Kate Collins's Blog, page 324

Ellery's Mystery Cozy Contest - Answer

It's Red Delicious Death by today's guest blogger, Sheila Connolly. Congrats to Melissa Schwebach for guessing correctly! Tune in next month for another contest.
Here's the complete paragraph:
"Meg went to the kitchen and opened the refrigerator, looking for ideas. The sound of the refrigerator door prompted Lolly to appear, and she wrapped herself around Meg's ankles. "No, silly cat, it's not dinner time yet, and you've still got food in your dish. I'm trying to feed people here." Meg reached down to scratch behind Lolly's ears, and after accepting her due, Lolly strolled back toward the dining room."

Home - By Sheila Connolly

I've just given my editor the manuscript for the fifth book in the Orchard Series. It's so new it doesn't even have a name yet.

The first four books in the series span Meg Corey's first year in the small New England town of Granford, from her arrival through the harvest of her first apple crop. It's been a hard year for her: not only did she move to a new and unfamiliar place without any friends or any idea how she's going to support herself, but she's been involved in four murder investigations. You'd think a quiet corner of Massachusetts would be relatively safe, but apparently that's not the case where Meg is concerned. In A Killer Crop (due out December 7th) she even had to clear her mother from suspicion of murder.

Of course, there have been happy experiences along the way. She's found a slow-growing relationship with neighbor Seth Chapin. She's made friends. She's helped to start a new restaurant in town. She's learned a lot about herself and what she's capable of, and she's beginning to feel at home in Granford. If it weren't for those pesky murders that seem to keep happening, things would be looking pretty good.

The most recent manuscript takes place in winter. The harvest is over, and Meg is adding up the figures and trying to decide if she can afford to stay in Granford, and if she wants to stay in Granford. She's found out that farming is both hard and uncertain–one bad storm can destroy a year's worth of effort. She's learned that people in a small community can be both wary and welcoming. She's an outsider with historic roots in the area, and she's discovering what it means to become an insider.

In a way the new story highlights both the good and the bad sides of living in a small town. People there have long memories. Once they accept you, you become part of their history–sometimes for centuries. That's the central story of the new book: something that happened over two hundred years ago enters Meg's current life, and affects her decision about her future.

A Pew Research Center Survey from 2008 says that almost 12% of Americans changed residences between 2007 and 2008. Most Americans have moved to a new community at least once in their lives, although at the same time, nearly 40% still live in the place where they were born. How about you? Have you moved around during your life, and been the "new kid" at least once? Or do you still live in the same town where you grew up, and everybody knows your name?

Enjoy Sheila Connolly's December release, A Killer Crop, where she manages to include mother-daughter relationships, old and new romances, and Emily Dickinson! For the record, she has lived in seven different states and has moved more times than she wants to count.

To win a signed copy of A Killer Crop simply leave a comment below (make sure we have an email address for you too)

The Way of the Dinosaur

A friend sent me a link to a a site called Pakalert Press, which analyzes trends. There, I read an article titled '25 Things About to Become Extinct in America.' That got me thinking about the things we've already lost - railroad cabooses, candy stores, phone booths.

Several things on the doomed list didn't bother me too much:
Yellow pagesPhone landlinesFilm camerasU.S. post officeOthers made my heart hurt
Hand written lettersWild horsesThe family farmHoneybees Many of you know I write a beekeeping mystery series as Hannah Reed. Buzz Off required a lot of research, so I know about the threat to honeybees. It's serious, not only in America, but across the world. Scientists are working hard to save them. I hope they can. It really, really bothered me to see them #4 on the list.
 
You can read about all 25 by clicking here.

At the Movies

Fall temps have finally come to Colorado. Actually, they came last week, but they didn't just tease then run away again. No. . .this time the colder temps have stayed. All the beautiful leaves are on the ground or in the process of falling. No doubt about it---Winter will be coming, whether we like it or not.

