Say hello to: M. L. Rowland!

My guest today is author M. L. Rowland (no relation to JK!)

Born, raised and, except for one year of high school in Hawaii, schooled kindergarten through college in Michigan, Rowland comes by her adventurous spirit honestly. Her mother was Grand Rapids, Michigan’s first woman city commissioner. Her father—a neurosurgeon and marine scientist—was a world traveler and member of The Explorer’s Club. After college, Rowland lived and worked in Florida, Missouri, Connecticut and New York City, finally settling in the mountains of southern California where she and her husband, Mark, joined the local Search and Rescue (SAR) team.

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During her twelve years on Search and Rescue, Rowland participated in hundreds of search and rescue missions and trainings, including technical ropes rescues, helicopter insertions and evacuations, and searches for lost children, hikers, snowboarders, mountain bikers and criminal evidence, in alpine, desert and urban environments. She served as the team’s Training Officer and participated in community events and public speaking engagements. Trained in land navigation, and desert and winter survival, including avalanche awareness and self-arrest, she holds a certification in tracking from the State of California. Much of what she writes about in her Gracie Kinkaid Search and Rescue Mystery Series is drawn from her and her husband’s SAR experiences.

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Rowland also served on the Board of a Colorado County Sheriff’s Department All-Hazards Incident Management Team (IMT) which manages local search and rescue operations, brush and wildfires, planned community events and other critical incidents.



Rowland is an avid political activist, naturalist and environmentalist. She’s an accomplished painter and loves to snorkel. She has traveled to all fifty United States and throughout the world, including Kenya, New Zealand, the South Pacific and Europe. As often as possible, she hikes and explores the slot canyons of Utah.

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Rowland lives with her family at the foot of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in south-central Colorado.

  

R:  Welcome, M. L.! Tell us a bit about yourself and how you became interested in writing.

Wanting to write books wasn’t a lightning bolt that hit me one day out of the blue; it was more of an evolutionary process that began when I was very small.

Books have always been a huge part of my life—I’ve never lived in a house that wasn’t filled with books. One of my earliest memories is sitting on my father’s lap while he read to me. As a result, I became a reader at a very young age.

My oldest sister used to write and illustrate stories in pencil in those small brown, spiral notebooks. I think she was the original inspiration for me to become a writer. While in grade school, I wrote a couple of stories of my own, emulating her. Then here and there throughout the years, I took a few writing classes, most significantly, an imagery poetry class that has proven to be very influential to my current writing style. I wrote some non-fiction pieces and several screenplays. But only within the last years, have I been writing novels.

R: You were a search and rescue volunteer yourself. What was that like, and was that the basis for your “Search and Rescue series?”

I served for almost a dozen years as a very active volunteer on a very busy search and rescue team in the mountains of southern California. I participated in literally hundreds of missions and trainings, which included helicopter extractions and insertions (most memorably jumping out of a helicopter into the snow on the side of a mountain), overnighting in the snow with only a sleeping bag, and technical ropes rescues and recoveries. It was physically taxing, often exhausting and thankless work, but incredibly rewarding emotionally.

When I decided to try my hand at writing a novel, I followed the classic advice of writing what you know. And voila! The Gracie Kinkaid Search and Rescue mystery series was born.

R: Tell us about your latest release, Murder on the Horizon.

Readers of “Murder on the Horizon,” the third book in my Search and Rescue series, will find the book’s multiple plotlines eerily reminiscent of recent news headlines. At the beginning, the hot, dry Santa Ana winds are blowing. But more than just the threat of wildfire endangers the tiny mountain community of Timber Creek...

Gracie Kinkaid and her Search and Rescue teammates are searching along the interstate highway in the middle of the blisteringly hot Mojave Desert when they make a grisly discovery—a trash bag containing human body parts. Not long after, Gracie's growing friendship with a ten-year-old runaway draws her into the secretive, hate-filled world of the boy's family—a group of gun-toting extremists.

