat/ - This link will not be live until March 1, 2012. It is the blog post with details on the chat/door prizes/etc.
Amazon.com link: (The One is available in both paperback and ebook. Below is the link to the ebook)
http://www.amazon.com/The-One-ebook/dp/B0073YEZ0C/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2
Tour dates: http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2012/02/book-blurb-blitz-tour-one-by-cheryl.html
March 1, 2012
Accidentally In Love With...A God?
Don't Forget the Wine with that Romance, People!
I bet you were expecting a nice little article where I talk about myself as a writer and the craft that I love so very much. While that does sound fun (I mean, what's not to like about discussing either topic?), I am truly a Romance reader above all things.
That said, I'd like to raise a very serious topic. As a Californian, I am appalled by the lack of attention toward drinking the correct wine with one's romance. This is simply…wrong! An abomination. An act against nature herself.
Don't let food get all of the pairing attention! Romance deserves the right wine just as much as a filet mignon or tasty chocolate soufflé. So, let's begin with the basics.
First, to pick the correct wine you should consider the following things:
1. Subgenre (Historical, Paranormal, Contemporary, Cozy, Erotica, etc…)
2. Writing Style (Snarky, Dramatic, Contemporary, Traditional)
3. Indie or Traditionally Published
4. Level of Steam (White Gloves, Respectable Fun, Oh Maybe My Mom Shouldn't Read This, I'm Blushing, and Is That Even Legal?)
5. Main Male Character's Primary Traits (Because it's all about the hotty.)
Now, since there are almost as many possible combinations of these elements as there are wines, I'll focus on a few examples.
Example 1: Novel is Katie MacAlister's, Sex, Lies, and Vampires
Subgenre: Paranormal/Writing Style: Snarky-Contemporary/Novel is Traditionally Published/Level of Steam: I'm Blushing/Main Male Character's Primary Traits: Dark and Brooding
Ideal Wine Pairing: A Carneros Pinot Noir (Sebastiani Winery, Artesa, Domaine Carneros, or Smoking Loon are my fav's.)
First, anything with a vampire in it requires red wine. Period. Let get that out of the way.
Second, a lighter wine is always best with Snark. (If you get too snockered, you might miss the jokes.)
Third, I find that wines with a smoky bouquet and currant undertones go extremely well with dark and brooding heroes. I have no idea why, but they do.
Example 2: Novel is ACCIDENTALLY IN LOVE WITH…A GOD? (Well, what do ya know? That's mine!)
Subgenre: Paranormal/Writing Style: Snarky/Novel is Indie/Steam: Oh Maybe My Mom Shouldn't Read This/Main Male Character's Primary Traits: Dark and Brooding
Ideal Wine Pairing: Viognier. This aromatic Rhone varietal comes from a temperamental grape with vines that don't mature for 15-20 years (i.e. takes a long time to mature—just like my hero.) In France, it is generally blended into Chardonnays as the residual sugars cut tartness. (My fav's are DuMol, Cold Heaven, and E. Guigal Condrieu.)
First, there are no vampires in this novel, and there is a boatload of Snark. This calls for a white wine!
Second, this novel moves extremely fast, and our hero, though dark and brooding, is a
Title: Accidentally in Love With…a God? (Accidentally Yours Series, Book 1)
Author: Mimi Jean Pamfiloff
Publisher: Self/Indie
Length: 88,000 Words
Sub-Genres: Contemporary, Paranormal
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/123362
BLURB:Twenty-two-year-old Emma Keane has a secret friend. He's powerful, mysterious, and devastatingly han
dsome. In her dreams, anyway.
In real life, he's an enigma. Maybe just a teensie jealous. Definitely overbearing. He's also a voice only she can hear.
So who or what is he? He won't say. But if she wants to be free, to be normal, Emma will have to trek to the jungles once ruled by the Mayans and find the forgotten ruin holding the answers.
However, the ruthless deity she's about to unknowingly unleash on the modern world might not be so easily extracted from her life. Bottom line, he's got enemies, and now, so does she.
EXCERPT #1:Chapter 1 - Present Day
Wasn't dating supposed to be fun? Because this was anything but. At any moment, a man I'd never met—approximately six-foot-three, brown hair, and soul-piercing blue eyes, according to his online profile—would walk through the door of the Conga Lounge, give his name to the hostess, and scream hysterically at the sight of me. Okay. He wouldn't scream. Aloud, anyway. Not that I was heinous, but anyone who looked closely enough might notice I was…different.
