Book Review: Mistress Firebrand by Donna Thorland

British Occupied Manhattan, 1777. American actress Jenny Leighton has been packing the John Street Theater with her witty comedies, but she longs to escape the provincial circuit for the glamour of the London stage. When the playwright General John Burgoyne visits the city, fresh from a recent success in the capitol, she seizes the opportunity to court his patronage. But her plan is foiled by British intelligence officer Severin Devere.

Severin’s mission is to keep the pleasure-loving general focused on the war effort…and away from pretty young actresses. But the tables are turned when Severin himself can’t resist Jenny Leighton…

Months later, Jenny has abandoned her dreams of stage glory and begun writing seditious plays for the Rebels under the pen name “Cornelia,” ridiculing “Gentleman Johnny” Burgoyne and his army—and undermining the crown’s campaign to take Albany. With Jenny’s name now on the hanging list, Severin is ordered to find her—and deliver her to certain death. Soon, the two are launched on a desperate journey through the wilderness, toward an uncertain future shaped by the revolution—and their passion for each other…

Book Review/Giveaway: Ivory Ghosts by Caitlyn O'Connell

Still grieving over the tragic death of her fiancé, American wildlife biologist Catherine Sohon leaves South Africa and drives to a remote outpost in northeast Namibia, where she plans to face off against the shadowy forces of corruption and relentless human greed in the fight against elephant poaching. Undercover as a census pilot tracking the local elephant population, she’ll really be collecting evidence on the ruthless ivory traffickers.

But before she even reaches her destination, Catherine stumbles onto a scene of horrifying carnage: three people shot dead in their car, and a fourth nearby—with his brain removed. The slaughter appears to be the handiwork of a Zambian smuggler known as “the witchdoctor,” a figure reviled by activists and poachers alike. Forced to play nice with local officials, Catherine finds herself drawn to the prickly but charismatic Jon Baggs, head of the Ministry of Conservation, whose blustery exterior belies his deep investment in the poaching wars.

Torn between her developing feelings and her unofficial investigation, she takes to the air, only to be grounded by a vicious turf war between competing factions of a black-market operation that reaches far beyond the borders of Africa. With the mortality rate—both human and animal—skyrocketing, Catherine races to intercept a valuable shipment. Now she’s flying blind, and a cunning killer is on the move.

Author Interview: Caitlyn O'Connell of Ivory Ghosts

  

Still grieving over the tragic death of her fiancé, American wildlife biologist Catherine Sohon leaves South Africa and drives to a remote outpost in northeast Namibia, where she plans to face off against the shadowy forces of corruption and relentless human greed in the fight against elephant poaching. Undercover as a census pilot tracking the local elephant population, she’ll really be collecting evidence on the ruthless ivory traffickers.

But before she even reaches her destination, Catherine stumbles onto a scene of horrifying carnage: three people shot dead in their car, and a fourth nearby—with his brain removed. The slaughter appears to be the handiwork of a Zambian smuggler known as “the witchdoctor,” a figure reviled by activists and poachers alike. Forced to play nice with local officials, Catherine finds herself drawn to the prickly but charismatic Jon Baggs, head of the Ministry of Conservation, whose blustery exterior belies his deep investment in the poaching wars.

Torn between her developing feelings and her unofficial investigation, she takes to the air, only to be grounded by a vicious turf war between competing factions of a black-market operation that reaches far beyond the borders of Africa. With the mortality rate—both human and animal—skyrocketing, Catherine races to intercept a valuable shipment. Now she’s flying blind, and a cunning killer is on the move.

#AtoZChallenge - All Gallow's Eve - S

SOMERNITES CRUISE

(graphic from www.somernitescruise.org)

Click the Somernites button to go to the official page of the Cruise!  From the home page:

Beautiful and historic Somerset, KY is recognized by the Kentucky State Legislature as “The Car Cruise Capital of Kentucky” and is home to Somernites Cruise, the largest monthly classic car show in the state. Held on the fourth Saturday, April-October, rain or shine, Somernites has garnered national attention with coverage on various TV shows including My Classic Car and Horsepower TV. Now more than half-way into its second decade, the Cruise shows no signs of waning in popularity.