As a wildfire threatens to roar into Timber Creek, Gracie finds herself caught up in an explosive plot that, unless she stops it, will destroy countless innocent lives.

R: do people ever mistake you for that other Rowland, JK?

It’s JK RowLING and I, unfortunately, am only a RowLAND. J

                                     

R:  Do you have an “how I got my agent” story you’d like to

share? How did you feel when you got the call your first novel had sold?

It boils down to my knowing somebody who knew somebody who knew somebody. I was introduced by friends to their screenwriting manager who knew and introduced me to an editor at Penguin. She agreed to read, “Zero-Degree Murder,” loved it and offered me a three-book contract. I believe that one of the reasons I--as an total unknown--was offered a contract by a major publisher was that I had rewritten “Zero-Degree Murder” over ten times, and edited and proofed it multiple times and had other people critique and proof it, so that, once it made its way to a publisher, it needed very little further work.

When I first was offered the contract with Penguin, my husband and I were owners of a campground on a river in Colorado and in the throes of the busy summer season. When I told my husband about the offer, he gave me a hug and said, Congratulations!” Then I went back to managing the campground.

R: What’s a must have for you when you are writing? What aids the creative process?

Peace and quiet, in other words no distractions. We live a quarter mile off a dirt road in rural Colorado, so I’m so used to it being very quiet while I’m working.

Really caring about something aids the creative process for me—being passionate about a social issue. All of my books have a multiple themes. Reading a book or magazine article, watching a movie, hearing a piece of music, even people watching at the airport all can get the creative juices flowing.

R: What is one thing your readers would be most surprised to know about you?

That at times I can be somewhat shy and quiet!

                                      

R: What is the craziest thing you've ever done? 

When on Search and Rescue, I did a lot of things other people might consider crazy, but those were what I would call ‘managed risks.’

One of the most purposefully crazy things I’ve ever done was when I was fourteen years old and spending the summer with my family on the island of American Samoa in the middle of the South Pacific.

At that time, there was only one runway at Pago Pago’s airport, and only one Pan Am jet a day leaving the island...at 1 am. The jet would taxi down the runway, turn at the end, then accelerate back up the runway for take-off.

One night I and several older teenagers, hid in the dark behind some bushes lining the runway. The jet taxied past us. As it made its turn at the end, we ran up and lay face down half-on/half-off the runway with our hands covering our ears. As the jet zoomed back, accelerating for takeoff, its wing passed right over us, blasting us with hot air and stones and a LOT of noise. Quite a rush! Don’t tell my parents. 

R: What do you hope readers will most take away from your writing?

First, I hope they enjoyed the book! Second, I hope they learned something--something about themselves, about Search and Rescue, about nature, about a social issue. I’d also love to think people might be inspired by my books, inspired to be strong or maybe just a little stronger, to try something they never imagined they were capable of, to stand up for themselves or someone else or something they feel strongly about, to do what they believe is the right thing in spite of being afraid.

R: Where can we find out more about you and your work?

My website: www.mlrowland.com contains information about my books, a short bio, some kind of neat photos (at least I think so), my blog and some other hopefully fun and interesting information.

R: Do you have any advice for beginning writers?

If you’re serious about getting published, treat your writing as a job. Work at it every day. Write what you know or what you’re passionate about. Read—different genres as well as the genre in which you’re writing. Never stop learning. Take classes. Join a writers’ group. Read writing magazines and how-to books. Attend writers’ conferences. Remain open to other people’s suggestions and critiques. Most important, though, is to never give up.

R: What question do you wish interviewers would ask you? And what’s the answer?

I’ve answered a lot of interview questions and a lot of yours I had never been asked. Nice job!

Just for Fun:

Night or Day?  I love the night sky, but if I have to chose, then day

Dog or Cat? (answer carefully) I like cats, but I’m allergic to them, so dogs (how diplomatic was that?).

