Kate Collins's Blog, page 305
May 17, 2011
It's Rhubarb Time!
Here in Wisconsin, spring is off to a slow start, so my rhubarb hasn't been ready to pick until now. In the old days, grandma would hand me a stalk of rhubarb and a little bowl of sugar. What a treat, eating it raw! We always made an ice cream sauce, too. Which, BTW, is one of the recipes in Gertie Johnson's eCookbook, Cooking Can Be Murder, that just happens to be in the top 10 bestselling regional cookbooks on Kindle (the Gertie in me just had to brag).But as I get older right along with my overachieving rhubarb, I want to find a more healthful way to serve it. So I went online, found this recipe, and will try it tonight. I'm debating whether to serve it with chicken or with duck. Either way, I think it's going to be yummy.
Rhubarb Mustard Sauce
2 cups rhubarb, chopped
1/2 tsp mustard seed
1/2 tsp dry mustard
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/2 cup onions, diced
1 tsp garlic, minced
1/2 cup maple syrup
2/3 cup mashed stawberries
Combine all ingredients, simmer until rhubarb is soft, about 5 minutes. Remove the rhubarb and continue to simmer the rest until syrupy. Add the rhubarb. Serve.
So tell me - do you like rhubarb? And what's your favorite way to eat it?
May 16, 2011
Season Finale(s)
This is the time of year when television dramas and action-adventure shows schedule their final episodes for the season. Conventional wisdom is to leave the audience hanging, breathlessly waiting for the next season to see "what happens next." Or. . .at the very least, tune in to check out the characters again.
As I've mentioned before, I've found several series that interested me enough to keep following throughout this season, and I have to admit. . .their season finales did not disappoint. My favorites:
"FRINGE" -- for those of us who miss LOST, producer/director J.J. Abrams brought us something quirky and more cerebral. . .and without Arctic polar bears appearing in tropical jungles. This series introduced us to parallel universes with the exact same "persons" living in different worlds, albeit the same cities/countries/planet. The finale took me by surprise (another of Abrams' trademarks) when a central character suddenly disappeared while the "doubles" from the parallel universes confronted each other in one scientist's lab. I wonder how Abrams will deal with that next year.
"V" -- Early season finale, but the evil female invader has surpassed herself. I missed the original movie and remake of this old sci-fi script, so it's all new to me. Wonder what Anna (Bad Anna) has planned for the humans next year.
"THE EVENT" has its finale next week, but the stakes have been raised pretty darn high. Nothing less than annihilation of most of the human race is eminent. This must be the year of Evil Female Leading Characters, because Sophia could go toe-to-toe with Anna. Sophia would feel guilty afterwards, Anna wouldn't. We'll have to wait until next week for more clues."DETROIT 187" -- This is probably my favorite of non-scifi/fantasy shows. Depth of characterization and plotline is excellent. And the actors chosen for their roles are excellent and new to me. Love discovering new talent. A very touching season finale with . . .dare I say it? Hope for the future.
"NIKITA" -- This is my fave for action-adventure in real time, right now, today. Black ops and guns and scheming Machiavellian rogue director. Once again, excellent actors bring a reality to this fast-paced action drama, but they don't skimp on characterization. Can't wait to see what Nikita protege Alex will get up to now that she's gone "off the grid."
"BLUE BLOODS" -- Last week's finale was a good one, tying up the intriguing subplot and threat of the Blue Templars in the NYC police force. Again, excellent acting helps all around.
Your thoughts? Do you watch these programs? Any ideas for next season?
May 15, 2011
Indiana: A Police State?
by Kate Collins
Picture those old movies of the Gestapo kicking in house doors or knocking them down with battering rams and rounding up the frightened people inside. Well, hello, Hitler! Welcome to Indiana, where we now have a law that says the police do not need anything more than suspicion to break down your door and search your home.
I'm simply appalled. Can this be a reality in the "land of the free, home of the brave?" Apparently, the Indiana Supreme Court thinks so. They just turned down an attempt to stop the law from going through. I'm terrified, too,that Gov. Mitch Daniels thinks it's a grand idea. (And he may run for President.)
