Four Favourites

As a writer, one piece of sage advice stuck with me; to write well, one must also read. If you know me already you know that books are my passion. I have changed genres over the years but usually arrive back at crime/ mystery/thriller/suspense. After I retired, not surprisingly,
my to-do list was to read all the classics. That never happened. By then I was writing with Liz Lindsay as Jamie Tremain.

This week on Jamie Tremain's blog I have featured four different authors. Two are crime/mystery fiction, a comedy/farce series and a literary drama of the domestic and family life genre. I don't discriminate. These books all had a different location so, I travelled vicariously with these characters.
Reviews are not my forte, so I keep them short and sweet. If you see a book here, you know I like it. I hate to give too much away as that annoys me when I spy a spoiler for a book I want to read. But saying that, reviews are so crucial to a writer so please let the author, or where you purchased the book, know you enjoyed the book or didn't. Feedback is important.


Launched a few weeks ago, the always funny Melodie Campbell has one more in the Goddaughter series. 'The Goddaughter Does Vegas.' This time Gina Gallo has eloped from 'the hammer,' Hamilton, Ontario to Las Vegas. What could possibly go wrong after they discover a double of Gina is front-page news where fraud and her wacky family is involved.
For a fun and quick read try The Goddaughter Series from Orca Book's Rapid Reads.





The next book I enjoyed is a prequel to the first in the Austin Starr Mystery series. The first two were placed in the sixties, but this book features Austin’s grandmother at twenty-three in prohibition America. ‘After You’ve Gone’  written by Kay Kendall takes place in fictitious Gunmetal, Texas. Bootleggers, flappers, and floozies with lots of adventure for Wallie McGregor when she lands in the sin city of Galveston. Loads of characters with shady pasts, an ornery aunt, and a romance. Oh yes, and a couple of murders. Published by Stairway Press.

Louise Penny can do no wrong in my book. Pun intended. We all have our favourites, and I have been in love with Chief Inspector Gamache of the Quebec Surete for many years. But is he still the Chief Inspector? You will have to read the 'Kingdom of the Blind' to get the answer to that question. I want to live in her fictitious town of Three Pines. Her understanding of human nature and interpretation of the foibles of her characters is brilliant. This is the fourteenth book in this series. Did I mention I loved Louise Penny's books? There will be a new book out this fall.

This author is new to me. We met at a book signing for her book "Neighbors" that launched in 2018. Hannah Mary McKinnon is from the UK via Switzerland and now lives here in Canada with her family. "Neighbors" is her second book with a soon to be released book  'Her Secret Son' next month.
'Neighbors' deserves all the accolades it has been getting as this is what I would call a domestic suspense novel. Loads of twists and turns and the edge of your seat prose. And that surprise ending. WOW! Looking forward to her next book.

Published by Mira Books.


Next month I will have four more books for you. I have quite a pile on my bedside table. Not the least will be Jamie Tremain's new book in the Dorothy Dennehey Mystery series. 
"Lightning Strike" was a labour of love for Liz and I as we continue with our protagonist, Private Investigator Dorothy Dennehy. As soon as we receive a release date from our publisher, Black Opal Books, we'll let you know. Stay tuned for an invite to the launch.

I think Spring is finally here. Enjoy the sunshine.

Slainte,

Pam

Book Launch Plus One Month

The official launch for The Silk Shroud on April 23 was a huge success. Held on a beautiful sunny spring day in Oakville, we had standing room only at the Joshua Creek Heritage Art Center. 

All books on hand were sold and due to popular demand, Pam and I are hard at work on a sequel. We’d already had the beginnings of a follow-up book in the works thank goodness!

To see a little of our long anticipated launch check us out on YouTube

Didn't matter how cold the day, Jamie Tremain couldn't wait to show off "The Silk Shroud" in February. We'd had a great day with our Genre5 Authors Group just north of Guelph.

We’ve been receiving lots of photos where The Silk Shroud has been travelling. I should be so lucky to reach some of these destinations! From Texas in the United States to Sorrento, Italy, our book is getting around!

Award Winning  Author Kay Kendall in Texas

Long time Jamie Tremain fan, Jane P, took The Silk Shroud along on her trip to Cuba

Pam's brother Raymond 

Raymond's wife Lynda - beautiful gardens at their home in Edinburgh, Scotland

Liz's cousin Mary G, relaxing with a good book in Felixstowe in Suffolk, U.K.

