Looking Back by Molly Weston

Molly Weston lives, reads, and writes in Apex, NC. She is a former magazine editor at the FPG Child development Center at UNC-Chapel Hill and she has followed retirement with lots more jobs - media escort, mystery reviewer and lecturer, director of senior singers, and daylily garden queen. For the past year she's been heavily involved in a plan to obtain an oral history of her hometown.

You can enjoy Molly's reviews along with some terrific interviews at Molly's blog, Meritorious Mysteries.

And you can see some of the gorgeous daylilies Molly and husband Noel grow at their Lakeview Daylily Farm.






Looking Back by Molly Weston

When I was growing up, everybody in our house—all three of us—liked to sleep late in the mornings. Perhaps it had something to do with the fact that I was a sickly child and my parents spent many nights holding me over a vaporizer so I could breathe, but nevertheless, we all liked to cut our mornings short. Sunday school and church were a given in our family, so we did everything we could to get ready on Saturday night. Mother would get her clothes and mine ready, and Daddy would spend a lot of time matching proposed ties to his suit.

I don't remember being offered choices in what I would wear, but I was responsible for shining my shoes myself. This was fun in the summertime, because I could shine them outside on the back porch. "Save me a biscuit," was my perpetual Saturday night whine. I'd take the cold biscuit, break it carefully in half, and "shine" my patent leather Mary Janes—half a biscuit for each shoe. When I could see my face in the toes, I was done.

Even with everything ready, we had to scurry to get to church on time. We really liked to sleep as late as possible! On time for our family meant being there early enough to get a parking place near the building. Drawn to a sitting position with arthritis, Daddy walked with a crutch and a walking cane and he never took any unnecessary steps. Even though folks would save his special seat for the preaching services, we had to be early to get that door side parking place.

As a consequence, Mother had to make our Sunday meals from scratch when we got home from church. She was an excellent cook. Her only daughter was a picky eater. Fried chicken dinners were favorites for all of us. My mother did everything fast, so she didn't need a small child underfoot while grease was popping on the stove. That's how the "red funnies" became important.

Then, as today, the comic section of the newspaper was expanded and in color on Sundays. Daddy's favorite chair was a platform rocker. I'd crawl into his lap, and, together, we'd read the "red funnies." Now reading the funnies doesn't usually take very long—certainly not long enough to fry chicken, cook vegetables, and make gravy and biscuits and the inevitable iced tea—but, my daddy, unlike my mother, did everything slowly and thoroughly. Reading the comics was no exception. He'd point to the first comic, tell me the name of the strip, and then go on to describe all the characters and what they were doing and saying. He would even tell me what the always silent "Henry" was thinking.

Reading the funnies was a magical trip for me. Daddy read every one of them—Prince Valiant and his Medieval times, flying ace Steve Canyon, baldheaded Henry, teenaged Penny Pringle and her pipe-smoking father, The Phantom in mysterious Africa, Blondie and Dagwood (especially his sandwiches)—and I was introduced to the whole gang, whether or not they were age appropriate. I was a happy child! Somehow he made the funny papers last until Mother announced from the kitchen, "Dinner's ready!" (For all you folks not blessed to be long-time Southerners, dinner was in the middle of the day, every day.)

Today, I often teach workshops on early literacy. I talk about reading with young children, giving them one-on-one time while reading, and making reading a ritual. I talk about letting young children see adults reading. I remind parents that children who are read to usually become good readers. Then I look back and think, maybe Sunday afternoons with the "red funnies" was just one start on my lifelong love affair with reading.

Vacationing at Topsail Island - And Celebrating 23 Years of Marriage (Happy Anniversary, Donald Honey!)

I love the beach.

I am a beach bum at heart.

My friend Dindy believes that the two of us have salt water running through our veins, and I believe she may be right. She and I have shared some beach trips, for sure - back in the day. Hilton Head was a favorite spot to visit - before it became what it is today. Our trips to Hilton Head were back when Charles Frasier first started developing the island, but had no idea - I don't think - that it would become what it has. To my mind and eye it's become another over-built resort city that, while charming, has lost that essential, basic charm it once had when it began as a beautiful, pristine island paradise.

And Fripp Island. Oh my. We had some glorious times at Fripp Island, I must say. I haven't been back to Fripp in over 20 years and I want to remember it as it was back then when 10 or 15 young, somewhat wild and silly people, would hit there every year for Memorial Day weekend.

I grew up on the water and it is indeed essential to my very soul to get back to it when I can. Funny how when I was growing up in Cambridge, I just didn't realize how it would become more important to me the older I got. Fact is, I miss it almost every day. And from my deep love of Cambridge, grows my love of being on the water.

Donald and Harley and I are at Topsail Island, NC this week celebrating our 23 wedding anniversary. Along with another "biggie." It's been a year since I've had a cigarette. Any excuse I can come up with for a trip to the beach, I'll find; and these two events seem well within the realm of justification, if I do say so myself.

