Barbara Townsend's Blog, page 2

Released! Clear and Convincing Evidence

Today is an exciting day.  Writers AMuse Me Publishing released my second mystery! Today was release day for two other books: Emma Eden Ramos’ Young Adult Literary story Still, At Your Door, and Tom Bryde’s mystery Changing Partners; The Gallagher Files.

What my mystery is about: Bones have been discovered in the art studio kiln at Wyoming’s Colter State College. Campus police dismiss the discovery as a prank but Lariat reporter Jennifer Roby isn’t convinced. Haunted by memories of her mother, guided by the experienced voices of her father and grandfather, and hampered by just about everyone on campus, she continues to look into the tasteless joke for the college newspaper. Disappearing students and freak accidents add to her determination to prove that there is more to the story – then the local coroner confirms Jenn’s suspicions about the bones. An impending visit from the President of the United States makes it that much more difficult to get the answers she needs. She must find someone who will believe her as she puts the pieces together, she needs to work quickly before the paper is shut down in an effort to silence her, and she has to make sure she doesn’t become the next victim in the conspiracy and cover-up. How high up on the college administrative ladder will Jenn have to look in order to expose a killer?

The trade paperback is $12.99, and the ebook is $6.99. You can purchase the book at WAMM, or we can make arrangements for me to send it to you, Amazon, or Barnes & Noble.

The remaining decision is do I celebrate with a dram of Bowmore 18 year old, or Glenmorangie Extremely Rare 18 year old, or with the big smoke of Lagavulin 12?  Hmm, perhaps I’ll have to sample all three to help me decide!

The book blurbs for Clear and Convincing Evidence

Welcome to these three talented writers to my blog and a hearty thank you for reading Clear and Convincing Evidence and writing a blurb!  CACE will be released on February 22. These published authors have their own books available for purchase.

In these pages, you will meet gutsy Wyoming people you will admire and enjoy spending time with. But watch out! You will also encounter some despicable folks you can’t turn your back on. Nor will you want to. The murder on the mythical campus engrosses the reader from the opening page until the end as timeless themes of greed and power compete with integrity and honor.  I only hope that this will not be the last Jennifer Roby mystery we see from the author.

- Marjane Ambler, Yellowstone Has Teeth, a memoir about living year round in the world’s first national park

The only thing more fun than a Western cozy mystery is one set on a college campus, a small world where anything can happen. In Clear and Convincing Evidence, Barbara Townsend sends her savvy young heroine to solve a campus murder then ensnares the campus art community, campus police, and even the top administration. All this, with only the First Amendment, her dad and grandpa, and the spirit of Walter Cronkite to light her way.

- Julianne Couch, Traveling the Power Line

Clear and Convincing Evidence by Barbara Townsend is a compelling and suspenseful read. It is a must for anyone interested in the integrity of information that is furnished to the public and the journalists that struggle to provide the truth.

- Susan Layman, South Pass City and the Sweetwater Mines

The Book Breeze

The Book Breeze, a monthly publication about books, published two notices about the February 22 release of my novel Clear and Convincing Evidence.  

I love The Book Breeze!  This free publication not only announces new releases, but also posts book reviews, contests, and author interviews. I concentrate on these issues more than I studied my college textbooks (and I studied those diligently).  My “to read” list grows dramatically with every issue.

Available in independent book stores and online, I always snag a printed copy every time I’m in an independent book store.  Thank you to The Book Breeze!

Cover for Clear and Convincing Evidence!

Here is the official cover of my upcoming second novel, Clear and Convincing Evidence!  This novel is a contemporary mystery, set on the campus of Colter State College.

The back cover blurb: Bones have been discovered in the art studio kiln at Wyoming’s Colter State College. Campus police dismiss the discovery as a prank but Lariat reporter Jennifer Roby isn’t convinced. Haunted by memories of her mother, guided by the experienced voices of her father and grandfather, and hampered by just about everyone on campus, she continues to look into the tasteless joke for the college newspaper.

 Disappearing students and freak accidents add to her determination to prove that there is more to the story – then the local coroner confirms Jenn’s suspicions about the bones. An impending visit from the President of the United States makes it that much more difficult to get the answers she needs.

