Month: May 2017

The Talented and Prolific Mr. Edward Teddy Payne

Hailing from Stratford Ontario, Teddy Payne has a number followers and not just on Facebook.  People adore him.  How can they not?

This British gent is quite the character (stated in a good way, my friend).  In addition to being funny, bright, and totally charming, he’s a walking compendium of history.

Memoirs, novels, short stories and poetry are some of the many things he’s penned.  Illustrations abound, too.  . . . Writing and drawing: having just one of these talents is enviable, but both?!

The list of accomplishments is lengthy, so here is a small one that might whet the appetite:

  • The Apricot Blooms in the Desert (memoir)
  • The Streets of Odeon (memoir)
  • When the Devil Drives (novel)
  • The Man who Loved Women (short stories)
  • Teddy Payne’s Stratford
  • The Swans of Stratford
  • Paraphernalia for a Saturday Afternoon

Here’s to you, Teddy.  May we enjoy many, many more years of you and your opuses.

Happy (Still Humble) Me

Here are the last details of the book tour (it’s all part of my blogging process and writing development).  I netted some awesome reviews and wanted to share . . .

The Connecticut Corpse Caper is the first book in the new Triple Threat Mystery series by Tyler Colins. It’s a good, solid start to the series.
~Valerie’s Musings

Author Tyler Colins inserts a lot of humor and more than one body into this tale, and her style of writing makes for a fast read.
~Lisa Ks Book Reviews

The opening chapter of this book proved to be quite the hook with its description of the Moone estate, it immediately pulled me in.
~I Read What You Write

For fans of mystery dinners and black and white movies about spending nights in haunted houses, this tribute to well known detective noir is a great escape read.
~Laura’s Interests

A lack of confidence is something I’ve had more years than I care to admit, but these reviews have provided a (much-needed) boost.  Thank you.

I hope I won’t disappoint as I (and the Triple Threat Investigation Agency gals) continue on this exciting, fun-filled—and enlightening—quest.

A Heartfelt Thank-You for the Book Tour

What an amazing book tour for “The Connecticut Corpse Caper” and myself.  This, I owe to an amazing woman, blogger Lori Caswell (“Ecape with Dollycas into a Good Book”).  What she does to coordinate these tours and promote writers is unbelievable—it’s evident she puts heart and soul into every tour.

Writers like myself owe the following fantastic blogs and their dedicated bloggers a huge, heartfelt thank you!

Blogger Nicole Reviews – http://bloggernicole.com

StoreyBook Reviews – http://storeybookreviews.com

Books, Dreams, Life – http://booksdreamslife0829.blogspot.com

The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – http://mysteryshelf.com

Celtic Lady’s Reviews – https://celticladysreviews.blogspot.com

A Blue Million Books – http://abluemillionbooks.blogspot.com

Valerie’s Musings- https://valeriesmusings76.wordpress.com

Lisa K’s Book Reviews – http://lisasbookthoughts.blogspot.com

I Read What You Write – https://ireadwhatyouwrite.wordpress.com

Fantastic Feathers – http://www.fantasticfeathers.in

Laura’s Interests – http://dogsmomvisits.blogspot.com

Lori’s Reading Corner – http://www.lorisreadingcorner.com

Escape with Dollycas into a Good Book – http://www.escapewithdollycas.com

Cozy up with Kathy – https://cozyupwithkathy.blogspot.com

“Cozy Up with Kathy”, A Cozy Blog

One more mystery: finding info on another blogger, namely Kathy of “Cozy Up with Kathy”.  <LOL>  Nancy Drew would not be proud.

What you’ll find on “Cozy up with Kathy” are truly cozy moments—book tours and interviews, and giveaways.

Kathy also goes by the name “Katreader” and there’s a list of her blogs with links.  A couple were ones she contributed to.  “Katreader’s Rat’s Nest” doesn’t appear to have been updated since 2016, but it’s dedicated to pets.  There are some bittersweet, touching posts.  Here’s to fellow animal lovers . . . and one kind soul who appears to give much.  Thank you Kathy-Katreader.

https://cozyupwithkathy.blogspot.com

“Escape with Dollycas Into a Good Book” and Escape to an Awesome Blog

If you’ve never visited Lori Caswell’s fabulous blog, go!  It’s colorful, appealing, and chocka-block full of mystery authors and books.