I eyeballed the door, contemplating making a mad dash before he arrived.
No, you can do this, I thought while staring at the condensation channeling down my glass of water, my leg bouncing under the table. Why had my date picked a corny theme-bar that looked like Gilligan's Island threw up? What sort of man goes novelty on the first date? Bad sign. Bad sign.
At least the other patrons—seated around the faux-torch lit room, leisurely sipping Bahama Mama's and Mai Tai's—were oblivious to my impending meltdown.
I felt the gentle whoosh of summer evening air as the door swung open and the noise from the traffic-packed New York street poured in. A tall man with sun-kissed skin, broad shoulders, and tousled brown hair floated in—yes, floated—as if he'd ridden in on a cloud straight from Hot-Man Land. He wore a black polished-cotton shirt, which hugged his well-constructed chest, and low slung jeans that molded to his lean physique. He wasn't just good looking, he was Milan runway edible.
"Oh, sweet Virgin of Guadalupe, please be Jake," I muttered under my breath.
Like a cliché from a movie, our eyes met from across the room, and his face lit up with a dimple-framed smile. My heart nearly stopped. "Thank you, Virgin," I said, releasing my breath.
He strutted across the restaurant, a magnet for every female in the room.
"Emma?" he said in a deep slow-churned voice then smiled and held out his hand. I stood up in a daze, mentally pinching myself.
"You are Emma, right? Curly, shoulder-length, red hair, five-three. Several crazed female stalkers for best friends?"
Oh, no. What had my roommates done? Since the whole online-blind-date thing was their idea, they assured me they'd carefully "screened" the guy. But I thought they were just joking about breaking into his apartment and rummaging through his underwear drawer. And dammit, they hadn't even bothered to dish. Tighty whities or boxers?
I looked down at his outstretched hand. Oh, shoot. Shake hands. "Sorry, it's just—I wasn't expecting someone so…" I swallowed and placed my palm in his. It was warm and inviting, just like his eyes. "Um…so tall."
"And I wasn't expecting a woman so…" He paused to look me over like a dog eyeing a giant juicy steak. "…adorable."
"Adorable?" said the deep male voice inside my head. "What kind of moron compliments a woman with the word 'adorable'? Does he think you're a goddamned puppy?"
Couldn't I have one, just one lousy day without the voice? My blood began to boil instantly, but I resisted the urge to snap back with something lame like, "Well, maybe Jake senses I want to lick him from head to toe. Maybe even have a go at his leg." But then I thought better of myself. Because tonight, I was on a mission, and nothing would stop me from climbing my own mental Mt. Everest: convince myself that I, Emma Keane, could feel attraction for a real live man with ten fingers, ten toes, arms and legs, and the other necessary dangly bits needed to make a relationship normal. All I needed was the right man.
The catch?
The other person I needed to prove this to wasn't exactly a person. Okay—truth be told, he was a mysterious voice only I could hear. Yes. A luscious, deep velvety voice so seductive that it could turn me into a quivering mindless puddle of need with one little sigh. Sound crazy? That wasn't the half of it. But it was why I had to do this. If I wanted a shot at normal, I had to take this first step.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Before taking up a permanent residence in the San Francisco Bay Area, Mimi spent time living near NYC (became a shopaholic), in Mexico City (developed a taste for very spicy food), and Arizona (now hates jumping chollas, but pines for sherbet sunsets). Her love of pre-Hispanic culture, big cities, and romance inspires her to write when she's not busy with kids, work, and life…or getting sucked into a juicy novel.
She hopes that someday, leather pants for men will make a big comeback and that her writing might make you laugh when you need it most.
Website: www.mimijean.net
iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/mimi-jean-pamfiloff/id498303364?mt=11
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/MimiJeanRomance
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mimi-Jean/218935048190356
Email: mimi@mimijean.net
February 29, 2012
This And That
I'm expecting line edits and a cover for MINDER in the near future. I'm excited to see what the artist does with it.
Here's the blurb:
Among the northern tribes there is a legend passed down from generation to generation about shape-shifting Minders—guardians of the innocents—and how they came to be.
It is said that n owadays only a handful of Minders exist, hunted to near extinction by a fearsome beast. Of the remaining Minders, only one wears a garnet-studded collar, the symbol of protection and royalty.
