If you follow my blog, then you know, I enjoy a good mystery and/or suspense.  So when Kim of Sparkpoint Studio contacted me, I wanted to know more about today’s guest and her book.  Please help me give a warm welcome to Fleur Philips!

FLEUR PHILIPS

Fleur Philips is a graduate student at Antioch University in Los Angeles, pursuing her MFA in Creative Writing. She attended the University of Oregon in Eugene where she was awarded placement in the Kidd Tutorial Creative Writing Program. After a short-lived acting career (she was a “featured extra” on Steven Spielberg’s Catch Me If You Can), she completed three manuscripts. I Am Lucky Bird is her first novel and was selected as a general fiction finalist for the 2011 Book of the Year Award from ForeWord Reviews. She’s currently working on her second novel which will be released in the summer 2013. She lives in Upland, California, and when she’s not writing, she’s cheering for her son in his athletic endeavors.
Visit Fleur Phillips at her website, Facebook, Twitter and GoodReads.

ABOUT THE BOOK

When her mother mysteriously vanishes from the small town of Plains, Montana, 12-year-old Lucky Bird’s childhood comes to an abrupt end. Left to defend herself against her suddenly abusive grandmother, Marian, and forced to endure the twisted predatory games played out by Marian’s lover, Lucky soon finds herself trapped in a nightmare.

Even when she manages to escape, the outside world can’t take away the brutal images of her past. Still haunted by her mother’s disappearance and the trauma that followed, Lucky is easily led down a path of self-destruction—a path that only the intervention of a young stranger and his family can guide her away from. But first, Lucky will have to confront her demons, and the dark truths kept hidden.
Purchase links:

THANKS TO KIM AT SPARKPOINT STUDIO, I HAVE ONE (1)
COPY TO GIVE AWAY. U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY.

CLICK HERE TO BRING YOU TO
THE GIVEAWAY ENTRY PAGE

DISCLAIMER
No items that I receive
are ever sold…they are kept by me,
or given to family and/or friends.
ADDENDUM
I do not have any affiliation with Amazon.com or
Barnes & Noble.  I am an IndieBound affliate.
I am providing link(s) solely for visitors
that may be interested in purchasing this Book/EBook.

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WHAT MAKES YOU WANT TO READ THIS BOOK?*

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 **HONOR SYSTEM**
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a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hosted by Miz B at Should Be Reading

This week’s question:
Do you read the ending before you start a book? Do you ever skip ahead to read the ending?

My response:
Two words…never, ever!  In the many years that I have been a reader, I can honestly say, not once have I skipped to the end.

For me, reading is for pure enjoyment and entertainment.   I would much rather read a book, creating my own imagery, than watching a movie.   I have never understood why a reader would “check out” the ending.  I feel that it defeats the purpose of pleasure reading.

Do you read the ending of a book first?  And if so, doesn’t it ruin the whole experience of reading?  Would love to hear your thoughts on this.

November is being hosted by Edgy Inspirational Romance

Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia of A girl and her books and is now on tour.
According to Marcia, “Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.”
(I am an IndieBound Affliate)

Shop Indie Bookstores

If you have followed my blog over these past few years, then you know that I am addicted to Reading Challenges!!

Even though, for the past couple of months, I haven’t done much reading due to being busy with tours for Partners In Crime Tours and Providence Book Promotions, I did complete some of the many challenges that I signed on for in 2012.   I do miss my quality reading time and hope that I will get back into my routine soon.

I am going to try,  yes TRY, to only sign up for those challenges that I have participated in and completed in the past.  And a couple that I still haven’t completed but figure some day I will, like the 100+ book challenge.

Over the past couple of weeks, I have been getting emails from A Novel Challenge, notifying me of Challenges that have been posted and I have decided on some that I will be signing up for.  There are others, that I’m hoping will be hosted again, and will add those to my list.  But for now, here are the ones I will be signing up for today.

What about you?  Are you a Reading Challenge addict?  Which ones do you plan to participate in for 2013?

As bloggers we are all on timetables to read books, get reviews posted, host giveaways, etc. But we also travel around to other blogs and see books we would just like to read because of their recommendation or the cover or title catches our interest. The Meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey “It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?” adds more books to my Wish List and To-Be-Read pile every week.

This reading challenge is hosted by Escape with Dollycas Into A Good Book. For more information and to sign-up, please see this post.

The 2013 Ebook Challenge. Encouraging readers to expand past just physical books to embrace ebooks in all forms, whether on Kindle, Kobo, computer, or any other reader.

