Monday, April 21, 2014
A Note from Lesa Holstine regarding The Louise Penny Re-Read Virtual Book Club
Here's a copy of a note my friend Lesa sent to DorothyL:
"If you're a Louise Penny fan, or wonder what the fuss is all about, St. Martin's has put together an on-going re-read for her books leading up to the August release of her next book, The Long Way Home.
Every two weeks, they'll discuss another book. I had the honor of kicking off the discussion of Still Life today. If you'd like to reread the books, or read them for the first time, please join us at gamacheseries.com. Or, you can go directly to the discussion at
http://gamacheseries.com/still-life-part-1/.
We'll only be reading the first six chapters of Still Life this week, and that's all people are "supposed" to be talking about, if you'd like to join us."
Lesa
Saturday, April 19, 2014
For National Poetry Month -
Memory Has Depth But No Bottom
by Al Maginnex
I am not speaking now of the girls I knew
who babysat and worked at the theater
or drug store, but who in summer saw
their local glory eclipsed by the girls
home from college and bored with everything,
their thick paperbacks more weighty
home from college and bored with everything,
their thick paperbacks more weighty
for sitting unopened while they unfastened
the tops of their bathing suits, to turn their backs
into planes of unbroken tan, and lit
the tops of their bathing suits, to turn their backs
into planes of unbroken tan, and lit
cigarettes beneath the disapproving stare
of mothers and friends of mothers. If their talk
of football games and rum punch made them
of mothers and friends of mothers. If their talk
of football games and rum punch made them
the town’s fallen daughters, it was a fall
with a soft landing. Already I knew
the world was cleaved and cleaved again
with a soft landing. Already I knew
the world was cleaved and cleaved again
by borders invisible and impossible to cross.
The depth and velocity of the scorn meant
to drive away anyone not invited
The depth and velocity of the scorn meant
to drive away anyone not invited
into their coconut-scented kingdom of skin and smoke
radiated even to the deep end of the pool
where we lined up for the diving board.
radiated even to the deep end of the pool
where we lined up for the diving board.
Our game that summer was to toss pennies
into the deep end and dive after them, trying
to retrieve all we had thrown
into the deep end and dive after them, trying
to retrieve all we had thrown
until we were tossing more than we could ever bring up.
I waited in line to dive, learned to stay down
so long water’s silence was a keening, then a roar
I waited in line to dive, learned to stay down
so long water’s silence was a keening, then a roar
in my ears, until my lungs scorched for want
of air. Some days I would go to the shade and fall
on the wide shore of a book and read until
of air. Some days I would go to the shade and fall
on the wide shore of a book and read until
my fingers unwrinkled. All summer, the daughters lay
in the graceful repose of the fallen, motionless
as photographs of stillnesses like the Sphinx
or the pyramids, but stillnesses of flesh,
and of flesh that would not molder as summer turned
a corner and the reek of chlorinated water
in the graceful repose of the fallen, motionless
as photographs of stillnesses like the Sphinx
or the pyramids, but stillnesses of flesh,
and of flesh that would not molder as summer turned
a corner and the reek of chlorinated water
took our skin. The bath-warm water itself became
a sentence, no longer the enticement of early June,
and stuck in mid-corruption the daughters began
a sentence, no longer the enticement of early June,
and stuck in mid-corruption the daughters began
to stretch and long for the airy cool of a classroom,
the damp closeness of a mixer, for movement
that would divide them from these bodies
the damp closeness of a mixer, for movement
that would divide them from these bodies
trapped in the town where they had been born,
where their names still cast a shadow. In the stare
of one afternoon’s heat, the daughter of the undertaker,
where their names still cast a shadow. In the stare
of one afternoon’s heat, the daughter of the undertaker,
a bent man who played the piano for hours when he drank,
rose and took the narrow, quivering stage
of the diving board. A short run, and she rose,
rose and took the narrow, quivering stage
of the diving board. A short run, and she rose,
arms spread, as close to the shape of a cross
as humans can come, no longer fallen but soaring
until she turned and entered the water
as humans can come, no longer fallen but soaring
until she turned and entered the water
straight as a plumb line, barely a splash
to mark her passage. She swam
slow as royalty to the ladder, reclaimed
to mark her passage. She swam
slow as royalty to the ladder, reclaimed
the spot she had left moment before. No pennies had been
thrown for her to find, but she could have
claimed every one. She returned to college,
thrown for her to find, but she could have
claimed every one. She returned to college,
then vanished, as some daughters did, in dark
pools of rumor, living in a teepee somewhere in Arizona
or Canada. Ten years ago I heard she was selling
pools of rumor, living in a teepee somewhere in Arizona
or Canada. Ten years ago I heard she was selling
real estate in Atlanta. Whatever else we are,
we are mostly unremembering water.
And the twenty percent of her that is
we are mostly unremembering water.
And the twenty percent of her that is
not water does not remember
how she rose and turned, plunging into memory
she has become, like those pennies,
how she rose and turned, plunging into memory
she has become, like those pennies,
more precious each time she surfaces.
