Mike Martin's Blog, page 2
January 7, 2025
Happy New Year from Sgt. Windflower Mysteries
Happy New Year from Sgt. Windflower Mysteries
Many thanks to readers, family and friends who supported my work again in 2024. A new year will bring many new things to both myself and Sgt. Windflower Mysteries. And it’s all good news.
There will be a new Sgt. Windflower mystery in 2025. Scheduled to be out in May, 2025, Forever Friends will be Book 16 in the series. How did that happen? See below for a blurb.
For those of you who have been asking there will also be a third volume of Christmas in Newfoundland. This one with more Windflower and gang Christmas stories to fill your Christmas stockings. Scheduled for October 2025.
And as always, a few surprises. One is that there will be a book of poetry coming out this Spring. Hope and Love and Other Dreams: Poems for Darker Days will be published by Mezzo Publications, hopefully next month.
And, and, and, we’re not allowed to tell you about it, but there’s a special project involving all your favourite Ottawa mystery writers. I could tell you more, but then I’d have to kill you…. Stay tuned.
May 2025 be filled with health, happiness and success in all your endeavours!! Thank you again for all of your support, love and encouragement. Thank you for being part of the Windflower family.
Forever Friends
Winston Windflower is attempting to enjoy his idyllic life in Grand Bank when a crime spree breaks out in Marystown and all over Newfoundland. Once again, he and his team are called into action and Windflower puts his own safety on the line to try and stop a nefarious and cunning criminal. As he works to resolve the case, Windflower must face an even larger conflict, one that won’t be won in his RCMP uniform. He will need to look to his ancestors and Cree traditions to guide him on a journey through tears so he can still see the stars.
“In this, the sixteenth novel in the Sgt. Windflower Mystery series, author Mike Martin continues to craft intrigue in the cultural and geographical setting unique to Newfoundland and Labrador. Readers new to the Windflower mysteries and those returning will experience the joys of a close-knit community that thrives on the simpler things in life: por’ cakes, a lighthouse in serious need of a facelift, TV movie nights and the warmth of get-togethers with family and friends.”
Follow Sgt. Windflower Mysteries on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/TheWalkerOnTheCapeReviewsAndMoreBluesky
November 25, 2024
Now available in Video. Princess Sophie and the Christmas Elixir
Watch the video
https://youtu.be/tYbRnHY5s9A
Buy the book
Amazon.com
https://www.amazon.com/Princess-Sophi...
Amazon.ca
https://www.amazon.ca/Princess-Sophie...
Princess Sophie and the Christmas Elixir is the story of a young girl that loves Christmas. When she sees that the people of Melodica are losing their Christmas spirit, she sets out to help them rekindle their magic. At the end she finds that all we really need is to believe in the power of love.
Readers love Princess Sophie and the Christmas Elixir!!
“Christmas is magical, so the Christmas spirit must be magical too’ – A beautiful story for all ages”
“This Christmas story is sure to find a place of pride on the bookshelves of families across the country this season, and is an ideal tale to read to excited children on Christmas Eve.”
“A lovely story for Christmas that will put everyone in the spirit of the holiday. The illustrations are beautifully done and are perfect for the story.”
“Children will enjoy this book with its simplistic message of what is important to the spirit of Christmas.”
“Princess Sophie and the Christmas Elixir is a great Christmas story for parents to read to their child during Christmas or any time of the year.”
Copies will be available at select Ottawa bookstores very soon and I also have a limited number of paperback copies on hand for sale. $20 incl postage.
Also available in Ottawa at: Perfect Books, Books on Beechwood and The Spaniels Tale
October 23, 2024
Princess Sophie is on a trip. Around the world…
https://wordpress.com/post/mike54mart...
Readers from around the world are reading Princess Sophie and the Christmas Elixir. Follow along as she shows up all over the place. Here’s a few pics to start.
And if you want to be part of the fun send your Princess Sophie book picture along and we’ll post it along with your location. It can be with you or your kids or grandkids or your pet or just a familiar sight in your town or community.
Princess Sophie and the Christmas Elixir is now available in paperback and e-book on Amazon.
Princess Sophie and the Christmas Elixir is the story of a young girl that loves Christmas. When she sees that the people of Melodica are losing their Christmas spirit, she sets out to help them rekindle their magic. At the end she finds that all we really need is to believe in the power of love.
The Early Reviews are Great!!
“Christmas is magical, so the Christmas spirit must be magical too’ – A beautiful story for all ages”
“This Christmas story is sure to find a place of pride on the bookshelves of families across the country this season, and is an ideal tale to read to excited children on Christmas Eve.”
