WHAT KIND OF MYSTERY SOLVER ARE YOU?

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CONTEST

Everyone loves something for free, right? I'm running a contest for a free Kindle ebook of my first cozy Fudge-Laced Felonies. Yes, this is two or three fold, I'm crazy that way. I'm hoping if you win book one, you'll run out and purchase books 2 & 3. After all, they're only 99 cents. Anyhoo, here's the contest.

Sign up to be a follower of my blog and I will enter you in a drawing for the free Kindle copy. Also, leave a comment on my blog of the best April Fool's prank you've ever pulled or had pulled against you. I might use it in a future book!

GETTING ON THE VLOGGING BANDWAGON

I'm hearing more and more about the benefits of vlogging (blogging except you're on camera speaking where all the world, if they should so desire, can see you), and after watching a talk show yesterday when I should have been writing...yes, I know. Anyway, the guests on the show were all making money off their youtube videos, which goes to show, I need to get on the vlogging bandwagon. If I can find a way to make money doing so, then more power to me, right? And, yes, before anyone says anything, this is a blog about writing tips and whatnot, but I did retitle it, CONFESSIONS OF A DYSFUNTIONAL WRITER, so don't blame me if I get off track.

Writing tip of the day: Write.

A LITTLE OF YOURSELF

Yes, the picture is a little gruesome, but it fits the post. Today's writing tip: Put a little of yourself into everything you write. Maybe not actually drip blood into your story, but put your feelings,your life experiences, your tears. The more emotion, the better the story. Writing is hard. If it were easy, more people would be doing it and becoming published.

10,000 WHAT?

Read on an agent's blog that editors like an author to have 10,000 fans of their facebook page. Really? That's insane. I'm up to 266 and have no idea how to get more. So, tell all your friends to "like" me.

On the writing page...I sent in my 1908 Romantic Suspense to my agent, so the waiting game starts on A GILDED PROPOSAL. I started researching a story idea for LOVE FINDS YOU IN LOVELOCK, NEVADA, and wrote a few words on my newest historical, CLAIMING THE LUMBERJACK'S HEART.

I've been told by a few multi-published authors that an author should always be working on three stories. The one you're getting a proposal ready for, the one you're editing, and the one that is contracted. Well, I don't have a contract as we speak, so will work on writing a complete. Most likely the lumberjack story. If one of the proposals out there get contracted, then I will switch over.

WRITING WORLD QUESTIONS

I'm in a holding tank on my submitted work and totally baffled as to what project to focus my attention on. Do I finish one of my submissions? Focus solely on my fourth cozy? Send in the first book to a new cozy series? I feel like pulling my hair out. I know a writer is supposed 'write always' but write on what? This is where I am today.

WRITERS' WORLD ANOTHER WEEK

I REALLY need to be consistant with this blog!

Last Friday, I had a tooth pulled, or rather, cut out, and have stitches in my mouth. Ouch. Needless to say, I haven't done much writing. What I have done is continued with my plotting for number four in the adventures of Summer Meadows. The title to book four will be MAUI MACADAMIA MADNESS. Funny, right? Fits right along with FUDGE-LACED FELONIES, CANDY-COATED SECRETS, and CHOCOLATE-COVERED CRIME. Let's pray I can write this within a reasonalble amount of time and that it is as well received as the first three books.

One thing I've learned in comparison between mysteries and non? You can not rush a mystery. NO seat-of-the-pants writing here. As in historicals, there needs to be a fair amount of preparation before you put pen to paper, or fingers to keyboard.

Writing World Day 2

Cozy Mystery progress: yesterday I plotted out my cozy mystery, brainstormed with a friend to make sure my character's motive for solving the crime is plausible, came up with my lists of suspects, and determined who my killer would be, and why. Today, I'm staring at my screen wondering what to write. Good grief.

1908 Romantic Suspense: Did some editing from a received critiqued and basked in her words telling me it was the best story I'd written yet.

Now, don't get me wrong, words of affirmation are good, especially to us writers, but the words don't come often. Critiquers need to be brutally honest, and writers need to be able to "take" it. The thing to remember is to encourage and not batter. To build up, and not tear down.

