Book Giveaway: Maids of Misfortune

* * * * * If you have enjoyed this blog, then PRETTY PLEASE vote for this blog as best Entertainment Blog (proving reading is entertainment) and also as best Hobby Blog. Thank you most sincerely. There are voting buttons on the sidebar too. You will have to register with Blogger's Choice, but it is a simple process. I am listed under Mysterysuspence.Blogspot.com. * * * * * * * *

I have 1 copy of the MAIDS OF MISFORTUNE to giveaway.  You may read my review of the book here.  If you like cozy or historical mysteries, I think you will find this book delightful.

Please read the directions carefully as I have changed one or two things.

How to Enter:



*** First, you must be a member (follower) of this blog.***

All entries are to be in the comments for this post (or possibly in an email.)

I will stop taking entries for this giveaway Thursday April 8 at midnight and will announce the winner Saturday the 10th.

For each point you earn you will have one entry in the random drawing. There is a chance for 7+ points total for each contestant and thus 7+ entries each.

+1 for leaving a comment with your correct email information. If you don’t feel comfortable leaving your email in a comment, please email me your information at: mysterysuspense1 at gmail dot com.

+2 for posting on your blog about this giveaway with a link back, please supply link to your blog post in the comments

+2 for each new member you bring to this blog (you must identify the new member you brought) limit of 2 new per contest  - NEW

+1 for having this blog's button in a side bar of your blog with a link back, please supply link in comments - NEW

+1 for tweeting about this contest, please post link in comments


Comment/email example:

+1 here is my email address so you can notify me I won _ _ _ _ _ @ _ _ _ .com

+2 here is the link to the post I did on my blog for this giveaway (http://myblog.blogspot.com/2010/02/book giveaway hurry)

+2 for new google member Sadie197 I brought to your blog

+1 for adding your blog button to my blog sidebar (http://myblog.blogspot.com/)

+1 here is the link to the tweet I did on this giveaway (http://twitter.com/NICKI0162/status/7657117606)

Thank you for participating and good luck!

Review: Maids of Misfortune by M. Louisa Locke

* * * * * * If you have enjoyed this blog, then PRETTY PLEASE vote for this blog as best Entertainment Blog (proving reading is entertainment) and also as best Hobby Blog. Thank you most sincerely. There are voting buttons on the sidebar too. You will have to register with Blogger's Choice, but it is a simple process. I am listed under Mysterysuspence.Blogspot.com. * * * * * * * *

Author: M. Louisa Locke
Copyright: Dec 2009 (CreateSpace); 336 pgs.

Series: #1 in A Victorian San Francisco Mystery
Sensuality: N/A
Mystery sub-genre: Historical Cozy

Main Character: Annie Fuller, a liberated woman ahead of her time
Setting: 1879 San Francisco

Part of a Challenge: Historical Mystery Reading Challenge



Obtained book through: Purchased

It's the summer of 1879, and Annie Fuller, a young San Francisco widow, is in trouble. Annie's husband squandered her fortune before committing suicide five years earlier, and one of his creditors is now threatening to take the boardinghouse she owns to pay off a debt.

Annie secretly supplements her income by giving domestic and business advice as Madam Sibyl, one of San Francisco's most exclusive clairvoyants. I loved this part of the story. Annie was raised by a single father who was a highly regarded financial wizard and taught her well. But as a woman nobody would be asking her advice on investing, but as Madam Sibyl she can advise them in a manner they willingly accept.

At one time this room had been a gloomy back parlor where her Uncle Timothy had retired with his port after Sunday dinner to smoke his cigar and subsequently snore away the long afternoons.  Annie had remodeled it by having a small entrance cut from this room into the larger parlor in front, installing a washstand and mirror in on corner and replacing the horsehair sofa with a small desk and book shelves.