This is our first visit to Topsail, but it won't be our last. It's wonderful!!!!!

First a bit of history -

In 1946 the US Navy took over Topsail Island through eminent domain and buying 99 year leases in order to test missiles - jet propulsion missiles for our "future" jet program. The program was referred to as Operation Bumblebee (The Bumblebee cannot fly. According to recognized aerotechnical tests, that is. Because of its shape and weight of his body in relation to the total wing area. But, the bumblebee doesn't know all this, so he goes ahead and flies anyway. Well aware that this new undertaking to develop a supersonic guided missile for the navy would face impossible challenges, Dr. Merle Tuve named the project "Bumblebee." From the Operation Bumblee pamphlet written by David A. Stallman, 1992.) In 1948 they gave it up and gave the land back to the original owners. And moved the operation to what we now know as White Sands Missile Range. The reason being - it was too windy here - too much environmental interference. But. The instrumentation towers they used are still here and I took pictures of some of them.




There were 8 of these towers originally. They're all still here. Stark reminders that even in the most idyllic of places there appears to have almost always been the need for military presence.

But.

Sprouting up among the abandoned military towers is beauty - some of the most glorious beauty Mother Nature can give us, along with pretty spectacular beach "cottages."





And then there's me and Donald and Harley. Finding ourselves fitting in nicely on this island of some apparent and perhaps perceived contradictions. Settling into a week of pure, unadulterated laziness. Laziness of the type that can only come when you've removed yourself from hearth and home; where you can't hear the call of those chores needing attention, the weeds needing pulling, the dust bunnies needing killing. Where instead you hear the call of seashells wanting you to notice their simple, exquisite beauty.

Where the joy of a doggie's grin makes you remember how very special life can be.

And where you're free to remember that you stood before God, friends, and family and said vows. And shared your belief in your future together. And 23 years later know that that love is still true. And that the person who was your very best friend ever is still your very best friend. And that life is good.

The Vampire Wears Prada by Deni Dietz

Denise [Deni] Dietz is the author of the Ellie Bernstein/ Lt. Peter Miller "diet club" Mysteries. The 4th in the series, STRANGLE A LOAF OF ITALIAN BREAD, comes out this month. For readers who like to read a series from the beginning, Deni has good news. Her backlist: THROW DARTS AT A CHEESECAKE, BEAT UP A COOKIE and CHAIN A LAMB CHOP TO THE BED is being reissued by Wildside Press. The books have been updated and re-edited. Deni calls it "writing wrongs." Deni lives on Vancouver Island with her Aussie/ Canadian husband, Gordon Aalborg, author of Cat Tracks and Dining With Devils - a Tasmanian Thriller.


THE VAMPIRE WEARS PRADA by Deni Dietz

A few days ago I decided to write a new mystery series starring a vampire. Since I've never met one in person, I knew I had some intense research to do, and somehow I didn't think Google or Twitter or Facebook would fly. Well, maybe Facebook, except I was afraid I'd get too many responses from vampires who wanted to be my "friend."

So I looked up Vampires in the Yellow Pages. It took 3 phone calls, after midnight, but I finally found a vampire who was willing to talk to me, no strings attached.

Deni: Thank you so much for agreeing to meet me, Mr. . . what do I call you?

Vampire: Rice. My name is Rice.

Deni (taken aback): Are you related to Anne Rice?

Vampire: Never heard of her. My name is Rex Rice, but most people just call me Rice.

Deni: Okay, um, Rice. Thanks again. I really do appreciate this.

Rex Rice: You're velcome. I'm glad you're a redhead. I love the color red.

Deni: Yes, well, I'm not sure what to ask, sir, er, Rice. Let's start with the basics. Where are you from?

Rex Rice: California.

Deni: Not Transylvania?

Rex Rice: Never heard of the place.

Deni: I've read about vampires, of course, and seen movies, but I had no idea they. . .you. . .looked so. . .well, normal. You could be the bachelor on one of those bachelor TV shows, especially with that chest. Do you wax it?

Rex Rice: I do.

Deni: And your dimples are to die for. I mean, live for.

Rex Rice: Out of curiosity, vhat do you write?

Deni: Crime fiction. My latest book is called STRANGLE A LOAF OF ITALIAN BREAD. It stars a diet club leader. But I was thinking of writing a new series starring a vampire lawyer. . .why are you shaking your head?

Rex Rice: For one thing, 'vampire lawyer' is redundant. For another, the plot vouldn't vork unless he vorked the night shift. Or if he only vorked on cloudy days. Maybe if he lived in a Lincoln Continental. Vith tinted windows.

Deni: Okay, I can see how a vampire lawyer would suck. . .oh, gosh, I mean a vampire lawyer wouldn't be a viable sleuth. How about a vampire cop?

Rex Rice: Same problem.

Deni: I see your point. No offense. I mean, your teeth and all.

Rex Rice: Freudian slip. Happens all the time.