And that means----delicious autumn harvest soups and other yummy recipes---and filmakers release lots of big movies in time for the holidays. The biggest of the big---the King, without a doubt---will be the new Harry Potter episode: Deadly Hallows--Part I. Trailers have been filling the airways. Personally, I love catching up with the gang from Hogwart's, so I'll be filling one of those theatre seats in a couple of weeks.

But, today I want to mention some other movies that shouldn't be neglected in the Potter-mania. First is "Secretariat." This is a wonderful movie that satisfies on all levels. Action in all of the horse racing scenes, family dramas as well as conflicts with friends, and, of course, the amazing accomplishments of the greatest racehorse of all time----Secretariat. In fact, his incredible performance in winning the last and longest leg of the Triple Crown---the Belmont Stakes---has been recognized as such an achievement that Secretariat is regarded as the "greatest athlete" of all time. That says a lot about the horse that the owner and his trainers all called "Big Red." Nothing beats a good horse movie, folks. You can take anybody to see it, and they'll get swept up. There's even some horse-to-human communication going on that might even satisfy the sci-fi crowd.


Next, is the new Matt Damon movie "Hereafter." I enjoyed this movie. It's low key and concentrates on the character who is a gifted medium. He touches a person and immediately gets information from "the other side." People who have already died suddenly show up to communicate with the person they've left behind. The stories are extremely well-done and engaging and well-acted. This is not an action flic, of course, but concentrates on characters instead.


And last, is the movie "Unstoppable." Now, THAT is an action flic. It starts off nice and easy and lets you get a glimpse into the main characters' lives (Denzel Washington & Chris Pike). This film is based on a real-life event with a runaway train in Pennsylvania. And it shows how a "low-tech" subject matter can be every b it as exciting as any satellite chasing heroes thru European streets. Lives are in danger and ordinary men step up to do extraordinary things to save peoples' lives. People they don't even know. And they put their own lives at risk. One train engineer dies trying to stop that train at an earlier point in the film. It's an unmanned, unguided missle traveling over 70 mph and heading into a town with a steep curve right in the middle of the town---set for catastrophe. The train is pulling several cars of combustible materials as well as oil tank cars. A truly incendiary situation. As it was in real life. This movie delivers, folks. If you're looking for an exciting adventure, you can't miss.
Have you seen any of these films? What did you think?

KATE OPTS OUT

by Kate Collins

I'm sure you've heard of the controversy surrounding the full body scans now being given at airports across the US. Concerns about the health hazards from radiation exposure, invasion of privacy, sharing of naked images by TSA employees, and more, have caused the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) to bring claims under the Administrative Procedure Act, the Privacy Act, the Video Voyeurism Prevention Act, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, and the Fourth Amendment.

The Allied Pilots Association has urged all pilots to reject the naked body scanners and request to opt out. And consumer advocate Ralph Nader agrees that the TSA's use of naked body scanners must be challenged. But until something happens, what are travelers to do?

Personally, I've had more than my fair share of x-rays, CT scans, and mammograms over the years. I don't need more radiation. It takes years to get it out of the body, and its carcinogenic, to boot. Here's something else I don't want – everyone standing in the various security lines viewing my naked image. How do I know this happens? Because I was standing in line this past week and saw all the people in front of me go through. How humiliating!

I deliberately chose a line that had the normal "quick pass" scanner. There were four of those lines and one naked body scanner. I was just about to pass through the quick scanner when the woman in charge of the naked scanner pointed at me and said, "You. Step over here. And hold your arms over your head."

Instantly, I said, "No, I'm opting out." I mistakenly thought she would then let me rejoin my line with my family members. No such luck. She was going to make an example of me.

In a loud voice she called, "FEMALE OPT OUT." Twice. When no one appeared to give me a pat down, she yelled it. Finally I was led to an area in full view of everyone standing in all five lines. There I was given a full body pat down by a nice young woman who knew the situation was awkward. She gave me an apologetic smile and told me to hold my arms out and look away.

And when I did, I saw a sea of faces staring back at me. This was my punishment for daring to opt out. But you know what? It wasn't that bad. I'm proud for taking a stand. It's exactly what my sleuth, Abby Knight, would do – take a stand against injustice.

The Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution says ..."The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."

Was it reasonable to search my person either by the naked scanner or by a full pat down? If you've seen my photo on my website or Facebook page, you know I am not a frightening-looking person. At 5' 4", and small-boned, I hardly see myself as resembling a terrorist. More like a school teacher. So what was their point? And what about those other four lines of people who didn't get that scan? Did they look less threatening than me?

No matter what the reason is, if it happens again, I will opt out then, too. If everyone opts out, there is no way the TSA can find the time or personnel to conduct all those pat downs. So if you believe the full body scan is harmful or just wrong, don't be afraid to take a stand. Don't let an unreasonable search and seizure happen to you against your will. Make your forefathers proud.

Kate, opting out.

Dru's Cozy Report: November Reading List

Welcome to Dru's Cozy Report. I will be sharing, on a monthly basis, my views on current cozy mysteries. This month, I'm skating around rare books and fundraising.

[image error]The Lies That Bind by Kate Carlisle is the third book in the "Bibliophile" mystery series. Publisher: Obsidian (Penguin), November 2010

When it comes to rare books and antiquities, Brooklyn Wainwright is a master. Which is why she's returned home to San Francisco to teach a bookbinding class at Bay Area Book Arts. Unfortunately, BABA director Layla Fontaine is a horrendous host who pitches fits and lords over her subordinates. With the help of her beau, British security officer Derek Stone, Brooklyn manages to put up a brave face and endure. Unfortunately, someone else is not so forgiving. Layla is found dead of a gunshot wound, and Brooklyn is bound and determined to investigate. But when Layla's past ends up intertwined with Derek's, Brooklyn realizes that the case is much more personal than she thought—and that the killer might want to close the book on her for good.

This time Brooklyn is back in San Francisco and the living isn't easy, especially when friends are injured and she finds, not again, a dead body. But guess who's in town, none other than Derek Stone, the sexy security specialist who has stolen her heart. Finding time to solve the crime is easy but finding time alone is nerve-whacking and fun. This was the best book yet in this series. As Brooklyn gathers clues, we are taken on a tour of San Francisco, the wine country and we get a peek inside the world of rare books and bookbinding. You can't help but be glued to the pages as you search out the killer along with Brooklyn. The characters, the dialogue, and the humorous anecdotes make this an entertaining and engaging story.

Visit Kate Carlisle's website at http://katecarlisle.com/

FTC Full Disclosure - I bought my copy of "Lies That Bind"

[image error]Skating Around The Law by Joelle Charbonneau is the first book in the new "Rebecca Robbins" mystery series. Publisher: Minotaur Books, September 2010

Rebecca Robbins is a woman on a mission—to sell the roller rink she inherited from her mother and get back to Chicago. Fast. However, when she discovers the dead body of the town's handyman headfirst in a rink toilet, potential buyers are scared off. Now Rebecca is stuck in a small town where her former neighbors think she doesn't belong, living with her scarily frisky grandfather, Pop, and relying on a police department that's better at gardening than solving crimes. Eager to move forward with her life, Rebecca begins investigating the murder herself, reluctantly accepting help from Pop and his extensive social network, which includes a handsome veterinarian and a former circus camel named Elwood. Nevertheless, someone isn't happy she's looking into the case, and their threats will have her questioning whether playing sleuth was such a good idea after all.

We meet Rebecca who is in her hometown long enough to sell the skating rink but when she finds the dead body of the local handyman, her dream of leaving fades. With the sheriff more concerned about his garden, Rebecca takes it upon herself to search for the killer and enlists help from her rambunctious grandfather, his friends and the sexy veterinarian to put the killer on hold. What a great debut novel. This is a story filled with clever dialogue and wonderful characters. You are so involved in following Rebecca around as she assembles clues, that you don't see the killer until it's too late. This was a delightful and enjoyable story that will charm you out of your skates.