1. This challenge will run from Jan 1, 2013 – Dec 31, 2013.
2. Anyone can join, you don’t need to be a blogger. If you don’t have a blog, feel free to sign-up in the comments. You can post reviews to any book site (i.e. Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords, Goodreads, etc.).
3. Any genre or length of book counts, as long as it is in ebook format.
4. You can plan your books in advance or as you read them.
5. When you sign up in the linky, put the direct link to your post about joining the E-Book Reading Challenge.
6. You can move up levels, but no moving down.
7. Sign-ups will be open until Dec 15, 2013, so feel free to join at any time throughout the year.

1. Floppy disk – 5 ebooks
2. CD – 10 ebooks
3. DVD – 25 ebooks
4. Memory stick – 50 ebooks
5. Hard drive – 75 ebooks
6. Server – 100 ebooks
7. Human brain – 150 ebooks

This reading challenge is hosted by Workaday Reads. For more information and to sign-up, please see this post.

 What’s your reading goal for 2013? If it’s to read more books, then this is the reading challenge for you! There have been almost 400 readers who wanted to outdo themselves so far. Are you up for the challenge?

Reading Challenge Details:

• Runs January 1, 2013 – December 31, 2013 (books read prior to 1/1/2013 do not count towards the challenge). You can join at anytime.Sign up on The Book Vixen’s blog.
• The goal is to outdo yourself by reading more books in 2013 than you did in 2012. See the different levels below and pick the one that works best for you. You can move up a level as often as you’d like but no moving down.
• Books can be any format (bound, ebook, audio).
• Novellas that are at least 100 pages in length, as well as full-length novels, will count for this reading challenge.
• Re-reads and crossovers from other reading challenges are allowed.
• Grab the reading challenge button and post this reading challenge on your blog to track your progress. Please include a link back to this sign-up post so others can join the reading challenge too. You do not have to be a book blogger to participate; you can track your progress on Goodreads or LibraryThing.

This reading challenge is hosted by The Book Vixen. For more information and to sign-up, please see this post.

….of Barefoot In The Rain by Roxanne St. Claire

8 Linda Kish Be a Public Follower of ‘CMASH Loves to Read’

21 Kristy Be a Public Follower of ‘CMASH Loves to Read’

An email has been sent to the winners and they have 48 hours to respond with their mailing address or another winner will be chosen.  Thank you to all that entered.  More giveaways to come!

It’s getting cold here in New England!  Time to get cozy!  Cozy mystery that is!!   Stephen from First Rule Publicity has given me the opportunity to introduce today’s author, Ms. Abigail Keam!!!

ABIGAIL KEAM

Abigail Keam is an award-winning author who writes the Josiah Reynolds mystery series about a beekeeper turned sleuth.

Death By A HoneyBee won the 2010 Gold Medal Award for Women’s Lit from Reader’s Favorite and was a Finalist of the USA BOOK NEWS-Best Books of 2011. Death By Drowning won the 2011 Gold Medal Award for Best Mystery Sleuth and also was placed on the USA BOOK NEWS-Best Books of 2011.

Ms. Keam is also an award-winning beekeeper who lives on theKentucky Riverin a metal house with her husband and various critters.
Connect with the author at her website, Facebook and Twitter.

GUEST POST

HOW SHOULD MYSTERY AUTHORS WRITE?

To tell an individual the proper procedure to write a novel is like telling a human the correct way to make love.  There is no correct way.  It is just what feels natural and good.

Some authors write twenty pages a day while others plod out one.

Some authors write every day.  Others write when the mood hits them.  Just go with your gut feeling.  Do what’s right for you.

Break The Rules

 Introduce New Characters

I do things like introduce new characters in the last chapter of the book.  A big no-no.  The reason I can justify this is that I don’t look at each book in my Josiah Reynolds mystery series as stand-alones, but rather a continuation of the story line.  Only the mystery in each book is complete, but Josiah Reynolds’ life continues from book to book.

Keep The Fat Out

Another thing I do is keep my stories short.  It is best to leave the stage with the audience wanting more.  Don’t overwrite or your readers will tire of your work.

Add A Little Hot Sauce

If you are writing a series, turn things upside down in your novels.  Do the unexpected with your characters.  Be careful though.  Changing too much like killing off a favorite character can cause a backlash among your readers.  Just sprinkle hot sauce rather than pour it on.

Don’t Always Solve The Mystery

When writing a series, you must keep the reader interested.  In other words, keep them on their toes.  I don’t always solve the murders in my stories or I turn the murder upside down in another book – whom the reader thought to be the murderer in one book turns out to be the wrong person in another book as I double-back on the plot.

Why?

Because even a beloved mystery series can become stale if the same formula is used in every novel.  I have seen this with Sue Grafton’s books.  I love Sue Grafton and her shamus, Kinsey Milhone and think the Alphabet series is fabulous, but I have started noticing that fan are tiring by reading unflattering reviews on Amazon.  That never used to happen.