Deni: What about sunscreen? I was thinking maybe I'd concoct a secret government sunscreen, like you might find in a Dean Koontz novel.

Rex Rice: Sunscreen might vork, or, even better, Mime makeup. I've always wondered. If a Mime fell in the forest, would anybody hear him scream? By the way, do you have a title for your book?

Deni: I was going to call it 'The Vampire Wears Prada,' but now I'm thinking 'The Lincoln Vampire' might fly.

Rex Rice: Yes.

Deni: Yes, vhat? I mean, what?

Rex Rice: I thought you were asking if I could fly. The answer is yes.

Deni: That's good to know. It could be an important plot element. Do you change into a bat, first?

Rex Rice: A bat? You've been vatching too much TV, lady! Or too many Bela Lugosi movies. Vy vould I vant to be a bat? All that guano. Ick.

Deni: Sorry. I don't usually stereotype. So, no lawyer sleuth and no cop. Let's say, for the sake of discussion, that you were in my book. Who would you like to be?

Rex Rice: Your perp.

Deni: Perp? How do you know that word?

Rex Rice: Vhat? You think vampires can't read. Some of my best friends are librarians.

Deni: Okay, if you were my perp, who. . .whom would you kill?

Rex Rice: Stephen King.

Anyone in the market for a book called THE VAMPIRE WEARS SUNSCREEN?

Fun Things You Can Discover While Browsing the Blogs (like Reed Farrel Coleman)

One of the things I love best about the blogging world is the wealth of talent I've discovered in the art of storytelling.

We expect great stories from our writers who also blog - that is, after all, what they do so beautifully. But I've discovered great story telling from others as well - some of them are shown right here at my Meanderings and Muses blog roll to your left. I browse these sites almost every day, and it never fails that a couple of them lead me to still more sites. One that always leads me to interesting spots is David McMahon's authorblog. Mr. McMahon is "totally committed to encouraging excellence in others." You'll find interesting, fun items, and be treated to some quite stunning photography.

Today's meanderings through my blog roll found a terrific story told by Reed Farrel Coleman. Ironically, I have just recently discovered Mr. Coleman's Moe Prager series, and am presently reading the third in that series - "The James Deans," which was the winner of the Barry, Shamus and Anthony awards. I'm totally wowed by Mr. Coleman's writing, and have a huge crush of Moe Prager.






My reading has gone through a sea change over the past couple of years, thankfully. Otherwise, I would not know names I'm just now beginning to recognize, read and thoroughly enjoy.

While I've always read a wide range of different types of things, and have never been one to say no to trying a new writer, I have, in the past, given wide berth to what is referred to as "hard boiled crime fiction." I have favorite writers in a wide spectrum of writing - romance, chick lit, horror, and so it goes. I'm a fool for biographies, and short story anthologies. Mysteries, however, have long been my favorite, and I was mostly reading the more traditional mysteries - bending more in favor, perhaps, to the "cozy" rather than the "hard boiled."

I'm finding that to be changing a bit. I'm still firmly in the traditional category, but overly cozy no longer has the appeal it once did. And lo and behold, hard boiled is finding its way into my everyday reading more and more. And so —voilà!— a whole new group of writers to start piling onto my already sagging bookshelves. One of the authors I've discovered during this journey is Ken Bruen. I'm over the moon for Ken Bruen's work. I've read somewhere recently that reviewers are discouraged from using over-worked words such as "lyrical" when writing their review. Good thing I'm not a reviewer, 'cause I can't come up with a word more fitting for Mr. Bruen's work. Heartbreakingly lyrical. That's the best I can do.

Two of my newest discoveries, and favorite writers - Reed Farrel Coleman and Ken Bruen - have collaborated on a book which will be released in September by David Thompson's Busted Flush Press.

Am I excited to hear this?! Well, Boy Howdy - YES, I am!

The name of the book is Tower. And Mr. Coleman tells the fascinating story about how it came to be at the Busted Flush Press Blogspot. You'll love the story. It's a fun tale, and who knows - after reading it, if you're not already familiar with Mr. Coleman's work, you may find you want to gobble up everything else he's written. Just like me.

Gumshoe Moms by Evelyn David

Evelyn David is the pseudonym for Marian Edelman Borden and Rhonda Dossett.

Marian, who lives in New York, is delighted to be attending her third Malice.

Rhonda, who lives in Oklahoma, attends vicariously. They are the authors of the Sullivan Investigations series.


Murder Off the Books was published in 2007.


Murder Takes the Cake made its debut at Malice on May 1, 2009. Please visit their website at http://www.evelyndavid.com


Gumshoe Moms

In honor of Mother’s Day, we thought we’d pay tribute to those fictional amateur sleuths who are Moms. We’d send each a virtual breakfast in bed, some roses, maybe a hand-made card or two from their offspring.

But as the two halves of Evelyn David went through the list of popular female protagonists, it became abundantly clear that parenthood and sleuthing don’t mix. Yes, our own protagonist, Rachel Brenner, has Sam, a freshman in college.