Thursday, April 17, 2014
Miss Susie Gives Whimsey Five Stars ! ! !
This has been a very good week for Whimsey.
The first person who compared my Whimsey to novels written by Sarah Addison Allen was Lesa Holstine. I cried like a baby over that comparison. Anyone who knows me, knows Sarah Addison Allen is a literary hero of mine.
Since then, there have been more of those comparisons and each one gives me a lift and makes my heart sing.
The latest is from Miss Susie.
Susie writes a wonderful blog called "Miss Susie's Reading and Observations" - please check it out!
And you can read her review of Whimsey right here: http://misssusiesreading.blogspot.com/2014/04/whimsey-novel-by-kaye-wilkinson-barley.html
squeeeeee!!!
Sunday, April 13, 2014
Earl Staggs Writes . . . Romance?!
Me? Write Romance? Maybe.
I write Mystery and Thriller stories, not Romance, but there’s no law
saying the kind of stories I write can’t include elements of romance. Would I
be capable of blending a love story into a Mystery/Thriller novel? Well, I was put to the test in my last novel,
JUSTIFIED ACTION.
The novel features Tall Chambers, a man who spent twenty years in Army Special Forces. After leaving the Army. he is invited by General Cyrus Brock to join a secretive agency which tracks terrorists and puts them out of business before innocent people are killed. During his meeting with the General, Tall sees a photograph of the old man’s daughter, Victoria. Tall is quite taken by the beautiful young woman in the picture and can’t take his eyes off her. When he asks his best friend Stephen about her, he is told she is off limits to him. She is way out of his league. Even so, he can’t get her out of his mind.
He doesn’t get a chance to see her in person until she is taken hostage by a gang of bad guys and he is called upon to rescue her. He does, but there’s no opportunity to talk to her. Once the ordeal is over, they go their separate ways. Tall resigns himself to the fact that he will never see her again.
But, as they say, love will find a way. Here’s what happens next.
* * *
A week later, Tall switched off his TV when his doorbell chimed. When he
looked through the peephole, he’d never been so surprised in his life. His hand
shook when he opened the door.
Victoria stood there in a yellow dress, looking even more beautiful than he remembered.
With a teasing twinkle in her eyes and a playful grin on her lips, she says. “I came by to thank you for rescuing me.” She brought her hand around from behind her back and extended a bottle toward him. “I thought we might have a glass of wine and then go out to dinner.”
Tall stood in the doorway staring at the woman he fell in love with when he saw her picture on a shelf in her father’s house. He knew he should say something and opened his mouth.
“Uh. . .,” came out.
She grinned and cocked her head to one side. “May I come in?”
“Uh. . .,” he repeated.
She brushed by him and he saw she was holding back a giggle.
“Where do you keep your glasses?” she asked. If we don’t open this bottle of wine soon, it may spoil.”
He followed her into his dining room area where she stopped, turned back to him, and held out the wine. “Or we could drink it right out of the bottle. I don’t mind if you don’t.”
Tall knew he was blushing a bright red. He lowered his head and chuckled. “I’m sorry. I was. . .uh. . . not expecting company.”
She pursed her lips. “Now don’t tell me this is the first time a crazy woman has shown up at your door carrying a bottle of wine.”
Tall laughed. She was not only the most beautiful human being he’d ever seen in his life, but she had a sense of humor, too. Damn.
He took the bottle from her hand and nodded over her shoulder. “Glasses are in the cabinet behind you, second shelf. I’ll open this.”
He went into his kitchen remembering what Stephen said when he asked about her.
Don’t even think about it. You wouldn’t just be shooting yourself in the foot, you’d be shooting your balls off.
Too late. Shots fired.
After a glass of wine, they went to a nearby restaurant for dinner. Over their meal, they discussed books. They both liked John Grisham. When they moved on to movies, they both were big fans of Clint Eastwood. Her favorite of his films was Bridges of Madison County while his was Dirty Harry. By the time they’d finished eating, Tall felt he’d known her all his life.
When they were ready to leave the restaurant, he suggested they take the long way back to his apartment where her car was parked. She said it would be a good idea to walk off some of the huge dinner she’d had. His idea was to keep her with him as long as possible.
It was twenty past nine when they stepped outside the restaurant. A full moon in a clear sky added a silver tint to the street and sidewalks. A gentle breeze had cleared the air of exhaust fumes from the day’s traffic along the busy street. The few cars passing by now seemed to be moving in slow motion so as not to disturb the quiet stillness of the evening. A perfect evening, Tall thought. A perfect evening for a perfect date with a perfect girl. A date! How long had it been since he’d been on an actual date? Years. It saddened him to think it would be over soon. He slowed his pace as if that would stretch it out longer.
When they reached the first corner, he reached down for her hand and guided her across the street. He thought her small delicate hand folded neatly in his. A perfect fit.
Once across the street, they entered a park filled with medium height trees and winding walkways lined with rose and azalea bushes. The path brought them out of the park directly across from Tall’s apartment building. Traffic was light and after they negotiated their way across the street, they sat quietly on the steps for a few minutes.