A WRITER'S WORLD

I've been thinking and praying about what direction to take this blog in 2012, and feel led to take you on my publishing journey. I have set a goal of three books contracted, and want to share that journey with you. I'll be brutally honest, and hopefully, will help other aspiring authors.

After a disappointing month of January, when I was basically told that my writing stinks and I'll never get another contract, I put my keys to the keyboard, and typed up another proposal. This one is a 1908 Romantic Suspense. I'm having alot of fun writing the story and pray it finds a home.

Readers of my Summer Meadows series have been clamoring for a fourth book and will start plotting out a honeymoon mystery as soon as I hit send on this blog post. I hope you will join me a couple of times a week as I take this crazy journey called writing.

I will keep you posted on my progress and will post helpful links that will help you on your own journey.

A RANGER'S TRAIL By Darlene Franklin

A Ranger's Trail by Darlene Franklin

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A Ranger's Trail is a wonderful story of family values, revenge, forgiveness, and following God's plan. When Leta Denning's husband is murdered, she vows to seek revenge, not realizing that her words and actions set her family on a destructive path of vengeance. When handsome Texas Ranger, Buck Morgan arrives, Leta has no idea of his personal stake in the Hoodoo war, and accepts his help around her decaying ranch. When she finds out how close he is to the Mason County War, she must choose between love or vengeance. A page-turning story that brings history to life.



View all my reviews

COZY MYSTERIES - OODLES OF THEM!

Ready to laugh? Swoon? And then put on your thinking cap?

Then let me tell you about a new line of cozy mysteries for e-readers for only .99 each. Spyglass Lane Mysteries is a collection of Christian cozy mysteries—modern-day whodunnits with colorful characters and plenty of wholesome romance. The mysteries are authored by some of Christian publishing’s favorite and best selling authors.

New mysteries release every Thursday and there are 21 mysteries now available in this line for just .99. So what are you waiting for? Check out the books below and click the link to purchase for your e-reader.

If you would like to be notified each week of the latest book release click here to sign up for our email newsletter or here for our RSS feed.