"Somernites Cruise" weekends are the 4th weekend of each month from April through October.  Most of the festivities take place on Saturdays, with vehicles of all shapes, makes, models, ages etc. lining the streets of town with their hoods up.  People walk by, talk with the owners of the vehicles, etc.  People and their cars come from all over the US.  The 15th Annual Somernites Cruise kicks off this Saturday, April 25!

Most of the streets around 'fountain square' are closed to all but Cruise-entry cars after 9 or 10 am.  The crowds are usually large enough that no local would drive through town anyway.  Seriously!  I was on my way to work one day and even as far out from the center of town as I was, it took about 30 minutes to go 1/4 mile.  But when you visit, email me and I'll let you know the best ways to get around the crowds. ;)

(from the Somernites Cruise Facebook Page photo stream)

After 7:00 pm on Cruise weekend, cars take to the 6 lanes of Highway 27, Somerset's 'main drag', but maybe a mile from downtown.  They drive up and down the road, sometimes until well after dark, and the sides of the road are generally crowded with spectators.  Serious spectators.  People who camp out the night before to get their favorite spot.

(from the Somernites Cruise Facebook Page photo stream)

If you are a car enthusiast, this is really a must-see event!

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So have you ever been to a Somernites Cruise?  Are you nuts about cars and antiques?  Let me know in the comments!  

And while you're here, if you click on the butterfly graphic at the top of the post, that will take you to the 2015 A to Z Challenge participant list, where you can find hundreds (I'm not joking here - HUNDREDS!) of other folks who are writing about the A to Z of just about any and every topic under the sun!

#AtoZChallenge - All Gallow's Eve - Q & R

QIANA, ROPE

Originally, I was going to use the name "JC" for the MC's name - short for something like Jesse Christina.  But then I thought I'd change the C to a Q (for the express purposes of having something to write about for the letter "Q" in this challenge!

My other choice was 'quince' as in the fruit.  It looks somewhat like an apple or pear, sometimes bumpy and kind of hard to eat (if memory serves).  My mother used to make a very sweet but delicious jelly from quince when we were growing up.

Anyway, back to the name.  I asked my 12-year old daughter to look up some "Q" names for me and she printed out a list - there were like all of 5 of them.  Qiana resonated the most.  But then Jesse Qiana sounded odd, so I may just go with the one name.  It could bring upsome interesting "Star Trek" related 'Q'-bits in All Gallow's Eve!

With a name like "All Gallow's Eve", it almost scream for a rope to appear, at least in this case.  (In one of the last books I read, Wicked Stitch by Amanda Lee, the victim was strangled by someone using a scarf on which the victim was still working!)

Luckily, the county being a mining/farming area, everybody and their dog has access to rope so it doesn't really narrow the field of suspects.  But further into the investigation maybe something about the component materials or wear patterns could pop-up.

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Click on the sunflower button at the top of the page to go to the 2015 Blogging from A to Z Challenge participant list.  There is something for everyone on that list, as there are several hundred participants!

Author Interview: Dr. John Yeoman of The Cunning Man

  

Looking for clever, fast-paced historical mysteries? Here you’ll discover seven ‘impossible’ crimes, locked room puzzles, passion and riddles galore. Enjoy these lusty crime stories set in Elizabethan England where a ‘cunning man’, Hippo Yeoman, must solve devilish cases to save his friends’ lives, or even his own.

This anthology of short historical mystery stories is a world ‘first’. It’s not only a joy to read in its own right, but it’s also a ‘fictorial': a collection of crime thrillers packed with clever but unobtrusive tips that show you precisely how they were written, to help you write your own stories! They will appeal equally to avid readers of historical crime and students of creative writing who want to enhance their story or novel writing skills, in any genre.

Can you find the culprit before Hippo does? Challenge your own detective skills, enjoy a thundering good read in settings that are wholly authentic to 16th century London, and discover – while you read – how to write a great story!

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INTERVIEW

1. What do the letters after your name stand for? MA Oxon, MA (Res), MPhil, PhD, FSRS.

Master of Arts, Oxford University; MA by Research; Master of Philosophy (a sort of mini-PhD), Doctor of Philosophy; Founder the Society for the Rehabilitation of the Semi-Colon. (All my qualifications, apart from the last one, are real.)