 She must find someone who will believe her as she puts the pieces together, she needs to work quickly before the paper is shut down in an effort to silence her, and she has to make sure she doesn’t become the next victim in the conspiracy and cover-up. How high up on the college administrative ladder will Jenn have to look in order to expose a killer?

The release date for CACE is February 22, 2014, from my publisher Writers AMuse Me Publishing. It’ll be available in trade paperback and all ebooks.

Mariah E. Wilson’s blog and her interview with me

Please say hello to Mariah E. Wilson, who blogs about writing and writers!  She’s also a published poet and a novelist. Mariah generously interviewed me about my novel Blood Atonement. Check out her blog! Here is the link to her interview with me.

Where to purchase my books

If you’re interested buying Blood Atonement, several Wyoming stores are selling it:

   Riverton: Meadowlark Books

Books & Briar

   Lander: Mr. D’s Food Center

   Atlantic City: Miner’s Delight Inn Bed & Breakfast

Dredger Station

   South Pass City State Historic Site: Smith-Sherlock General Store

 Online, it’s available through the publisher, Writers AMuse Me Publishing in various forms. Through WAMM, you can purchase e-books for Kindle, digital formats for all e-readers, and trade paperback. Of course, Barnes & Noble, Amazon.com, and Kobo.com sell the book. You’re also welcome to email me.

Emma Eden Ramos’ blog and her interview

I’d like to welcome Emma Eden Ramos as Writers AMuse Me Publishing’s latest author! A prolific writer, Emma has written award-winning poetry, a novella, and numerous articles published in print publications. She kindly offered to interview me for her blog. I appreciate her thoughtful questions!

Here’s Emma’s website is titled Emma Eden Ramos, Writer.  Here is the link to her blog’s interview with me.

Reader reviews and where to buy Blood Atonement

In earlier posts, you read the reviews by Margaret Coel, New York Times bestseller; Pat Frolander, formerly Wyoming’s Poet Laureate; and screenwriter R. Ben Garant who graciously reviewed Blood Atonement. Other readers are happy to share their thoughts and opinions of my debut novel.

- Jo from California:  “I feel like Aveline is a real friend.”

- Kathy from Wyoming:  “I finished Blood Atonement last night, I loved it! It was one of those books that grab you from the start and you don’t want to put it down! I felt like I was walking the streets of the Winter Quarters along with Aveline!”

- Penny from Colorado: “I found the tale gripping’ and found myself thinking about the characters and their dilemmas long after I had put the book down.  Your characters are beautifully drawn, as is the Mormon setting. … Thanks for writing such a wonderful story.”

- Steve from Wyoming:  “I can feel & smell the squalor of Winter Quarters.”

- Susan from Wyoming:  “Very powerful.”

- Dennie from Wyoming:  “Engaging.”

If you’re interested buying Blood Atonement, it’s in some stores in Wyoming.

Riverton: Meadowlark Books

Lander: Mr. D’s Food Center

Atlantic City: Dredge Station

Online, it’s available through the publisher, Writers AMuse Me Publishing. Through WAMM, you can purchase the novel in e-books for Kindle, other digital formats, and trade paperback. Of course, you can purchase the book through Barnes & Noble, Amazon.com, and Kobo.com.

Clear and Convincing Evidence, editing phase!

The recommended edits from Editor Mary and Writers AMuse Me Publishing have arrived.  CACE is a contemporary murder mystery set for publication in 2014.

CACE is the first novel in the Jennifer Roby series.  Jennifer’s a Wyoming college sophomore studying journalism.  After writing a story for the student newspaper about a prank in the Art Department’s ceramics studio, she becomes obsessed in proving that the skeleton found in the kiln wasn’t a prank after all.

She hopes she lives long enough to prove it.

Atlantic City Book Fest a success!

Well, the Atlantic City [Wyo.] Book Fest was a huge success. A total of 56 folks celebrated the release of Blood Atonement and the book of five other Atlantic City authors! One author, 90-year-old Betty Carpenter Pfaff, came from her home 115 miles away! The furthest someone traveled to attend was from Rawlins, 140 miles away.

The readings were mesmerizing. As soon as the word was out in the saloon that the next reading would begin, the saloon emptied. Most people had never attended book readings, and so many spoke how they enjoyed it.

Hoorah to Atlantic City, a tiny mountain village with a winter population now up to about 25!

Thank you to all who attended!