Even when my aunt told me the story, and handed me an ancient garnet-studded band, I had no idea the tale applied to me.
After all, it's only a legend…AND
THAT:
Beginnin
g March 31st Night Writers will have a giveaway the 31st of each month. Each Night Writer who chooses to participate will giveaway a download to one randomly drawn commenter.[image error]
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AND A LITTLE MORE THIS:
Online privacy issues are becoming a real concern. You can find information on Googles changes as of March 1 at www.downtownya.blogspot.com, on Saturday the 25th's blog Geekalegal--Privacy Be Gone? If your not familiar with the situation and the recommended way to protect your privacy, I suggest you check it out.
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Blogs of interest:
Amarinda Jones
Anny Cook
Jennifer Shirk
Julia Barrett
February 27, 2012
Painted Jezebel
With us today is Jolie Pethtel. Jolie, tell us about your current project. At the moment I'm working on the sequel to Painted Jezebel titled Poison Pens. It's nearly finished.Are you a plotter or a pantster? I've always been a total pantser. I had my basic plot points in mind, but the stories pretty much write themselves. Painted Jezebel is a prime example. I thought I knew who the killer was, but my characters knew different and so far no one has seen it coming, so I'm not complaining. However, for the first time with the sequel I've had to do a lot of plotting. The story is more intricate and there was considerable research involved. Now that I've done both, I can honestly say if you can pull it off pantsing is the more fun way to go, though it isn't always feasible. Everyone has their own writing style and each book is different.Do you have critique partners or work alone? I used to have critique partners and it works for a lot of people, but I kept finding myself changing my story to suit what other people thought it should be, then it would be critiqued by someone else and their opinion would send me off in a different direction. The trick is to find someone in tune with your particular writing style. I do have a few close writer friends I'd trust with my work, but critique groups with people I don't know just don't work for me.What is your zodiac sign and what characteristic of your sign aids you as a writer? I'm a Scorpio and fit the profile exactly. I'm fairly intense and determined. I don't let things go easily and that keeps me from giving up on a project no matter how difficult it gets.What books of yours are currently for sale and where can a reader buy them? Currently only Painted Jezebel is available, but keep your eye out for Poison Pens. Right now you can find Painted Jezebel several places online. Museitup Publishing, Amazon and Smashwords to name a few.--
Title: Painted Jezebel (A Jezebel Jinx Mystery, Book 1)
Author: Jolie Pethtel
Publisher: Museitup Publishing
Length: 65,000 Words
Sub-Genres: Comedy, Contemporary, Mystery/Thriller
AVAILABLE AT:
Museitup Buy link:
https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore2/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypa ge.tpl&product_id=212&category_id=44&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1
Amazon Buy link:
EXCERPT
"Someone was just murdered and I'm the prime suspect. Detective Tyler has gone around smearin
g my good name with everyone at the conference and here I am strutting around in a bikini. Don't you think a one piece might have been more—I dunno—respectful?" Jezebel hovered uncertainly in front of the door marked heated pool. "Maybe a black one piece to show I'm in mourning."
"You can't flirt with lifeguards in a one piece. It just isn't sexy enough. Besides, you aren't in mourning. No one is. Did you see the celebrating going on in the bar? 'Ding dong! The witch is dead' is pretty much the attitude in there. If they could give you an award for killing her, they would."
"I didn't kill her," Jezebel hissed.
"No, you didn't, but if you want to prove your innocence you need to seduce some information out of that lifeguard."
"My boobs are too small to seduce anyone. My legs are really my best asset, which I could display just as well in a one piece."
"Rick might be a boob man. That is why you are wearing a size too small and we bought a bikini that lifts." He mimicked cupping and lifting with his hands, without actually touching her breasts.
"I'm going in." Jezebel stated as she rolled her eyes, and then stepped toward the pool area entrance. "Think sex goddess," she ordered herself, adding some strut to her walk.
Finn insisted on the fire engine red bikini and matching strappy high heeled sandals. Who wore high heels to the swimming pool? This was wrong on so many levels.
"You look smokin' hot, babe," Finn called out. His idea of encouragement. Well, that was nice to know. Jezebel added a little roll to her hips just for his benefit, before pushing open the door and disappearing from sight.