“So do you like being a lawyer?” Tall asked. During dinner, he’d learned she worked for a large legal firm specializing in international law and finance.
She shrugged. “Mostly, I do research and analysis for the senior partners. It’s not very exciting, but my dad says it’s a good place to begin.”
They were sitting side by side, so close Tall felt her body stiffen the slightest bit.
“Begin what?” he asked.
“There are several opportunities it could lead to.”
Even her voice had changed. She spoke in a clipped monotone, as if repeating something she’d heard. It sounded almost scripted.
“My dad says the experience I get with this firm could lead to something in London, Madrid, maybe even Geneva. Or, he thinks it could lead to a position with an embassy or a political appointment someday.”
He hesitated, then asked, “Is that what you want?”
“What do you mean?” She stared at the park across the street.
“I mean, you told me what your dad said and what he thinks. I was just wondering if politics is something you want for yourself.”
She cleared her throat. “Of course. Who wouldn’t? You have a problem with women in politics, big boy? Don’t you think it’s about time we had a woman in the White House?”
In a serious tone, Tall said, “As I understand it, there were a lot of women in the White House during the Kennedy years. They were slipped in and out through a side door.”
She gave him a poke in the ribs. “That’s not what I meant. Men!”
“Well, when you get elected to the White House, I want a key to that side door.”
She grinned. “We’ll have to see about that.” She stood up and stretched. “I really need to be going, I guess. Long day tomorrow.”
“Me, too,” he lied. He had nothing scheduled for the next day and was sorry she was leaving. He pushed himself to his feet and looked around. “Where’s your car?”
He held her car door open while she settled herself behind the wheel. “I really enjoyed this,” he said. “Maybe we can do it again some time.”
“I’d like that.”
“Good. I’ll call you. Can I get your number?”
She looked up at him with a sly grin. “You already have it.”
“I do? Uh. . .where? How?”
“In your jacket pocket. I slipped my card in there when we were sitting on the steps back there. Goodnight, Tall.”
“Uh. . . .” He fished in his pockets as she drove away, pulled out her card and grinned as he looked at it. Damn. She wouldn’t have given him her card if she weren’t interested in seeing him again. He turned toward his apartment building and thought about what her father would say if he knew they were spending time together. By the time he reached the door, he decided he didn’t care.
He called her two days later. They went to dinner and a movie. Clint
Eastwood’s “Gran Torino.” She cried at the end. He fought not to. The following
evening, Wednesday, they went to a play. When he dropped her off at her
apartment, she invited him to a home-cooked dinner at her apartment on Friday
and suggested he bring a toothbrush. He did, along with a change of clothes,
and stayed until Monday morning.
* * *
And there you have it. My attempt to incorporate Romance into a
Mystery/Thriller story. As I said, I
don’t write Romance. There’s no
huggy-kissy business, but I hope there was enough interactive attraction
between them to make it believable that they will eventually marry. Which they do.
What do you think? Should I give up any thoughts of writing anything involving Romance and stick to pure Mystery and Thriller stories?
Bio: Earl Staggs earned a long list of Five Star reviews for his novels MEMORY OF A MURDER and JUSTIFIED ACTION and has twice received a Derringer Award for Best Short Story of the Year. He served as Managing Editor of Futures Mystery Magazine, as President of the Short Mystery Fiction Society and is a frequent speaker at conferences and seminars.
Email: earlstaggs@sbcglobal.net
Website: http://earlwstaggs.wordpress.com
Saturday, April 12, 2014
A Whimsey Review from "All About Women" Magazine
Wheeeeee!
There's a lovely review of my WHIMSEY: A NOVEL in the April edition of All About Women Magazine written by Ariel Parsons. I am a very happy girl. I'm not sure if the latest edition is available on-line yet or not (my Adobe Flash and Google Chrome seem to hate one another), but if not, it should be fairly soon - - http://www.aawmag.com/
It's always a feel good thing to read a nice review. Always. And to read one in your hometown magazine? wow. That is such a rush.
And then to top it off, to read one which has been so well thought out is something to truly, truly treasure. Ariel Parsons liked my Whimsey. That feels great. But - more importantly, she "got" it.
She got what was in my heart and what I so hoped to share. There are no words to say exactly what that means, or how it feels, to a writer.
My thanks, Ariel. And my gratitude.
The article is no longer available on-line - so here 'tis . . .
"Sprinkle a piece of southern women's literature with a dash of pixie dust, and Kaye Wilkinson Barley's debut novel, "Whimsey" is the result. Equal parts spunk and elegance, cigar smoke and iced coffee, the book delivers on the name. "Whimsey is just that: whimsical.
Barley attributes her first novel to a quote by Toni Morrison: "If there's a book you really want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it." With "Whimsey," that is exactly what she did. The results of her endeavor have been compared to novels by New York Times bestseller Sarah Addison Allen and deemed "delightful" by North Carolina author Margaret Maron.