Can you imagine what our forefathers would have to say? Isn't this exactly what they wrote the Constitution to guard against? A police state?
I understand that sometimes time is of the essence when the cops are trying to raid drug dealing dens. I really do get that. However, one of the reporters on my local radio station, who has been on many ride-along raids with the police force, said we would be shocked at the number of wrong addresses the cops had been given. And what happens when they mistakenly barge into your home and turn it to rubble? Nothing. They walk out and leave you to clean up -- and pay for -- the destruction.
The only caveat the Supreme Court mentioned was that it "hoped" the police would get a search warrant. But it's not necessary. (wink,wink).
Does this scare you? Will this law spread to the rest of the country -- or has it already come to your state?
What's next? Book burning?
Dru's Cozy Report: May Reading List
Welcome to Dru's Cozy Report. This month we have two new series featuring a gardener and an aspiring PI-to-be; the other four are returning series featuring a bookbinder, a cheese shop owner, and two crafts shop owners.
What a great debut series. Casey is attacked and from that moment on is following leads she collects to find a killer. The closer Casey gets, the nervous she is making the killer who is intent on causing her and those near her harm. This cleverly-written, action-packed story is full of intrigue and suspense. I love the wonderful cast which includes Casey, Jack, Gordon, Alyssa and the ever-friendly Milo. With a great setting, engaging dialogue and a comfortable feeling, this delightful series will keep you bloom-fully entertained.Flowerbed of State by Dorothy St. James is the first book in the new "White House Gardener" mystery series. Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime, May 2011
Casey's passion for organic gardening and eye for detail have carried her into the most important patch of land in America—the President's Park, on which sits the most important home in America: the White House. But while she's readying the final touches on an innovative cultivation program for the First Lady to inspect, she's attacked from behind by an unknown assailant who then disappears. When she comes to, she notices some damaged foliage that leads her and the Secret Service to a dead woman in a trash can. With the biggest opportunity of her life ready to bloom, and all the President's men plowing up her perfect plans, Casey has to dig in and root out a killer before she ends up planted herself.
Visit Dorothy's website at http://www.dorothystjames.com/
FTC Full Disclosure - The publisher sent me a copy of this book
This was a good read. When Robin, Brooklyn's friend returns with a gift, little did they both know the havoc that follows them as someone is willing to kill to get it back. A body here, a body there will keep Robin, Brooklyn and Derek on their toes as they unbind the clues to find a killer. This evenly-paced, action-filled drama will have you quickly reading through this story in one sitting. With a shocking twist of fate, you'll never believe what happened next. With interesting characters, inviting locale, exceptional dialogue and great visualization of bookbinding techniques, this is the best one yet in this fantastic and brilliant series.Murder Under Cover by Kate Carlisle is the fourth book in the "Bibliophile" mystery series. Publisher: Obsidian, May 2011
When she receives an exquisite copy of the Kama Sutra from her best friend, Robin, to appraise and restore, Brooklyn Wainwright anticipates re-creating a beautiful book and spicing up her love life. But before Brooklyn can get started, Robin winds up in big trouble: Her apartment is ransacked, and the great guy she recently met lies murdered in her bed. Now Robin is the number one suspect. Luckily, Brooklyn's boyfriend, British security expert Derek Stone, has moved to San Francisco and is ready to help. And not a moment too soon, because Brooklyn's own apartment is found thoroughly searched. To make matters worse, a bleeding Russian stranger barges in, and the earlier victim is identified as Ukrainian, making it clear to Brooklyn that she's involved in an international conspiracy. Obviously, exploring the Kama Sutra's bliss will have to wait until after Brooklyn finds the killer.
