C.L. Ragsdale's Blog, page 2

Chasing Lady Midnight Is Now Available!

Superheroes exist to "Save The World".
But what if the world needs saving from The Superheroes? Even worse, it doesn't even know it?
Not yet.
The Mighty Superhero Security Squad came together to protect mankind. But something has gone terribly wrong and it’s only getting worse.
So what are you to do when superheroes become super control freaks, and you're the only superhero standing in their way?
Well you save the world of course.
But first you have figure out why The Squad went wrong.
Then you have to figure out how to control your powers because you just got them and are still learning how they work.
It's a trial and error kind of thing.
She's not the last hope, she's the only hope.
Which is why everyone is Chasing Lady Midnight.

Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Chasing-Midnigh...

Barnes and Noble:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/chasi...

Kobo:
http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/eboo...

Smashwords:
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/...

Christmas, Sisters and Buttermilk Fudge

There is something I need to explain about my short story for
A Cup of Cozy, which I entitled The Christmas Candy Mystery. The story is about three sisters playing detective in effort to find out how to make their mother’s Buttermilk Fudge three days before Christmas. (Recipe included).
Now I think it’s a fun story, and just to be clear I do have two older sisters. I also have an older brother and a younger sister, but they’re not in this story. The reason I used my two older sisters is because we are very close in age, so when we were younger we tended to do everything together. As far as everyone else concerned, we didn’t have first names, we were The Ragsdale Girls.
However, in spite of any similarities this story is totally fiction.
Sort of.
I do want to be clear there is no hidden agenda to get back at them. All in all they were pretty nice to me when we were growing up. I needed a story for A Cup of Cozy. Three sisters fit the bill as funny sleuths. My sisters were in good mood when I asked them if it would be okay to base characters on them. So you see it’s really their fault.
Still, I should explain a small detail.
Writers tend to exaggerate a little. Okay a lot.
To protect my sisters’ identities (and my life and limb), I’ll use the names I made up for them in the story.
Ellie is not that bossy. Not that she’ll admit to.
Missy is not that intimidating. She made me say that (not really).
Finally, Lucy (aka me) is really not that creative or zany. Okay not that zany anyway.
Also, I was not always getting us into trouble. We all took our turns at it.
And yes, I’m exaggerating again. What I can say? It’s a sickness.
However, some of it is true. Like when we sit together. Ellie was always to the left of me. Missy was to the right. I was always in the middle. In the back seat of the car, when we sat on the couch, were on the floor, kitchen table, at a restaurant. That was the order. The funny thing is that we still do that, and not on purpose. I have pictures.
You just don’t unlearn some things. I guess.
Anyway, they were really good sports and I love them both a lot.
Enjoy the book.

Gate Beautiful Radio Show (Which I Was On 11/11/13)

Hi Everyone

Here's the link to listen to the Gate Beautiful Radio Show I was on today. You can find out what I sound like. Also me and my fellow authors have a surprise for you! Just Click the link below.
By the way, Chasing Lady Midnight is almost completed. I'm just going through it one more time to get it as perfect as I can.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/rrradio/...

Oh The Radio...

Hi On Monday, November 11th from 1:00-1:30 p.m. CENTRAL STANDARD TIME on I and my Cozy Mystery Magazine Members Nancy Jill Thames, Deborah Malone, Linda P. Kozar, S. Dionne Moore and Traci Tyne Hilton will be on Gate Beautiful Radio. You can post questions on my blog, www.shortmysteriesandtalltales.blogsp... or on my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/CL-Rag... and I'll try to get them on and answered.

Here's the link where you can listen either live or after the show. Thank you for your support.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/rrradio/...

HAPPY LISTENING

Chasing Lady Midnight...The Cover Reveal!

Pretty nifty huh?

My graphic artist, Jesse Ruiz, wanted me to try to put spotlights and such, but I thought it just detracted from the wonderfulness that is his cover design. (Graphic artists! They just can't stop!)

See why I had to add the dog? It was just too cute!

Now I just have to get the book back from the Beta Readers and Chasing Lady
Midnight will be ready for all to enjoy. At least I think so, but then
again I'm prejudice.