The story revolves around the Island of Whimsey, a colony of artists founded by matriarch Elizabeth Calhoun off the coast of Georgia in 1949. The community is an artist's dream world, complete with small town camaraderie, luscious seascapes, and dark nights that promise a thousand stars. But, there is more to the island than pretty scenery or even the talents of its residents. The "certain something else" means that on Whimsey, the mildly supernatural becomes commonplace, and artists are rarely at a loss for inspiration.
After following a doomed marriage to Atlanta, jewelry designer Emmaline Hamilton Foley, grandniece of Elizabeth Calhou, has "lost her magic," so to speak. It will take a devoted family and a few girlfriends who won't take no for an answer to draw her back to the island home of her youth. With her Aunt Zoe planning a new upscale gallery to showcase local talent, Emma can only hope to recapture the spark in her own designs, in time for the grand opening. But first, she must confront old heartbreaks, long-standing rivalries and her own loss of confidence.
"Whimsey" shifts seamlessly between reality and fantasy, enchanged glitter and everyday magic. The story is perhaps more similar to magical realism than traditional fantasy. In the insular world of its sprawling cast of characters, no one bats an eye at the occasional watchful ghost or sassy pixie. And in truth, these nods to fancy are mere seasoning. The driving force behind "Whimsey" is a more subtle magic: the love and support of family, the shared joy between friends (here, splendidly dubbed the "Wicked Women of Whimsey"), and the infectious drive of a creative community.
One might even speculate that the magical quality of the Island of Whimsey comes to stand in for those indefinable urges that inspire passion of all kinds. Barley has created a utopia where following the desires of one's heart is both a worthy and profitable pursuit. On Whimsey, hard work is rewarded, second chances have a chance, and no one is allowed to give up on herself.
Barley's writing is optimistic and upbeat, laced with a cheeky, good-natured humor. The story has a southern flavor that brings to mind humid summer days on the Georgia coast. Barley's love of the landscape is clearly evident in her multi-colored descriptions, and readers may find themselves wishing that they could be transported literally as well as figuratively to a southern shoreline at sunrise. Also apparent is the author's appreciative eye for creative work, whether jewelry, pottery, paintings, or lace-toed stockings.
Barley says that if she could say anything to inspire women, she would tell them that they are never too old to spread their wings, to do the things they always wanted. Her "Whimsey" presents the fictional story of a series of talented women willing to take that risk, and the book itself is proof of the living truth in her words. Ultimately, the novel is a celebration of creativity and self-fulfillment. For anyone who is not too grown-up to believe in the power of chasing after the things they love, or to smile at a pixie in Louboutin heels, "Whimsey" presents a fun, light-hearted read and a reminder never to stop dreaming."
"About the Author:
Kaye Wilkinson Barley, a retiree of Appalachian State University, lives in Watauga County with husband Don and "Wonder Corgi," Harley Doodle Barley.
She serves on the planning committee for the High Country Festival of the Book and is a contributing writer for several blogs, including the Jungle Red Writers and Barley's personal blog, Meanderings and Muses, which spotlights other authors worth watching. Barley's nonfiction has been included in two Western North Carolina anthologies, "Clothes Lines" and "Women's Spaces Women's Places."
Barley self-published her first novel, "Whimsey," in 2013 and hints that a sequel is in the works. She will be in Asheville on April 21 for a "Whimsey" reading as part of Malaprop's Bookstore's self-published and small press local authors series.
Keep up with book signings and other events through her website, www.kayewilkinsonbarley.com"
Written by Ariel Parsons. A graduate of Appalachian State University, a quintessential English major and self-proclaimed word junkie.
Note: The above mentioned Malaprop's reading is being rescheduled. Once the new date has been announced, I'll let everyone know.
There's a lovely review of my WHIMSEY: A NOVEL in the April edition of All About Women Magazine written by Ariel Parsons. I am a very happy girl.
It's always a feel good thing to read a nice review. Always. And to read one in your hometown magazine? wow. That is such a rush.
And then to top it off, to read one which has been so well thought out is something to truly, truly treasure. Ariel Parsons liked my Whimsey. That feels great. But - more importantly, she "got" it.
She got what was in my heart and what I so hoped to share. There are no words to say exactly what that means, or how it feels, to a writer.
My thanks, Ariel. And my gratitude.
The article is no longer available on-line - so here 'tis . . .
"Sprinkle a piece of southern women's literature with a dash of pixie dust, and Kaye Wilkinson Barley's debut novel, "Whimsey" is the result. Equal parts spunk and elegance, cigar smoke and iced coffee, the book delivers on the name. "Whimsey is just that: whimsical.
Barley attributes her first novel to a quote by Toni Morrison: "If there's a book you really want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it." With "Whimsey," that is exactly what she did. The results of her endeavor have been compared to novels by New York Times bestseller Sarah Addison Allen and deemed "delightful" by North Carolina author Margaret Maron.
The story revolves around the Island of Whimsey, a colony of artists founded by matriarch Elizabeth Calhoun off the coast of Georgia in 1949. The community is an artist's dream world, complete with small town camaraderie, luscious seascapes, and dark nights that promise a thousand stars. But, there is more to the island than pretty scenery or even the talents of its residents. The "certain something else" means that on Whimsey, the mildly supernatural becomes commonplace, and artists are rarely at a loss for inspiration.