Visit Kate' website at http://www.katecarlisle.com/index-mystery.php
FTC Full Disclosure - The publisher sent me a copy of this book
All Meredith wanted to do was turn an old winery into a local college with a fund-raiser. Things don't turn out that way when a body is discovered and her niece becomes the prime suspect. With prodding from her best friend and her young sleuth-in-training employee, Charlotte starts probing all that she sees and hears to find a killer. This wonderfully-written prose held my attention from the first sentence to the last chapter. The author did a good job of keeping me guessing throughout most of the book. With loving characters and delicious appetizers, this delightful and aromatic mystery will have you salivating for all things cheese.Lost and Fondue by Avery Aames is the second book in the "Cheese Shop" mystery series and 2011 Agatha Award Winner For Best New Novel. Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime, May 2011
Charlotte Bessette--proprietor of Providence, Ohio's, charming Cheese Shop—is busy catering a fund-raiser for her best friend, Meredith. In addition to gourmet fondues, Charlotte is serving an array of delicious cheeses and delightful wines—the perfect complement to the setting of the wine-tasting party, a once-abandoned winery. But not everyone is happy, for the winery has long been a source of local legends about hidden treasures—and buried bodies. When a fresh body is found in the wine cellar and Meredith's niece, Quinn, becomes the chief suspect, Charlotte trades in her fondue fork for a flashlight to prove the case against Quinn has more holes than a slice of Swiss cheese. But as Charlotte's sleuthing starts to turn up the truth, the killer starts to turn up the heat.
Visit Avery's website at http://www.averyaames.com/
FTC Full Disclosure - The publisher sent me a copy of this book
What an explosive story. Finding a human leg while looking for a missing paycheck is not how Kiki wanted to begin her day, but that is what happened one morning. When later it was discovered to be a missing customer who was abused, Kiki didn't know this would closely touch her as well. I could not put this book down and this story grabbed my attention as Kiki struggles with so many issues that life kept putting in her path and I enjoyed watching her become stronger from it. The mystery was good but what I liked best was the relationship among the characters from Kiki and Chad and Clancy and Dodie and even Sheila. I can't wait to read the next book in this character driven series that will touch your heart.Make, Take, Murder by Joanna Campbell Slan is the fourth book in the "Kiki Lowenstein Scrap-N-Craft" mystery series. Publisher: Midnight Ink, May 2011
Dumpster diving for her lost paycheck is definitely the low point of Kiki Lowenstein's day—that is, until she finds a severed leg thrown in with the trash. Who'd toss a body part in the garbage outside the scrapbook crafts store where Kiki works? Accompanying the grisly "gift" is a creepy computerized voice message, a warning to the store's "rich and snotty" female shoppers. Kiki soon discovers that the leg belonged to Cindy Gambrowski, a customer with a tyrannical and violent husband—who's now harassing Kiki. Combing through Cindy's scrapbook projects for hidden clues, Kiki tries to find the killer. Was it a crime of marital malice, or did someone else beat Cindy's husband to the punch?
Visit Joanna's website at http://www.joannacampbellslan.com/
FTC Full Disclosure – I won my copy of this book
I don't know why I haven't discovered this author's work before, but boy am I glad I did. Izzy and Sam are getting married. When their wedding planner is found dead, her death puts a damper on the upcoming festivities and the Seaside Knitters are determined to cast-off those dark clouds and the only way to do that is to find the killer. Once I started reading this book, I could not put it down. I was drawn to the way the mystery flowed and the author did a good job at keeping me guessing until the end. With a wonderful cast, warm-filled dialogue and a great setting, this charming story touched my heart and I look forward to the next book in the delightful and engaging series.The Wedding Shawl by Sally Goldenbaum is the fifth book in the "Seaside Knitting" mystery series. Publisher: Obsidian, May 2011
Izzy Chamber's heart is full but her stomach is in knots. She's about to marry Sam Perry, the love of her life, but much remains to be done before the big day arrives. The Seaside Knitters have pitched in to help, and, as a surprise, they're knitting Izzy a beautiful wedding shawl—an exquisite lace memento born of friendship. As Izzy makes lists, her aunt Nell focuses on her backyard, where the wedding will be held. She has hired a gardener, Claire, and soon the sloping yard is bursting with blooms. It's a necessary distraction for Claire, who has just returned to Cape Ann after a long absence. Fifteen years ago her teenage daughter drowned in a Cape Ann quarry, and though the death was suspicious, the crime was never solved. The wedding plans get complicated when Tiffany, the hairstylist for the wedding party, starts missing appointments. But when she disappears—and is later found dead—things begin to unravel. Rumors start to circulate about Tiffany's past and her connection to the unsolved murder. Did Claire return to exact revenge? Or are there more secrets simmering in the summer heat? All the Seaside Knitters really know is that they must rally to find some answers so Izzy can don her lovely shawl and the whispers about town can be replaced by wedding bells.