But sad to say, Sam’s not a particularly attentive son, so we wouldn’t bet on him calling 1-800-Flowers anytime soon.

But then we got stuck trying to find Moms who are detectives. Miss Marple, the darling, was most decidedly childless. So too are Jessica Fletcher, Pam North, Nora Charles, Stephanie Plum, Kinsey Millhone, and Annie Darling. The list goes on and on. These women may have significant others, perhaps share home and hearth with dogs and cats, but no kids.

To be fair, it’s not that there are many detective Dads either.

Playing detective means following the clues – whenever and wherever they lead.

But if you have to worry about finding a sitter before you can confront a suspect or track down what turns out to be a red herring – then the story may go off into different directions. We’ve yet to hear a detective on a stakeout agonize over getting two dozen cupcakes ready for the PTA bake sale (although word to the wise: Dunkin’ Donuts Munchkins are a perfectly fine substitute for homemade goodies).

And yet, motherhood is probably the best training for being a detective short of going to the FBI Training Academy at Quantico. Think about it. A good mother is:

(1) A master at noticing details.

a. Personal grooming defects: She knows exactly the number of hours since last tooth brushing and whether or not a shirt was worn one day or three.

b. Odd odors: The super sniffer can detect a soiled diaper and 10-day-old leftover pizza under the bed without entering the room.

c. Identifying physical characteristics and clothing: She can accurately estimate the height, to the quarter inch, of the subject, as well as the exact color, style, and price of the criminals' outfits.

(2) Great at detecting lies and interrogating suspects.

a. Moms can find the inconsistencies in a subject's retelling of events with laser-like accuracy.

b. With a well-practiced stare and guilt-infusing declarations, experienced mothers can elicit confessions ranging from minor transgressions to multiple counts of murder.

c. Mothers have a wide-ranging social network with lots of "snitches" from which they can obtain rebuttal evidence.

(3) Appreciative of long, quiet, hours spent alone on stakeouts.

a. After creating Halloween costumes for multiple kids, most moms have plenty of outfits for disguises.

b. After years of staying up with sick babies, mothers have enough patience to maintain a 24-hour surveillance without getting bored or nodding off.

c. After filling day planners with detailed school events, music lesson schedules, and overlapping medical appointments for the brood, keeping good, legible stakeout notes with timelines on one suspect is a breeze.

Happy Mother's Day to all the fictional and real mothers out there. Maybe next year you'll be wearing gumshoes and a dark trenchcoat in a whodunit of your own.

The Passing of a Great Talent - Ernie Barnes

I was going to post something about the Edgars today. The Edgars are, after all, a very big deal in the mystery world and deserve to be celebrated and honored. So I started browsing around the internet to see what everyone else had to say and it occurred to me that I didn't have a thing to say about the Edgars that hadn't already been said. And since most of what was interesting had been said by people who were actually there, then what was the point in my adding my two cents? Especially since it would be me rehashing what already been said, and said well. And as usual - Sarah Weinman says it all best in her "Confessions of an Idiosyncratic Mind."

Anyone who is interested already knows who won, and if they have an opinion, they've already shared it. The list of winners can be found at the MWA Edgar webpage, and I offer each of them my sincerest congratulations. And to those names on the list who did not win the coveted award this year - I'm betting we'll see many of them back in years to come.


What I did run across during my browsing that I found to be of interest, other than the Edgar winners, also saddened me. Included in my list of favorite blogs is The Crime Sistahs. The women who make up The Crime Sistahs are Angela Henry, Patricia Sargeant, Gammy L. Singer, and Persia Walker.

I first became aware of Persia Walker at the Baltimore Bouchercon last year. I sat in on a panel session my friend Mary Jane Maffini was participating in - “Otherside: Keeping it Plausible." I wrote this in my Wednesday, October 15, 2008 blog - Bouchercon 2008 - My First B'Con -
"Another Saturday panel I attended was William Kent Krueger moderating Judy Clemens, Mary Jane Maffini, Kit Sloane, and Persia Walker on “Otherside: Keeping it Plausible” Loved this one too (why, of course), and was blown away by Ms. Persia Walker who I was not familiar with. I found this young woman to be major impressive and am quite excited about discovering this bright talent."

Since then, I have read Ms. Walker's Harlem Redux and Darkness and the Devil Behind Me. And I recommend them both quite highly. If you haven't discovered Ms. Walker yet, you're in for a treat. And if she's an indicator of the talent included in the Crime Sistahs Blogspot, then there is yet more talent for me to discover and enjoy.

But that's not what I came here to talk about today. Let me meander back to the subject at hand . . .

being sad.

What made me sad at The Crime Sistahs Blogspot was learning that Ernie Barnes had died. Immeasurably sad. I don't know if you're familiar with Ernie Barnes' art and murals - however, you might be even if you aren't aware of it.

Do you remember watching the old TV show Good Times? Do you remember that the character JJ became, as the show went on, a bit of an artist? That wonderful work shown as JJ's was, in fact, Ernie Barnes' work. And I love it. And I am saddened that there will be no more.