Beach or Pool?  Beach

Steak or salad?  Both?

Favorite Drink? An ice-cold beer on a hot hot day

Favorite Book? So many to choose from: “To Kill a Mockingbird,” “Les Miserables,” “The Book Thief.” Above all? Probably “The Lord of the Rings.”

Favorite TV Series?  Of all time, “West Wing.” Recently, “Justified.”

Favorite Movie? “Last of the Mohicans” is one of the most devastatingly beautiful and haunting movies I’ve ever seen. 

Finish this sentence:  If I could meet anyone in the world, past or present, it would be: Jesus. Regardless of your religious beliefs, what an awesome and inspiring teacher/leader/healer.

If I had just one wish, it would be to rid our planet of poverty, violence, hate and pollution.

If I could trade places with anyone in the world, it would be?

I wouldn’t. I’m happy who I am and right where I am in Colorado.

Folks, you can find out more about M. L. at:

The most comprehensive site is my author’s Website: www.mlrowland.com. Also Facebook:  mlrowland and Twitter:  @ml_rowland.

M. L. will give away Two copies of “Murder on the Horizon.”  One each to two lucky commenters!

To enter, leave a comment on this blog post with your name and email address (entries without email will be disqualified). For extra entries, you can do any or all of the below:

* Follow my blog (+ 1 point)
* Follow me on Twitter (+ 1 point) (Link: https://twitter.com/RoccoBlogger)
* Tweet about the contest (+ 1 point)
* Friend me on Facebook (+ 1 point) (Link: https://www.facebook.com/ToniLotempio)#!/

* Mention the contest on Facebook (+ 1 point)
* Mention the contest on your blog (+ 1 point)

Winner will be chosen at random using random.org.  Don’t forget to mention all you’ve done in your comment. Good luck! Contest ends  midnight, Aug. 25!

Guest Poster...Lea Wait!

Welcome our guest poster, author Lea Wait!

 Lea Wait writes the Shadows Antique Mystery series, the Mainely Needlepoint series, and historical novels for ages eight and up set in nineteenth century Maine. She’s also written Living and Writing on the Coast of Maine, about the joys and frustrations of being an author in the Pine Tree State. She speaks frequently, in person and via Skype to book groups, libraries, schools, and other organization. For more information about Lea and her books, see http://www.leawait.com, and friend her on Facebook and Goodreads.

MY FAVORITE THINGS ….

            Ever picked up a book you’d never heard of and known you’d love it? I suspect most of us have. Without even thinking about it, we know what we love to read about. Maybe it’s romantic love. Or cats (hi, Rocco!) Or family dramas. Or serial killers. (Probably not all of the above in the same book.)

            I’m attracted to old houses, preferably large, and possibly deserted. Mysteries from the past that affect people today. Antiques. Small towns, where everyone thinks they know everyone else … but don’t know everyone’s secrets. And the coast of Maine, a place I’ve loved since I was a child, and where I’m now lucky enough to live now.

            And what would be more fun for a writer than to plot a book that included all their favorite things?

            So THREADS OF EVIDENCE, the second (after TWISTED THREADS) in the Mainely Needlepoint mystery series, includes all my favorites.

            A large Victorian “cottage” (as summer homes of the wealthy were, and sometimes still are, called in Maine) where a seventeen-year-old girl died suspiciously at a party in 1970. Her mother never believed the girl’s death was an accident, so for years she sat alone and tried to figure out what might have happened. And while she sat, she did needlepoint. Cushions of all sorts. And, most dramatically, a series of large panels picturing her home and the town of Haven Harbor, Maine.

            The house, named “Aurora,” has been deserted for years. Many people in Haven Harbor think it should be torn down. 