Buy for Kindle Buy for other devices	A Suspicion of Strawberries (The Scents of Murder Series) By Lynette Sowell A facial gone wrong, or murder? Andromeda Clark must uncover the truth to save her handmade soap business. The heartbreaker diva of Greenburg, Tennessee is dead. Andromeda Clark knows that her cherry facial scrub didn't accidentally kill Charla Rae Thacker from anaphylactic shock. But Andi's soap business is in trouble and tongues are a-waggin'. To save her business, she searches for the one who tampered with her product. And now Andi's long-time, long-haul trucker boyfriend Ben decides it's time to settle down and stay in Greenburg for good. How can a woman breathe?
Buy for Kindle	Another Grave Matter (The Volstead Manor Series) By Anita Higman Volstead Manor has caught on fire, and the last of its murderous secrets flare hot enough to drive Bailey back to her sleuthing. A villain, who remains shrouded in darkness until the end, threatens to destroy Bailey, and once again, the mansion ignites with malevolent mischief. While she unearths a family secret from Prohibition that’s hidden deep within the cellar, she becomes entangled in a ticking-clock race to save her own life. Will the foul surprises never end at Volstead Manor, and will Bailey’s burning desire to marry Max go up in smoke?
Buy for Kindle Buy for other devices	Another Hour to Kill (The Volstead Manor Series) By Anita Higman Where Bailey Walker lives, being neighborly takes on a whole new meaning. Bailey has survived the mysteries of Volstead Manor, but her latest threats are more ominous than ever. Did her neighbor B.J. die of natural causes? Or was he murdered? And why does the new neighbor, Vlad Tepes, always seem to be watching her? While searching for a lost treasure and planning a wedding the size of an amusement park, Bailey must discover what monster is still lurking in the neighborhood. Will she unravel the puzzle in time, or will Bailey merely provide the villain with Another Hour to Kill?
Buy for Kindle Buy for other devices	Another Stab at Life (The Volstead Manor Series) By Anita Higman Bailey Walker has just lost everything—her family, her job, and her home. She has nowhere to go except the dilapidated mansion she’s just inherited from her granny Minna. Unfortunately, Bailey discovers that the house has a history as shadowy as its hidden passages and finds the neighborhood overflowing with some rather quirky folks—as well as one particularly appealing bachelor. Bailey feels like she’s trapped inside the pages of a gothic novel but with a comedic twist. In order to honor her grandmother’s wishes and stay at Volstead Manor, Bailey must unravel a string of mysteries and secrets, which all seem determined to stay happily ever buried.
Buy for Kindle Buy for other devices	Band Room Bash (The Mayhem in Maryland Series) By Candice Speare Prentice This murderer is playing for keeps. When Trish Cunningham and her oldest stepson, Tommy, find Georgia Winters, the English teacher at Four Oaks High School, dead in the band room, the suspect list is lengthy. The teacher had a number of enemies—including Tommy Cunningham. Once again, Trish pulls out her notebook to collect clues. Detective Eric Scott, suffering from unrequited love for Trish’s best friend, Abbie, pointedly asks Trish to butt out. But despite the detective’s warnings, she jumps in as usual and finds herself embroiled in a mystery that has its roots in thwarted love and revenge. The finale could be Trish’s swan song.
Buy for Kindle Buy for other devices	Candy-Coated Secrets (A Summer Meadows Mystery) By Cynthia Hickey When a carnival train crashes in front of Summer Meadows’s house, she does what comes naturally – she acts without thinking and volunteers to lead an elephant to the fairground. The animal’s trainer follows close behind but disappears when they reach their destination. When Summer goes looking for the trainer, she finds something altogether different – a woman hanging dead in the shower of one of the trailers. A carnival slew of mishap and misadventure ensue when Summer and her fiancé, Ethan, set out to solve the murder.
Buy for Kindle Buy for other devices	Chocolate-Covered Crime (Summer Meadows Mystery Series) By Cynthia Hickey Summer Meadows' chocolate candy business is booming. She's overwhelmed with her April Fool's Day wedding plans, and against her family's advice, hires her cousin to be her wedding planner. But then her cousin is found murdered and more mysteries keep occurring at family parties. Can Summer resist the urge to investigate when she and her dysfunctional relatives are dipped into a plot of unrequited love, internet scam, and jilted hearts? Could the murderer be related to her and have Summer targeted next? Will her fiancé' support her sleuthing antics, or is he another suspect with something to hide?