“A lovely story for Christmas that will put everyone in the spirit of the holiday. The illustrations are beautifully done and are perfect for the story.”
“Children will enjoy this book with its simplistic message of what is important to the spirit of Christmas.”
“Princess Sophie and the Christmas Elixir is a great Christmas story for parents to read to their child during Christmas or any time of the year.”
Copies will be available at select Ottawa bookstores very soon and I also have a limited number of paperback copies on hand for sale. $20 incl postage.
This new book joins two others previously published, The Christmas Beaver and A Friend for Christmas.
Princess Sophie is on a trip. Around the world…
Readers from around the world are reading Princess Sophie and the Christmas Elixir. Follow along as she shows up all over the place. Here’s a few pics to start.
And if you want to be part of the fun send your Princess Sophie book picture along and we’ll post it along with your location. It can be with you or your kids or grandkids or your pet or just a familiar sight in your town or community.
Princess Sophie and the Christmas Elixir is now available in paperback and e-book on Amazon.
Princess Sophie and the Christmas Elixir is the story of a young girl that loves Christmas. When she sees that the people of Melodica are losing their Christmas spirit, she sets out to help them rekindle their magic. At the end she finds that all we really need is to believe in the power of love.
The Early Reviews are Great!!
“Christmas is magical, so the Christmas spirit must be magical too’ – A beautiful story for all ages”
“This Christmas story is sure to find a place of pride on the bookshelves of families across the country this season, and is an ideal tale to read to excited children on Christmas Eve.”
“A lovely story for Christmas that will put everyone in the spirit of the holiday. The illustrations are beautifully done and are perfect for the story.”
“Children will enjoy this book with its simplistic message of what is important to the spirit of Christmas.”
“Princess Sophie and the Christmas Elixir is a great Christmas story for parents to read to their child during Christmas or any time of the year.”
Copies will be available at select Ottawa bookstores very soon and I also have a limited number of paperback copies on hand for sale. $20 incl postage.
This new book joins two others previously published, The Christmas Beaver and A Friend for Christmas.
October 18, 2024
Princess Sophie and the Christmas Elixir
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/1068852925/r...
Princess Sophie and the Christmas Elixir is the story of a young girl that loves Christmas. When she sees that the people of Melodica are losing their Christmas spirit, she sets out to help them rekindle their magic. At the end she finds that all we really need is to believe in the power of love.
The Early Reviews are Great!!
“Christmas is magical, so the Christmas spirit must be magical too’ – A beautiful story for all ages”
“This Christmas story is sure to find a place of pride on the bookshelves of families across the country this season, and is an ideal tale to read to excited children on Christmas Eve.”
“A lovely story for Christmas that will put everyone in the spirit of the holiday. The illustrations are beautifully done and are perfect for the story.”
“Children will enjoy this book with its simplistic message of what is important to the spirit of Christmas.”
“Princess Sophie and the Christmas Elixir is a great Christmas story for parents to read to their child during Christmas or any time of the year.”
https://wordpress.com/post/mike54mart...
September 25, 2024
Great Review of Too Close for Comfort
I seldom post individual reviews and never in full. But this review by reader Sally Schmidt captures the essence of the Sgt. Windflower Mystery series. Without giving the whole story away. You can find this review on Goodreads and NetGalley. Thank you, Sally!!
“Too Close for Comfort is full of both the thrill and the warm cozy I’ve come to expect from this excellent series by author Mike Martin. The mystery and danger had me turning pages faster and faster. I enjoyed the fun family times, learning more about Windflower’s past and culture through his dream weaving, catching up, supporting and relying on friends, and the meals never fail to make me hungry.”
It is always a welcome treat when I read another Sgt. Winston Windflower book. Too Close for Comfort is the 15th book in the series, and once again, it’s the perfect balance of falling into the familiar while trying to solve another new, suspenseful, well-plotted mystery.
Windflower has had quite the interesting career so far with the RCMP: climbing through the ranks, going on temporary assignment and moving the family for a year or so, leaving the RCMP and becoming a community officer in Grand Bank, and now back on active duty, this time as Acting Inspector. He’s glad to be back; he’s a family man through and through and enjoys peace and quiet, but he doesn’t like to be idle, and it’s become apparent to him that he would rather be back with the RCMP than acting as a consultant. He welcomes the challenge of solving cases and is dedicated to ensuring the peace and safety of the residents under his jurisdiction.