Enjoy these few and say a little prayer for Mr. Barnes and his lasting talent.

Sugar Shack




Solid Rock Congregation



Singin' Sistahs



Anniversary



Room Full A'Sistahs



The Maestro

Obituary here

WINNERS ANNOUNCED by Caryn

Caryn has drawn the winning names for her book give-away, and they are:

Brothers Boswell - Vicki Lane
Probable Claws - Auntie Knickers
Life Sentences - Carol H
Killer Keepsakes - Writer's Porch Carol
Flip Out - Helen

Please get in touch with Caryn by either leaving a comment here, or sending her a note:
stclairck@gmail.com
She'll need your mailing address.

Thanks to Caryn for a fun post.  And generous!!!!

and thanks to all of you for popping in!

If you're new to Meanderings and Muses, I hope you've found us to your liking and will visit often.  And to those of you who do drop in often - see you again soon!

Hugs!
Kaye

Some of you are probably wondering who is this person that Kaye has asked to blog this week? Let me briefly introduce myself.

I'm Caryn St.Clair, a 50 something year old from St. Louis Missouri. I met Kaye on DorothyL and then in person at Bouchercon last fall. Kaye and I have a shared interest in good books and interesting people.

When I am not reading, I can often be found at the St. Louis Zoo where I am a volunteer and docent. My husband and I are often at the zoo 3 or 4 days a week in one capacity or another. My involvement with animals extends beyond the zoo though. We are active friends of the Wild Canid Center (commonly called the Wolf Sanctuary). My husband and I share our home with two dogs and two cats and our backyard with many wild birds. I try to change the feeders with the season to catch the migratory birds as well as keeping feeders for our year around residents.

Besides books and animals, I follow Big Ten football and basketball (Go Boilers-class of '74), the St. Louis sports teams- the Blues hockey team (I have to have something to do in the winter), the Rams (and the Arizona Cardinals as long as they have Kurt Warner) and most especially the St. Louis Cardinals.

I also love to travel. I've been overseas a few times, but most of my traveling has been around the US. My favorite places to visit are Edisto Island, South Carolina and the National Parks in the western United States, especially the parks in the southwest. I think Bryce Canyon is one of the most beautiful places on earth. Our best family vacation ever was 2 weeks spent in and around Yellowstone. The best vacation that was just my husband and I was a 10 day trip to Hawaii.

My music tastes run from classic rock (more Stones than Beatles) jazz (especially the Cuban/Latin influenced) to classical to Broadway musicals.

Enough about me, on to the blog. What season do you look forward to each year?

I am a summer person. Give me 90 degrees and sunny any time. One of my goals in life is to finally live in a place where flip flops (I have several pairs) can be worn at anytime of the year. This desire for heat is in direct conflict with my half Norwegian blood, and not really in line with the German side of the family either. It is definitely NOT shared by any of my close relatives.

My strong preference for summer is also not in line with the places I have lived. I grew up in a smattering of small towns around Indiana where we did have nice hot summers for sure, and beautiful autumns with warm if not sizzling days.

But those two seasons were followed by cold, snowy winters and springs fraught with tornadoes. When I finally got my chance to break out of Indiana, where did I land? Central Ohio where the weather was just like Indiana.

A two year stint in Ohio was followed by seven years in Western Michigan where summer is that lovely season that happens, if you are lucky, between the Fourth of July and Labor Day. IF you are lucky. Two of our seven years there we wore winter coats to the fireworks. And because we lived not too far inland from Lake Michigan, we didn't really have the gorgeous clear blue skies as there was always a sort of cloudy haze from the lake. And oh my gosh, the snow! I knew I was in trouble when the city came around and put tall flags on the fire hydrants in late September. See the thing about the snow in Western Michigan is because of the lake, it also snows-like every day. The weather people call it “lake effect flurries.” Believe me it all mounts up over time. Then when they have a real snowstorm, well, I'm here to tell you we have pictures of snow along our driveway over the kids heads. Once it starts snowing, the snow is there until spring-otherwise known as June.

But to be fair, Western Michigan does have lakes. Not just the big one, Lake Michigan, but a number of smaller ones with the clearest water imaginable. And the fruit! The blueberry crop alone almost balanced out the snow-almost. Yes, in spite of the snow, we enjoyed our years in Michigan. However, when we were looking to move on, I begged my husband to move south-way, way south.

We did-all the way to St. Louis. So finally I have hot, hot summers and lovely warm autumns with the most beautiful blue skies. But there is still the winter problem. We have snow and ice-lots of ice. At least in Michigan the city even plowed our sidewalks, and driving was not a problem as the streets were quickly cleared and people knew how to drive in snow. Here? Give us 4 inches of snow and the city is paralyzed, especially if that snow has an inch or two of ice under it. And our springs? That's a mixed bag. We can have wonderfully warm weather with bright blue skies, or terrifying thunderstorms that bring down huge trees (and the power lines). We may have 80 degree days followed by a quick hitting ice storm.