 Annie stood in front of the washstand and began a curious morning ritual.  First, she liberally dusted her face with a flat white powder that rested in a box on the top of the washstand, effectively erasing all signs of the freckles sprinkled across her nose.  Then she dipped the little finger of her right hand into a small tin containing a sticky black substance, which she applied liberally to her eyelashes, normally the same reddish-gold as her hair.  Using her middle finger, she transferred a minute quantity of rouge from another tin to her lips, turning their usual soft pink into a strident scarlet.  After washing the black and red stains from her hands with the rough soap she kept by the washstand, she bent and opened the cabinet door under the stand and removed a disembodied head.

She placed this apparition, a be-wigged hairdresser's wooden form, on the stand.  After tethering her own braided hair securely with a net, she carefully lifted the mass of intricately intwined jet black curls off the form and pulled it snugly onto her own head.  The transformation was startling.  Her eyes seemed to grow instanly larger, turning from the color of heavily-creamed chocolate to the deep rich hues of coffee, taken black...

Then, after putting the mute, scalped hairdresser's form away, she draped a silken shawl of scarlet and gold over her severe black dress and opened the parlor door to the front parlor, where she would spend the rest of her day at work, not as Annie Fuller, the respectable, widowed boardinghouse keeper, but as Sibyl, one of San Francisco's most exclusive clairvoyants. 

But one of Madam Sibyl's clients, Matthew Voss, has died. The police believe his death was suicide brought upon by bankruptcy, but Annie, as his financial adviser knows he was doing very well and that his investment documents have coincidentally disappeared when he died. She is convinced it was foul play.

Nate Dawson, the Voss family lawyer, meets Annie upon investigating why Mathew Voss left Sibyl money. He reluctantly begins investigating alongside Annie, a woman who alternatively attracts and infuriates him as she shatters every notion he ever had of proper ladylike behavior while being attracted to her. This historical mystery set in the foggy gas-lit world of Victorian San Francisco is a complete package of a modified locked room puzzle, more than one murder, daring undercover snooping, romantic tension and a few twists and turns for a powerhouse of a debut novel.

When I finished this book I immediately missed Annie and the other characters, showing just how well they had been brought to life and, dare I say…memorable. The mystery was well plotted so I went down the wrong path along with the police at first. The setting of Victorian San Francisco and period details are rich and layered, easily woven in the overall story from the attitudes towards Chinese and class divisions to the strict propriety rules restricting women. The journey back in time seemed so complete I felt jarred if pulled back into the modern world when my reading was interrupted.

The climax and revealing of the murderer was tense and an edge-of-your-seat ordeal where Annie is in very real danger. The ending was satisfying and I put the book down smiling at the wrap-up. I had just stumbled upon this delightful book as I cruised Amazon’s suggestions and I am so glad I found it. I heartily recommend this book for historical mystery or cozy fans. I think you will find it captivating.

For you convenience, you may purchase your copy here.

Shortly I will have an interview with the author of Maids of Misfortune and a book giveaway!

To help you get into the Victorian San Francisco environment, here is a video showcasing the historic Queen Anne Hotel:

This charming boutique hotel filled with one-of-a-kind antiques and treasures in a landmark Victorian mansion and prior girls' finishing school is a blast-from-the-past. Many antique touches adorn this historic family-owned hotel: from antique cast iron stoves, to original plaster ceiling medallions to stained glass windows, this historic property has been beautifully preserved and adapted.  Enjoy. Oh...and did I mention, it is rumored to be haunted.

Author Interview: Wendy Roberts

Winners for The Morning Show Murders book giveaway are: Cherylbaryl and Rubynreba.  Wahoo!  Congratulations.  You should have received an email from me requesting your mailing address to send the book to you.

* * * * * * If you have enjoyed this blog, then PRETTY PLEASE vote for this blog as best Entertainment Blog (proving reading is entertainment) and also as best Hobby Blog. Thank you most sincerely. There are voting buttons on the sidebar too. You will have to register with Blogger's Choice, but it is a simple process. I am listed under Mysterysuspence.Blogspot.com. * * * * * * * *

Today we have the author of the Ghost Dusters Mystery series, Wendy Roberts, visiting with us.  You may read the review I did of her most recent book, Dead and Kicking here.