Sneak Peak - Chasing Lady Midnight

Okay here's my first excerpt from Chasing Lady Midnight. I'm a little nervous because this is the first time I've added romance to one of my books, so I'm a little nervous. Also I reveal the name of Lady Midnight's dog my graphic artist decided to add. Feel free to comment.



Before I met with my publisher I took my dog Hero for a walk to his favorite dog park. Like I do every morning. He insists on this, and it’s best not to argue with a creature of habit like my dog.
Word of wisdom, happy dog, happy life.

Hero (yes it is my little joke that the superhero community does not seem to appreciate) is thrilled when we arrive at the dog park near our house. This is because, although it is not very crowded, his best canine buddy Freddie in attendance, and they couldn’t wait to play. So I let Hero off his leash so the two could go do dog stuff.

You know, sniffing, barking, chasing imaginary squirrels, that kind of thing.

Once they took off I walked over to a nearby bench and sat down to rest my feet clad in high heeled shoes. As I circled my foot trying work out the bit of soreness inflicting my foot a deep voice said behind me, “You know you’re overdressed for the dog park right?”

I turned and looked at the tall, well-built man clad in a cotton shirt, jeans and a long brown duster. I had to stop myself from sighing. It was childhood nemesis, Rafe Kincaid.
I’m not kidding you that’s what his parents named him.

Of course, seeing that his Mom is Dr. Nihilism and his Dad is The Blue Pterodactyl (yeah that color thing was real popular), and at least his Mom had aspired to be a super villain I guess it made sense at the time.

Not that either of them ever actually did anything illegal. You see when Rafe’s Mom was trying to break into the super villain biz she met his Dad who was a Christian, and then he led her to the Lord. Then they fell in love, got married, had Rafe and the super villain thing got lost in the shuffle.

Unfortunately, for some reason Rafe has a snarky sense of humor and I’ve been his favorite target since we were kids.

Just who I wanted to run into today.

However, in spite of his lack of appreciation of my smart designer skirted suit, rakish matching hat and gloves he is kind of cute. By that I mean gorgeous with his fine physique, longish brown hair and electric blue eyes, so I decide to be gracious and talk to him anyway.

It’s a hardship I have to bear.

“If it is any of your business,” indicating it is not, “I have a meeting with my publisher this morning. However, my dog has a routine, and I do not have time to change between the two.”

He leans over and rests his arms on top of the bench, his face just inches from mine. He says in my ear, “What are you going to with the dog? Or are you taking him to the meeting?”

I turn and look at him, leaning back a bit and informing him icily, “If you must know, he’s going to the groomers for the full spa treatment.”

He give a laugh, darn even his laugh is adorable, what is a girl to do with a nemesis like this?

“You know I’m not buying this right? You are always overdressed.”

“I am sorry if I offend your sense of dog park attire. I hadn’t realized there was dress code.”

He laughs (darn that cute laugh!) and hops over the bench to where he is sitting beside me. Before I can react he puts an arm around my shoulders, pulls me in close and personal, smiles and insists, “I didn’t say I didn’t like it.”

Then he kisses me, right on the mouth!

Of all the nerve.

You know I would be really ticked off at him right now if I wasn’t crazy in love with him and we weren't engaged to be married. Hey I did say he was just who I wanted to run into today, remember? In fact he’s part of the routine.

After a few very nice minutes he pulls back and observes, “I don’t know if I can afford to marry such a clothes horse who shops at such fancy stores. Much as I appreciate the effect.”

“If you ever went shopping with me…”

“Not happening.”

“Then you would know that I search the clearance racks diligently at those fancy stores. I am a starving artist you know, frugality is my middle name.”

“No Annie, your middle name is Louise, and you think it is fun to sort through those racks for two hours. In spite of the fact that you are a highly sought after illustrator who owns her own house. You should be able to keep me very well once we’re married.”

He leans back on the bench and I lean back on him.

“Right,” I observe sarcastically, “I can keep you. How long has that latest book of yours been on the best seller’s list now?”