Good friend Linda H has her copy at home in Easly, SC, United States

Fantastico! Shirley J brought The Silk Shroud along to Sorrento, Italy

Liz's sister Michele, enjoys reading during an  R & R break at  the Idlewyld Inn, London, Ontario, Canada 

Terry M shows off a good read in Kincardine, Ontario, Canada

While Pam's sister Caroline has made The Silk Shroud feel at home in the Netherlands!

Daughters are the best - both have shown such great support to their mothers.

Liz's Daughter Christine in Kitchener               and                       Pam's Daughter
                                                                                               Courtney in Barrie, Ontario
                                                                                                                 

One of Jamie Tremain's first confirmed Kindle purchase was

from Pam's sister Rosemary, in Peterborough, England

On vacation with Pauline G in Mexico

 

And all the way to Victoria, Australia with Pam's cousin, Jan S.

Jamie Tremain is truly grateful and appreciative of the support so many have shown us over the years as we worked towards this goal of being published. We love to see where our book has traveled and would welcome your photo as well for a future post.

Next up for Pam and me, as Jamie Tremain, is to attend the upcoming Limestone Genre Expo in Kingston, Ontario the weekend of June 3-4. If you're in the area come by and see us!

And then it will be Bouchercon 2017 in October. We are really excited to be able to attend!

And remember as you plan your summer get aways and cottage retreats, take along a good book!

Cheers!

Liz

Rainy Day Woman

Rainy Day Woman

  Welcome debut novelist Kay Kendall.

The launch of Kay’s first book ‘Desolation Row’ –Publisher/ Stairway Press- was a welcome insight into the life of the draft dodgers who landed in Toronto and other parts of the country in the middle sixties. Austin Starr, as an amateur sleuth, keeps us rooting to find the killer responsible for the murder her husband has been charged with.

Her Austin Starr mysteries are sure to find a place on the bookshelf of an aficionado of sixties culture and fans of Bob Dylan.  Her second book ‘Rainy Day Woman’ is due for

publication in 2015.

Deception, intrigue and authentic sixties nostalgia. Those who remember this turbulent time-gone-by will connect with the tension and conflict of the passionately anti-war generation that hoped to give peace a chance, but in this entertaining mystery, wound up with murder instead.

Hank Phillippi Ryan, award winning author of ‘The Other Woman’ and other bestselling novels -

Jamie:

Thanks for joining us today at Jamie Tremain’s blog. We first connected through Facebook and came face to face for a hug at the Bloody Words conference in Toronto. We all had a great time socializing and networking.

From the left--Pam, Gloria Ferris, Liz, and the Hyatt's resident hippie Kay Kendall.

As a retired public relations executive do you find the power of the Internet and social media has changed how we communicate for the better?

Kay:

The Internet and social media have brought a mixed bag of goodies to us. On the plus side, we can connect easily and cheaply with friends who are everywhere on the planet. We can make new friends, grow close, and never meet in person. Social media lets us do the communicating we used to do but makes it so much faster and to greater masses of people.

On the negative side, we are losing some capacity for interpersonal communication. Also our writing skills are not as, hmm, elegant, shall we say, as they used to be. Many digital books are not as carefully edited, for example, as print ones were, back in the day, even if that day was only fifteen years ago. For those of us who’ve grown up in a different world, without social media, I think we can cope quite nicely and retain the refinements of an earlier age. Anyone under twenty-five, just to pick an arbitrary number, doesn’t have the skills we older people do. Of course, as the young’uns like to point out, we don’t have their technical skills either. As I said, a mixed bag.

Jamie:

You hail from Kansas, now live in Houston, but lived for many years in Canada. Was the setting of your first book deliberate (Toronto)? Why not Dallas or another city in Canada? Do you have a connection to Toronto?

Kay:

When I moved to Canada from Kansas in 1968, I landed in Vancouver. Because I write fiction, I didn’t want to replicate my own experiences so I chose Toronto, where many draft resisters headed. I lived in Toronto from 1987 to 1990 so had firsthand experience with that terrific city. Also, I have friends who were at the University of Toronto in 1968 so was able to tap them for accurate historical detail about the city and the university at that time.