Not only does this dedicated blogger provide amazing book tours (this, I can attest to personally), she offers recommendations, giveaways, and “random thoughts”.  I don’t know how she does it, but kudos to Lori for accomplishing all that she does!  (And more kudos for having such a great family and being a fellow animal lover.)

Her bio is on the blog, but it’s inspiring and worth sharing.  In 2001, Lori was involved in a serious car accident that left her disabled and unable to drive. She did get a part-time job for a few years, but it eventually became obsolete.  Few employment opportunities seemed available.  Fortunately, a friend convinced Lori to begin a blog (and even assisted with connections).  The year 2011 saw the birth of “Escape with Dollycas into a Good Book”.  When one door closes, another truly does open.

Here’s to you Lori and all the awesome things you do for us writers.

http://www.escapewithdollycas.com

“Lori’s Reading Corner” Blog

As soon as you arrive at Lori’s blog, there’s a sense of early-morning ease.  Maybe it’s the steaming coffee cup perched on a book.  Maybe it’s the soft pastel colors.  It’s very appealing visually and “feels” cozy-comfy.

Others have good things to say (check out the “What People are Saying about LRC” page):

  • one of the warmest, clearest loveliest book blogs I’ve been to
  • one of the best sites on the web
  • concise, well-thought out reviews
  • Lori’s infectious love of books, and
  • Lori is a true professional (among other things).

My advice when you want a break: grab a cup of java and have a go at Lori’s blog.  You’ll enjoy the visit.

http://www.lorisreadingcorner.com

“Laura’s Interest” – A Blog Dedicated to Book Tours, Reviews, Contests, Giveaways, Blog Parties

Being a mystery writer means digging around for info (be it for a story, a project, or something that requires explanation)  . . .  playing detective as it were.

I’m usually pretty good at unearthing stuff, but this time I found it rather difficult to locate a pic of Laura or much about her save for snippets on her blog, FB page, and Google Profile.  Maybe I was looking too hard (sometimes you can’t see for looking).

She has a great tagline, though: “helping others achieve their dreams and goals”.  How admirable; I really like that.

Circles we might want to include her in: cozy mysteries, business book reviews, thrifty finds, refurbishing, DIY, crafts, blog parties, giveaways, and ways to have fun.

(Well, I’ve always said, I do love a good mystery and Laura, you’ve provided me with one.  <LOL>)

Please check out her neat blog:

http://dogsmomvisits.blogspot.com

“Fantastic Feathers”

Mahathi Ramya’s blog “Fantastic Feathers” is a bit different from other writers/writing blogs, particularly given the majestic peacock pic.  The tagline: “My random thoughts on books, different places I visit and anything that is exciting”.

I like that, maybe because it sounds just a wee bit like my own [first] blog (Typepad – CreativeSpider3): “A Writer-Editor Sharing Thoughts, tales, Goals and Desires – Your “Everything and Then Some” Blog.  We communicate likes, focuses, and opinions/thoughts.

As Mahathi tells us, she is easy-going and “wants to enjoy each and every bit of life”.  Hear, hear.  “I believe in God and I also believe that we are sent to this world with some purpose.”  I love that she readily “accepts my weaknesses and I am also proud of my strengths equally.  I just love being me!”

How awesome is that?  Kudos to you, Mahathi, for your convictions.

http://www.fantasticfeathers.in

 

“I Read What You Write” – A Blog by Michelle (Shelle) Perry

“Reading and writing about the best books of all time” is the tag line on Michelle (Shelle) Perry’s blog, “I Read What you Write”.

This reading addict and stay-at-home mom’s super power is reading (she’s also a pretty darn good blogger!).  In addition to her love of reading, she enjoys sharing new authors.

Check out her well organized, easy-to-follow blog for book reviews, blasts, interviews and more.  She’s also happy to have you communicate what you’re writing.

https://ireadwhatyouwrite.wordpress.com

“Lisa Ks Book Reviews” Blog

 

Lisa Kelley’s cute and very “cozy” blog is “for and about Cozy mysteries and their wonderful authors”.  (How positive and gracious is that?  I love it.)

There’s also a Facebook page, aptly entitled “Lisa Ks Book Reviews”, to share thoughts about them.

If you’re into cozies, there’s a lot to be found on her blog—so please visit, peruse, and discover.  You’ll see why “Lisa K’s Book Reviews” was voted one of the Top 10 cozy mystery blogs by A Cozy Experience.  Congrats, Lisa!

http://lisaksbookthoughts.blogspot.com

 

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