“Oh you mean Murder in The Hoarder’s House?” he asks nonchalantly, “It’s having decent sales.”

“Decent? Aren’t you negotiating the movie rights for the series? If anyone knew you were R.J. Kincaid, author of the Sloppy Detective cozy mystery series, and that your mother and father are the founders of the Healthy Sweets Snack Empire they would be accusing me of being a gold digger.”

“Empire,” Rafe says with a laugh, “You should tell Mom that, it will make her day, even if she was an epic failure as a super villain.”

“That’s because she and your Dad are the nicest people I know. Why did they almost become super villains again?”

“Dad was never going that route, he’s a master engineer and made up the costume for fun. As for Mom, I’m not sure exactly. I know something happened when she a regular genius scientist and then tried to be a mad scientist, but they’ve never been clear on just what that was. I don’t think they’re hiding anything, but Mom and Dad have a tendency to so get distracted by their work that sometimes they think they’ve told me stuff when they haven’t. So have you told your superhero parents we’re getting married yet?”

I sat up and admitted, “No.”

In case you expected Rafe to be mad about that he wasn’t, because he knows telling my any parents anything can be…difficult.

That’s right he knows. Everything. Who and what my parents and sister are, and who and what I am. What can I say? I trust him.

He said good-humoredly, “Well I did my part, I told mine.”

“That’s different, we all go to the same church. They knew before we did,” I pointed out.

“Yeah who knew they were so intuitive? But seriously hon what are you going to do? Wait until the last minute and then just appear in your wedding dress and announce “Hey everybody want to come to my wedding?” I don’t think that will go over very well.”

Actually that idea had appeal, not that I would admit to it.

“You know how crazy things have been since my birthday, and you won’t postpone…”

“No way,” he stated in that “don’t even think about it because it is not happening” tone of his, “You said yes, we agreed on a date, you’re stuck with me. Less than one month until W-Day. Deal with it.”

I assured him, “It’s okay Rafe, it was a never a serious suggestion, just a stupidly desperate one. We’re getting things done. We’ve got the church reserved, and the guest list done…”

“It’s done when you invite your family.”

“…and the cake and flowers are on order.”

“You told your “mentors” yet?”



Well that's it for now. More coming later.

What A Great Graphic Artist Can Do For (Or Is It To?) A Writer

How Can Such A Cute Face Cause A Major Rewrite?

You know a great Graphic Artist is a gift from God, but they can also really mess a writer up. The graphic designer who redesigned my Short Mysteries and Tall Tales blog (www.shortmysteriesandtalltales.blogsp...), Jesse Ruiz, and I had so much fun we decided to collaborate on the cover of my next e-book, Chasing Lady Midnight.

Now you all know what the plan was (because I told you). I had posted a free little story, was going to put it into e-book format for convenience for free, and then maybe do a follow-up book later. Jesse and I got together, I told him my idea, he gets an idea on the basic premise for the cover, to which I agree. After a few days he works his magic, shows me the cover and throws a monkey wrench into everything because of his awesome talent!

Now I need to warn you, I’m going to give you a few details, but not tell you the end design. Not because it’s a good cover, but because it is a fantastic cover!

It will be revealed just before the book comes out in the Fall. Trust me, it will be worth the wait.

So how did Jesse singlehandedly turn my story on its head? By making a couple of little additions.

On the cover is Lady Midnight’s alter ego. Fashionably dressed walking a dog. So what? There was no dog in my story! And it’s not just any dog, it’s a basset hound. My favorite breed of dog (I even love Hush Puppy shoes because of them) and the most comical dog on the face of the planet.

Imagine a fashionista (on a budget) who owns a basset hound and whose superhero costume is all black which she hates because it's just too Goth! Brilliant!

But now I have to do a major rewrite! Why? Couldn't I have made her a dog walker or something? No! I fell in love (can you fall in love with a graphic?) which got all my creative juices going! I immediately gave the dog a name (to be revealed later) and then God gives me another idea that has it morph into a superhero cozy mystery with a brilliant choice for a villain and everything!

See what a great cover can do for a writer, or is it to you?

Graphic Artists! They cause nothing but trouble, but in a good way. I think.

