Lynn Cahoon's Blog, page 17

Leaping for Joy

Okay, so that’s a stretch. I’m actually walking unassisted for short periods after becoming a bionic woman with not one but two hip replacements in the last two years. Yay me!

“I am titanium…” Yes, I’ve been listening to old X-factor videos with The Cowboy. He’s a lot like me in loving watching people work hard and reach for a dream. He was furious when Adam Lambert lost on American Idol and now that Steven Tyler isn’t a judge, I can’t get him to watch the last season with me.

 

This time of year is always MUST SEE TV for me. I’ve got Project Runway All Stars and Top Chef and American Idol to watch. All three of these take people who have a gift and a dream to succeed and put them on the fast track for their lives.

Head down, butt in chair. I don’t think American Author would have the same audience pull. “Tonight the contestants wrote a horror short story just for you. They’ll read the first twenty pages and YOU, America, get to chose who goes on to your Top Eight.”

Yeah, not so much. But the good news is they could have mentors like Stephen King or Nora Roberts working with the group. And they couldn’t have an upper age limit. There are a lot of first time authors who wait until they retire to pursue their dream. I’d so sign up for that. The chance at 10 weeks of best selling story tellers mentoring you on your writing? Heaven.

Instead, today I am at my keyboard, looking at the week ahead and reaching for some higher word counts. I have 32 days before a deadline (but who’s counting) and the story is mostly still swirling around in my head.

What would my imaginary mentor Nora tell me? Sit in the damn chair and write the book.

I think it’s good advice.

What about you? What are you doing with your 366th day this year? Anything special?

 

Do you judge a book by it’s cover?

Inquiring minds, okay, I want to know.

My cover knowledge is building abet slowly. What makes a good cover? What makes you as a reader go, I HAVE TO READ THAT BOOK?

I’m drawn to eery, spooky, gothic romance style covers. I blame my obsession with Dark Shadows, the original for that quirk. Like the book I’m currently reading – Ghost Gifts.

But that’s not what I write. (At least not now…) So when I’m looking at covers for my small town romance, I get kind of literal.

This was the first cover I helped design for The Bull Rider’s Collection.

I LOVED it. It didn’t sell. Even at less than a dollar. (Not romantic enough?)

My publisher and I redesigned the cover to this –

Which I still love – And the book sold like hotcakes.

Now, looking at the Tourist Trap series, I see Killer Run is almost at 100 reviews.

Dressed to Kill, which released two months before Killer Run is only at 75.

Is it the covers? Did Dressed not get as much release love as Killer Run? Dressed is the only series book with a picture of Emma on the cover. Authors tend to worry, okay, obsess, about things like this.

I’ve been pretty blessed with cover love from my publishers. Check out Tea Cups and Carnage, Book 7 of the Tourist Traps and releasing June 7th, 2016 –

But what about you? Are you drawn in by the cover? What makes you one-click to buy a book?

 

My resume

So I’ve been thinking a lot lately. Being stuck at home recuperating will do that to you.

Anyway, I thought I’d list off the jobs I’ve had in my life time. Maybe some of you have done one or more of these.

Babysitting
Topping Corn
School Janitor Assistant
Fast food fish server
Plastic bottle maker (yep)
Day care assistant
A&W car hop
House cleaner
Breakfast house waitress
Lawn care worker
Appliance repair call center
Unemployment coordinator
Electrical Bureau clerk
Secretary for UI Random Audit program
Food Stamp coordinator
Aid to Families with Dependent Children examiner
Medicaid examiner
Welfare Trainer
Welfare Supervisor
Owner of a consulting company
Grant writer
Conference coordinator
Business Office Manager
Organizational consultant
Mystery shopper
Licence and Title coordinator
Author

27 jobs. I bet you can guess which one is my favorite.

 

Murder on Wheels releases

The day has finally come – Murder on Wheels is available for order at all fine digital stores everywhere.

Enjoy your trip to South Cove!

Lynn

The food truck craze has reached the charming coastal town of South Cove, California, but before Jill Gardner—owner of Coffee, Books, and More—can sample the eats, she has to shift gears and put the brakes on a killer . . .

Now that Kacey Austin has got her new gluten-free dessert truck up and running, there’s no curbing her enthusiasm—not even when someone vandalizes the vehicle and steals her recipes. But when Kacey turns up dead on the beach and Jill’s best friend Sadie becomes the prime suspect, Jill needs to step on it to serve the real killer some just desserts.

Reviews –

***Dru’s Book Musing said – “What a wonderfully crafted tale that was enjoyable from the beginning to end.”

***Lisa Kelley said – “The Tourist Trap mysteries are one trap I never want to escape from!”

***Linda at Chatting about Cozies – “I really enjoy this cast of friends and getting to know them better in each story.”

iBooks/Kindle/Nook/Kobo

 

Virtual friendships

Many of you know I had hip #2 replaced almost two weeks ago now. I’m doing good, thanks for asking.

What does this post have to do with virtual friends?  A lot.