I think Agatha Christie, the Queen of Crime, was able to avoid such unkind criticism because each of her books and series was so different.  Ten Little Indians is so different from a book like The Mirror Crack’d.

So keep your stories fresh.

Flaws And Your Sleuth

Your sleuth, regardless if he/she is a professional or amateur, should have a flaw or a conflict his/her nature in order to have depth.  The only sleuth that is sweet/good and gets away with it book after book is Nancy Drew.

Sleuths that enjoy a long publishing life are those who keep the reader intrigued such as Sherlock Homes.  Why is he still so fascinating to us?  Because we love his intellect and his rudeness.  Also we are curious about his mysterious sexuality.  Is Sherlock heterosexual, homosexual or just bored with sex?  Does he want to “canoodle” with Watson?

Miss Marple?  Well, she is a busy-body – sort of the Mary Worth of death.  Oh dear.  You don’t know who Mary Worth is?  Look her up.  Miss Marple is always watching or listening to private conversations.  That would put any neighbor on edge.

Kinsey Milhone is a loner, unable to commit.  She reminds me of a skittish cat.  Kinsey also prides herself on lying.  Still Kinsey is a fascinating shamus and a person who I would like to know personally.

My sleuth, Josiah Reynolds, has serious health problems and is prone to complaining.  She sometimes uses bad judgment.   She is fat and middle-aged, but that is what my readers love about her.  She comes off the pages as a real person.

I have given you just a few tips.  Some may even be useful.  Good luck with your writing and I hope to read your books in the future.
Abigail Keam is the author of “Death By A HoneyBee” and “Death By Drowning”.  Both books were listed as Finalists on the USA BOOK NEWS “Best Book List 2011”.  “Death By Bourbon” is her new book.   www.abigailkeam.com

ABOUT THE BOOK

Life takes a dramatic turn for Josiah when she witnesses a death at an engagement party for guess who . . . Matt.  Matt?  Yes Matt.

Charming socialite Addison DeWitt falls into a fit after taking a sip of bourbon.  That would be upsetting enough but Josiah is sure it is murder. However, no one will believe her except for Lady Elsmere and Meriah Caldwell, the famous mystery writer.  The three of them conspire to bring the murderer to justice.  It turns out that the suspect is always three steps ahead of them.

To make matters worse, Josiah’s daughter, Asa, decides to move to London, Franklin leaves town and Jake starts singing a different turn.  Josiah doubts her ability to meet the future alone.  Maybe it’s time to sell the Butterfly and move to Florida with the rest of the old folks.

REVIEWS:
“Abigail Keam writes with vision and understanding. Her tale is fresh and original…after all…what could beekeeping and murder have in common? Readers will have no trouble being drawn into this charming mystery. Keam leaves the reader yearning for more. DEATH BY DROWNING is an excellent second effort by Ms. Keam. Characters and action are well wrought, and the plot sizzles.”
Midwest Book Review, Shelley Glodowski, Senior Reviewer, July 8th 2011

“Ms. Keam’s writing is more like lyrical prose, leaving the readers wanting to know more of Josiah’s life and clamoring for the next book. This can be read as a stand-alone book, but I highly recommend reading the first book – DEATH BY A HONEYBEE.” BOBBI’S BOOK NOOK, JULY 30TH, 2011
Amazon Purchase links: PB    EBook

THANKS TO AUTHOR ABIGAIL KEAM, I HAVE ONE (1) SIGNED
COPY OF THIS BOOK. U.S. AND CANADA RESIDENTS ONLY.
AND TWO (2) EBOOK EDITIONS (.mobi or ePub). OPEN TO ALL.

CLICK HERE TO BRING YOU TO THE
CMASH READS GIVEAWAY ENTRY PAGE.

Tour Wide Giveaway!
A tour wide giveaway is being offered, which features a grand prize of a set of all four of Abigail’s books, signed, plus 3 8oz honeys from Abigail’s very own been hives!  2 signed copies of Death By Bourbon have been made available for a pair of runner-up prizes.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLAIMER
No items that I receive
are ever sold…they are kept by me,
or given to family and/or friends.
ADDENDUM
I do not have any affiliation with Amazon.com or
Barnes & Noble. I am an  IndieBound affliate.
I am providing link(s) solely for visitors
that may be interested in purchasing this Book/EBook.

TO SAY THANK YOU!!!

THERE WILL BE 3 WINNERS

*USE THE RAFFLECOPTER FORM BELOW
IN ORDER TO BE INCLUDED IN THE GIVEAWAY*
BE SURE TO INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL

ADDRESS IN THE RAFFLECOPTER FORM
SO THAT I CAN CONTACT YOU IF YOU WIN

*U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY*
*NO P.O. BOXES*