I plan to put my early memories of Dallas in my third book, one that will focus on a crime committed in the past, within Austin’s own family. My second book is set in Vancouver, and it does reflect some of my own experiences with a women’s liberation group at UBC in the late 1960s. Of course, I threw in a murder that needed to be solved. That is sheer fiction, fortunately.

Jamie:

Your picture on the book insert has you holding a cute bunny and I read that you have four house rabbits and a dog! There must be a story here. Please tell us how you happen to have these little guys running around your house? Do they curl up with you when you’re writing?

Kay:

Alas, our happy rabbit warren is down to only three bunnies now. One passed away of old age right after I returned from the fabulous Bloody Words conference in Toronto.

My husband and I began rescuing rabbits when dreadful neighbors threw out a baby bunny when they moved out after Easter in 1995. Many people buy tiny bunnies and chicks for their children for Easter and then abandon them to the wilds when they become burdensome. This little fellow fit in our hand and was so precious. In fact, that became his name—Precious. When he died at age five (late middle age for a rabbit), I was devastated. We got another bunny from a shelter and have been doing rabbit rescue ever since. The Houston-based organization BunnyBuddies.org provides us with support and many, many dear friends. The bunnies reside in my husband’s study as I have become allergic to them. Our spaniel King William, AKA Wills, does curl up at my feet when I am at the PC. He’s resting his chin on my foot as I write this.

Jamie:

You took Russian and Soviets studies during your time at Harvard.

I detect a theme in your future books?

Kay:

There are Russians in my debut mystery Desolation Row and in my work in progress Rainy Day Women. In fact, they are continuing characters in my Austin Starr mystery series. Austin is befriended by her Russian history professor, Dr. Klimenko, and his daughter Larissa. (Their family name of Klimenko comes from my first Russian teacher.)

The father and daughter sustain Austin in book one while her husband is in the infamous Don Jail in Toronto. In book two Larissa is a prime suspect in a murder in the Vancouver women’s movement, and so Austin rushes out to the West Coast to support her…and then becomes embroiled yet again in trying to solve a murder. She’s so wildly curious that she can’t help herself. She loves playing amateur sleuth.

I should also note that, since this is the Cold War period, Austin’s background includes some CIA training. That stopped when she went into exile in Canada with her draft-resisting husband David. The CIA was interested in Austin because of her knowledge of the Russian language and the Soviet Union and its history.

This background will play a huge part in book three, and I’m toying with the idea of a Cold War spy theme, inspired by the British spy author John le Carré. He is my all-time favorite author in the broad mystery category. So, you see, I have found a way to use my Russian studies in my fiction writing. I also have a dear friend in Houston who is Russian, and I’ve drawn on Irina for half my inspiration for the character of Larissa Klimenko, although at an earlier age. Larissa is actually a mash up with Irina and a dear childhood friend from Kansas.  

Jamie:

If you were on a desert island and could have one book, what would it be and why?

Kay:

Jane Eyre—if I had to pick just one. It and Doctor Zhivago are my favorite books of all time—well, also John le Carré’s Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. So, I’d take three books to that desert island if I could.

I consider both Charlotte Brontë’s and Boris Pasternak’s novels as romantic suspense. Le Carré’s spy novels provide endless mysteries and riddles to solve, and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is the trickiest and best. I vividly recall reading each of these three for the first time. They had such an impact on me that I’ve read each more than twice, and I haven’t done that with any other novels. Here’s my motto—so many books, so little time—so why would I reread books? With these three special novels, I couldn’t help myself.

I first read these books between the ages of ten and thirty, and they resonate in me to this day. I’ve seen every film version of Jane Eyre and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and loved them all—some more than others of course—and the film of Doctor Zhivago is in my all-time top five. I’ve seen it three times, and I don’t usually repeat movies either. Again, I follow the so-little-time principle!

Jamie:

To write solo or work with a collaborator?

Kay:

I have only one experience with collaboration, and I enjoyed it tremendously. I worked with an Italian novelist in smoothing out the English translation of his novel from the Italian. We only worked by email, but it was such fun. I learned a lot and could have happily continued. However, I found that I couldn’t sustain my own writing and the collaboration at the same time. So I had to give up working with him.