Buy for Kindle Buy for other devices	Died in the Wool (The Massachusetts Mayhem Mystery Series) By Elizabeth Ludwig and Janelle Mowery Hone your investigative skills with Died in the Wool, a mystery filled with humor, suspense, and romance. Monah Trenary is battling for city funds for her beloved library. When a rival for the much-needed monies winds up dead, Monah is considered one of the prime suspects. When a second corpse weighs in, police detective Mike Brockman discovers that, according to the evidence, Monah and monkshood are a lethal combination. Can Monah and proven sleuth Casey Alexander find the real killer before this librarian is booked for murder?
Buy for Kindle Buy for other devices	Everybody Loved Roger Harden (Everybody’s Suspect in Georgia) By Cecil Murphey Psychologist Julie West and Reverend James Burton arrive late for dinner on Palm Island – but just in time to discover their host, millionaire Roger Harden, murdered. Ten possible suspects share closed quarters on the secluded island, all of them with deep secrets and sufficient motive to have wanted the wealthy benefactor dead. Can Julie and Burton ignore the mysterious attraction developing between them long enough to discover who among them didn't love Roger Harden enough to let him live?
Buy for Kindle Buy for other devices	Fudge-Laced Felonies (A Summer Meadows Mystery) By Cynthia Hickey While transplanting the rosebush her church’s handsome greeter, Ethan Banning, inadvertently killed, Summer and Ethan discover a hidden stash of diamonds, a rusty can full of cash, and a bloody-gardening glove. This discovery sets Summer and her candy-making aunt on a search for a killer. As Summer gets closer to the truth-not only of the theft but of her true feelings for Ethan-the diamond thief hatches a plan to hush the feisty sleuth.
Buy for Kindle Buy for other devices	George Washington Stepped Here (The Karen Maxwell Mystery Series) By K. D. Hays For years after her divorce, Karen Maxwell handled administrative paperwork for her brother’s private investigation agency while he ran around town doing the “fun” part—the investigation. When his partner retires, he finally offers her a chance to take a case of her own. She soon finds out why. The assignment involves the theft of the local historical society’s most treasured artifact, and her brother figures everyone involved is a little crazy. While Karen poses as a volunteer at the site to catch the thief, she meets a host of dedicated historical re-enactors, one of whom happens to be tall, handsome and unmarried.
Buy for Kindle Buy for other devices	Gone with the Groom (The Bridal Mayhem Mystery Series) By Janice Hanna The best laid plans of brides and men go awry when Annie Peterson’s future son-in-law Scott disappears. Have pre-wedding jitters caused Brandi’s fiance to take flight, or are more sinister forces at work? Surely Annie can solve the riddle. But who could be behind this apparent kidnapping caper? Maybe the drug company Scott works for has hidden motives. Perhaps it’s the handiwork of Otis, Scott’s deceitful dad. But then again it could be the shady wedding photographer, or the “political enemies” of Scott’s mother. Will Annie solve the mystery and recover the missing groom, or will she suffer “regrets only”?
Buy for Kindle Buy for other devices	Homicide at Blue Heron Lake (The Mainely Mysteries Series) By Susan Page Davis and Megan Elaine Davis Emily Gray returns to the lakeside community of Baxter, Maine, expecting a peaceful week in her family's island cottage. Instead, she and her high school crush, Nate Holman, discover the body of Henry Derbin, an elderly island resident. Amid rekindling her old friendship with Nate and trying to make sense of the murder, Emily shares her faith with an old schoolmate. When a second body turns up, the cottagers on Grand Cat Island are frightened and baffled. Is this why Mr. Derbin forbade everyone from going on his land? Can Emily and Nate overcome past hindrances to their romance long enough to dig up clues that will help solve both murders?
Buy for Kindle Buy for other devices	Inn Plain Sight (The Massachusetts Mayhem Mystery Series) By Elizabeth Ludwig and Janelle Mowery Come along as bride-to-be Casey Alexander works to solve the murder that hijacked her shower. She’ll find that the victim’s propensity for blackmail, gossip, and downright meanness has created a long list of suspects. Unfortunately, Casey’s fiancé is at the top of the list. Armed with her ever present Post-It Notes and the help of her best friend, Casey follows the clues to a killer hiding in plain sight.
Buy for Kindle Buy for other devices	Kitty Litter Killer (The Mayhem in Maryland Series) By Candice Speare Prentice Trish Cunningham is pussyfooting with a murderer. Amateur sleuth Trish has retired from her short-lived crime-solving foray. No more walking deliberately into danger. Now her short-term goal is to see her best friend, Abbie, marry fiancé, Eric Scott, in three weeks. But the brutal murder of Abbie’s ex-husband could ruin the nuptials, especially since Abbie was the last one seen with him—when they had a hostile argument at the local convenience store. With evidence pointing at Abbie and the possibility of jail looming in her best friend’s future, Trish comes out of her self-imposed sleuth retirement. And as the clock ticks down to the wedding date, Trish once again puts herself in reach of a murderer’s claws—this time to protect her best friend.