But what makes late winter and early spring tolerable here? BASEBALL! Come February, no matter how frightful the weather is here, the pitchers and catchers are reporting to spring training, and I know summer is just around the corner.

Yes, St. Louis is not as warm of a climate as I'd like, but with baseball, it'll do.


How about you all? Are there any other summer folks out there? Or do you prefer the autumn leaves and crisp cool nights? I'm assuming there are a few winter sport nuts among us, or people who can't wait for the fresh start of spring?

As an incentive to hear from you all, I'm offering a few books to jump start your summer reading. These are all “read gently one time” ARCs of books that I have received from publishers to review. Leave a message telling us what your “season” is and what book (or books) you are interested in. I'll draw names on Wednesday and ask Kaye to post the winners then along with my email address so that you can send me your mailing address.

You can only win once, but your name can be in more than one pot! (US ADDRESSES ONLY PLEASE).

I have a little something for just about any reader so let me know which one(s) you'd like. I have five great reads to share.

1.Flipping Out by Marshall Karp-the crew from The Rabbit Factory returns.

2. Killer Keepsakes by Jane Cleland-the 4th Josie Prescott antique mystery.

3.. Life Sentences by Laura Lippman-a stand a lone that explores how we remember things versus what really happened. A thought provoking book.

4. The Brothers Boswell by Philip Baruth-this is an interesting historical fiction that has a bit of a mysterious twist to it. James Boswell (the biographer of Samuel Johnson) apparently had a brother John who suffered from mental problems. The book tells the story of John stalking James and Samuel through London with murder in his heart. Quite an interesting read from SOHO Press.

5. Probable Claws by Clea Simon-the fourth book in Simon's Theda Krakow series. While Theda tries to help her neighbor with her cat shelter, she becomes embroiled in a murder which in turn jeopardizes her job as a freelance music critic. The book stands on it's own, so even if you've not read the previous books, if you are interested in mysteries with cats who do not talk or solve crimes, this might be the book for you.

Is There a Favorite Writer you Patiently (or Impatiently) Await?

There's a whole slew of new books coming out in the next few weeks. A lot of them are written by writers I love and who reside on my "auto-buy" list.

Some of my once favorite writers sometimes fall off my auto-buy list after awhile, but there always seems to be someone new making their way there, so it remains a rather long list. And some of those who have fallen off sometimes even make a come back. My addiction to books is just that. And since it doesn't hurt anyone - not even myself - it's one I'm quite content to live with. I've lived with it since I was a little girl and I'll live with it till the day I die.

How about you guys? Addicted to books? Do you have a favorite writer (or several) that you get impatient with if they miss that once a year release?

I'm picking one, and only one, very favorite writer who has a new book coming out this year.

Finally!

Gloriosa, this man makes me nuts 'cause he takes so long between books. But. As soon as his newest comes out, all is forgiven.

It has been 14 years since his last novel.

Know who I'm talking about??

Pat Conroy.

In my mind - he is The Master of Southern Literature.

His new, long awaited novel, "South of Broad" will be released in September. Hooray Hooray!

Since "Beach Music," he has written "My Losing Season," (From Fantastic Fiction - "In My Losing Season Pat Conroy has written an American classic about young men and the bonds they form, about losing and the lessons it imparts, about finding one's voice and one's self in the midst of defeat. And in his trademark language, we see the young Conroy walk from his life as an athlete to the writer the world knows him to be."), and "The Pat Conroy Cookbook: Recipes of My Life" - NOT your typical cookbook, by any means. I loved both these books. I still keep the cookbook close at hand, because every once in awhile I want Mr. Conroy to tell me a story. Don't we all, at some point, love to be told a story? and who better at this than Pat Conroy? The man loves words, and language and is a storyteller extraordinaire.

One of my favorite blogs, Book Chase - by Sam Sattler, was where I first learned the news with this entry - New Pat Conroy novel expected.

Book Chase is also where I got to watch Mr. Conroy being interviewed by his lovely bride, author Cassandra King.

AND, through Book Chase, I learned even more news about the book from a friend and early reader of Mr. Conroy - Mr. Sean Scapellato, who writes the "Thoughts on Writing From a Cul-de-Sac" blogspot.

Don't you love the blogging community?! I swear - you can find just about anything you want if you search around long enough. There are the most interesting people out there writing about a world of stuff. Anything and everything. That's what makes the world go around, isn't it? That gift of curiosity. If you get a sudden hankering to read and learn a little about the most mundane, or the most arcane, or the most esoteric subject matter imaginable, you can find it.

But, enough of that - I meander.

I want to squeal about how excited I am about "South of Broad." It sounds to be just what we expect, and love, of Pat Conroy. Sweeping sagas that are so very southern, so emotional, and oh, so very "Pat Conroy." I don't think you could pick up anything this man has written, read more than a few words and not know pretty quickly who it was written by.

