The Next Book

Blogging about life's adventures and the next book...

Adventures past, present, or future. And the next book--as it happens. 

With an expected release date in March, Joyce and I are heavy on the editing stage for Cornbread, Ribs, and Murder, the third book of the Chocolate Martini Sisters Mysteries. Editing is not nearly as sexy as writing...it's more like slugging through the trenches. Here's the latest from Joyce:
I checked overused words. This is my list: gaze (48) move (57) bring, brought, purse, pull, press, reach, went (43) saw (56) felt, watched, thought (123), noticed, knew, heard (51), decided, and realized. Except for the numbered words, the rest were in the low digits. Did replace/reduce some of the frequently used. BUT was used 312 x. THAT used 274. As I went along, I changed up some that, but ha ha didn't touch the buts. 
Now, the manuscript is back in my court for the next round. No doubt I'll find some words that hit me as overused, but what other stumbling blocks? Maybe...but.
Cornbread, Ribs, and Murder

It’sa rib cook off…with a recipe for murder. 

Nicole Earp and Emma Banefield are celebrating anotherbirthday at the Dulce Inn with the added fun of a rib cook off in the park. Notonly are chocolate martinis in their plans, Nic has her heart set on winningthe cornbread contest. But as the excitement bakes, someone is stirring uptrouble for the inn and its employees. 

Strange occurrences at the Dulce are on the rise. Slashedtires, menacing phone calls, and unsavory characters add a vibe that threatensthe sisters’ anticipated fun-filled stay. When the hot-headed hotel owner iscaught wielding a bloody letter opener over a dead coworker, the sisters are embroiledin a caper to help the one person who finds their sleuthing as welcomed as arattlesnake in her bed. But is she innocent? 

The Chocolate Martini Sisters are primed to find out. First,they’ll have to eliminate a host of suspects that includes a dishonestrestaurant owner, a jilted girlfriend, an ex-wife, the barkeeper, and amasseuse with a crush. If they can stay off the radar of the surly chiefhomicide detective long enough, they can put out the fire…unless the killerburns them first.

You can find all of the Chocolate Martini Sisters Mysteries here: THE CHOCOLATE MARTINI SISTERS COZY MYSTERY BOOKS