While we are still treated to the Winston Windflower who loves cooking for friends and family, spending time with his girls and his wife, walking the dog and sparring with the cat, interacting with his friends, whether always having a quote at the ready or listening to more classical music recommended by Herb, and smudging and analyzing his dreams, in Too Close for Comfort we are also presented with the most intense Windflower we have seen yet. He has always been strong, competent, and capable, but this Sgt. Winston Windflower, Acting Inspector, is brave, determined, and unwavering in vowing to solve the crimes and mysteries and ensure nothing bad happens to Eddie Tizzard or anyone else Winston cares about.
I always say the latest book is the best one, and it’s always true. The best thing about this series is almost always hearing the story from Windflower’s point of view and having the pleasure of seeing the whole man. Over the years he’s grown and matured, cared for his family, and solidified his value to the community. He always steps up and does whatever is necessary, but this time he steps ahead, with caution but no apparent fear, and reveals himself as a mature, true leader. His wife Sheila has stepped up and grown stronger as well, accepting – although of course not liking – the danger that comes with being a law enforcement officer’s wife. They are a team and have always supported each other, but now she seems to be at peace with herself about it and gives her strength to him when he needs it.
Grand Bank, Newfoundland is a small town with all the small-town closeness and comforts, but it and the much larger nearby town of Marystown still have their share of crime. Smuggling, murder, arson, drugs, domestic abuse and other crimes have occurred; being small doesn’t make a town exempt, and Windflower has dealt with it all. Now a series or fires resulting in deaths seem to be related to a major gold heist on the mainland. Dangerous characters show up, people thought to be trustworthy may have ulterior motives, and – perhaps most unsettling of all – Windflower’s dream visits from his aunt and uncle point to serious danger for Eddie Tizzard. The story moves smoothly along at a fast pace, full of action, full of danger and not enough obvious clues for Windflower to fix things quickly. The suspense and worry about Eddie will keep you on edge.
As mentioned above, Too Close for Comfort is full of both the thrill and the warm cozy I’ve come to expect from this excellent series by author Mike Martin. The mystery and danger had me turning pages faster and faster. I enjoyed the fun family times, learning more about Windflower’s past and culture through his dream weaving, catching up, supporting and relying on friends, and the meals never fail to make me hungry.
………………….
Virtual Book Launch Wednesday Oct 2, 2024 6:30 to 7:30pm EST
Reading and prizes
Sorry, only Virtual Cake. But it will be fun!!
Here is the Zoom link
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89397409788?pwd=bgmJbVclDYoWU2NEaIC6MTINfNV8b0.1
Meeting ID: 893 9740 9788
Passcode: 906323
Other Events:
Book Signing @ Perfect Books 1-3 pm November 9
Crime for Christmas @ Barrhaven Legion 3-8 pm Nov 19
Book Signing @ Books on Beechwood 1:30-3 pm Nov 30
Too Close for Comfort is now available for pre-order from Amazon all over the world or directly from Ottawa Press and Publishing. https://www.ottawapressandpublishing.com/
Signed copies are now available at:
Sleuth of Baker Street bookstore, Toronto
Books on Beechwood, Ottawa
Follow Sgt. Windflower Mysteries on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/TheWalkerOnTheCapeReviewsAndMoreSeptember 19, 2024
Press Release: Where is the Gold?
For Immediate Release September 19, 2024
Where is the Gold?
That’s one of the questions mystery author Mike Martin is trying to answer in the latest book Too Close for Comfort from the popular Sgt. Windflower Mystery series, set on the southeast coast of Newfoundland.
The background is that on April 17, 2023, a robbery occurred at Toronto Pearson International Airport in Canada, with over C$20 million (US$15 million) worth of gold and other high-value items being stolen. Thieves accessed a secure cargo warehouse and made off with the cash and the shipment of gold bars. While the police investigation is still underway and several individuals believed to be connected to the robbery have been arrested, none of the gold has been recovered.
One expert told the media that he thought that the gold bars “have probably been melted into other forms by now, and may be on a boat somewhere on the Atlantic headed east.”
That’s where Too Close for Comfort, the new Sgt. Windflower Mystery takes over. According to Martin’s premise, the gold may have been shipped surreptitiously to Newfoundland, and then melted down so that it could be shipped back across the Atlantic for sale to unsuspected buyers.
“There are a number of moth-balled smelters in Newfoundland, including one in Long Harbour that was processing nickel from Labrador,” said Martin. “The gold bars could have been melted down and put on a ship or in a container for Europe. Did that happen? We don’t know. All we know is that the gold is still missing. That’s the real mystery,” said Martin.
Mike Martin is the author of the Award-Winning Sgt. Windflower Mystery series. Too Close for Comfort is being released by Ottawa Press and Publishing on October 1, 2024. He was born in St. John’s, Newfoundland and currently resides in Ottawa.