I have one little story.

When Donald and I were still living in Atlanta, Mr. Conroy did a signing of "Beach Music," and we, of course, went to Mr. Conroy's signing. My first edition personally inscribed and autographed copy of this marvelous book is one of my life's treasures. As is remembering the conversation we had regarding Fripp Island. While we waited in line, Donald kept saying things like "now you need to talk to him - don't freeze up, tell him how much you admire his work, tell him you love Fripp Island - say something!!" So, when it came time to hand this great man my book, I spurted out "I love Fripp Island. Wish I lived there." (brilliant, huh?! pfft). Mr. Conroy stood up, left his chair, came around the table, asked our names, shook our hands, leaned against the table and said "You know Fripp Island? Tell me how you know Fripp." I could have died. But I rambled on at some length about how a group of very close friends would go to Fripp every year for Memorial Day weekend. How we would always rent the same big old house at the very tippy end of the island and how we did that for several years and how those weekends were some of the loveliest of my life. Without missing a beat, he said - "I've heard of you! Weren't you and your friends told to leave the island and never return?!" And threw his head back and laughed a big booming, from the soul, laugh. And so did I. That, of course, never happened, but that he could even just say such an outrageous thing, made me just want to laugh with him, and kneel at his feet. He then proceeded to chat with us at length about Fripp, and his love for the island, acting as though we were the only people in the room with him at the time. I was honored by his attentiveness, and completely in awe of his graciousness. If I had not been a huge fan before, that did it. He's funny, ever so personable, I love him and he is one of my heroes. We all need heroes.

Photo David Spielman

Fictionalizing Reality by JT Ellison

J.T. ELLISON is the bestselling author of the critically acclaimed Taylor Jackson series, including ALL THE PRETTY GIRLS, 14, JUDAS KISS and the forthcoming EDGE OF BLACK. She was recently named “Best Mystery/Thriller Writer of 2008” by the Nashville Scene. She is a former White House staffer who moved to Nashville and began research on a passion: forensics and crime. Ellison worked extensively with the Metro Nashville Police, the FBI and various other law enforcement organizations to research her novels. She is the Friday columnist at the Anthony Award nominated blog Murderati and a founding member of Killer Year. She lives in Nashville with her husband and a poorly trained cat. Please visit jtellison.com for more information.





Fictionalizing Reality
by JT Ellison

Twisted as I am, my imagination usually guides my stories. I dream up horrific endings by villainous creations (who end up giving me nightmares,) and terrorize my adopted hometown of Nashville with crazed killers. But up to now, every story I’ve written has been pure, straight out of my head, fiction.

I made an exception for JUDAS KISS. The fictional murder of my victim, Corinne Wolff, was based on a real case.

In 2006, I saw an article from a North Carolina newspaper about a young pregnant mother named Michelle Young who was found murdered by her sister. Her death was unspeakably violent, and her child had been alone in the house for days with her mother’s corpse. The media reported a number of salient details, including the bloody footprints the child had left through the house. I watched the case, hoping there would be a resolution. Unfortunately, Michelle Young’s murder still isn’t solved. Her husband is the prime suspect.

Her story became the opening of JUDAS KISS.

The crime stories that seem to capture our interest as a society are the ones that take place where we feel the safest, which is inside our own homes. That’s where the majority of homicides take place. And we all know how much the media loves a good suburban murder, especially in my fictional Nashville. In the novel, there’s a sense of the fantastic surrounding this case, an “it could have happened to me” mentality couple with the media frenzy – satellite trucks parks on quiet streets, reporters camped on the lawns, every moment chronicled. It doesn’t happen that way in the Section 8 housing. The drug and vendetta killings don’t make the news very much. So in a sense, I’m capitalizing on what does capture our attention.

But JUDAS KISS wasn’t the easiest book to write. Any time an author is faced with a child at a crime scene, a tightrope appears from your laptop, and gets thinner every moment you spend looking at it. It’s a difficult balancing act.

Bad things do happen to children. Bad things do happen to animals. I don’t know about you, but I’m not a fan of reading about either. Reality can stay out of my fiction, thank you very much.

So when I wrote the opening of JUDAS, I didn’t give it much thought, simply because I wasn’t killing Corinne Wolff’s child. I was in safe territory. But one of my independent readers was very unhappy with the opening. She was terribly upset with me for leaving Hayden Wolff alone with her mother’s dead body. “If the husband did it, there’s no way he would leave the child alone like that. No one would. You’re going to alienate mothers all across the country.” I was struck by that statement, obviously. That’s not the goal behind these stories.

So I sent my reader the links to the real case. In the book, I’d actually toned down some of the “real” parts because they were so dreadful. My reader came back with a new eye – she understood now. She was horrified by the real case, understood what I was doing. She realized that I never set out to shock or offend with this story. I only wanted to give the real victim, Michelle Young, some closure. Her story affected me in ways I couldn’t imagine. I’ve found that reality can sometimes throw me for a loop.