Jamie:

Book signings, readings in libraries, conferences and book store appearances are all part of a published author’s day to promote their latest darling. Is this something you enjoy?

Kay:

 I love the networking and marketing and meeting readers so much that it’s easy to forget about the writing at the core of it all…which remains sitting alone in a room and facing an empty screen and throwing type up on it. For me, that is torture. Once I get past the first draft, then the rest is glorious.

Many writers are true introverts, and all they really want to do is sit at home in a quiet room and compose their stories. I meet authors like this at writers’ conferences, where they moan and say how shy they are, how they want to retreat to their hotel rooms. Many don’t like the marketing aspect either, but I can do that because of my former PR career. Really, any kind of communication is fine with me. I love it all. As long as I can connect with readers and talk about books, I am ecstatic.

Jamie:

What are you currently reading?

Kay:

Field Grey by Philip Kerr, the British author of nine historical mysteries featuring Bernie Gunther.

These unusual but thrilling and historically detailed books follow the life of a Berlin homicide detective from 1932 to 1954. During that time he is pushed by the Nazis to join the army and serve in capacities he loathes. He is captured by the Soviets at the end of World War II, then later the Americans. He’s seen the blackness of the souls of the great powers—British, French, Russian, American, and most of all his fellow Germans. Field Grey serves as an overview of Bernie’s tumultuous life. It has a neat twist at the end—I know that because I’ve read the end before finishing the whole book.

Yes, shortly after starting a book, I usually read the ending, a habit since childhood. It lets me slow down and savor each page, rather than racing to the end just to see “who done it.” I met the author Philip Kerr at a recent book signing in Houston, and since he and I agree on what to do about the current crisis in Ukraine, I think he is brilliant!

Jamie:

 Desolation Row, as mentioned, is set in the sixties – a turbulent time in the history of both Canada and America. Is there anything about that time period that you miss?

Kay:

This is the toughest question to answer. I was so young then, in the sixties, that everything seemed possible—for me, for the world. I’m wiser now, and see fewer real possibilities for positive change. What I do really miss is the slower and friendlier pace, plus there was much less commercialization of every aspect of our lives. That’s definitely what I miss the most.

Thanks, Kay, for sharing your writing life with us. We had such a good time hanging out with you, and others, at Bloody Words we hope it won't be long before we can meet up again.We wish you all the best with your future books and the publication of Rainy Day Woman.

BIO

Kay Kendall set her debut novel, Desolation Row—An Austin Starr Mystery, in 1968. Mysteries about World Wars I and II inspired her to use the Vietnam War to illuminate reluctant courage and desperate love when a world teeters on chaos. Kay’s work in progress is Rainy Day Women, when her amateur sleuth Austin Starr must prove her best friend didn’t murder women’s liberation activists in Seattle and Vancouver. Kay is an award-winning international PR executive living in Texas with her Canadian husband, three house rabbits, and spaniel Wills. Terribly allergic to bunnies, she loves them anyway! Her book titles show she’s a Bob Dylan buff too.

If you want to contact Kay here are some links.

https://www.facebook.com/KayKendallAuthor

http://www.stairwaypress.com/

Slainte,

Jamie

BYE BYE BLOODY WORDS :-(

What a weekend!  June 6 - 8 gone in a blur – thank goodness for digital and phone cameras!  Other than sleeping, I do believe just about every minute of the Bloody Words Mystery Conference has been captured.  Great memories and fun times.   Of course one person can’t possibly cover every aspect of the conference but I can recount what I enjoyed from my perspective.

Pam and I spent time hanging around with authors Gloria Ferris, Kay Kendall, and HOSS Magazine editor, Lorie Lee Steiner.  What a blast we had. Started with an enjoyable lunch on Friday .  The weather in Toronto couldn’t have been better and it felt wonderful to be more of a tourist than a resident or nine-to-fiver.

Friday lunch with Liz, Gloria, Kay and Pam

The Hyatt Regency on King was our locale for both the convention and our toothbrushes.  Pam and I shared a room on the 15^th floor.  The room itself was – hmmm – shall I say interesting?  Recently renovated, the headboard behind two double beds was a massive curved and mirrored focal point.  No bed side lights, but overhead lights reminiscent of individual airplane seat lighting provided illumination.

