Summer Fun
It feels like our Pacific Northwest weather is jumping from a wet winter-like spring to a hotter-than-normal June just like that! And my plants are thriving because of it—yellow begonias which are planted next to the pond with common goldfish (some are 7 inches long) and a waterfall; pink and purple and coral calibrachoas in a hanging basket; white hydrangeas that cascade in a tall planter under the Japanese maple tree; and jasmine starting to climb either side of a pergola. I love this time of year in the garden because most of the work is done and I get to sit on the deck and enjoy the lovely colors and delicious smells.
Back to my real “job” of writing—Killer Wedding is almost ready for release (early Julyish)! This is book two in my Christie’s Flower Shoppe Cozy Mystery series and I can hardly wait to see how it settles with readers. It was truly fun to write, and even more fun to read it after all the copy edits are done and errors have been magically erased by the editor’s “red pencil.” I truly hope it resonates with my cozy mystery readers.
Speaking of reading my own writing makes me think of listening to my books being read by the narrator. I have discovered by listening to the stories that I don’t use enough dialogue tags for audiobooks. When we read books with our eyes, we can see when the conversation switches to the other speaker, although long conversations still need a tag now and then to keep the reader on track. With audiobooks, it’s harder to tell when the speaker has changed unless the narrator has clearly changed her voice to the new person. Even then, I find it difficult to remember who was who. Note to self: include more of those tags in my future books.
Until next time, happy reading!
Subscribe | Website | Facebook | BookBub | Goodreads | Amazon | Audible
Belladonna—a classic murder method in the past, but now?
Christie O’Mara has been commissioned to transform a church into a tropical island garden for a socialite’s wedding—a major event in the town she calls home again. With the help of her ditzy Aunt Doris, she creates a magical setting despite a difficult mother and a microscopic ten days’ notice.
At the exquisitely decorated country club, a groomsman’s partner collapses. When possible belladonna poisoning is mentioned in the emergency department, the family is quick to blame Christie’s Flower Shoppe. The newspaper’s headline of Killer Flowers Strike Again a few days later doesn’t help.
Christie opens her business every morning with the worry she won’t be in business long enough to celebrate her shop’s one year anniversary in the fall or do the flowers for two weddings scheduled in September.
Unless she can help the Police Chief identify someone with the real motive and means.
KILLER WEDDING, the second cozy mystery novel in the Christie’s Flower Shoppe series.
In the sunny desert landscape of Palm Desert, Julia Fairchild and her adventurous sister Carly embark on a thrilling hot air balloon ride. Little do they know, this seemingly innocent excursion will thrust them into a web of mystery and intrigue that they never could have imagined. As they float peacefully through the sky, their carefree afternoon takes a dark turn when their eyes catch sight of a lifeless body lying motionless among the unforgiving sands below.
Speculations arise when it is revealed that the deceased is believed to be a missing financier, Trevor Lundgren, who had been under investigation for unusual investment practices. Authorities were convinced that he had fled the country to escape the consequences of his actions.
However, as Julia and Carly investigate deeper, they unravel a murderous plot which puts them in the line of fire.
JOSHUA’S TREE, the seventh standalone murder mystery in the Julia Fairchild series.
Subscribe | Website | Facebook | BookBub | Goodreads | Amazon | Audible