For more information and to contact Mike Martin
613-290-5836
Too Close for Comfort on Amazon
September 5, 2024
Early Reviews are Great for Too Close for Comfort
We are getting more rave reviews for Too Close for Comfort which will be released on Oct 1, 2024.
Commitment, dedication, love, family, friendship, good food and a lot more
“Any time that I can travel across the border into Canada and spend time with Sgt. Winston Windflower in Grand Bank I am going to take it!!
The Sgt. Windflower Mystery series so much more than just stories about criminals and the amazing police force that catch them. This series is about commitment, dedication, love, family, friendship, good food and a lot more. And in Too Close For Comfort you will see a lot of this in it. Martin knows how to spin a tale having readers on the edge of their seats and I will say that once I got to a certain spot in the story I could not stop reading. (I was actually late getting to the dinner table because I couldn’t stop until I knew the outcome)
Once you open one of these books, you are a fan for life and will continue reading all of the books and then sit patiently waiting for Martin to publish the next book so that you can visit Grand Bank, Windflower and everything else inside these stories. I know I will be waiting.”
Cozy Mystery Book Reviews
……………….
Highly Recommended
“Master storyteller Mike Martin has created a singularly unique concept in the Sgt. Windflower Mystery series by blending police procedures with Cree spiritual traditions. The series abounds with life lessons. He has cleverly crafted an elaborately complex series wisely presenting a myriad of human foibles and the challenges faced by his protagonist.
Packed with intrigue, suspense, humour, and heartfelt moments, this tale makes obvious Windflower’s dedication to his community, offering readers a captivating blend of crime solving and the enduring power of family and friendship. Get ready for a gripping ride through the rugged landscape of Newfoundland as Windflower races against time to bring justice and peace to those he holds dear.
I highly recommend, Too Close for Comfort, an emotionally charged cosy police procedural with characters so intricately drawn you will find yourself completely immersed in their world, feeling their joys and sorrows as if they were your own. You will be charmed by Windflower, a food-loving Mountie with a budding appreciation for classical music.”
The Reading Room
Don’t forget: Virtual Book Launch Wednesday Oct 2, 2024 6:30 to 7:30pm EST
Reading and prizes
Sorry, only Virtual Cake. But it will be fun!!
Here is the Zoom link
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89397409788?pwd=bgmJbVclDYoWU2NEaIC6MTINfNV8b0.1
Meeting ID: 893 9740 9788
Passcode: 906323
Other Events:
Book Signing @ Perfect Books 1-3 pm November 9
Crime for Christmas @ Barrhaven Legion 3-8 pm Nov 19
Too Close for Comfort
Winston Windflower is back with the RCMP, this time as Acting inspector, hoping life in the tiny town of Grand Bank, Newfoundland, remains calm. But things get stirred up right away when there are suspicious fires and an outsider’s body is found in one of them. Now, they have a murder to solve.
Things get even stranger when there appears to be connections to a major gold heist on the mainland and lots of nefarious characters that start to cause havoc for the local police officers. To add to the suspense, Windflower receives a message in a dream that his friend and colleague, Eddie Tizzard, is going to be in mortal danger.
Windflower must help protect Eddie and those he loves while tracking down a murderer and reassuring the community that they are safe from danger.
Once again, this is a story filled with both intrigue and suspense but also warmth, humour and a love of family and community.
Too Close for Comfort will soon be available for pre-order from Amazon all over the world or directly from Ottawa Press and Publishing. https://www.ottawapressandpublishing.com/
Signed copies will be available after Oct 1 at:
Sleuth of Baker Street bookstore, Toronto
Books on Beechwood, Ottawa
Perfect Books, Ottawa
Follow Sgt. Windflower Mysteries on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/TheWalkerOnTheCapeReviewsAndMore
September 3, 2024
Cover Reveal for Too Close for Comfort
Cover Reveal for Too Close for Comfort
For Book 15 we’re going for a more classic look. What do you think?
Too Close for Comfort is at the printers and will be released on Oct 1, 2024. To celebrate Book 15 in the Sgt. Windflower Mystery series we will be holding several events and book signings. Some in person and some online. Stay tuned for more information and to see the beautiful cover design for this new addition to the series.
Virtual Book Launch Wednesday Oct 2, 2024 6:30 to 7:30pm EST
Reading and prizes
Sorry, only Virtual Cake. But it will be fun!!
