A miscellany of thoughts about dogs, cats, writing, life in the Ozarks, & occasional book reviews
Virtual Book Tour by Author Joy Ann Ribar November 13-24, 2023 As a retired college professor, I welcome new additions to the field of academic mysteries. This cozy mystery adds to the genre with a main character whose esoteric field of study offers a new aspect to sleuthing. In contrast to the generic college professor often …
Continue reading From Myth to Murder
As a writer and a reader, I find the thriller genre a rollercoaster ride of tension, suspense, and high-stakes challenges. I'm fascinated by fast-paced, complex plots, and relatable characters I care about. That's why I'm attracted to writers like Amy Young, and why I've invited her to share her thoughts about writing thrillers. Enjoy this …
Continue reading Guest Post: Thriller Tropes
Virtual Book Tour September 18 - October 13, 2023 As a child, the public library was a magical venue where I wandered freely, my attention captured by books and stories about different cultures, people, places, and historical times. That probably explains my passion for fiction and non-fiction alike, and for exploring unfamiliar worlds found by …
Continue reading Step Back In Time For Murder
Among the late bestselling author Elmore Leonard ‘s widely quoted 10 Rules of Writing is this gem: “Try to leave out all the parts readers skip.” And what, you may ask, did he believe readers tended to skip? “Thick paragraphs of prose you can see have too many words in them.” Personally, I’m one of those …
Continue reading Writing For Readers
Copper Waters by Marlene M. Bell A New Zealand Cottage Mystery May 29 - June 23, 2023 Virtual Book Tour Marlene Bell’s Copper Waters is the fourth in the series featuring an antiquities expert and amateur sleuth who compulsively involves herself in investigations of murder, mayhem, and mystery. If you’re interested in mystery and suspense …
Continue reading Mayhem and Mystery