            Then, to everyone’s surprise, famous Hollywood actress Skye West and her handsome son buy the old estate, complete with broken windows, valuable and not-so-valuable old furnishings, and all that needlepoint. They ask Angie Curtis, head of Mainely Needlepoint, and fellow needlepointer and antiques dealer Sarah Byrne to appraise everything in the house, hold a sale to get rid of anything they don’t put in dumpsters … and restore those needlepoint panels.

            They soon learn Skye has a personal interest in the history of the old house. And when her glass is poisoned during the house sale, it’s clear someone in Haven Harbor doesn’t want her asking questions about what happened in 1970.

            Skye hires Angie to help her investigate and examine the past, and talk to everyone who was at that fatal party in 1970. And then the Mainely Needlepointers restoring the panels find they contain clues to the past.

            Love those old house mysteries!      

We've got a copy of THREADS OF EVIDENCE for one lucky commenter!  Leave a comment with your email address in the comments section below to enter!  Contest ends midnight, Aug. 20!

                       

Weekend Guest - Author Betty Hechtman!

Meow!  My guest today is author Betty Hechtman!

Betty Hechtman became entranced with mysteries through Nancy Drew's amateur detecting and when she began to read Agatha Christie's books, she was hooked. She wrote her first mystery story in high school. While studying fine art at Roosevelt University in Chicago, she wrote a weekly column along with news stories for the school newspaper.

  After college she wrote scripts, magazine and newspaper pieces, along with short stories. Her first book was a young adult mystery titled Stolen Treasure. The idea for the crochet mystery series grew out of her desire to mix her love of making things with mystery. The paperback edition of the 9th book in the series, KNOT GUILTY, comes out in November. She just finished writing the 10th book , SEAMS LIKE MURDER.  She is thrilled to be mixing yarn and murder again in the national bestselling Yarn Retreat Series with WOUND UP IN MURDER. All the books in both series include patterns and recipes.

• Meow, welcome Betty! Tell us a little about your background

Hi ROCCO!  Well, I grew  up in Chicago and have a degree in fine art.  I wrote my first story when I was eleven and my first mystery story in high school.  I wrote a column for my college newspaper.  I have written newspaper and magazine pieces, short stories and several screenplays.

I have always been into handicrafts..  I taught myself how to design doll clothes when I was a kid.  

It was my desire to learn how to crochet granny squares that gave me the idea for the Crochet Series

• Tell us a bit about your latest book, Wound Up in Murder

Wound Up in Murder is the third Yarn Retreat book and follows dessert chef Casey Feldstein as she puts on yarn retreats at a slightly sinister hotel and conference center on the tip of California’s Monterey peninsula.  This time another retreat is going on at the same time where all the participants are pretending it is 1963.  When one of them turns up dead, Casey investigates and at the same time gets caught up in their retreat.  At the same time she has to deal with her retreat.  This times each of the guests is given a mystery bag of yarn and even though most of use the same patterns, each of their creations will turn out unique.  I have included patterns for a Crystal’s Worry Doll and for Wanda’s Scarf .  There are also recipes  for Flashback to the Sixties Cream  Cheese Brownies and  Out-of-Time Cinnamon Walnut  Square Muffins.

• Tell us about your different series with crochet/knitting themes. Is it a hobby of yours?

One of the best things about writing these two series is that is being able to spend time crocheting and knitting and have it be considered work.  My skills have improved as my characters have.  I also belong to a knit and crochet group that meets once a week.

• How do you “get to know” your characters before and while you’re writing the books?

Since I just turned in the manuscript for the 10^th Crochet Mystery, Seams Like Murder, by now I know the characters pretty well.  Though they do surprise me.  It is kind of like they take over sometimes.

• How do you construct your plots? Do you outline or do you write “by the seat of your pants”?

I have to turn in a synopsis before each book, so that’s how I roll now.

• Which do you consider more important, plot or character?

If you don’t like the characters, you’re not going to care about the plot..  At least that is what I think.

• What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced as a writer and what inspires you and keeps you motivated?