Of course Jesse is anxious for the book to be released. It's his first e-book cover and he's really excited about it. But I tell him, you're the one who necessitated a rewrite. So be patient! Because now I’ve got to write a story to live up to this fantastic cover, and trust me, that is not going to be easy.

I think lot of prayer is going to be needed. But isn't always?

In Honor of the Fourth - An Excerpt For Free!

 Hi Everyone, just a sneak peak into The Great Scarecrow Invasion. Enjoy.


Excerpt:

Irene looked at Troy and remarked, “This is different.”

They were seated in the open kitchen where they could verify that no one was currently listening. Bob was upstairs taking a nap, Evan and Shamus were off doing farmer stuff somewhere, Mrs. Carpenter was sweeping the outside porch and Hilary and her Grandmother were in her room.

Troy didn’t get it and asked, “What?”

“No one believes in the scarecrows?"

“They could all be full of commonsense,” he suggested.

“Maybe, unlikely, but maybe.”

“We’ve run across stranger things in our travels.”<

“I’ll grant you that,” Irene agreed, “But that doesn’t explain why Michael Sullivan is being featured so prominently as the mastermind
of evil.”

Troy shrugged still not seeing what the big deal was and pointed out, “Remember Shamus is leading the charge on that, and he’s obsessed that the Sullivans are out for revenge. You’ve got to admit that Carter Thomas has a connection to him which could be considered suspicious. So maybe he is more important than the scarecrows.”

To his surprise Irene Waters, chief skeptic and destroyer of terrifying legends shook her head in disagreement and stated, “Oh the scarecrows are important.”

To say Troy was amazed would be understating it. Irene never
took the ghosts, monsters or whatever seriously. Until she made her next
statement that is.

“Otherwise, why would one have come out of the maze and practically dare me to come in after it?”

At first Troy thought she was kidding, and then he realized she wasn’t and nearly shouted, “What? When did that happen?”

“After I spoke with Valerie and was coming to the barn to join you and Bob.”

Troy was so startled that he couldn’t think of what to say,so he sputtered, “What…what did it do?”

“Well it came out, looked at me and then went back into the maze,” she answered calmly.

“You didn’t go in after it?”

She crossed her arms and gave a snort pointing out, “With it obviously wanting me to do just that? I don’t think so.”

Troy understood the logic of that. It wouldn’t have been what he would have done, and he probably would have regretted it later, but it still didn’t explain why she had kept it to herself.

“Okay,” he admitted, “I can understand why you didn’t go in by yourself. That’s smart, but why didn’t you tell me and Bob?”

“Because you would have gone after it, and when we chase these things down I want it to be on our terms not theirs.”

“Yeah that makes sense, I guess,” Troy admitted reluctantly, “Well that narrows the field a bit.”

“How do you figure?” she asked.

“Well Bob was with me…”

Irene gave a laugh and asked, “Did you suspect him?”

Troy smiled and answered, “No, but someone else might, this all started when he showed up.”

“That is a good point, but I think we can rule out Bob. Valerie and Mrs. Carpenter had just entered the house so it couldn’t be one of them, although it doesn’t let them entirely off the hook either,” Irene said.

“Why not?”

“Because supposedly there is more than one scarecrow in this great invasion,” she reminded him.

“Oh yeah, I forgot about that,” he admitted, “Okay, so the grandmother and the housekeeper are out as far as being that scarecrow, but they could be accomplices. So who does that leave us as the scarecrow you saw?”

“Well Hilary came after me and admitted that there is a tunnel from the barn to the house.”

“But would she have time to get to the corn maze, dress up and then make sure you saw her?”

“People on the stage do it all the time.”

“Are you really suggesting that Hilary…?”

“Well she is a blogger and making a big deal apparently making a big deal of the story. She says she doesn’t know the two teens who got trapped but they do go to her school. Maybe she’s trying to boost her exposure,” Irene theorized.

Troy objected, “But why tell you about the tunnel?”

“Well it is hardly a secret according to her, at least in the family. Maybe she doesn’t want me to think of another option.”

“Such as?”