Visit Sally's website at http://www.sallygoldenbaum.com/
FTC Full Disclosure – I bought my copy of this book
Imogene's life goal is to be a detective and when her mother is arrested and jailed for her uncle's murder, Imogene decides to start her own investigation to clear their names. This quirky and humorous story will have you cheering for Immy as she inadvertently with her actions figures out who-dun-it. With an adorable cast including Imogene, her mother and her precious daughter and amusing dialogue, this pleasantly read story will have you yearning for more adventures with Imogene Duckworthy.Choke by Kaye George is the first book in the new "Imogene Duckworthy" mystery series. Publisher: Mainly Murder Press, May 2011
Twenty-two-year-old Imogene Duckworthy is waiting tables at Huey's Hash to support her toddler daughter in tiny Saltlick, Texas and just itching to become a private eye like the ones she admires on TV. When Huey is found murdered, she gets her chance to solve a real case—but when Immy's mother is hauled in for the crime., the spunky waitress finds herself on the lam from the law.
Visit Kaye's website at http://www.kayegeorge.com/
FTC Full Disclosure - The author sent me this book
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May 14, 2011
Cupcakes anyone?
Well, what do you know--it's cottage season and I'm going to back there to write a LOT this year, if only because I have so many projects on my place, and it's quiet and I can get a LOT of work done.The family cottage has always been a work in process. Something always breaks and needs fixing. I bought a drop-leaf table for the enclosed porch and two of the legs fell off before I could even get it home. I have plans for my tiny office (a room 8 x 10 feet, which sounds BIG until you put anything in it) and our kitchen. (New ceiling and lighting, new sink and faucet.)
But one thing I don't think I can fix this year is my calendar.
You see, I ALWAYS buy my calendars after Christmas. I may have to change that rule. After Christmas, the only reasonably priced (can you say a buck) calendar was tiny. We're talking 5 1/4" x 5 3/4 inches. Oh sure, it's cute. The pictures are all darling cupcakes. (Ellery knows the BEST bakery for cupcakes not far from her house. They are to DIE for!) I figured--okay, it'll have to do.It's not doing. (The calendar, not Ellery's cupcakes.) It's so small, I can't see it from three feet away.
Wah!! I usually buy my calendars from either Michael's or Barnes & Noble, but they had sold every cute calendar they had BEFORE December 26th.
What do I need a calendar for at the cottage? To keep track of all the big events that happen in this neck of the woods. The Strawberry Festival, The big Putneyville community sale, etc.
This year, I'm paying full shot for a very cute calendar--IN SEPTEMBER!
What is it that you regret NOT buying?
May 13, 2011
Confession
I'm declaring it silly confession day here at the Cozy Chicks. And I'm even willing to go first.
My confession? Read on.
You know those Allstate insurance commercials with Dennis Haysbert (best known to me as President Palmer from the TV show 24)? Usually he's being stoic and sincere when discussing how wonderful Allstate is in the face of an insurance emergency. Car crash. Tornado. Freak acts of nature. That sort of thing. Then the commercial always ends with the same tag line. I've always heard (for years) him saying the tag line as: That's Allstate, Stan.
Finally, one night I looked at Mr. W and asked who the heck Stan was. Why did they always end the commercials talking to Stan? Is he supposed to be America's every man? The Average Joe the commercials are appealing to?
