What's Next...

I tend to do most of my writing when I go on vacation.  I find that being in different surroundings loosens up the creative side of my brain.  It also helps that when I'm away (doesn't really matter where), I'm free of the usual distractions I have at home.  I can get more done on a two week holiday abroad than in a six month period at home. 

My plan for this current vacation was to dig into Frisky Business - the fourth Sasha Jackson mystery.  But I haven't even opened the file. 

Instead, a brand new idea has come to me!  It's also for a mystery, but I'm not sure I can make it into a Sasha  book.  Obviously, I'd just as soon write Sasha stories, but the concept for this one may mean that it ends up being a stand alone title...  Hmmm... I'm still sorting it out in my brain.

What I can say about the new book idea is the following:

• I know whodunit
• I know whydunit
• I mostly know howdunit
• I know what the setting is
• I know what the background or backstory is
• I know the working title: The Last Word

So, I'll mull it over some more and see if I can figure out how Sasha Jackson can get involved. 
Stay tuned...

Recent Reads: Mine Smokin' Grey

"Mine All Mine" by Adam Davies
A rip-roaring start.  Wacky characters and wacky situations.  Excellent word choices and descriptions (Davies really is quite a wordsmith).  My only gripe with this novel is that the climax goes on a bit too long.  The denouement was satisfying, though.  I had fun reading this, and will check out other books by Davies.

"Smokin' Seventeen" by Janet Evanovich
Anyone who knows Sasha and Jill, knows that the Stephanie Plum series is a perennial fave.  This time the plot is a wee bit stronger and tighter, which makes an enjoyeble book even more of a treat.  Lula is as irrepressible as ever.  The romantic tension between Stephanie and Morelli, and Stephanie and Rangers is dialed up to ten.  Grandma Mazur is ever the pip.  Reading a Stephanie Plum novel is like getting together with dear old friends.

"Shades of Grey" by Jasper Fforde
I love the "Thursday Next" series and the "Nursery Crimes" series, so it's no surprise that I dug right into this - I began reading it on Tuesday and finished it on Wednesday. I laughed out loud at several pages.  Fantanstic, fun Fforde!  I can't wait for the next books in the series.

Awesome review in Ellery Queen!!

I was totally thrilled to see Dead Light District reviewed in Ellery Queen!!!  It's a great review and the following line is the highest praise I could ever imagine:

"Sasha is a true literary granddaughter of Sam Spade and Philip Marlowe, complete with smart mouth and clever similes."

To be mentioned in the same breath as two of the greatest, two of the forerunners is indeed an honour! 

Link to review here.

Dead Light District is currently on special on AMAZON kindle for $2.99! 

 

Old Covers for some Classic Mysteries

Choosing a book cover is not easy!  It's a challenge to come up with an image that suits the content, and is attractive to readers.  Some of these early covers for some well-known books by some heavyweight authors may have seemed like a great choice once upon a time.  In my opinion, though, the following covers now seem very cheesy and dated.





I just generally don't like to see faces
on books unless it's a bio.

The bright yellow background is not
particularly visually soothing.

 

Can you say "Bodice Ripper"?

 

This is so very Marilyn Monroe!

What horrible colours!
The images are nothing special either.



Makes me think of a traffic sign:
Jaguars Crossing.

Cool Bookmarks

For a book that's hot off the press.

For when the story really grabs you!

Gotta be for a whodunit!

Probably not for a Stephen King novel.

For crime fiction, most definitely!



Makes me think of Ruffles potato chips.





I'd actually use this one.



This makes me want to sing: "Ding Dong! the witch is dead!"

First Review for "The Lies Have It"!! And some other stuff too...

I was very happy the other day to see the first review of "The Lies Have It".  The review was great, and I'm still beaming.  You can check it out on Entertainment Realm by Amy Steele.  Here's a nibble from Ms. Steele's review:

"It’s diverting to read a mystery to stir things up a bit. Author Jill Edmondson created a great character in Sasha Jackson. This makes me want to keep reading. Sasha’s honest, gutsy, liberal and independent."

You can order "The Lies Have It" here.

Another thing that surfaced online this week are the photos of the launch party taken by SNAP.  You can check them out here. 

And, finally, I was a guest blogger today over at Carrick Publishing.  You can click here to see what I have to say about chairs and selling books.