2. From where did the idea for 'fictorials' come?

I developed the ‘fictorial’ approach, plus an interest in historical fiction, in 2001 when I self-published Gardening Secrets That Time Forgot. It was a how-to gardening manual disguised as a novel. (Yes, it was very odd!) In every chapter I had my 15th century gardener stumble on a clever new gardening idea which the ‘editor’ solemnly explained in a footnote so the modern reader could use it in their own garden.

I sold the book through ads in gardening magazines and netted around $130,000. I knew I was onto something with the ‘fictorial’ approach but I lost interest in gardening and didn’t apply the idea to fiction again until this year, with The Cunning Man.

3. What is a witchcraft cabaret?

In my twenties, I chanced upon a professional witch (don't ask me how) who was touting his coven around night clubs. They'd re-enact a spooky witchcraft cabaret, very louche but low on authenticity, for just a few groats. I was newly down from Oxford, a would-be entrepreneur, so I hired the cellar of the Phoenix pub in Cavendish Square, London, and ran a classified ad in Time Out Magazine. Just two lines pulled in over 200 people. I was too busy at the door to see the show, alas, but at one point a naked girl ran through the lobby, howling. And I prayed it was part of the act.

4. One of the stories in The Cunning Man mentions him polishing glass containers with his beard?

Yes, the cover shows a youthful Hippo Yeoman with a short beard. He grew his beard down to his waist later to appear wise and attract bigger fees. Alas, it didn't work. In my stories, he is perennially poor.

5. Are the books in which Hippo appears a series of sorts?

Yes. I have four Hippo books up at Amazon: Fear Of Evil, Dream Of Darkness, an anthology The Cunning Man and a single long story The Hog Lane Murders.

6. If you could live at any time throughout history, when would it be and why?

It would have to be today, because medical science was almost non-existent before the 20th century. (Up until the 19th century, as many as 10% of people died from tooth infections. If you lived in London, you were unlikely to survive beyond your 40th year.) But if I had to choose an historic era, it would be Dr Johnson's London. Ale, ribaldry and coffee house gossip had their heyday. It was my kind of place.

7. If you could invite any writer from history to your house for supper, who would it be and what would be on the menu?

Dr Samuel Johnson. The menu would consist of a large bowl of punch and Johnson's irritating scribe, Boswell, would be locked away in the outhouse.

8. Do you ever speak at children's schools and what do (or would) you say?

No, I don't, but if I did I'd say: write for fun. And don't let anyone ever tell you that your stories are no good. After all, what do they know?

9. What is a morris dance?

This is a traditional English entertainment - still performed at pubs - in which a group of half-drunken men (and occasionally women) leap about very dangerously waving sticks, swords and handkerchiefs, to the sound of fiddles, drums and concertinas. The name goes back to the 15th century and is supposedly derived from 'Moorish dance', although it may have originated in Cornwall. Tourists visiting an English pub are strongly discouraged from taking part as their travel insurance does not cover the inevitable accidents.

10. What place in the world have you never visited, but would most like to?

Sybil's Club in Paris in 1893. It was the haunt of princes and poets, rogues and millionaires (but I repeat myself). It is the venue for my next novels in which Hippo's great grandson, much removed, is hired to discover who murdered the city's literary agents. He accepts the contract for one reason only: so he can shake the killer's hand.

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Thank you, Dr. Yeoman for giving my readers a little more insight into your life and works!

Book Review/Giveaway: The Deadly Dog Show by Jerold Last

The sixth book in the popular Roger and Suzanne mystery series finds Roger and Bruce hired to go undercover impersonating the owner and handler of a Champion German Shorthaired Pointer named Juliet to investigate certain irregularities that might be occurring at dog shows in California. To complicate this case the bodies of dead judges start popping up and Suzanne picks up a mysterious stalker sending her most unwelcome gifts. Throw in drug cartels and corrupt cops and it sounds like a typical job for our detective couple.

The Deadly Dog Show can be read as a stand-alone novel.