Kate Collins's Blog, page 255

(NOT) A POLITICAL COMMENTARY

by Kate Collins


This is not a political commentary but it is a commentary on politics. Or specifically how the barrage of political information affects us.
The first things I see when I log onto Yahoo are stories about the candidates, usually with photos that make them look silly. I go to the Huffington Post, same thing. NBC, CBS, ABC, USA Today, ditto. Now I can’t even scroll through Facebook postings without seeing a plethora of political cartoons, captions, or slams. Will they change my mind? No.
How about you? I’d like to get a tally of your responses and report about it on my Facebook page. Will you help by answering the following questions?
Do you read all the Facebook postings about various candidates or do you read just the ones you agree with?
Do the ads on TV help you decide whom to vote for? How much do they influence you? A lot? A little? Not at all?
Are you swayed by Internet memes? 
Do you read the memes that pop up on your Facebook page or do they anger you?
Thank you for your input. I appreciate your help.
Kate[image error]

Do You HAVE to Have a Dining Room???

by Leann

The quest is on to find the right house plan so we can build the home on Lake Greenwood. We know what we want. Should be easy, right? WRONG. I am officially blurry-eyed  and frustrated after looking at, I swear, a thousand house plans on the Internet.

Simple to find a house without a formal dining room, right? Wrong again. Seems every plan has a formal dining area and for our wants and needs, that's a waste of space. Every house we've owned had a formal dining room and we hardly used it all. I want our kitchen, dining area and living area to flow together. Open concept without a space offset for eating. See, several years ago I bought a beautiful oak table made by the Amish. Guaranteed to last forever. It's beautiful and I want it be the divider between our kitchen and living area. We had an open concept in the house we just sold and I loved it--but we still had that formal dining area. This time, no. Do. Not. Want.

This is becoming a real stumbling block and finding an architect, meeting with her/him is a pretty intense, expensive and long process. Of course there are other stumbling blocks--like optimum view of the lake, the garage cannot face the street (per deed restrictions), and having the most lived in spaces with the best look at all the beauty that will surround us. We've found a few things we like that come close, but it looks like more compromises as to what we want are in store.

Next up might be figuring out how to use software to do the design. I've heard it's not easy to use that stuff. Anyone out there have any ideas on how to make this easier? What software is simple to use? How to get over frustrating afternoons without hitting the bottle? :-)

Dru's Cozy Report: September 2012 Reading List

Welcome to Dru's Cozy Report. This month we have four new series for your reading pleasure.

Lowcountry Boil by Susan M. Boyer is the first book in the new "Liz Talbot" mystery series. Publisher: Henery Press, September 2012

Private Investigator Liz Talbot is a modern Southern belle: she blesses hearts and takes names. She carries her Sig 9 in her Kate Spade handbag, and her golden retriever, Rhett, rides shotgun in her hybrid Escape. When her grandmother is murdered, Liz high-tails it back to her South Carolina island home to find the killer. She’s fit to be tied when her police-chief brother shuts her out of the investigation, so she opens her own. Then her long-dead best friend pops in and things really get complicated. When more folks start turning up dead in this small seaside town, Liz must use more than just her wits and charm to keep her family safe, chase down clues from the hereafter, and catch a psychopath before he catches her.

Private investigator Liz comes home to Stella Maris after inheriting her grandmother’s house to learn that her death may not have been an accident. With inside help, Liz’s search for a killer uncovers a devious plot that includes trickery and murder and she’ll have to act fast to unmask a killer to save her hometown.

This book oozes southern charm and a mystery that makes you feel like you are a part of the action with every page you turn. I love the way the author presented this lighthearted whodunit with unforeseen revelations as the story came to a close. Liz is my kind of person who carries a Sig and knows how to use it. Surrounded by a quirky cast of characters, this delightful book boasts engaging conversations and a southern charm that embraces you. This is a fun and enjoyable read and I can’t wait for the next book in this wonderful debut series.

Susan is the recipient of the 2012 Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense

Visit Susan at www.susanmboyerbooks.com

Full Disclosure - The publisher sent me a copy of this book

Foul Play at the Fair by Shelley Freydont is the first book in the new "Celebration Bay" mystery series. Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime, September 2012

As more and more tourists flock to Celebration Bay, New York, to enjoy their seasonal festivals, the town is in need of a professional coordinator. Enter Manhattan event planner Liv Montgomery, tired of big-city stress and looking for an idyllic spot where she and her Westie terrier, Whiskey, can put down roots. The Harvest by the Bay Festival is Liv’s first chance to prove herself, and everything from apple bobbing to pumpkin painting goes perfectly—until the body of an itinerant juggler is discovered stuffed into an antique apple press. With a murderer on the loose, town leaders threaten to shut down the upcoming Halloween and Christmas festivals. But the town’s livelihood is at stake, and there is no way Liv is going to let that happen, even if she has to solve the murder herself. No matter how many balls she needs to keep in the air, Liv is determined to find a killer who’s rotten to the core.