- Do you start your next mystery with the killer, the victim or a plot idea?

I start with the protagonist/heroine. If I have a handle on her personality, the nugget of a plot will follow in my mind. In the Ghost Dusters series, the idea for Sadie came to me after I’d interviewed a trauma clean worker in Seattle.

- Do you outline the plot or some variation of that (a little/a lot of detail, a strict 3 act structure etc) before sitting down and writing?

I don’t outline or plot during the first draft. In the beginning it’s crucial that I let my characters dictate the story and I can honestly say that I never know whodunit until I’m about three-quarters through writing the story. I like to be surprised! After that epiphany, I go back and start the second draft and that involves some plotting. For my process, I like the ideas to come to the paper fresh without a lot of self-editing during that crucial first stage.

- I enjoy Sadie and Maeva, what is your process for developing a character? Do you use pictures, a worksheet or just let the character(s) tell you about him/herself as you write?

I’m glad you enjoyed Sadie and Maeva! For the protagonist I allow her to speak to me throughout the story. With secondary characters, however, I often find pictures will help. I’ll peruse magazines, online articles, or even my own facebook friend list for photos to become the basis of a supporting character and I’ll build their personality attributes around what I feel that face is telling me.

- How do you find time for writing, what works for you - and do you have anything special you do before writing, particular music or a special room/location that helps you get in the zone and write?

I have four kids so my writing time is during school hours out of necessity but I have been known to bring a laptop to baseball and football games when I’m under deadline. If I find the laundry and the dishes calling my name when I should be writing, I’ll pack up my laptop and find a coffee shop. If I want to go for a particularly spooky scene, I’ll pour myself a glass of wine and write late at night with the lights turned down low.

- What is your work schedule like when you're writing and how long does it take you to write a book?

Every book comes with its own time frame. I’ve written one complete first drafts in six weeks and one in a year. Usually it takes me six months to complete that first draft and then another couple months of editing and layering to complete the story.

- How much research goes into your work and do you complete that up front or "just enough" as you go?

Most of my research is done before I go beyond the first three chapters of the book. If things come up along the way, I’ll insert a note to myself in the manuscript and I’ll go back to research those questions after the first draft is complete. If I stop and go to do research along the way, I find I get too hung up on details and it slows my process.

- Setting seems as important as the characters in your mysteries, any tips on conveying a sense of place well?

All my books so far have been set in Seattle. I just love that city and I find inspiration around every corner! I find it helpful to include real locals in my stories. I’m an avid coffee fan so it wasn’t a hardship to visit many independent coffee shops in Seattle and then include them in my Ghost Dusters series.

- Can you recommend a fiction book that provides a great example of the writing craft to dissect and learn from?

Any books by Allison Brennan or Tess Gerritsen are great examples if you want to learn how to build strong characters and thread suspense throughout a story. A couple non-fiction craft books in my own library are Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg and Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass.

- What are you currently reading?

On my bedside table right now is Jasper Fforde’s Shades of Grey. It’s different and somewhat peculiar but I’m enjoying it immensely. I’ve just finished Allison Brennan’s Original Sin which was a phenomenal read!

- What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

If I’m writing at home, rather than at a coffee shop, you’ll find me twisted into odd pretzel shapes while I wrap myself around my keyboard. I can’t seem to maintain creativity while sitting up straight and tall. At the moment I have my right leg tucked under and my left foot on the edge of my desk. Weird, I know J

- How did you get your first break towards getting published? Was it sending in a query or meeting an agent at a writing conference etc?

In the beginning I was rejected by every big agent and publisher in New York. My biggest break came at the Surrey International Writers Conference in my own home town. I had a ten minute appointment with published author, Nancy Warren. During those ten minutes she helped me see where the beginning of my story was a bit weak and also told me which publishing house would be looking for my particular style. I reworked the beginning and then submitted to that publisher. They bought my first book, Dating Can Be Deadly, almost immediately. Nancy has also become one of my dearest friends.

- Do you participate in a critique group (or have you in the past?) What are the pros and cons of critique groups?