Visit Joelle Charbonneau's website at http://www.joellecharbonneau.net/

FTC Full Disclosure - I borrowed "Skating Around The Law" from the public library

[image error]Fundraising The Dead by Sheila Connolly is the first book in the new "Museum" mystery series. Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime, October 2010

At the museum, a few missing documents could be a major embarrassment. When a collection of George Washington's letters is lost on the day of the Society's grand gala, heads will certainly roll...but no one expects an archivist to be found dead. Fundraiser Nell Pratt is frustrated when the Society president—whom she also happens to be dating—doesn't seem to be pushing for an investigation. And when Nell goes digging for answers herself, she just may uncover a long, rich history of crime.

When a board member asks Nell to look into missing documents, she immediately seeks help from the museum's archivist. Later, when Nell stumbles upon his body and finds his notes, Nell concludes that something is amiss with the archivist's death and instead of one mystery; there are two mysteries to unravel. This book starts out slow, but once the murder mystery comes into play, the story kept my attention and I couldn't put the book down. A betrayal of trust leads Nell and Marty to ply their knowledge of the inner workings of the museum and set in motion a plan to solve both crimes. With the FBI looking into one aspect of the crime and the women engaging in tactical support, you'll have a fun time watching them bring this case to a close with some unsuspecting twists. This is a good start to a new series.

Visit Sheila Connolly's website at http://www.sheilaconnolly.com/

FTC Full Disclosure - I bought my copy of "Fundraising The Dead"


For more of my book musings, visit my website at http://notesfromme.wordpress.com/

Good News, Bad News, Yada Yada Yada

by Leann

I have spent the week alone here in Texas while my husband enjoyed his annual male bonding experience in South Carolina. He goes hunting with his friends there every year. And visits the property we own where I desperately want to build our retirement home. Like tomorrow! Sigh.

The news from the hunt has been good news, bad news, good news, bad news. And all delivered with minimal text messages. He bagged a doe, so that's good for his ego. He can still hunt with the best of them and has kept his "only one bullet a year" brag alive. But though that is good news for him, it's not so good for me. I despise venison. Cannot even stand to be in the vicinity when he cooks it. I have tried more than once to "like" it without success. So my fear that he would bring home deer meat was alive and well, but good news! He's leaving the meat there for our friends who truly enjoy it year round. YAY!

Good news is he will be home soon and arrives at the closer airport. I won't have to drive across Houston in the rain, but rather will make a fifteen minute ride down the freeway. It is lonely around here! I will be glad to see him. The bad news? He's bringing home something almost as bad as a deer--an illness. I feel bad for him. He was sick most of September with a terrible virus and now is sick again. And I feel bad for me too. Number one, I might catch it and I am very fatigued right now (thank you, fibromyalgia and Lyme, but I hate you!). Number two is probably worse. How many of you have taken care of a sick husband or partner? Sorry, men are not good patients. They regress, they're uber-needy and if they're engineers, they question your knowledge when you suggest things that might make them feel better. Anyone familiar with this male sickness syndrome? How do you handle this kind of behavior without wearing yourself out and getting sick yourself? I have until this afternoon. HELP!

On The Other Side Of The Register

By Lorna

Just the other day, Jennifer reminded me Black Friday will soon be upon us.  Ahhh...Black Friday, the best day of the year for retail.  Retailers look forward to it all year long.  Why?  It's when they know for sure if they will survive the year in the black or the red.

I only participated in the madness of shopping on Black Friday once.  That was enough for me.  I'm not big on crowds and have limited patience. (Of course now that I have a Kindle, waiting in a long line would be a lot easier.)

I was a vendor in an antiques arcade for over 12 years, and I've based part of my Victoria Square books (the first one, A Crafty Killing, comes out on February 1st--under my Lorraine Bartlett name).  It was a lot of fun.  And being on the other side of the cash register on Black Friday was a lot of fun, too--especially when it was my merchandise that came through the line.  Ka-ching! (And we did it in Dickens' costumes, too!)