Life in her newly adopted town is like a celebration until a murder threatens her upcoming festival preparation. Fearing cancellation and her job, Liv takes it upon herself to solve this case before Celebration Bay is no longer.

This was a good read and I enjoyed the action from the start as the story moved forward. The author did a good job in keeping the mystery flowing with surprising twists and turns that kept me turning the pages as I wanted to know how it will all end. Liv is such a great character and I like that she wanted to do right by the town by finding the killer. The town of Celebration Bay with its quirky-named businesses is the perfect setting for this delightfully entertaining tale and I look forward to more festivities for years to come.

Visit Shelley at www.shelleyfreydont.com

Full Disclosure - The publisher sent me a copy of this book

Murder Unmentionable by Meg London is the first book in the new "Sweet Nothings Lingerie" mystery series. Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime, September 2012

Emma Taylor thought she knew what to expect when she abandoned life as a big-city fashionista to help her aunt, Arabella, breathe new style into Sweet Nothings, her waning lingerie boutique. As Emma settles back in to Paris, Tennessee—a world where pie is served with a parable and a pitcher of sweet tea is the cure for most of life’s ills—her escape seems smooth as silk. But when the town acquires a touch of unneeded je ne sais quoi with the arrival of Emma’s philandering French ex, an unseemly murder turns her world inside out. As the police’s top suspect, Emma is going to need more than fishnets to snare the real killer. And when she and Arabella refuse to let death threats wrapped in knifed nighties stall Sweet Nothings’ vintage-lingerie fashion show, it becomes increasingly clear that any garter may hide a gun and that bullet bras might have to live up to their name.

When her ex-boyfriend follows her to Paris, little did Emma know it would be the last time she sees him and in the same breathe accused of his murder. To clear her name and reputation, Emma and her friends will need to undress a killer before Emma is hung up to dry.

I like it. Mix an entertaining whodunit, some laughs and a little bit of romance and you got the makings of a great debut series. This was an enjoyable mystery that I could not put down. The writing flowed easily with crisp dialogue and a fun setting. With a great cast of characters from likable Emma, gentle Aunt Arabella, snarky Sylvia, best friend Liz and handsome Brian, this lighthearted and charming story is a welcome addition to the cozy genre and I can’t wait for the next happenings in Paris, Tennessee.

Visit Meg at www.meglondon.com

Full Disclosure - The publisher sent me a copy of this book

Last Wool and Testament by Molly MacRae is the first book in the new "Haunted Yarn Shop" mystery series. Publisher: Obsidian, September 2012

That’s the name of the spunky group of fiber and needlework artists founded by Ivy McClellan, Kath’s beloved grandmother. Though Ivy has recently passed on, the members still meet regularly at her fiber and fabric shop, the Weaver’s Cat, which Kath has now inherited. But that’s only the first in a series of surprises when Kath returns to the small town of Blue Plum, Tennessee, to settle her grandmother’s affairs. There’s been a murder, and it turns out her grandmother was the prime suspect. Before Kath can begin to clear Ivy’s name, she encounters a looming presence in the form of a gloomy ghost. It turns out the specter has just as much interest in solving the murder as Kath. So, with a little help from the members of TGIF—and a stubborn spirit from beyond—she sets out to unravel the clues and hook the real killer.

Learning that her recently deceased granny was a prime suspect in a recent murder, Kath with help from her friends, form a posse to collect evidence that will clear her granny’s name.

This was a fun book filled with mystery, mayhem and a little comical relief in the form a spirit who would not go away. The people of Blue Plum are an interesting lot and I can’t wait to know more about them, from Kath to Ten to Ardis and even Geneva. The author did a good job in keeping me on my toes with the many directions she took to keep me guessing and turning the pages. With a likable cast of characters, a small town atmosphere and good dialogue, this is a pleasantly appealing debut series and I look forward to more exciting times with the citizens of Blue Plum, Tennessee.

Visit Molly at www.mollymacrae.com

Full Disclosure - The publisher sent me a copy of this book
And check out these other September releases

A nice, brisk walk

by Lorraine Bartlett / Lorna Barrett / L.L. Bartlett

At least five mornings of the week, I attempt to take a nice, brisk walk.  I loathe exercise, but walking I can tolerate. I walk up my street and back down, and that makes a mile. I should probably do it twice, but I've got way too much to do.  (And that's why I say I attempt to do it. Usually I make it 3-4 times a week, but I do have the best of intentions.)