In the beginning of my writing career I participated in a few critique groups, both online as well as face-to-face. I found the lessons I learned were priceless. Just having the opportunity to have someone read my stuff and give me their opinion on the story was wonderful. It helped me to be stronger and grow a tough skin which is a must in this business. Now my critique group is my agent and editor but I still meet with other published authors for brainstorming sessions.


Thank you Wendy Roberts for such a great interview!

 

Review: Dead and Kicking by Wendy Roberts

* * * * * * If you have enjoyed this blog, then PRETTY PLEASE vote for this blog as best Entertainment Blog (proving reading is entertainment) and also as best Hobby Blog. Thank you most sincerely. There are voting buttons on the sidebar too. You will have to register with Blogger's Choice, but it is a simple process. I am listed under Mysterysuspence.Blogspot.com. * * * * * * * *

Author: Wendy Roberts

Copyright: Dec 2009 (Signet); 280 pgs.

Series: #3 in Ghost Buster’s Mysteries

Sensuality: Mild

Mystery sub-genre: Paranormal Amateur Sleuth

Main Character: Sadie Novak, owner of Scene-2-Clean, a cleaning company that specializes in cleaning up death scenes

Setting: Seattle, Washington

Obtained book through: Library Find

Sadie Novak sees and talks to the dead, which makes her job of cleaning up death scenes interesting and occasionally dangerous. This series caught my eye initially because of the unique concept of a psychic trauma clean specialist. This series does mention some oogie things that Sadie must clean up from death scenes. I think that aspect is handled without overdoing or elaborating on gruesome details too much.

In this installment of the series Sadie is now living with what had just been a developing boyfriend from the last book. I felt as though a year or so was missed in Sadie’s life from the last book to this one. The story opens at the wake for Sadie’s father in her folks’ home and – you guessed it – his ghost is there. Sadie has already lost here brother a few years earlier and she finds that what she considers her duty to help dad cross over into the light is hard since she would rather he stay around.

The mystery in this story comes from her now live-in-boyfriend Zack taking a clean-up job from his former girlfriend. The job is to clean out her “horder” mother’s house. Yes, Paula’s mom was a world-class horder so that there are barely pathways through the canyons of boxes and trash. The wrinkle in the job is the aggressive and angry ghost who refuses to allow the upstairs to be cleared.

...She motioned for Sadie to follow but movement at the top of the stairs caught Sadie's eye.

A deep male voice shouted "Get out of here!"

Sadie stared up the stairs to see the furious face of a large middle-aged man standing on a pile of boxes in the hall above.  She froze.

"Get out!" he roared, waving an angry fist.

Sadie realized Paula was talking.  She and Zack had entered the den up ahead and were oblivious to the meaty Neanderthal screaming angrily from the top of the stairs.

Sadie narrowed her eyes at the man who stood shouting and positively snarling at her.  Saliva dripped from his ghoulish grin and his massive hands opened and closed into tight fists.  Even though Sadie was positive he was a ghost, she couldn't help but feel a little intimidated.  The spirit was well over six feet with a barrel of a chest straining against a sweatstained undershirt and long hairy legs protruding from ugly green boxers.  His lips were ruby red cherries against the gray complexion of the dead.

This ghost manages to throw heavy objects and even breaks Zack’s ankle. Among the items being thrown around by the ugly brutish ghost in green boxers is a box containing the 17-year-dead body of a baby. Enter the police.

To complicate Sadie’s life, Zack is up to more with his ex-girlfriend than just lending a helping hand…could he be falling into his old bad habits again?

I have noticed that each book has considerable developments happen between books and I have to say that Zack and Sadie’s relationship mostly developed off the pages. I think readers typically like to get to know the romantic interest over a few books and have some tension there. Thus it seems sudden that their relationship is going through serious problems already.

Wendy Roberts does a great job of bringing you immediately into the middle of Sadie’s world. Sadie is an interesting character who is facing industrial strength stress in this book which seems the major focus rather than the mystery. Will Sadie deal with her grief over her father’s death and finally help him cross-over? Will Zack get his act together or is this the end for them? Will Sadie get rid of the big angry ugly ghost so the police can investigate?

