Unexpected, Unique — and Made Me Think

For several reasons, it was with great anticipation that I started reading Holli Castillo’s “Gumbo Justice.” Not recently, but years back, I visited New Orleans and still have fond memories of historic homes, Lake Pontchartrain, the French Quarter, and Loyola University—all seen with the bright-eyed naiveté of youth. And memories of wonderful food!

I met Holli at the 2009 PSWA Conference, and for me, meeting an author also adds something “special” to reading their work. And on a more mundane level, my marvelous Aunt Mary makes “killer-gumbo” — a fact not relevant to Holli’s Novel, but a tidbit that definitely added title appeal (Do a lot of thinking and decision making with my stomach).

Given that mind set, “Gumbo Justice” was not at all what I expected. Part police procedural, part murder mystery, and part inter-family relationship drama, this novel also takes on legal and justice concerns—while keeping the reader involved, interested, and entertained.

I usually prefer murders that occur “off camera,” the dialogue refined, and my heroes urbane armchair detectives who only occasionally get their suits mussed. Nonetheless, the quite unique and audacious Ryan Murphy immediately yanked me into her New Orleans life, family, and ADA profession from the first paragraphs, and then continued to keep me caring about her—rough language and overt sexuality notwithstanding.

Holli skillfully transports you from your favorite reading chair into the heart of one aspect of the New Orleans criminal scene. You can feel and smell the heat, the humidity, and see the decay in the St. Thomas Housing Development. Through Ryan’s senses you read the street names, see the neighborhood, feel the pain. Ryan’s New Orleans is not the city of travelogues or my youth, but a real living city of today. And Ryan Murphy is a heroine I not only ended up liking, but also found myself rooting for every step of her journey.

And for mystery fans like me, the murder mystery in “Gumbo Justice” unfolds wonderfully, and is well worth the suspenseful wait!

Looking Back, Looking Forward, and Moving on

It’s been a year since my first novel hit-the-shelves. “Uncle Si’s Secret” however, didn’t début with a bang, more like a whisper. Hopefully, after gaining some knowledge and a lot of work, the “whisper” is spreading.

Still, I remain a little scared. With the passage of a year’s time, all my excuses of ignorance, naïveté, and lack of opportunities are no longer valid. A year is plenty long enough to “get smart.” Now, it’s up to me! Failing or succeeding is in my hands.

The writing part, no problem—I love to write, and will have my third mystery, “Reticence of Ravens” in my first editors hands very soon (yes, I need more than one editor!). And my fourth, “Do No Harm” is well on its way.

Promotions, however, is still a giant mountain in front of me. In the town of North Bend, WA where I once lived exists a picturesque mountain—Mt. Si. There’s also a small adjacent peek affectionately called, “Little Si.” In my mind, I’ve made it up “Little Si,” and the big climb still waits.

Over this last year I’ve learned a lot about book promotion, and quickly—thanks to some generous guides and organizations. Sunny Frazier, Marilyn Meredith, and the wonderful authors at Writers In Residence to name just a few. Check out the links at the end of this blog page. I’ve gotten a helping hand, words of encouragement, reviews, mentions, or congratulatory emails from all these smart and generous sisters and brothers in crime. If I’ve missed someone, let me know. I want to include you!

And tomorrow, October 25th, Linda Faulkner is posting an interview with me that offers some insights into the “potter” side of my brain. (A couple events mentioned in the interview have just changed, but my website has my latest schedule.)

And the point of my ramblings? Writing—imagining tales and characters—is something I do alone, admittedly with inspiration from places, people, and happenings in my world, and during my lifetime. And I do think there’s something to “art for art’s sake.” But for me, if no one reads by books, I don’t believe I’ve succeeded. And since I’m not a celebrity, born famous, luscious looking, or a mass murderer, I have to get good at promotions.

During this year’s journey, I’ve learned:
• I love bookfests, meeting readers, talking to them first hand.
• Book stores seldom want me.
• Conferences are wonderful! (especially enjoyed SinCLA and PSWA).
• Driving all over is tiring—so I do a lot of shopping stops along the way.
• The internet is a fabulous tool.
• Mystery authors (at least the ones I’ve met), are darned nice people even though they specialize in fictionally killing off people!

