CALIFORNIA SCHEMIN' by Kate George

Award winning writer, Kate George, is the author of MOONLIGHTING IN VERMONT and CALIFORNIA SCHEMIN' (released March 1, 2011). Visit her website. Her books are available at www.mainlymurderpress.com, amazon.com or can be ordered from any bookstore.

Plus, I'm featuring Kate today on my other blog. I've grilled, um, I mean, interviewed her, so please drop by. 

Video for CALIFORNIA SCHEMIN':

I know you'll enjoy this excerpt. I did!

* * *

I was one of the first people seated on the plane. I took a window seat toward the front and concentrated all my energy on looking like an unfriendly seat hog in hopes of not being crammed in with two other people all the way to Burlington.

My scowl seemed to be working well until a very plump woman with shocking pink hair squeezed herself into the aisle seat. At least no one was likely to try and sit between us. I rested my head on the window and hoped I’d be able to concentrate on my book for the flight home. I sometimes got the willies on airplanes. My legs would twitch and I wouldn’t be able to sit still or concentrate. I dreaded flights like that.

“I wanted to warn you,” the pink haired woman leaned over to me. “I sometimes have trouble controlling my shape-shifting at high altitudes. Don’t be alarmed if my hair changes color or my nose changes shape, okay?”

“Uh, okay,” I said. My luck, I’d gotten stuck with a loony. “How long have you been a shape shifter?”

“Oh, my whole life. I’m from another planet. It’s pretty normal there.”

Correction: I was stuck with an alien loony.

* * *

 Don't forget to drop by my blog to read Kate's interview!

Investigation?

Sundays are special for a variety of reasons. One is my involvement with an online group of mystery and romantic suspense authors who celebrate Sundays via SUSPENSEFUL SEVEN SENTENCE SUNDAY.

We post a seven sentence excerpt from one of our published books, or a current work-in-progress. No more. No less. Seven. Short. Sweet. Suspenseful. Sentences!

The following excerpt is from FRANK, INCENSE AND MURIEL, the first book of my Muriel Reeves Mysteries series.

 

* * *

 

“Invite me inside, Muriel, listen to what I have to say. If you decide you don’t want to help in the investigation, I’ll leave. I’ll even promise never to darken your doorstep again.”

Although the prospect of his never darkening my doorstep again appealed to me, my brain focused on the one word I suspect he knew all along I would be unable to dismiss.

“Investigation?” I heard myself ask, “What investigation?”

“I’m a private investigator. I’ve been hired to find Rachel.”

* * *

Drop by next Sunday for another seven sentence excerpt. In the meantime, check out SUSPENSEFUL SEVEN SENTENCE SUNDAY for a complete list of participating authors. Enjoy their S7SS excerpts, and your Sunday!  

SheWrites.com Blogger Ball Redux

Welcome to the SheWrites Blogger Ball Redux.

Make yourself comfy. Coffee's on and bottomless. Help yourself to some muffins. I guarantte they're your absolute all-time favorites, AND they're warm out of the oven. I've also reserved my coziest armchair just for you. So sit back, kick off your shoes, relax, browse around my site, and stay as long as you like.  

Kudos to Meg Waite Clayton for organizing this super SheWrites event.
 
When you're ready to move on, click HERE for the complete list of SheWriters Blogger Ball Redux bloggers.

BTW, I hope you'll return soon!

ADDICTED TO BLOGS

I have a confession to make. I’m addicted to blogs. 

Worse, I can’t help it. 

I love the immediacy of a blog post. I treasure the variety of topics, the wealth of information, and more importantly, the insight into said blogger’s opinion and viewpoint of the world we share.

The following are just a few of the interesting, thought-provoking blogs I stumbled upon this past week:

(1) Whether you’re a wannabe writer or a published author, you’ll find food for thought in “C.J. West’s E-Book Gamble” at Marilyn’s Musings. Mr. West said, “I decided that the key to selling more books was to get more readers to read my books. Sounds like a catch-22….”

(2) Robin Sullivan’s recent post at Write to Publish discusses the pros and cons of going with a traditional publisher or starting with an indie.

(3) Most writers battle daily with their inner editor. Not Janalyn Voigt. “I'm at peace with my inner editor and don't feel the need to turn her off while writing.” Her January post at Author Haven is always timely. Don't miss it.

(4) One of my favorite suspense authors is Allison Brennan. Featured at Mysterious Writers, she reveals how she balances writing three books a year with being a mother of five. I found her tips to writers especially helpful. She said, “Write. Revise. Learn to self-edit. Learn to discern good advice out of all the crappy advice you get.” 

(5) Margot Kinberg discusses the appeal of a cast of regular characters in a mystery series. But is it possible to have too much of a good thing? 

(6) Finally, if you’re thinking of starting a blog, or just a newbie, jog over to Kristen Lamb’s site. It is full of advice about social media that I wish I’d been privy to before, but hey, better late than never!

Do you have a favorite blog? Leave a comment and the link so I can check it out. (I’m pretty sure I can find a few more minutes in each day to address my new addiction!)