This seems the darkest of the books so far with all Sadie is facing personally. Sadie missed some obvious clues and was totally oblivious to threats and danger closing in. Danger draws closer with each chapter and there is a bit of a nail-biting climax.  It seemed that Sadie was completely distracted with her personal life and the mystery unfolded around her rather than her doing any serious sleuthing. Don’t get me wrong - it is a good story that kept me reading but I would have appreciated more of an emphasis on the mystery. It pulled me into the drama and I felt emotionally involved which is a testament to Ms Robert’s talents.

Maeva (of Madame Maeva’s Psychic Cafe) and Louise are return characters for the paranormal aspect of the story and I enjoy both for the fun and flavor they add. Also returning in this installment is good old detective Petrovich, the recently divorced middle-aged cop who is becoming one of my favorites. A new addition and potential future romantic interest is Detective Floyd Grayson. The supporting cast is strong with these well-drawn characters and I look forward to watching them progress.

What do you think?  Is this the sort of book for you?

For your convenience, you may purchase your copy here.

For your enjoyment, here is a recipe I love.

Pink Lemonade Pie

Prep Time: 10 Min

Ready In:  2 Hrs 10 Min

Original Recipe Yield 2 - 8 inch pies

Ingredients

1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 (6 ounce) can frozen pink lemonade concentrate (or limeade),thawed
1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
2 (8 inch) prepared graham cracker crusts.

Directions

In a large bowl, mix together sweetened condensed milk and lemonade concentrate.
Fold in whipped topping. Pour into pie crusts. Refrigerate until completely chilled.

Amount Per Serving Calories: 253

Total Fat: 11g
Cholesterol: 8mg

Until next Monday, I wish many mysterious moments.

Book Giveaway: The Morning Show Murders

~ ~ ~ The winner of A WITCH IN TIME BY Madelyn Alt giveaway is Carol M.  CONGRATULATIONS CAROL.

* * * * * * If you have enjoyed this blog, then PRETTY PLEASE vote for this blog as best Entertainment Blog (proving reading is entertainment) and also as best Hobby Blog. Thank you most sincerely. There are voting buttons on the sidebar too. You will have to register with Blogger's Choice, but it is a simple process. I am listed under Mysterysuspence.Blogspot.com. * * * * * *

Delacort Press has graciously provided two hardbound copies of Al Roker's novel THE MORNING SHOW MURDERS for giveaway.
 
I recently reviewed the book and you can read the review here.
 
Similar rules as last time, with one more way to get points.

How to Enter:

*** First, you must be a member (follower) of this blog.***

All entries are to be in the comments for this post (or possibly in an email.)

I will stop taking entries for this giveaway Friday March 26 at midnight and will announce the winner Monday the 29th.

For each point you earn you will have one entry in the random drawing. There is a chance for 7 points total for each contestant and thus 7 entries each.

+1 for leaving a comment with your correct email information. If you don’t feel comfortable leaving your email in a comment, please email me your information at: mysterysuspense1 at gmail dot com.

+2 for posting on your blog about this giveaway with a link back, please supply link to your blog post in the comments

+2 for each new member you bring to this blog (you must identify the new member you brought) - NEW

+1 for adding this giveaway to a side bar of your blog with a link back, please supply link in comments

+1 for tweeting about this contest, please post link in comments

Comment/email example:

+1 here is my email address so you can notify me I won _ _ _ _ _ @ _ _ _ .com

+2 here is the link to the post I did on my blog for this giveaway (http://myblog.blogspot.com/2010/02/book giveaway hurry)

+2 for new google member Sadie197 I brought to your blog

+1 for adding this giveaway to my blog sidebar (http://myblog.blogspot.com/)

+1 here is the link to the tweet I did on this giveaway (http://twitter.com/NICKI0162/status/7657117606)

Thank you for participating and good luck!

Here is a short interview with Al Roker on his book for your enjoyment.