Martha Geaney's Blog, page 11

Helping Star Unfold

Star O’Brien is an independent, feisty, and vulnerable amateur sleuth. She’s had one too many losses in her life to take a chance at opening herself up to caring about anyone. But, there’s one area for hope that Star’s emotional scars will heal one day. That’s where Skipper and Ashford come in. Skipper is the little black schipperke that’s back in the United States while Star is in Ireland. Skipper has a small mention in the first book, Death on Clare Island. He’s better known for his love of a blonde Pomeranian. Ashford is a stray border collie Star takes in during the action of Death at Ashford Castle. (due for release in the Fall, 2019). He provides Star with an opportunity to show her caring side; something she doesn’t often do with humans.

Dogs, especially Schipperkes, have been a major part of my life since I was a baby in the crib. According to my mother, my dad brought home a stray who spent most of his time with my arms wrapped around him. No stuffed animals for me! Bill and I rescued our first Schipperke about 25 years ago. And, my love affair began. Today, I have a thirteen-month Schip, named Turlough. One day a week, we both go to agility training. He’s terrific!

What about you? Do you have a favorite pet? Do you
have a favorite mystery series that include pets?

[image error]Skydance Turlough known affectionately as “Tur”.

With a Little Help from My Friends

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It’s Friday afternoon and I’m at my favorite coffee house, Roosters on Oxford, in Wildwood, Florida. It’s been another busy week as a published Indie author. Time spent tying up all the loose ends related to Death on Clare Island’s publication (e.g. copyright paperwork, uploading the book to IngramSpark so that libraries and book stores can stock it).

Now, I’m beginning to focus more of my time on getting Death at Ashford Castle to publication and distribution (search for cover designer and editor). And, I’m researching and plotting the third book in the series, Death at Turlough Museum.

I wouldn’t be where I am today in this Indie author journey if it weren’t for a magnitude of help from my friends. Fellow authors, Nick Johns and Tom Richardson; Susan Busada (virtual assistant and social media guru); Julie Cupp at E-book Formatting Fairies; the Alliance of Independent Authors Association; family members here in the US and Ireland; Jim Hipple (retired cop). And most importantly, faithful readers who decided to take a chance on Star’s story.

There is so much to be grateful for…any question,
doubt, search for know-how gets answered, gets supported. So, this post is to
all of you with much heartfelt gratitude.

With a Little Help from My FriendsIt’s Friday aft...

With a Little Help from My Friends



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It’s Friday afternoon and I’m at my favorite coffee house, Roosters on Oxford, in Wildwood, Florida. It’s been another busy week as a published Indie author. Time spent tying up all the loose ends related to Death on Clare Island’s publication (e.g. copyright paperwork, uploading the book to IngramSpark so that libraries and book stores can stock it).

Now, I’m beginning to focus more of my time on getting Death at Ashford Castle to publication and distribution (search for cover designer and editor). And, I’m researching and plotting the third book in the series, Death at Turlough Museum.

I wouldn’t be where I am today in this Indie author journey if it weren’t for a magnitude of help from my friends. Fellow authors, Nick Johns and Tom Richardson; Susan Busada (virtual assistant and social media guru); Julie Cupp at E-book Formatting Fairies; the Alliance of Independent Authors Association; family members here in the US and Ireland; Jim Hipple (retired cop). And most importantly, faithful readers who decided to take a chance on Star’s story.

There is so much to be grateful for…any question,
doubt, search for know-how gets answered, gets supported. So, this post is to
all of you with much heartfelt gratitude.

Have You Been to County Mayo?

I was four years old when I visited Mayo for the first time. I fell in love. Have you been there? What do you love about County Mayo?[image error]

Natural Roadside Heather in Pontoon, Mayo

Here comes Saturday

Looking forward to my meet the author and book signing event in Mount Dora on Saturday, March 16 from 1 p.m. til 3 p.m. You’ll find me at a table outside Barrel of Books and Games (a browse-able independent book store with real physical books). I’m anticipating lots of fun speaking with people about what types of mysteries they like to read. I’ll also be signing copies of my mystery book, Death on Clare Island.

Star’s Story Begins

[image error]Clare Island Lighthouse

“That morning, the sky rose beyond the sea in a luminous ultramarine palette reminding me of Vermeer’s Woman in Blue Reading a Letter. Treading the grassy path from the Clare Island Lighthouse bed and breakfast down to the harbor, I pictured my mother when she received a letter, many years ago from Clare Island.”

Of course, when I was researching my first Star O’Brien mystery, I was captivated by the beauty and potential remoteness of the island. I just knew that Star’s story had to start here at the lighthouse, poised majestically above the vast Atlantic Ocean.

Barrel of Books and Games

Browsing a local bookstore is one of my favorite “get away for some me time” activities, especially if there’s a coffee shop nearby. So, I was thrilled to discover an independent book store, Barrel of Books and Games, in Mount Dora, Florida.

Now, as an indie author, I have an opportunity to host a sidewalk book event in conjunction with the bookstore owner! How exciting! Lots of preparation to complete but I’m looking forward to speaking with people, who might stop by, about Star O’Brien and Ireland.

My First Review

Star’s had her first review on Amazon. Looking forward to learning what other readers think.

Life’s Little Ironies

Here I am finally pursuing my dream of writing a mystery series. And, just as it comes to fruition, my love and greatest cheerleader (Bill) cannot read the book.

Just over a year ago, when I began writing this story, we learned that Bill had lost the right peripheral vision in both eyes. Something called right homonymous hemianopsia. He’s no longer able to read print, among other things.

So, today, for my love and for others who might enjoy listening, I’m researching how to create an audible version of Star’s story.

I’ll keep you posted.

Introducing Star O’Brien

On February 1, Star O’Brien (a feisty, independent, and authentic character) made her way into the world! I hope you find her as lovable as I do.

If
there’s one thing I’d like readers to take away from getting to know her, I
hope it’s her mantra: “maybe it’s because
of my own losses, maybe it’s because this is just who I am, but I have always
been for the lost souls.”

Death on Clare
Island: A Star O’Brien Mystery
is available in print format here at Amazon: Death
on Clare Island: A Star O’Brien Mystery (paperback)

Death
on Clare Island: A Star O’Brien Mystery (eBook for Kindles/Fire)

Death
on Clare Island: A Star O’Brien Mystery (eBook for Nook)

Print
ISBN: 978-09600567-0-5

You
can also search by ISBN numbers:

eBook
ISBN: 978-09600567-1-2

I’d
appreciate a review on either Amazon, Barnes&Noble, or at www.goodreads.com.  Also, you can email comments through my web
site, www.martha-geaney.com. I look
forward to hearing from you.