“I love your books! When is the next one coming out?” Music to a writer’s ears, to be sure. But what happens when a writer has the urge to write something different than her previous novels? Maybe a different genre, a stand-alone that is not part of an established series, or a young adult novelContinue reading “When an Author Has an Urge for Something Different”
Category Archives: mystery
Starting the Whole Dang Process over Again
A dungeon in Lleida, Catalonia, Spain. Might work it into a new novel. Beginning a new novel is both exhilarating and scary. I enjoy the new ideas for plot details, setting, and characters that pop willy-nilly into my brain. Old characters poke their heads in to say, “Can I be in this one? You saidContinue reading “Starting the Whole Dang Process over Again”
Thanks for Great Review of Hotel Saint Clare in Suspense Magazine
Hotel Saint Clare by Kathleen Heady A young woman rises from the sea and steps out of the waves with seaweed twined in her long hair. Although it sounds like the resurrection of a goddess, it is actually the opening scene for a mysterious tale. Two young boys collecting shells on the seashore tell theContinue reading “Thanks for Great Review of Hotel Saint Clare in Suspense Magazine”
A Good Book I’ve Read Lately
Every once in a while I like to post a review of a book I have enjoyed. Murder in Thrall by Anne Cleeland is in one of my favorite genres, a British detective novel, but with a twist. This is my review that was published in Suspense Magazine. I recommend it. Rookie detective Kathleen DoyleContinue reading “A Good Book I’ve Read Lately”
Forward to the Past
Writers never throw anything away, or at least they shouldn’t. This week I pulled out an old “almost novel” that I wrote before my first one, The Gate House, was published. This one, tentatively titled Nara of the Islands, is really the original story of my protagonist who appears in both The Gate House andContinue reading “Forward to the Past”
Review of David Bell’s The Hiding Place
Although The Hiding Place is certainly not a Thanksgiving book, I though it appropriate to post my review of this book which appeared in Suspense Magazine. This novel deals with two families and the secrets that were kept for many years. It seemed fitting for the holiday season in that it emphasizes how easy itContinue reading “Review of David Bell’s The Hiding Place”
Giving Birth to “Lydia’s Story”
My newest novel, Lydia’s Story, is now available all the major book sellers. If you are a writer, you know what a wonderful rush comes along with writing those words. If you are not a writer, just think of any major project you have embarked on in your life — giving birth to a child,Continue reading “Giving Birth to “Lydia’s Story””
Where Do I Set My Story?
“There is no happiness in love, except at the endof an English novel.” (Anthony Trollope in Barchester Towers) The passage through Dover Castle at the right just can’t help sparking my imagination. How Does an Author Choose a Setting Why did I set The Gate House in England? The simple answer to that question isContinue reading “Where Do I Set My Story?”
Bed and Breakfast Food
This post was set up to publish when I was traveling last week, but somehow it didn’t happen. But it is happening now, and I hope everyone enjoys the recipe and thoughts of a delicious breakfast! My novel The Gate House takes place in a bed and breakfast in Lincolnshire, England. I have stayed inContinue reading “Bed and Breakfast Food”
Book Review and Other Thoughts
Now that both my parents have passed away, I find myself increasingly interested in the World War II era. And now that The Gate House is scheduled for re-release in May, I am almost ready to submit the sequel to The Gate House, which has a working title of Lydia’s Story. Lydia is the great-grandmother of Nara, theContinue reading “Book Review and Other Thoughts”