“That there could be another tunnel leading to the corn maze.”

Troy tried to visualize a fifteen year old girl coming up with such an elaborate plot, unfortunately it was just a little too easy to imagine. Kids were a lot smarter, and more devious, than people gave them credit for.

“Of course if it is Hilary that would good,” Irene stated.

“Good? Why?” Troy asked.

“Because from what I have observed of the girl, she doesn’t mean anyone any harm. So it would be a prank and not malicious. If it’s one of the adults, anything goes.”

Troy nodded in agreement. People could be downright rotten for the most petty of reasons.

Made him wonder why God cared so much.

“Do you think it’s Hilary?” he asked.

“I don’t know,” she admitted, “We just can’t rule her out, along with everyone else. The only people I can rule out are you and Bob.”

“And you.”

She smiled and stated, “Well that goes without saying.”

“I don’t know you might go off the rails one of these days,” he joked, “If so, I’m in for real trouble. What about Carter?”

“He’s in the mix. What I find interesting is that Shamus
insists that the man said he saw scarecrows, but Carter only admits to seeing something.”

“That’s important?” Troy asked.

“Maybe,” she admitted with a shrug, “And maybe not.”

Troy looked at her and she looked back. Finally she patted his arm and asked, “Did I lose you again?”

Troy gave a deep sigh and stated, “Yes, but I have accepted my fate as the dimwitted Watson.”

“Watson wasn’t dimwitted in the stories, you’re thinking of the movies from the 1940’s.”

“Whatever, so what do you think is going on?”

Irene gave a sigh and answered, “Best guess? Someone wants the farmer off of his land. It may even be the farmer himself.”

“Or the rival getting revenge for being driven off of his land and using the same cursed scarecrow technique?”

Irene gave him a look.

“Just because he hasn’t been around doesn’t mean he might not be into payback,” Troy defended.

“We don’t know for sure if there was any payback involved at all.”

Troy looked confused and asked, “What?”

“Everyone is assuming that the reason the ancestor left is because he was run off.”

“By a cursed scarecrow.”

“That’s the story, but is it the truth?”

“Why else?”

“Who knows?” she asked, “Maybe they were bad farmers? Valerie says Evan doesn’t have the knack, and if not for the corn maze he wouldn’t still be in business. By the way we need to check into why the corn maze designer before Bob left so suddenly.”

“I don’t see why it matters. I think Valerie has promise myself. You know the bitter in-law who wants custody of her granddaughter. She’s got motive, and she and Hilary were unaccounted for when the scarecrows made their appearance to the trapped teens. But like you said no one can be ruled out at this point. Not Carter the security guard, Evan’s kids, Mrs. Carpenter, or Michael Sullivan.”

“He’s out of the state,” Irene reminded her partner.

“That doesn’t mean he couldn’t be pulling strings. Quite a list of suspects. So where do we start?” Troy asked.

Irene sat back in her chair and stated, “We start by talking to more people.”

“Isn’t that what we’ve been doing?” Troy asked.

“Well,” she advised, “There is talking, and there is talking.”

Troy looked at her for a moment before asking, “What?”

Finally...

At Last!

The Great Scarecrow Invasion is On Sale.

My launch plans are still a bit delayed, not my fault, Really!

Seeing as this is the first time I am trying to do a launch it's just taking some time to get everything into place. Anyway, I decided to go ahead and get it published. It's available on Smashwords, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble. Kobo is coming soon.

Anyway I hope you enjoy it. The Secretary's plans are finally revealed! Although you'll have to wait around for the next book to see how she plans on accomplishing it. Anyway, I hope you enjoy it.

Things are happening...

Well it's been a while, but I am back.
I have finally finished the fifth book in The Reboot Files Series, The Great Scarecrow Invasion and am planning my launch. I just have to get a freebie into place.
My blog www.shortmysteriesandtalltales.blogsp... has been redesigned as has my Facebook page.
Also my short little story, Chasing Lady Midnight is blossoming into a full on novella which I will make a cozy mystery, with superheroes.
Hey why not?
Anyway, I'll have more news as I get caught up.
Bye for now.