She spotted Rick right away. He sat on his chair like a Greek Adonis, wearing nothing but snug bathing trunks, a whistle and a smile. The pool was filled with women vying for his attention. Her self-confidence slipped a notch.
Jezebel hesitated a fraction of a second too long as she neared his chair, and then kept on walking. No way was she going to humiliate herself like this. They would just have to find another way to acquire the information.
"Hello gorgeous," the lifeguard drawled following it up with a whistle and not the 'behave in the pool' kind.
Jezebel froze and then slowly smiled. Ah, an ass man. She attempted to spin around gracefully, but grace and spiked heels did not go hand in hand. Just as she was face to face with her target, she slipped and tottered drunkenly on the tiles. In her defense, they were black and the wet spots weren't particularly visible. She had a brief unpleasant flash of déjà vu, and then the life guard was on his feet, catching her in proper heroic fashion.
"Feel free to drop in anytime."
Ugh! Did he just say that? The man was so much hotter when he didn't speak. All brawn, no brain. How disappointing. So what did she say now? Jezebel wasn't particularly good at suggestive small talk with half naked strangers. She tended to fluster easily. The hidden agenda only increased her nervousness. Where were the cue cards when you needed them?
"You saved my life! How can I ever thank you?" she gushed, fluttering her lashes.
"Do you have something in your eye?" He frowned down at Jezebel, before setting her on her feet.
"I was just a little—um—disoriented for a second."
"Are you sure? It looked like you were having a seizure there or something."
"I'm sure." Jezebel was absolutely mortified. Thank God Finn wasn't witnessing this. She would never live it down. Just then she caught a glimpse of him pulling off his T-shirt and diving into the deep end in nothing but a pair of modest swim shorts. Not fair. Not only had he overheard every embarrassing word, his smug grin left no doubt, but he was holding himself to a different standard. He should be demeaning himself for the greater good by wearing a pair of revealing swim trunks.
The women swarmed around Finn splashing playfully and damned if he didn't love every second of it. Jezebel wanted to strangle him. So he wanted to play it that way, then fine. She could play too.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR :
Jolie Pethtel was born in Ohio, but raised in Arizona, where she met her husband Jim. Jolie has since moved to Indianapolis, Indiana where she lives with her husband and their six rambunctious children. Jolie is a Domestic Goddess by day and Writer by night.
Author Website: http://www.jezebeljinx.com
Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/joliepethtel
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002016243117
Twitter: @joliepethtel
February 26, 2012
Louisa And The Crystal Gazer
Anna will be giving away a gift basket to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour .
With us today is Anna Maclean. I asked Anna, how do you begin a murder investigation when dealing with a spiritualist?
What a great question, and thanks so much for inviting me to visit.
Well, you don't ask the ouija board! Seriously, dealing with a spiritualist was an interesting experience and a little more difficult than dealing with the other murders in which amateur sleuth Louisa May Alcott gets involved. Forensics and the other elements of scientific investigation weren't available yet in mid-nineteenth century Boston. They didn't even yet know about the use of fingerprints. Guilt was established largely on circumstantial evidence, flimsy or not, and character assessment.
The challenge for Louisa in Louisa and the Crystal Gazer is to discover who the spiritualist really was, so that she could then discover what the motives for her murder. And crystal gazers and other characters tended to have a great many secrets. Getting to the truth of their lives and identities would have been particularly challenging. The character of the murdered spiritualist, Mrs. Agatha D. Percy, is based on my readings of many journals, diaries and biographies of actual nineteenth spiritualists. They tended to be women of low or middle class who might have experience with some of the darker, even seamier side of life. They were often down on their luck, either single or perhaps abandoned by their husbands, and needed a way to make money. They wouldn't have minded playing a few tricks on their paying customers, and that in itself could be a motive for murder!
Louisa solves the mystery, thanks largely to what I think was her greatest inspiration: the practical intelligence and humanity of her mother, Abba Alcott. Abba, in the novels and in real life, was a woman who knew a thing or two about hardship and in particular how hard the lives of women could be. From her, Louisa would have learned a certain skepticism combined with a generosity of spirit – to hate the crime, but forgive the criminal.
By the time Louisa finally gets to the truth of this mystery, she has been led through cemeteries, locked in a cellar, and learned some very sad and dark secrets of the past.