The curved theme moved to the opposite wall, where a large flat screen TV was imbedded into a similar framework.  This leaves no room for a traditional dresser of any sort, but a wall mounted until with several receptacles about the size of breadboxes for storage.   Not much counter space.

However all that of might have been forgiven had it not been for the bathroom’s natural light source.  This was provided via a large (almost floor to ceiling) window pane of opaque glass in the wall between the bathroom and my bed, and also was a panel in the pocket door of the bathroom.   A little unnerving, but I guess that’s the trend these days. 

                                                                  Gloria, Lorie, Liz

The beds, however, were superb.  I love feather pillows and Friday night promised to provide a deep and relaxing sleep.  After the first day’s activities we weren’t ready for bed until nearly 11.  Not unexpected for the event.   What was unexpected was the fire alarm going off just after midnight!

A piercing alarm would only be interrupted by a very calm voice indicating a “situation” was being investigated on the 12^th floor and to please standby.  This cycle was repeated several times and then just stopped – with no clarification or all clear.  And only when it stopped could you hear the fire trucks!  Some souls did make the trek downstairs and out to the street and the rumour later attributed the alarm to some incense burning.

Saturday was a very busy day, lots of panels to attend  - sometimes difficult to make a decision which one to sit in on as three panels at a time ran side by side.    The international guest speaker was British author MichaelJecks    He's a master of medieval murder mysteries - one of his 34 published novels was in my loot bag and I’m looking forward to reading it.  Information on CSI – Toronto procedures, police procedures, weapons, etc was available.   As was advice from Agents and Editors, and even financial advice on Death, Taxes, and Contracts.   A humour panel and panels highlighting the evil that men do, were also featured.    All in all a wealth of information provided in a relaxed, informative and more often than not, humourous setting.  Just because we like to find ways to kill people doesn’t mean we can’t have fun at the same time.

Friday evening's last event was  "Books with Legs" - here Gloria Ferris sports the cover from her latest best seller - Corpse Flower.  Authors are such good sports!

Saturday’s evening festivities encouraged attendees to dress as their favourite characters.  We had a hippie, a fireman – ironically, femme fatales, and many others.   Crime Writers of Canada new President, Vicki Delany, wore a stunning gown highlighting her Klondike Mystery series.

Yes, its a fireman  :-)

Our Gang of Five - Pam, Kay, Gloria, Lorie and Liz

aka - Jessica Fletcher, Hippie Chick, Biker Chick, Femme Fatale and Kay Scarpetta

Pam with Vicki Delany

 A fun evening all around.  Although somewhat bittersweet as it heralded the demise of Bloody Words.  Many of us are hoping someone out there will be able to take it on in some form or other.  Such a shame to lose this amazing network and showcase of Canadian Crime talent.

Sunday morning provided one last workshop and then it was time to head home.  Pam, Gloria and I had been fortunate to have Pam’s husband Peter drive us in on Friday.  However he was unable to pick us up on Sunday.  No problem we said, Union Station is just a hop skip and a jump away and we’ll grab a GO Train back to Oakville.  Oh my.   Where’s a transporter beam when you need it!   

Union Station is undergoing major renovations and hauling baggage – now much heavier with the addition of a few books – made for a strenuous workout!   Still we made our connections and arrived safely in Oakville, where the rain had started.  So glad it had held off for the conference.

And now its time for reflection, organizing photos and tax receipts and wondering which new book to read next!

You can check out the Crime Writers of Canada Website for news on winners of the Arthur Ellis Awards, held the evening of June 5.  Lots of other interesting news on upcoming books from its members as well.  Canadian Crime Writing is alive and flourishing!

And many, many heartfelt thanks to Cheryl Freedman, Caro Soles and all the Bloody gang and its volunteers for countless hours of hard work, organization and good times.  Your efforts have been truly appreciated and will provide ongoing memories for a long time.

Our interview with the fun loving Kay Kendall will be coming up later this month and even now Pam is hard at work scheduling other interviews for the coming months.

I'm back to work on Wednesday and am glad I arranged to take today and tomorrow off to recover!

Have a great week - Cheers!

Liz