I hope next year is as exciting as this last one. Today I’m just feeling pretty darned lucky I’m a published author.

Blog Quiet Time, Blog Quiet Time…busy writing…

Rubies, Faust, and Gummy White Bread

I confess, the main reason I read these days is to be entertained. And left to my own devices I’d read only mysteries. Might seem narrow-minded to some, but curling up with a good mystery is my idea of an afternoon well spent.

Fortunately, my Books and Cooks reading-group selections force me to venture into a more eclectic literary world. We’ve read biographies, historical fiction and non-fiction, classics, fantasy, and mainstream bestsellers. With few exceptions, I’ve enjoyed all these excursions beyond my mystery world; and learned a lot.

So, give me a good mystery, and I’m a happy woman. Give me a good mystery full of new and interesting information—I’m ecstatic!

Enter, “Homicide in Hardcover” by Kate Carlisle.

Besides weaving an entertaining “who done it,” Kate quickly and easily takes the reader into the fascinating world of book restoration. Her heroine, Brooklyn Wainwright (what a classy name!) is a “skilled surgeon”—for ill books, that is. Indeed, “Homicide in Hardcover” opens with a patient awaiting surgery on Brooklyn’s worktable.

From there—skillfully appealing to all the reader’s senses—Kate takes you into her heroine’s world of book restoration. Before you know it, you too care about Brooklyn and her patients. The Faust in particular, with its ruby encrusted cover.

I learned a lot, and enjoyed the story. For on top of telling a good story with witty and funny dialogue, and providing a peek into an intriguing profession–Kate has created a bevy of wonderful supporting characters. Especially Brooklyn’s fun-loving and much-extended family. I would love to meet them—and taste some of her father’s wonderful wines.

There’s even an appealing romance woven into the plot!

For me, “Homicide in Hardcover” was in itself an undiscovered ruby in my stack of books-to-be-read. I must admit I’m particularly fond of rubies—they’re my birth jewel. I also love gummy white bread (but you’ll have to read the book to find out what that has to do with restoring books!).

P.D. James, New Adventures, and a Likable Thief

Adam Dagliesh (P.D. James) is my favorite male protagonist, even surpassing my beloved Hercule Poirot, Hamish MacBeth, and Albert Campion.  When I settle in with these characters, I feel safe and comfortable.  I know without a doubt it will be an enjoyable read, and high on my life experiences scale.

But an author I’ve never read, a protagonist I’ve never heard from, now that’s an adventure!  Every new book I open is with the expectation I’m about to experience a great discovery.  Sometimes, I’m disappointed.  Sometimes, it’s a wonderful ride.

J. Michael Orenduff’s “The Pot Thief” was a wonderful ride.

Let me first confess my initial biases.  Having met the most likable Mike and his wife Lai at the latest PSWA Conference, I was expecting a protagonist I would like.  Also, I’m fond of New Mexico and Albuquerque, pottery and potters (I dabble myself), and tales with a strong sense of place.

Mike had some big expectations to surmount.  And he didn’t disappoint.

First off, I loved our hero’s name from the start—Hubert “Hubie” Schuze!  But there’s more to Hubie than a not-to-be-forgotten name.  Mike gives us a protagonist who’s witty, marches to his own conscience, is a good thief (you’ll have to read the book to figure that out), and is a kind person without being a sap.

Then there’s the snappy and intelligent repartee between Hubie and his friends—Susannah in particular.  What I found most refreshing was Mike’s ability to use vocabulary a-cut-above, and still weave a nicely paced story with twists and turns.

Indeed, what I love about P.D. James is that she never writes-down.  While reading “The Pot Thief” I enjoyed the refreshing note of not being written-down-to—yet no reader stops were required to pull out the dictionary.  It was wonderful reading a good story, with a hero I dearly liked, written with intelligence and skill.

And then there’s the fact New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson recommended “The Pot Thief.”  Who am I to disagree with a Governor for goodness sake?!  (I know, I know…  Never use a question mark and apostrophe together.  Or sneak in ellipses.)