One of the perks of taking that walk is that I get a peaceful fifteen minuts to think. For a while I would haul out my MP3 player and walk to music. I will admit, it helps me pick up the pace, but it also keeps me from thinking.

What in the world do I have to think about?

MY STORIES.  (Which develop into my books.)

Yesterday, I was thinking about how much my ankle hurt when I decided to distract myself and think about Tricia Miles and her next adventure. The next thing you know, I'm talking to myself. I often wonder if my neighbors think I'm nuts, or that I have a blue tooth squirreled behind my ear. (I sure hope it's the latter.) Tricia and Angelica had a BIG conversation.  Tricia and Ginny had a BIG conversation. Tricia and Captain Baker had a tiny conversation (Well, eventually it'll be a BIG conversation, but I have no idea where in the book this conversation is going to go, or ultimately where it will lead.  Perhaps that's for Monday's walk.)

These conversations ended up adding over 2,000 words to my manuscript.  YIPPEE!  I always have such a tough time getting into the story, that anything these ladies (and gentleman) want to say to me right now is very welcome.

What do you use as a jumping point for your creativity?
=========================================
AND NOW FOR THE WINNER OF THE DESK CONTEST:  We had a four way tie, so we drew a name from the hat -- and the hat said that Linda McDonald is the winner of the Cozy Chick swag.  Congratulations, Linda. The runners up were Brittany, Carol Brown, and Dru Ann Love.

We'll have another contest soon.  Stay tuned!

It's Not a Typo

by Julie

So far, only a couple of people have actually said it, but I'm going to bet that when FONDUING FATHERS hits the shelves in bookstores around the country on December 31st, more than a few people will be scratching their heads and wondering if I'd meant "Founding Fathers."

Nope. Not a typo.

My White House Chef mysteries usually come out with fun, punny titles. I love a good pun and when I can't come up with one, my publisher does. In this particular case, a friend jumped in to suggest the title. I loved it and I was thrilled to find out that Penguin/Berkley Prime Crime did too!

There is a little bit of fonduing in Ollie's world this time. But far more about fathers. Ollie embarks on a quest to find out what really happened to her dad -- it's a subject her mother has been reluctant to talk about for Ollie's entire life.

I don't want to give too much away, but I will tell you that if you've read the series thus far, I think you'll enjoy this installment. Right now, it's my favorite of the series.

This cover has a yellow banner, which is surprising considering that the one before it, AFFAIRS OF STEAK, had a gold banner. And the font is ever so slightly different on this book. No idea why. But Penguin/Berkley has always done such a wonderful job with my covers that I see no reason to point these tiny changes out. They must be there for a reason.

So what do you think about the cover? Thumbs up or down?

Listening to Books

by Deb Baker/Hannah Reed 
I've always been a big fan of audiobooks, all the way back to when they were called books-on-tape. My day job involved a long commute and listening to stories saved my sanity. Most of the time, I wished I could keep right on trucking past my place of employment until the book ended.
So I was major disappointed when none of my books were offered in audio. And since the publisher held all rights, I couldn't DIY (or is it DIM?)
While traveling with the  Fatal Four (Maggie Sefton, Jenn McKinley, Wendy Watson, and moi) through Texas, a state with more pavement than any other, where Texans have long hauls between cities and jobs, I heard a lot of requests for audiobooks.
But my hands were tied (or handcuffed). Until the day when my books went out of print and rights reverted back to me. Hurray! I started hunting for a narrator for the Gertie Johnson series. Gertie lives in the Michigan Upper Peninsula, where locals has a very distinctive accent, one that might become challenging to listen to for seven hours. But wait, Gertie wasn't born and raised there. She's a transplant. So never mind an accent.
That's when I found Carol Herman and we started collaborating on the audio version of Murder Passes the Buck. I LOL every time I hear her imitate Grandma Johnson. Carol is a wonderfully talented narrator.
You can listen to the first chapter at Amazon's Audible(the sample button is right below the cover image) or at Apple's iTunes, if you're interested.
I just wish I had taken contact information from those Texans who were so hungry for something to listen to. If you run into any of them, please spread the word.
Any other audiobook lovers out there?

Day of Remembrance

by Maggie Sefton

                                                                                                                                         

Today I thought it more appropriate not to post about personal or book news.  Instead, I thought it far better to honor the people who died on this day, eleven years ago---September 11, 2001.







Lives were lost in New York City, at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia across the Potomac from Washington, DC, and high above the Pennsylvania countryside.   Peace to them and to their families.    