After following a doomed marriage to Atlanta, jewelry designer Emmaline Hamilton Foley, grandniece of Elizabeth Calhou, has "lost her magic," so to speak. It will take a devoted family and a few girlfriends who won't take no for an answer to draw her back to the island home of her youth. With her Aunt Zoe planning a new upscale gallery to showcase local talent, Emma can only hope to recapture the spark in her own designs, in time for the grand opening. But first, she must confront old heartbreaks, long-standing rivalries and her own loss of confidence.
"Whimsey" shifts seamlessly between reality and fantasy, enchanged glitter and everyday magic. The story is perhaps more similar to magical realism than traditional fantasy. In the insular world of its sprawling cast of characters, no one bats an eye at the occasional watchful ghost or sassy pixie. And in truth, these nods to fancy are mere seasoning. The driving force behind "Whimsey" is a more subtle magic: the love and support of family, the shared joy between friends (here, splendidly dubbed the "Wicked Women of Whimsey"), and the infectious drive of a creative community.
One might even speculate that the magical quality of the Island of Whimsey comes to stand in for those indefinable urges that inspire passion of all kinds. Barley has created a utopia where following the desires of one's heart is both a worthy and profitable pursuit. On Whimsey, hard work is rewarded, second chances have a chance, and no one is allowed to give up on herself.
Barley's writing is optimistic and upbeat, laced with a cheeky, good-natured humor. The story has a southern flavor that brings to mind humid summer days on the Georgia coast. Barley's love of the landscape is clearly evident in her multi-colored descriptions, and readers may find themselves wishing that they could be transported literally as well as figuratively to a southern shoreline at sunrise. Also apparent is the author's appreciative eye for creative work, whether jewelry, pottery, paintings, or lace-toed stockings.
Barley says that if she could say anything to inspire women, she would tell them that they are never too old to spread their wings, to do the things they always wanted. Her "Whimsey" presents the fictional story of a series of talented women willing to take that risk, and the book itself is proof of the living truth in her words. Ultimately, the novel is a celebration of creativity and self-fulfillment. For anyone who is not too grown-up to believe in the power of chasing after the things they love, or to smile at a pixie in Louboutin heels, "Whimsey" presents a fun, light-hearted read and a reminder never to stop dreaming."
"About the Author:
Kaye Wilkinson Barley, a retiree of Appalachian State University, lives in Watauga County with husband Don and "Wonder Corgi," Harley Doodle Barley.
She serves on the planning committee for the High Country Festival of the Book and is a contributing writer for several blogs, including the Jungle Red Writers and Barley's personal blog, Meanderings and Muses, which spotlights other authors worth watching. Barley's nonfiction has been included in two Western North Carolina anthologies, "Clothes Lines" and "Women's Spaces Women's Places."
Barley self-published her first novel, "Whimsey," in 2013 and hints that a sequel is in the works. She will be in Asheville on April 21 for a "Whimsey" reading as part of Malaprop's Bookstore's self-published and small press local authors series.
Keep up with book signings and other events through her website, www.kayewilkinsonbarley.com"
Written by Ariel Parsons. A graduate of Appalachian State University, a quintessential English major and self-proclaimed word junkie.
Note: The above mentioned Malaprop's reading is being rescheduled. Once the new date has been announced, I'll let everyone know.
Friday, April 11, 2014
2014 High Country Festival of the Book
High Country Festival of the Book has a great line-up of authors, entertainers, and exhibitors.
This is just a partial list of what to expect.
For more, please visit the official webpage - http://www.highcountryfestivalofthebook.com/
This is just a partial list of what to expect.
For more, please visit the official webpage - http://www.highcountryfestivalofthebook.com/
2014 AUTHORS & ENTERTAINERS INCLUDE |  |
Patti Callahan Henry is the New York Times Bestselling author of nine novels--Losing the Moon, Where the River Runs, When Light Breaks,Between the Tides, The Art of Keeping Secrets,Driftwood Summer, Coming up for Air, And Then I Found You andThe Perfect Love Song: A Holiday Story. Her newest book, The Stories we Tell, will be out just in time for HCFB! She has hailed as a fresh new voice in southern fiction, and has been shortlisted for the Townsend Prize for Fiction, and nominated four different times for the Southeastern Independent Booksellers Novel of the Year. Her work is published in five languages and in audiobook by Brilliance Audio. A full time writer, wife, and mother of three—Henry lives in Mountain Brook, Alabama. www.patticallahanhenry.com
Lynn Cullen's newest novel, Mrs. Poe examines the fall of Edgar Allen Poe through the eyes of poet Francis Osgood. Lynn Cullen is the author of The Creation of Eve andReign of Madness, which was a 2012 Townsend Prize finalist, as well as several award-winning young adult novels including I Am Rembrandt’s Daughter.