I published my first book, The Bull Rider’s Brother, with Crimson Romance, a new digital first imprint with the company that brings you Writer’s Digest. As part of the launch, several of us formed a mini community of authors where we could ask our newbie questions without looking stupid. As we gained insight into the publishing world, we also became friends. I’m still part of two different Facebook groups made up from authors who started with me at Crimson.

In San Antonio, I met one of these authors in person. Becky Lower and I were joined at the hip almost immediately. And kind of literally. Becky’s a historical/contemporary romance author. We shared an agent for a short time. And we both had our first hip replacement surgery in late 2014. 

Having someone who you can talk to about the ups and downs, aches and pains, successes and failures of this type of surgery (or any medical treatment) in my mind is crucial. Becky had some issues with hers and had to go back to get it fixed (which scared me straight in following through with my PT and medical instructions.)

But not only can we talk about what we need in an orthopedic surgeon, ha, we can also talk about ways to manage our writing careers. This is a woman who lives a few states over in Ohio who I would have never met if not for the internet.

And when something feels weird in my recovery process, I can reach out and ask questions without looking stupid.

Although I’m beginning to believe no question is stupid, repetitive maybe, but not stupid.

Have you ever started a friendship completely on line? Any feel good stories out there?

Cover Reveal – Tea Cups and Carnage

It’s finally here and worth the wait.

Tea Cups and Carnage releases June 7th, 2016. Available for Pre-order now at:

Amazon /Nook /iBooks / Kobo

The quaint coastal town of South Cove, California, is all abuzz about the opening of a new specialty shop, Tea Hee. But as Coffee, Books, and More owner Jill Gardner is about to find out, there’s nothing cozy about murder . . .

Shop owner Kathi Corbin says she came to South Cove to get away from her estranged family. But is she telling the truth? And did a sinister someone from her past follow her to South Cove? When a woman claiming to be Kathi’s sister starts making waves and a dead body is found in a local motel, Jill must step in to clear Kathi’s name–without getting herself in hot water.

Includes an excerpt from A STORY TO KILL, Lynn Cahoon’s BRAND NEW series

 

Off the grid for a while

Hey guys, I’ve got some things going on in the next week or so. I’ll be off the internet grid for a few days starting on Wednesday. 

So, before I leave, let’s talk about New Years resolutions. Do you have any?

I’m a big planner. Love it. Sometimes I think I’m a better planner than I should be. Living in the future is easier than living in the present. I have to remind myself that every day builds on your future.

I’ve got books in both the Tourist Trap series and the Cat Latimer series to write this year. I’ve got three releases, Murder on Wheels in February, Tea Cups and Carnage in June, and the first Cat Latimer book – A Story to Kill will be releasing in September.

In addition, I’ve got at least one romance, Roadside Attraction, that will be releasing in March. It’s the second book in the Castle View series that started with Wild Hearts – which just released in November.

I’m focusing on four words for my resolutions – Play, Health, Nurture, Love.

I did this last year too, and weekly, I reported into my accountability partner on what got done. I was surprised how often I didn’t have ANY thing to put down for play. So it’s staying on the list.

The beatings will continue until morale improves.

I hope your 2016 is productive and fun.

See you soon.

Lynn

Happy Holidays

I’m off the day job for a long weekend, then back to finish up the year strong.

So today I’m holding office hours at my writing gig. My current work in progress is scheduled to be done by the stroke of midnight on New Years Eve and I’m determined to be there or close.

2016 is already crowding down on me. The books I need to write, the places I need to visit, and the life I want to live. It’s going to be a fun year.

Memories surround me this Christmas. Last Christmas was the first time I didn’t get a card from my then ailing mom. This year, she’s a twinkling star in heaven and I’m missing her.  

My wish for you is to hold the people you love close this holiday season. Laugh often, eat well, and take a moment to be still and appreciate the time.

Much love,

Lynn

December bits and pieces

I’m starting to feel better having been under the weather for the last week. Which is good because I’m busy right now.

I’ve got several projects to finish up but I’m on a Harry Potter marathon right now, getting into the darker movies. 

The character building, the mystery pieces, the history, the world building – It’s all an example of writing craft and skill development, right?

At least that’s what I’m going with today.

This week I’m going with a friend to see Wicked. The experience is my Christmas present to me.

So if you were going to give yourself a gift this year, what would it be?

 

 

Where in the world is Lynn – 2016 edition

So I’m starting to plan out my 2016 (and 2017) travel schedule.

First up? I’ll be doing some book store and library signings here around St. Louis in late March, early April for Murder on Wheels. 

Then, I’ll be at the Southern Kentucky Book Fest April 22-23 in Bowling Green.

The next weekend, I’ll be in Milwaukee for Barbara Vey’s Reader Appreciation luncheon.

I’ve got a possible trip in May, but nothing definite yet. Stay tuned.

In July, I’ll be heading west for RWA and hopefully, the literary signing. If you’re in San Diego, stop by! 

September finds me back in New Orleans (this might have to be an annual visit) for Bouchercon.

I’m also looking to do a book tour in Sept for the new Cat Latimer series. So if you know of a mystery book store within driving distance of St. Louis, give me a shout out and I’ll see if I can schedule a stop.

I’m looking forward to getting out and meeting you guys.