Well, after Mr. W stopped laughing, he explained. The tagline is That's Allstate's Stand.
Oh.
Well.
Okay.
Guess it's time to get my ears checked. (But I swear I still hear Stan.)
Any silly confessions from any of you?
May 12, 2011
After Over 20 Years, Why Is Law & Order So Successful? By Guest Blogger Kate Carlisle
Kate Carlisle is the author of the Bibliophile Mysteries, featuring rare book expert (and lover of all things edible) Brooklyn Wainwright. The fourth Bibliophile Mystery, Murder Under Cover, is a May 2011 release. Brooklyn's best friend Robin returns to San Francisco from a trip to India with a new man – and an exceedingly rare copy of the Kama Sutra for Brooklyn to restore. When the new boyfriend is murdered in Robyn's bed, only Brooklyn and the handsome British security expert Derek Stone stand between her and life in prison.
As the creator of the Bibliophile Mysteries, it's my job to write mystery novels that readers love, and I consider myself a perpetual student of the storytelling craft.
Recently, while watching a rerun of Law & Order: Criminal Intent, I marveled at the fact that the Law & Order franchise is still successful after more than 20 years on the air. With four million babies born in the US each year, 80 million Americans have never known a world without Law & Order.
Special Victims Unit, Criminal Intent, Los Angeles, UK… There's even been a Sesame Street parody called Law and Order: Missing Letters Unit, though I hope it will go over kids' heads. It's disturbing to think children would recognize the characters from the sex crimes unit. [Embed Law & Order: Missing Letters Unit video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5121VjLwqZM]
What lessons can I, a mystery writer, take from the decades of success of Law & Order?
Find inspiration everywhere.
Some of my favorite episodes of Law & Order are those that take a story from the news and put a fresh, imaginative spin on it. As I'm writing this, Crazy Sheen is making the headlines every day. I imagine the writers of Law & Order: Los Angeles are watching the story closely, playing "what if" games to turn the true story into something vaguely recognizable but different enough to avoid a lawsuit. In real life, producer Chuck Lorre actually included this statement in the closing credits of the show: "If Charlie Sheen outlives me, I'm gonna be really pissed."
Oh come on, now. Can't you imagine Sheen wanting to kill the producer after that public insult?!
Strive for the unexpected.
Many times, episodes start by focusing on unknown characters in intriguing situations. We catch just enough to whet our appetites. Then – BAM! The murder. Either the method or the victim is completely unexpected. Often, those intriguing characters are mere witnesses, never seen again.
Readers want to be surprised, so we writers must stretch ourselves. We need to find ways to lead readers to believe they know where the story is heading, and then veer in another direction.
Raise questions.
This lesson is closely tied with the previous one. The reason we're intrigued by those characters in the opening scene is because the writers give us just enough information about these strangers to make us curious. They raise questions. Why are these two people fighting? What is going to happen to the woman distracted by a text message when she steps into the dark alley? How will the pizza boy's and the prostitute's worlds collide?
Sex sells.
Okay, that was just an excuse to post Christopher Meloni's picture.
Keep the focus on the plot, not the characters' personal lives.
Readers have gotten to know facets of Brooklyn Wainwright through the first three Bibliophile Mysteries: HOMICIDE IN HARDCOVER, IF BOOKS COULD KILL, and THE LIES THAT BIND, and I hope they will get to know her a little bit better in the fourth installment, MURDER UNDER COVER. "A little bit" being the key phrase here.
With a series like this, one of the most important lessons I can take from Law & Order is to keep the focus on the plot, the mystery. Readers will get to know the characters slowly, over time. So yes, you will catch glimpses into Brooklyn's personal life, but your attention should be right where it belongs – on who killed Robyn's new boyfriend in her bed, and how did they do it without waking her up?
What other lessons can a writer take from Law & Order? If you're not a writer, then tell us what you love or don't love about the show? Which series is your favorite and why? Which of the regular characters intrigues you the most?