When I became a full-time author, I found I just didn't have the time to keep up with my booth.  There's a lot more to staying in that business than just putting your merchandise in a booth.  (Accounting, obtaining merchandise, cleaning and repairing it, inventory (ugh the worst), etc.)  But I didn't give up my entreprenoral spirit.  And it was after the paperback edition of Murder on the Mind came out that I entered the Craft Show circuit.

I only do three shows a year, and they're fun.  Okay, the first one is 100% fun, the second, 90% fun and the third is a drag, but that's only because shows 2 and 3 are back-to-back and the sales aren't as good.  (People are shopped out by then.)  It takes a lot out of you to stand for 6-7 hours on a hard concrete floor (I always bring a bit of carpet).  You get thirsty asking people, "Do you read mysteries?"  But it's incredible when people return to your table (I have the same space every year and they know where to find me) and say, "I loved your last book!"  (Okay, it's incredible when ANYBODY says that.  It never gets old.)

I have my first show next weekend and already the butterflies are fluttering.  I'll be making up goody bags tomorrow (containing bookmarks, postcards and recipe cards from about 30 of my author friends) to hand out to my customers.  (Nothing like getting the word out about cozy mysteries!) Tomorrow I'll pack my boxes of books, CD play and CDs (a little holiday music gets people in the mood), my postcard garland (that was fun to make:  16 Chapter & Hearse postcards on a string of ribbon to hang from my table), and my table posters of my books.  (The cover of Chapter & Hearse blown up to gigantic proportions can be seen across a crowded room.)

Next Saturday (November 18th), author Lisa Bork is joining me at the Churchmouse Holiday Bazaar.  We did another show last year and Lisa decided to try this one, too.  (It's nice to have a fellow author to talk to during the last couple of hours of the show when things get slow.)

We'll be reminding shopper that books make great gifts.  (Oh, and don't forget that yourself!)  It'll be a lot of fun.

Do you have holiday shopping traditions?

Holiday Sneak Attack

By Heather

Is it me or have the holidays kind of snuck up on us this year? One minute it's Labor Day and then next thing I know it's two weeks till Thanksgiving (how does that happen?).

Thanksgiving is, by far, my favorite holiday. I love everything it represents—about being thankful for those around me and what's in front of me. I like having a day set aside just to be thankful for the big things, the small things, and even all the not-so-good things that taught me something about myself, about others. Because it's those lessons that help me to grow as a person. Older and wiser and all that.

Growing up, my family always had traditional Thanksgiving dinners. Big table, lots of food, lots of family. Unlike other families (and movies), we never went around the table and said what we were especially thankful for, but as an adult, I always try to do this with my own family. And I want to do it with you, too.

So, gather round our cyber table, and let's officially kick off this holiday season. I'll start, and I hope you all will add on.

I'm thankful for my family, good friends, good health, and good books (am struggling to narrow this down to a couple of lines!). And on a slightly irreverent note, I'm also grateful for clothes straight from the dryer (ahhhhhhhhhhhh, warm).

Your turn (and pass the pumpkin pie my way)!

-----
PS: And because I'm especially thankful for all of you, I'm going to have a giveaway with today's post. Want to read the next edition of the Lucy Valentine series? The unreleased, not due out in stores until February (three LONG months from now)  Absolutely, Positively ? Here's your chance. Leave a comment today and you'll be entered to win an autographed ARC (advanced reading copy) of Absolutely, Positively . Winner will be chosen randomly from the comment section at 10 pm (EST) tonight--so be sure to check back to see if you won.

Ellery's Cozy Mystery Contest

It's that time of the month again - your chance to win a $10 gift certificate to Mystery Lovers Bookshop.
I'll give you one line from a contemporary cozy and you have six days to email me the title and author at elleryadams@comcast.net
Please DO NOT POST the answer. You can certainly post a comment saying that you read the book or feel pretty darned confident that your guess is accurate, but no titles or authors in the comments, okay?
Here's the line: Meg reached down to scratch behind Lolly's ears, and after accepting her due, Lolly strolled back toward the dining room.
Ellery's hint: You might be baking with the subject of this book this month!