A traveler and historian, she lives in Atlanta, Georgia. http://lynncullen.com/ 
Amy Greene's debut novel, Bloodroot was a national bestseller.
Her second novel, Long Man, will be published by Alfred A. Knopf in February. Amy was born and still lives in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains where her books take place. Jill McCorkle says of her newest book, "Exquisite . . . Greene’s prose is as mesmerizing as the story she weaves. http://amygreeneauthor.com/
MUSICAL ARTISTS: Dashboard Hula Boys
North Carolina based acoustic trio, are Ed Midgett (guitar), Bob White (bass), and Tom Whyte (harmonica, uke, tenor banjo). They play favorites from old-time blues to classic rock along with a few originals. http://dashboardhulaboys.com 
J. Michael Orenduff may be the award-winning author of the "Pot Thief" murder mysteries but he started out in education as a college professor, an academic dean, an academic vice-president, a university president, and a statewide chancellor.. After an early retirement, he published his first book in the six book series, The Pot Thief Who Studied Pythagoras, to be be followed by The Pot Thief Who Studied Ptolemy, The Pot Thief Who Studied Einstein, The Pot Thief Who Studied Escoffier, The Pot Thief Who Studied D. H. Lawrence and The Pot Thief Who Studied Billy the Kid http://thepotthief.blogspot.com
Licensed pilot Millie West, is also an accomplished artist and art collector.Millie's books, The Cast Netand Catherine's Cross
reflect her interest in art and in the cultural heritage of South Carolina. Millie resides with her family near Columbia, SC, and is an active participant in her local writer’s group, the Chapin Chapter of the South Carolina Writers Workshop .http://milliewestauthor.com | 
Novelist, screenwriter & play writer Robert Inman
Robert Inman’s new novel, The Governor’s Lady, is the story of Cooper Lanier, a determined woman fighting to establish her independence in the tumultuous world of male-dominated politics. The Governor’s Lady is Inman’s fifth novel, followingHome Fires Burning (1987), Old Dogs and Children(1991), Dairy Queen Days (1997), and Captain Saturday (2002). He is also the author of a collection of non-fiction work, Coming Home: Life, Love and All Things Southern, and an illustrated family holiday book,The Christmas Bus. www.robert-inman.com 
Charlie Lovett is a writer, teacher, and playwright whose plays for children. He is a Lewis Carroll scholar, having written five books about the author. He collects antiquarian books as does his main character in his novel, The Bookman's Tale He served for more than a decade as Writer-in-Residence at Summit School in Winston-Salem, NC. Lovett splits his time between North Carolina and Oxfordshire England.http://charlielovett.com
Michael Knight is the Robert Penn Warren Prize for Excellence in Fiction, 2013 and that is just the beginning of a long list of awards and accolades including Oprah Winfrey’s summer reading list and Huffington Post’s Best Book of the Year. He is the author of two novelsDivining Rod and The Typist, two collections of short stories and a collection of Novellas. His short stories have appeared in numerous magazines and journals. He teaches creative writing at the University of Tennessee http://www.michaelknightfiction.com
Jim Minick is the author ofThe Blueberry Years, a memoir that won the Best Nonfiction Book of the Year from Southern Independent Booksellers Association. Minick is also the author of two books of poetry, Her Secret Song andBurning Heaven, a collection of essays, Finding a Clear Path, and editor of All There Is to Keep by Rita Riddle. His work has appeared or is forthcoming in many publications including Oxford American, Shenandoah, Orion, San Francisco Chronicle, Encyclopedia of Appalachia, Conversations with Wendell Berry, The Sun, and Wind. He teaches at Converse College and is the Fred Chappell Fellow at University of North Carolina-Greensboro, where he’s pursuing an MFA.
www.jim-minick.com 
USA TODAY Best Selling Author Pamela Schoenewaldt lived for ten years in a small town outside Naples, Italy. Her short stories have appeared in literary magazines in England, France, Italy and the United States. Her play, “Espresso con mia madre” (Espresso with my mother) was performed at Teatro Cilea in Naples. She taught writing for the University of Maryland, European Division and the University of Tennessee and now lives in Knoxville. She is the author of two historical novels, Swimming in the Moon, which has just been shortlisted for the Langum Prize in American Historical Fiction and When We Were Strangers.
www.pamelaschoenewaldt.com |
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
A Hometown Review of WHIMSEY: A NOVEL
Wheeeeee!
There's a lovely review of my WHIMSEY: A NOVEL in the April edition of All About Women Magazine written by Ariel Parsons. I am a very happy girl.
It's always a feel good thing to read a nice review. Always. And to read one in your hometown magazine? wow. That is such a rush.
And then to top it off, to read one which has been so well thought out is something to truly, truly treasure. Ariel Parsons liked my Whimsey. That feels great. But - more importantly, she "got" it.
She got what was in my heart and what I so hoped to share. There are no words to say exactly what that means, or how it feels, to a writer.
My thanks, Ariel. And my gratitude.
The article is no longer available on-line - so here 'tis . . .