May 10, 2011
To Do or Not To Do
I'm obsessive about lists. Love the things. I have a daily to-do list and a monthly, one that extends out for the rest of the year, one for my gardening, one for my book business, one for my personal stuff, one that combines garden/book/personal.
To-do lists keep me on track with my goals & dreams.
And I love, love, love crossing off items as I complete them. "What a feeling/Bein's Believin'...Take Your Passion/And Make it Happen" ~ Flashdance - What a Feeling!
How about you? Are you a to-doer or not a to-doer?
May 9, 2011
Surprise Visit
I had a wonderful Day-Before-Mother's Day surprise last Saturday. Daughter Serena flew in for a quick visit. Very quick. We only had a few hours together, not here in Fort Collins, either. We were closer to Denver and very close to the Denver-JeffCo regional metropolitan airport. DIA (Denver International Airport) is Denver's very large main airport, but Serena flew into the smaller airport because she was in a smaller plane. A much smaller plane---a NASA jet. I've posted a cell phone photo which is small, but will give you an idea.
As I have mentioned before, Daughter Serena is a Doctor of Internal Medicine and was a NASA Flight Surgeon for a few years before she applied for the latest round of NASA Astronaut Candidate selection, and she was chosen as one of the nine "Class of 2009 Astronaut Candidates." That's a photo of Serena. The Astronaut Candidates go through an
intensive two-year period of training in everything NASA related and the International Space Station in particular. That training also includes Russian language instruction from a Russian-born native speaker (Russian Cosmonauts have the same requirements for English instruction). After all, both countries are running the International Space Station together, so clear communication is vital.
And another of the requirements is flight training, which means that every Astronaut Candidate who is not already a Pilot must learn to fly---starting with simpler aircraft and progressing to jet planes. Several of the nine Astronaut Candidates are military and have jet pilot experience. That's why Serena and her fellow Astronaut Candidate pilot flew into the Denver area last Saturday. They were completing yet more hours of necessary piloting experience.Serena has told me how much she enjoys "taking the controls" when it's her turn. The views must be magnificent. The pilot, Jack Fisher (nickname "Two Fish") and Serena both had family in the area and we were invited to meet them near the airport for a quick visit while the jet was re-fueled and readied. What a treat! I loved just watching the small jet being fueled and revved up to go. There's a special machine that's used to help start military jet engines.
That's Serena and "Two Fish" standing in front of the jet. And another photo shows them inside, all suited up with helmets and gear and strapped into their seats. Serena is in the 2nd seat. For the record, all astronauts are given nicknames by their teammates during their two year training period. Those of you who are parents and read
Dr. Seuss to your kids like I did will recognize where "Two Fish" came from. Each nickname has a story attached to it, apparently. Serena's nickname is "Bungee." And there's an interesting story behind that, too. :)
And I have to say, it is fascinating to watch that little jet take off. Wow. . .does it ever fly fast!! Whew! Zoom. . .and it was gone. Wow!
May 8, 2011
A Different Mother's Day
by Kate Collins
Mother's Day was one of those dreaded "firsts" for me – first one since my husband passed away – so I was not expecting much. In fact, after church, I came home and wept and made my daughters, who were visiting, feel pretty miserable, too, as if they needed more sadness.
But they weren't about to let me wallow. They had made plans for us. So after lunch, they put me in the car and we went flower shopping. Let me tell you, there's nothing like a beautiful day and a greenhouse full of lovely scents and bright colors to lighten one's burdens and mood. We picked out geraniums and petunias and gerberas in bold pink, white, rich purple, and sunny yellow, and spikes and ferns for greenery. Then we drove home, put on some old shoes and garden gloves, dug out the trowels, and got busy.
Two hours later, we had dirt under our nails – so much for the gloves – pots full of flowers, and smiles on our faces. What great therapy! And the bonus is that every time I walk out the front or back doors, I will see those lovely pots of blossoms and remember this Mother's Day, when my girls and I worked out our grief together and found joy in being together.
Garden therapy. I highly recommend it.
P.S. They made dinner for me, too.