Buy for Kindle Buy for other devices	Murder in the Milk Case (The Mayhem in Maryland Series) By Candice Speare Prentice Will Trish Cunningham’s discovery sour her on milk forever? When mommy and wife Trish Cunningham finds the body of pharmacist Jim Bob Jenkins behind the two-percent milk, she know she’s having a bad day. Worse, she’s a suspect in the murder. Sleuthing to exonerate herself from criminal charges, she shakes up a murderer who has nothing to lose by killing anyone in the way—including Trish.
Buy for Kindle	Nipped in the Bud (Garden Gate Mysteries) By Susan Sleeman WHEN YOU FIND YOUR BOSS PUSHING UP DAISIES. . . Life in full bloom, landscape designer, Paige Turner, scores her first landscaping contract to spruce up the park, her radio talk show shoots to number one, and her retail shop is simply blossoming. Yes, her life is a bed of roses. Until she finds City Manager, Bud Picklemann served up on the blade of her favorite shovel mere hours after she’s threatened to have his head on a platter, then the thorns come out. And there is none thornier than the local police chief declaring Paige the one and only suspect and threatening to plow her under. YOU’VE GOT TO FORMULATE A PLANT OF ATTACK . . . Paige teams up with dashing attorney, Adam Hayes to weed through the list of suspects, and clear her soiled reputation. A bigmouthed Parrot who often spouts Mr. T-isms, and a giant pickle mascot join in quirky Paige’s quest to once again cultivate control of her life.
Buy for Kindle Buy for other devices	The Wedding Caper (The Bridal Mayhem Mystery Series) By Janice Hanna When a $25,000 night deposit mysteriously disappears from the Clark County Savings and Loan, Annie Peterson, has reason to be concerned and to assume the role of amateur sleuth. Her husband’s job at the bank makes him a potential suspect, but knowing him to be a godly man, she can’t imagine it. Then again, there is that matter of the weddings to factor in. Twin daughters Brandi and Candy have just received proposals and two weddings are pending. Sure, Warren occasionally jokes about robbing the bank to pay for the ceremonies, but Annie knows him better than that…doesn’t she?
Buy for Kindle Buy for other devices	Treasure at Blue Heron Lake (The Mainely Mysteries Series) By Susan Page Davis and Megan Elaine Davis Emily Gray has accepted a job working for the Baxter Journal and plans a feature story on Lakeview Lodge. Owner Jeff Lewis tells her and Nate Holman a mysterious legend about a hidden treasure and murder. Now the hunting lodge is plagued by an intruder who thumps around in the night. Nate and Emily try to help their friend discover who is invading the resort. Things turn more sinister over the Christmas holidays, when one of Jeff’s employees is murdered, with Jeff as a suspect. Is the legend of an old lumber baron’s lost treasure behind the crimes? Jeff’s faith is shaky, and his family rejects him. Nate and Emily try to help him through the crisis. In the midst of the turmoil, Nate graduates from the Police Academy and proposes to Emily. Their life together begins with unmasking the murderer at Lakeview Lodge.
Buy for Kindle Buy for other devices	Where the Truth Lies (The Massachusetts Mayhem Mystery Series) By Elizabeth Ludwig and Janelle Mowery Casey Alexander refuses to believe her aunt committed suicide. Convinced a murderer is hiding out in her aunt’s sleepy hometown, she’ll do anything to uncover the truth. But as her personal investigation produces mounting evidence, the danger to Casey grows. Now she’ll be forced to trust certain residents of Pine Mills for help, including local nursery owner, Luke Kerrigain…the man with whom she’s falling in love with…and who may be stalking her. Prompted by strange clues and a mysterious stranger, Casey does a little more digging. The secrets she unearths will turn lives upside down and threaten the peace in Pine Mills’ small community—especially when she discovers that the truth can sometimes be hidden in a lie.
Buy for Kindle Buy for other devices	Worth Its Weight in Old (Karen Maxwell Mystery Series) By K.D. Hays Paintings slashed... Furniture broken… Someone is wreaking havoc at the Blue Moon Art & Antiques Gallery. Fledgling private investigator Karen Maxwell goes undercover as a salesclerk to find out who’s behind the vandalism, and why. She learns little from friendly clerk Vicki and Eric, the shop’s surly, tight- lipped porter, would run over her with a hand truck before he’d answer any questions. The guilt may even lay with the shop owners themselves, despite the fact that they’re the ones who hired her. Karen’s investigation seems to be going nowhere—just like her once-promising relationship with Brian, the handsome blacksmith who could sweep her off her feet in a minute… if he’d ever take a break from working with the church youth group. Frustration mounts as her dreams of romantic evenings turn into endless rehearsals for the church Christmas play. If Karen can’t crack the case soon, she may find herself busted back to plain, old office manager, her dreams of a career as a private investigator—and a life with Brian—as old and busted as the Blue Moon’s vandalized antiques.