"Sprinkle a piece of southern women's literature with a dash of pixie dust, and Kaye Wilkinson Barley's debut novel, "Whimsey" is the result. Equal parts spunk and elegance, cigar smoke and iced coffee, the book delivers on the name. "Whimsey is just that: whimsical.
Barley attributes her first novel to a quote by Toni Morrison: "If there's a book you really want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it." With "Whimsey," that is exactly what she did. The results of her endeavor have been compared to novels by New York Times bestseller Sarah Addison Allen and deemed "delightful" by North Carolina author Margaret Maron.
The story revolves around the Island of Whimsey, a colony of artists founded by matriarch Elizabeth Calhoun off the coast of Georgia in 1949. The community is an artist's dream world, complete with small town camaraderie, luscious seascapes, and dark nights that promise a thousand stars. But, there is more to the island than pretty scenery or even the talents of its residents. The "certain something else" means that on Whimsey, the mildly supernatural becomes commonplace, and artists are rarely at a loss for inspiration.
After following a doomed marriage to Atlanta, jewelry designer Emmaline Hamilton Foley, grandniece of Elizabeth Calhou, has "lost her magic," so to speak. It will take a devoted family and a few girlfriends who won't take no for an answer to draw her back to the island home of her youth. With her Aunt Zoe planning a new upscale gallery to showcase local talent, Emma can only hope to recapture the spark in her own designs, in time for the grand opening. But first, she must confront old heartbreaks, long-standing rivalries and her own loss of confidence.
"Whimsey" shifts seamlessly between reality and fantasy, enchanged glitter and everyday magic. The story is perhaps more similar to magical realism than traditional fantasy. In the insular world of its sprawling cast of characters, no one bats an eye at the occasional watchful ghost or sassy pixie. And in truth, these nods to fancy are mere seasoning. The driving force behind "Whimsey" is a more subtle magic: the love and support of family, the shared joy between friends (here, splendidly dubbed the "Wicked Women of Whimsey"), and the infectious drive of a creative community.
One might even speculate that the magical quality of the Island of Whimsey comes to stand in for those indefinable urges that inspire passion of all kinds. Barley has created a utopia where following the desires of one's heart is both a worthy and profitable pursuit. On Whimsey, hard work is rewarded, second chances have a chance, and no one is allowed to give up on herself.
Barley's writing is optimistic and upbeat, laced with a cheeky, good-natured humor. The story has a southern flavor that brings to mind humid summer days on the Georgia coast. Barley's love of the landscape is clearly evident in her multi-colored descriptions, and readers may find themselves wishing that they could be transported literally as well as figuratively to a southern shoreline at sunrise. Also apparent is the author's appreciative eye for creative work, whether jewelry, pottery, paintings, or lace-toed stockings.
Barley says that if she could say anything to inspire women, she would tell them that they are never too old to spread their wings, to do the things they always wanted. Her "Whimsey" presents the fictional story of a series of talented women willing to take that risk, and the book itself is proof of the living truth in her words. Ultimately, the novel is a celebration of creativity and self-fulfillment. For anyone who is not too grown-up to believe in the power of chasing after the things they love, or to smile at a pixie in Louboutin heels, "Whimsey" presents a fun, light-hearted read and a reminder never to stop dreaming."
"About the Author:
Kaye Wilkinson Barley, a retiree of Appalachian State University, lives in Watauga County with husband Don and "Wonder Corgi," Harley Doodle Barley.
She serves on the planning committee for the High Country Festival of the Book and is a contributing writer for several blogs, including the Jungle Red Writers and Barley's personal blog, Meanderings and Muses, which spotlights other authors worth watching. Barley's nonfiction has been included in two Western North Carolina anthologies, "Clothes Lines" and "Women's Spaces Women's Places."
Barley self-published her first novel, "Whimsey," in 2013 and hints that a sequel is in the works. She will be in Asheville on April 21 for a "Whimsey" reading as part of Malaprop's Bookstore's self-published and small press local authors series.
Keep up with book signings and other events through her website, www.kayewilkinsonbarley.com"
Written by Ariel Parsons. A graduate of Appalachian State University, a quintessential English major and self-proclaimed word junkie.
Monday, April 7, 2014
Reed Farrel Coleman
From Publishers Weekly:
"Coleman
to Handle Jesse Stone for Putnam
Christine
Pepe signed a North American rights deal with Reed Farrel
Coleman to write four new novels in Robert B. Parker’s Jesse Stone series.
(Parker died in 2010.) Coleman, an Edgar nominee, was represented by David
Hale Smith at Inkwell Management, while Helen Brann, who has an
eponymous shingle, represented the Parker estate. The first book in the
deal, Blind Spot, is set for September 2014. Pepe also signed Coleman to a
two-book, world rights deal that will launch a new series featuring a cop in
Suffolk County, N.Y., named Gus Murphy; the first Gus Murphy book, Where
It Hurts, is set for 2015."
Oh, how I
loved reading this!
If you're a
regular reader here at Meanderings and Muses, you know how very much I admire Reed Farrel Coleman's work.