We mystery writers are a strange lot. We write about murder and mayhem all day. We walk a fine line between victims and victimizing. I try very, very hard to make sure the violence in my books is never gratuitous. I always strive to make sure that my victims have a reason, a place, a purpose. They aren’t just dead bodies stacking up like cordwood to move the story along. That’s just not why I wanted to write crime fiction. I wanted to find ways to give some justice to those who didn’t have anyone to fight for them, to right the wrongs, and penalize the guilty. In my books, the bad guys get caught, and they are punished. Justice is served. The white hats win. That’s why I got into crime fiction.

But it doesn’t stop me from wishing I could do something for the Michelle Young’s of the world.

A Book Geek Quiz

Okeey doke - by now many of you are plugged in to Facebook and know the drill for the many Facebook Quizes that continually pop up - "Copy the questions into your own note, answer the questions, and tag any friends who would appreciate the quiz."

Patti O'Brien tagged me and has since posted this on her blog and Lesa Holstine has it posted at her blog. I tagged a bunch of people, and decided it would be fun to post it as Lesa suggested. And - maybe some of you will want to post it at your blogs.

Some of us (ME!) are crazy about lists. And some of us (ME!) think these little tests are fun. I can't resist them. I was a sucker for the little tests in Cosmo and Seventeen when I was a teenager, and haven't stopped taking them yet.

So. Here we go - chime in and tell us your answers; here's mine.

1) What author do you own the most books by?
Not sure how many without getting up to check, but - all Margaret Maron's books (both of her series, stand-alones and anthologies), all the James Lee Burke Dave Robicheaux, and all the Spenser novels. If it's a series I like, I probably have them all.





2) What book do you own the most copies of?
Ann Fairbairn's FIVE SMOOTH STONES, Pat Conroy's BEACH MUSIC, Laurie King's FOLLY.




3) Did it bother you that both those questions ended with prepositions?
No.

4) What fictional character are you secretly in love with?
Just one?! Mike Chapman and Armand Gamache.

5) What book have you read the most times in your life (excluding picture books read to children)?
Ann Fairbairn's FIVE SMOOTH STONES.

6) What was your favorite book when you were ten years old?
Probably a Nancy Drew OR Kay Thompson's ELOISE.


"I am Eloise. I am six. I am a city child. I live at the Plaza."

7) What is the worst book you've read in the past year?
Hard to say 'cause if I'm not enjoying a book, I won't finish it.

8) What is the best book you've read in the past year?
Just one?! How 'bout Louise Penny's series.





9) If you could force everyone you tagged to read one book, what would it be?
You know - I just can't do the "one" thing. See the three books I've listed above - Five Smooth Stones, Folly and Beach Music.

10) Who deserves to win the next Nobel Prize for Literature?
I'm going to go along with Patti's answer - I don't seem to read what is usually nominated for the Nobel Prize for Literature.

11) What book would you most like to see made into a movie?
I'm usually disappointed with the transition from book to movie, so probably none. But. A couple of noted exceptions. I thought the "Ya Ya Sisterhood" was very well done. And I thought "Fried Green Tomatoes" was done exceptionally well.

12) What book would you least like to see made into a movie?


13) Describe your weirdest dream involving a writer, book, or literary character.
I really don't recall ever dreaming about a writer, book or literary character.

14) What is the most lowbrow book you've read as an adult?
Lowbrow?!!! Whoa - one gal's lowbrow might be another gal's treasure! I'm not above grabbing an occasional bodice ripper; if that's what might be meant by "lowbrow."

15) What is the most difficult book you've ever read?
Civil War on Race Street, The Civil Rights Movement in Cambridge, Maryland by Peter B. Levy (written about the town where I was born and raised. heartbreaking).




16) What is the most obscure Shakespeare play you've seen?
Although I've read most of Shakespeare, I've actually seen very little performed, but is there any Shakespeare that can be called "obscure?"

17) Do you prefer the French or the Russians?
I like Lesa's and Patti's answers to this one: "Neither. Give me Americans, British or Canadians."

18) Roth or Updike?
Neither. I guess I should try again? big sigh.

19) David Sedaris or Dave Eggers?
Sedaris.

20) Shakespeare, Milton, or Chaucer?
Shakespeare.

21) Austen or Eliot?
Austen.

22) What is the biggest or most embarrassing gap in your reading?
Self help and I'm sure I could use some!

23) What is your favorite novel?
Five Smooth Stones by Ann Fairbairn. (surprise!!)

24) Play?
"Bell, Book and Candle."

25) Poem?
Kim Addonizio's The Red Dress (or what do women want)

26) Essay?
I'm coming up blank here. I do though always enjoy reading Anna Quindlen's work.

27) And... what are you reading right now?
AUNT DIMITY SLAYS THE DRAGON by Nancy Atherton



28) What's the best title for a book ever (you don't have to like the book).
Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons. (that title just cracks me up! and - i liked the book).