Goals for 2012

Writing: My goal is to sell 3-4 books to a publisher. Either a 3-book deal and one single title, or four single titles. Hey, I'm not picky. My agent seems to think this is my year. Let's pray he's right.

Personal: I need less stress in my life. I've quit smoking, which is good, I suppose. Everyone says so, but I feel as if I've lost my friend. Now, I need to find another stress reliever. I also want to lose 60 pounds. Need to get motivated on that. I'm hoping the motivation of possibly seeing old classmates at the end of May will be the motivation I need.

So, to all you bloggers out there who have yet to discover my sporadic blog, I wish you a wonderful 2012.

2011

Wow. The end of 2011 and the beginning of another year. While 2011 was still a roller-coaster ride of a year, it was more relaxed than 2010. Does that mean 2012 will be even better? I choose to hope so. In my writing, I let go of my agent of four years and acquired another. A man who is well-respected in the industry and I believe will help me take my career to new heights in 2012. My writing goal for the new year? To obtain a 3-book contract. I'll do my part and let God and my agent do theirs. My agent seems to think big things are coming. My cozy mysteries have been re-released as ebooks and doing very well. Thank you very much to my fans.

I'd also like to find a direction to take this blog. One that benefits readers and writers both. Hopefully, God will lead me in the right direction.

My personal life is going well. Things are smoothing out on that front, and I praise God! Now, maybe my blood pressure will go back to normal.

I praise God every day that I get to do something I love and actually make money at it. I am thankful for my husband's support. I couldn't do this crazy business of writing without him. I'm also thankful for my kids who are my biggest fans. God has blessed me greatly.

TODAY IN HISTORY 1800s

This is kind of fun, isn't it? I get my facts from a site called...This Day in History. Occasionally, I might throw something out that isn't in the time frame of my historicals, but most of the time, I'll stick to the 1800s. Have fun!

1862: Lincoln gives State of the Union address

1824: Presidential election goes to the House
Congress decides outcome of presidential election

1884 Elfego Baca battles Anglo cowboys

TODAY IN HISTORY 1800s

I'd like to start blogging about interesting events in history. Since I write primarily in the mid-1800s, I'll focus mostly on that time frame.

1864: Rebels are defeated at the Battle of Franklin (Civil War)

1874: Winston Churchill is born

1835: Mark Twain is born

SPYGLASS LANE MYSTERIES

Check out lots of good mysteries at www.spyglasslanemysteries.com. Plus, there's lots more good stories to come! Follow the blog so you don't miss any of them.

As for my writing, I've finished all proposals and can now concentrate on one historical romance while waiting to hear back on all the others. Would love to actually finish the first book in my Montana series. But sometimes, God has other plans.

TWO GREAT BOOKS

Two wonderful historical romances. One when Texas became a state, the other during the turbulence of World War II. Both great reads!

TODAY'S HISTORICAL FACT

October 13, 1792: White House cornerstone laid

The cornerstone is laid for a presidential residence in the newly designated capital city of Washington. In 1800, President John Adams became the first president to reside in the executive mansion, which soon became known as the "White House" because its white-gray Virginia freestone contrasted strikingly with the red brick of nearby buildings.

Writing Tip Wednesday

TOTALLY forget Tuesday and posting a recipe. sigh. I'll get the hang of this regular blogging thing before I die, I promise! Speaking of being regular (no, not that kind of regular!) today's writing tip ... write. Everyday. If you only write five hundred words, or even one hundred words, you must write.It shows dedication, discipline, and gets you that much closer to your goal. So, Happy Writing!

FINISHING UP

As promised, first day of my new blog format and I'm giving you an update on my writing. I have more editors looking at my work than I can count on one hand, so I'm hopeful. It was challenging going from first person cozy mystery to third person historical romance, but I think I've done it. Today, I will finish up the last proposal I am working on and send it to my agent. Then, it's on to finishing one of my other manuscripts. It will be nice to work for a while on only one book.

If you haven't ordered Fudge-Laced Felonies on ebook, you might want to go to www.smashwords.com while it's only .99. It should be available on Amazon soon, and Candy-Coated Secrets releases this week on Smashwords. Also .99. Not sure how long these deals will last.