And here's
just a sample of why:
Audie
Award – best original work
Nominated
for Barry Award – best novel
Winner
of Macavity – best novel
Nominated
for Anthony – best original paperback
Spinetingler
Magazine Best Novel – Legends
Book
of the Year – Foreward Reviews
Crimespree
Magazine – Best Novel of 2009
Winner
of Shamus – best hardcover
Winner
of Shamus – best hardcover
Nominated
for Edgar – best novel
Nominated
for Barry – best novel
Nominated
for Macavity – best novel
Winner
of Shamus – best paperback original
Winner
of Barry – best paperback
Winner
of Anthony – best paperback original
Nominated
for Edgar – best paperback original
Nominated
for Gumshoe – best mystery
Nominated for Macavity
– best novel
I met Reed at
Bouchercon Baltimore in 2008, and blogged about it here:
When this
picture was taken (by Lee Child, no less), I didn't know anything about Reed
Farrel Coleman or his work.
It was
because of this meeting that I started reading Reed's work. It was because of Reed's graciousness that I started reading his work. It was due to his talent that I continued.
And I developed one of the biggest fangirl crushes imaginable - and not just for Reed. For his Moe Prager also. The crush on Reed moved on to something I treasure - a friendship with one of the nicest, most talented people I've encountered. A devoted family man, a loyal friend and one who has a very loyal following of friends and fans. He was one of the first people to reach out when Donald had a heart attack, and still continues to ask about him whenever we talk or communicate by email. There's no way to measure how much that means to me.
And I developed one of the biggest fangirl crushes imaginable - and not just for Reed. For his Moe Prager also. The crush on Reed moved on to something I treasure - a friendship with one of the nicest, most talented people I've encountered. A devoted family man, a loyal friend and one who has a very loyal following of friends and fans. He was one of the first people to reach out when Donald had a heart attack, and still continues to ask about him whenever we talk or communicate by email. There's no way to measure how much that means to me.
I next saw
Reed at Bouchercon Indianapolis 2009, and blogged about it here:
This
photo was taken at the Private Eye Writers of America Banquet during B'con 09,
shortly before Reed was awarded the Shamus for The Best P.I. Novel of the Year
- SOUL PATCH.
I
was sitting at Reed's table along with Judy Bobalik (who acted as my Fairy Godmother
that entire weekend), Jason Pinter, S.J. Rozan, and Michael Wiley. wow. I was star struck the entire evening.
And
they made sure I met every other writer in that room who I may not have met
previously. Let me tell you, meeting Sara Peretsky and Sue Grafton was
not a small thing for me.
But,
that's just one more side of Reed Farrel Coleman. He was a big winner
that evening, but not too busy to make sure he made me feel welcome and
included.
Moe
Prager makes his final appearance in THE HOLLOW GIRL, which comes out in May.
I was lucky enough to read an advance copy and cried like a baby 'cause I
knew I was saying good-bye to Moe. But, being the professional Reed is, I
have to say, it was, in my opinion, the best of the series. I got over
being mad at Reed for taking away one of my literary crushes because he did it
with complete style and class and in keeping with Moe's life throughout the
entire series. It was a real and truthful and perfect ending. One I
could not have imagined before reading it, but thinking, "well, of course
. . . " after reading it.
And
now, wow.
He's
going to be "1/3 of Robert B. Parker." You can read what he has to say about it here:
And,
he'll be launching a new series featuring a cop in Suffolk County, NY, named
Gus Murphy. The first in the series, WHERE IT HURTS, is set for 2015.
I
am a happy girl.
OH,
and one more thing . . .
Reed's
been called a hard-boiled poet by NPR's Maureen Corrigan and the 'noir poet
laureate' in the Huffington Post. Here's a sample of his poetry he
allowed me to post here a couple years ago in honor of April being National Poetry
Month. And well, here it is April once again.
Sonnet of a City Once Known
Have you not seen the city I once knew
buried beneath years of silent defect,
impatient rust and angry shades of blue?
History’s hidden beneath its neglect.
The endless sewer to sewer stickball games,
crumbling cement, steps worn smooth as slate,
summer Tuesdays, boardwalk firework flames,
my father coming home (always too late).
Soft blacktop leaps to meet a kid’s sneaker
rounding first, but dreaming of home at last.
Old tar just hardens, the streets grow bleaker
and bright futures are leveled by the past.
On fall days as shedding trees turn to stone,
my shadows visit this city once known.
Sonnet of a City Once Known
by Reed Farrel Coleman
Have you not seen the city I once knew
buried beneath years of silent defect,
impatient rust and angry shades of blue?
History’s hidden beneath its neglect.
The endless sewer to sewer stickball games,
crumbling cement, steps worn smooth as slate,
summer Tuesdays, boardwalk firework flames,
my father coming home (always too late).
Soft blacktop leaps to meet a kid’s sneaker
rounding first, but dreaming of home at last.
Old tar just hardens, the streets grow bleaker
and bright futures are leveled by the past.
On fall days as shedding trees turn to stone,
my shadows visit this city once known.
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