(NOT) READY TO MOVE ON

by Kate Collins


As the 2nd anniversary of my husband’s passing draws nearer, I’m coming to the end of another chapter of my life. I’m moving.
It was a well-considered move that my children have been encouraging me to make for a year. I’d searched for the perfect place for awhile but had never found anything that felt right. Then one day, on a whim, I stopped by a model home in a new development near my present abode. It’s a condominium home, meaning I won’t have to worry about lawn maintenance, outside house maintenance, or snow removal. It has all the modern amenities, even the granite countertop I’ve always wanted. It even has an office for me.
The ranch-style house, less than half the size of my present home, was sunlit and open yet still cozy, its size a definite change from the huge, rambling two story I’ve lived in for the past 15 years. I liked it so much I went back four times, until, encouraged by family and friends who went to see it with me, I gulped hard and took the plunge. Since last March, I’ve watched excitedly as the house took shape. It was a project for me to work on and make my own. Now it’s almost done. My closing will be in just a few weeks.
But I find myself dreading the move. It terrifies me to think of leaving my beautiful, familiar home. How do I detach myself from this place where I’ve spent my entire married life, the house my husband and I remodeled slowly into our dream “castle”?  
I’m so emotionally attached to this house that I can still see my beloved Greek standing in the kitchen making his famous Greek salad that he prepared every evening while I cooked dinner. I can still see him sitting in one of our matching easy chairs in front of the TV, waiting for me to join him. I can catch a glimpse of him doing yardwork outside my office window. I can almost hear the back door slam as it would when he came home from work. I can even catch the slight scent of his Drakkar Noir in the bathroom over his sink and remember how he’d rub it into his hands and pat it on his face every morning.
Once I leave this house, I’ll have only the memories of those things. Will that be enough or will I ache for the places where these things actually happened? Will I start to forget? Will I long for my old house so much I can’t enjoy the new?
I found out Friday that my closing date scheduled for next week has been delayed indefinitely because the local utilities company hasn’t been out to run electrical wiring to the house. I breathed a sigh of relief. A reprieve.
It won’t last forever, I know. Nothing does, as I’ve so painfully learned. The day will come when I have to transition to this new home, to this new period in my life.  Psychologically, I won’t be able to pretend I’m half of a couple any longer. It will be me, just me, starting again.
If you have any advice, I'd love to hear it.

I Don't Have to Wait Until November?

by Leann

In Texas, we didn't have my favorite season--autumn. Summer there morphs into a gray and gloomy season I would call "finter." Combine fall and winter and you've got "finter." If we got a day in the low 60's I'd haul out the chili ingredients with glee. I love chili, but in south Texas you don't get many "chili days."

Here in South Carolina, however, we are receiving our first taste of autumn. The temps at night will be in the 50's for the next few days and the leaves are already yellowing and beginning to swirl in a humidity-free breeze. I grew up in western NY and it wasn't until I moved to a sub-tropical climate that I realized how much autumn meant to me. Don't get me wrong. Early spring in Texas is absolutely stunning with azaleas and roses and the sweet scent of honeysuckle every time you step out the door.

This first little cool snap here in South Carolina made me wonder why spring never meant as much to me as autumn--since a Texas spring can rival the beauty of any place in the US. It has to do, I realized, with school.  I loved school. I loved new shoes, new teachers, new friends. But I loved learning and autumn was mostly about learning. Growing up, spring seemed a little sad. It now know that's because I was anticipating the end of school. Then I'd have to wait for what, as a child, seemed like forever for another autumn.

I still feel a tad lost here. I miss the home I made in Texas, the people I loved, the familiarity of the streets and even those awful freeways. But this autumn-feeling is literally a breath of fresh air. I don't have to wait until November for a taste of autumn. That makes me smile.

What about you? What does autumn mean to you?

The Project That Wouldn't End

By Ellery Adams


Have you ever started a home improvement project that never seemed to end?
We have. All of them seem to be like that, in fact. But this year, we planned to replace our rotting deck and mold-covered paver-stone patio with a never-rot composite deck, weather-treated wood pergola, and flagstone patio and stack wall.  Doesn’t sound that complicated, does it?
Well, the weather didn’t help. I don’t think we’ve ever had so much rain in one summer.
And there were issues with the materials. Some of them were ordered, but never appeared or arrived damaged and had to be reordered. Others didn’t quite fit. Through no one’s fault, things just got more and more backed up.
Finally, in August, we got the railings put on the deck and I finished some last minute landscaping and decorating in the hopes of hosting a Labor Day party, but most people we planned to invite went out of town.
 Have you ever had an endless home project? And do you have any ideas for an early September al fresco party?