Here is the Zoom link
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89397409788?pwd=bgmJbVclDYoWU2NEaIC6MTINfNV8b0.1
Meeting ID: 893 9740 9788
Passcode: 906323
Ottawa Book Launch Date TBA
Other Events:
Book Signing @ Perfect Books 1-3 pm November 9
Crime for Christmas @ Barrhaven Legion 3-8 pm Nov 19
Here’s an early review of Too Close for Comfort
“Too Close for Comfort is the latest adventure for Sgt. Windflower, and it’s a wonderfully engaging read. Throughout the entire series Mike Martin has gradually developed his main character and in this he is brought right up to date into the resilience and mental health well-being era. Having read the series I still marvel at the way the author puts everyday life and relationships in Grand Bank at the forefront, and wonderfully weaves a really good mystery/thriller into it.
Sgt. Windflower may be a novice “dream weaver” (and yes, his dreams play a large part in this), but the author also weaves his magic between catching an arsonist, wanted criminals from Europe, and – gold. The situations are engaging, tense, and thoroughly believable, but at the end of the day, Sgt. Windflower has to come to terms with it all and make peace with himself.
This is another excellent book from Mike Martin – may you “dream-on”.”
Too Close for Comfort
Winston Windflower is back with the RCMP, this time as Acting inspector, hoping life in the tiny town of Grand Bank, Newfoundland, remains calm. But things get stirred up right away when there are suspicious fires and an outsider’s body is found in one of them. Now, they have a murder to solve.
Things get even stranger when there appears to be connections to a major gold heist on the mainland and lots of nefarious characters that start to cause havoc for the local police officers. To add to the suspense, Windflower receives a message in a dream that his friend and colleague, Eddie Tizzard, is going to be in mortal danger.
Windflower must help protect Eddie and those he loves while tracking down a murderer and reassuring the community that they are safe from danger.
Once again, this is a story filled with both intrigue and suspense but also warmth, humour and a love of family and community.
Too Close for Comfort will soon be available for pre-order from Amazon all over the world or directly from Ottawa Press and Publishing. https://www.ottawapressandpublishing.com/
Signed copies will be available after Oct 1 at:
Sleuth of Baker Street bookstore, Toronto
Books on Beechwood, Ottawa
Perfect Books, Ottawa
Follow Sgt. Windflower Mysteries on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/TheWalkerOnTheCapeReviewsAndMore
August 26, 2024
New Sgt. Windflower Mystery is on the Way
Too Close for Comfort is at the printers and will be released on Oct 1, 2024. To celebrate Book 15 in the Sgt. Windflower Mystery series we will be holding several events and book signings. Some in person and some online. Stay tuned for more information and to see the beautiful cover design for this new addition to the series.
Virtual Book Launch Wednesday Oct 2, 2024 6:30 to 7:30pm EST
Reading and prizes
Sorry, only Virtual Cake. But it will be fun!!
Here is the Zoom link
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89397409788?pwd=bgmJbVclDYoWU2NEaIC6MTINfNV8b0.1
Meeting ID: 893 9740 9788
Passcode: 906323
Ottawa Book Launch Date TBA
Here’s what some early readers have to say about Too Close for Comfort
“For anyone who wants to read a good mystery, set in a real place and featuring realistic characters, this series is for you.”
“It always feels like going home to all the wonderful characters especially Sergeant Windflower who is strong, caring, sensitive, intelligent and brave.”
“This is another enjoyable story that I highly recommend.”
“This story is anchored in the bedrock of Windflower’s society: family, friends, community, spirituality, and love.”
Cover Reveal Coming Soon
Too Close for Comfort
Winston Windflower is back with the RCMP, this time as Acting inspector, hoping life in the tiny town of Grand Bank, Newfoundland, remains calm. But things get stirred up right away when there are suspicious fires and an outsider’s body is found in one of them. Now, they have a murder to solve.
Things get even stranger when there appears to be connections to a major gold heist on the mainland and lots of nefarious characters that start to cause havoc for the local police officers. To add to the suspense, Windflower receives a message in a dream that his friend and colleague, Eddie Tizzard, is going to be in mortal danger.
Windflower must help protect Eddie and those he loves while tracking down a murderer and reassuring the community that they are safe from danger.
Once again, this is a story filled with both intrigue and suspense but also warmth, humour and a love of family and community.
Too Close for Comfort will soon be available for pre-order from Amazon all over the world or directly from Ottawa Press and Publishing. https://www.ottawapressandpublishing.com/
Signed copies will be available after Oct 1 at:
Sleuth of Baker Street bookstore, Toronto
Books on Beechwood, Ottawa
Perfect Books, Ottawa
Follow Sgt. Windflower Mysteries on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/TheWalkerOnTheCapeReviewsAndMore
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