One of her partners in this mystery is P.T. Barnum, himself a man of great secrets and mystery. So many people in the nineteenth century simply invented who they wanted to be, and became that person. Barnum was no exception, and his ability to manipulate truth as well as people forces Louisa to consider him as possible murderer. But there are other suspects as well. Just about the only thing Louisa can't count on is that the murdered woman will speak the truth.
Research for this mystery was fascinating, learning all the tricks and acts (and there were very many) that nineteenth century spiritualists could use, from trumpets falling from the ceiling to ghosts appearing outside the window. Louisa has to keep her wits about her to keep herself and her family and friends safe, while discovering who might have hated, or feared, Agatha D. Percy enough to send her permanently to the other side!
~*~
From Louisa and T
he Crystal Gazer
"I miss Father," Sylvia signed one morning as we took our walk along the harbor. It was a misty cold day, and the harbor waves were tipped with frosty white.
"Unfortunately, your father passed away when you were a child," I answered gently. "You barely knew that long-enduring man, so how do you now claim to miss him?"…
"My point exactly," my companion responded…"I feel the need for a masculine presence in my life, and would like to converse with my father. I will, with the assistance of Mrs. Agatha Percy. Please come with me to one of her sittings!"
I groaned and jammed my hands deeper into my pocket, despite the stares of several passersby; a lady did not put her hands in her pockets. She did if they were cold, I thought. Ship rigging creaked in the wind and bells chimed the start of a new watch, and I pondered Sylvia's statement.
Mrs. Agatha D. Percy was the newest fad in Boston, one of the recently risen members of that questionable group of individuals known as 'spiritists,' or mediums…
"I can think of better ways to spend time and money than sitting in the dark and watching parlor tricks. I would much rather, for instance, attend one of Signor Massimo's musical evening." The signor, a famous pianist, was touring the United States from his home in Rome and had decided to winter in Boston. He was giving a series of performances – performances I could not afford, since the tickets were as much as three dollars apiece, even when they were available.
"Mother tried to get tickets and could not. She was furious," Sylvia said. I could understand; women with Mrs. Shattuck's family name and wealth were not accustomed to hearing no.
"Look, there is ice in the harbor," I said, putting my hand over my eyes to shield them from the glare.
"I will have your answer," Sylvia persisted.
I introduced several new topics of conversation, hoping to distract Sylvia from her mission – Jenny Lind, the Wild West, a newly published travel book about France that was flying off the shelves – but each topic she cleverly rejoined and detoured back to Mrs. Percy…
"Don't you see?" Sylvia sighed in exasperation, pulling at my hand to prevent me from taking another step. "The spirits themselves wish you to visit her. They put those very suggestions in your mind!"
"Then they should put a plot or two in my mind," I said, remembering the still-blank sheet of paper before which I had sat that morning at my desk. Being between stories was an unpleasant state for me, when no plot or story threaded the random thoughts of every imagination.
"I am unconvinced that 'fun' is the correct word to describe an hour of sitting in the dark, pretending to speak with the dead," I said.
"Spirits," corrected Sylvia. "The dead don't like to be called dead. Such a harsh word."
Neither of us was yet aware of exactly how harsh that séance would become.
~*~
Jeanne Mackin is the author of several novels: The Sweet By and By (St. Martin's Press), Dreams of Empire (Kensington Books), The Queen's War (St. Martin's Press), and The 
Frenchwoman (St. Martin's Press). She has published short fiction and creative nonfiction in several journals and periodicals including American Letters and Commentary and SNReview. She is also the author of the Cornell Book of Herbs and Edible Flowers (Cornell University publications) and co-editor of The Norton Book of Love (W.W. Norton), and wrote art columns for newspapers as well as feature articles for several arts magazines. She was the recipient of a creative writing fellowship from the American Antiquarian Society and her journalism has won awards from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, in Washington, D.C. She teaches creative writing at Goddard College in Vermont, has taught or conducted workshops in Pennsylvania, Hawaii and New York and has traveled extensively in Europe. She lives with her husband, Steve Poleskie, in upstate New York.
Website: http://www.annamaclean.net/
Book Link: http://us.penguingroup.com/nf/Book/BookDisplay/0,,9781101506141,00.html?Louisa_and_the_Missing_Heiress_Anna_Maclean
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Tour dates link:: http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2012/01/virtual-book-tour-louisa-and-crystal.html.