I think it is all the rejection you have to face and then to  keep on going anyway .  What motivates me now is when I get an email from someone who says they were ill or going through chemo and my books took their mind off of it and gave them a smile.

• Do you have an “How I got my agent” story you want to share?

Just persistence.

• What are you working on now and what are your future writing plans?

Like I said, I just turned in the manuscript for the tenth Crochet Mystery, Seams Like Murder and after taking a day or so to clear my head will be writing the synopsis for the fourth Yarn Retreat Mystery, Gone With the Wool.

• What is a typical workday for you and how many hours a day (or week) do you devote to writing?

When I’m working I usually loose track of time, so I don’t know how many hours a day it is. A lot depends on how close to a deadline I am and since I also work in my family’s business, what else I have to do.

• If you could take only three books with your for a year-long writing retreat in a gorgeous setting with no library, which three would you take?

I would take three blank book and fill them myself.

• What advice do you have to offer to an aspiring author?

The obvious is don’t give up.

• What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done?

Go to a gun range with a bunch of romance writers.

• What’s one thing your readers would be surprised to find out about you?

I don’t know how to ride a bicycle, but I do go to indoor cycling classes.

• Where can we learn more about you and your books?

Website: http://www.BettyHechtman.com  Facebook:  BettyHechtman author Twitter @BettyHechtman

Just for Fun:

Night or Day?  .Night.

Dog or Cat? (answer carefully)    I love them both, though at the moment only have a cat named Rocky who resembles Rocco (Ma-ROW!  Must be a handsome fellow, heh heh)

Beach or Pool?   Beach

Steak or salad?  Salad all the way since I’m a vegetarian.

Favorite Drink?  Coffee and tea

Favorite TV Series?  Right now it is Last Tango in Halifax

Favorite Movie?  When I need to laugh Bowfinger or The Birdcage

Dirty Martini or Pina Colada? I love the smell of gin, but not the taste, so I’d probably just sniff the martini

Hawaii or Alaska?  Hawaii

Finish this sentence:  If I could meet anyone in the world, past or present, it would be My parents because  they are both gone.  I think they would get a kick out of my books.

If I had just one wish, it would be__that people would actually follow the golden rule.

If I could trade places with anyone in the world, it would be Nobody.  I am too happy being me.

Thanks for a great interview, Betty.

Betty will give away 1 copy Wound up in Murder –Yarn Retreat Mystery #3 and 1 copy Knot Guilty – Crochet Mystery #9 to two lucky commenters!  To enter, leave a comment on this blog post with your name and email address (entries without email will be disqualified). For extra entries, you can do any or all of the below:

* Follow my blog (+ 1 point)
* Follow me on Twitter (+ 1 point) (Link: https://twitter.com/RoccoBlogger)
* Tweet about the contest (+ 1 point)
* Friend me on Facebook (+ 1 point) (Link: https://www.facebook.com/ToniLotempio)#!/

* Mention the contest on Facebook (+ 1 point)
* Mention the contest on your blog (+ 1 point)

Winner will be chosen at random using random.org.  Don’t forget to mention all you’ve done in your comment. Good luck! Contest ends midnight, August 17

THUMPER IN THE HOUSE!!!

Note from ROCCO:  This interview was originally scheduled to run August 10, however, the HUMAN had a brain freeze and posted it sooner.  We are re-running it on the day it was originally scheduled and Elaine has consented to another giveaway!!!!

Meow, ROCCO here!

Today my guest poster is Thumper, the cat in Elaine Fabers’ BLACK CAT mystery series!  Thumper wanted to give us some insight into the titles of the series, and he’s such a handsome fellow, how could I say no?

So…here’s Thumper!

What’s Behind the Black Cat Book Titles?

Book titles should give the reader a clue as to what the story is about. It should roll off the tongue, like tuna after breakfast. In Black Cat’s Legacy, generations of Fern Lake black cats waited for someone to return to solve a cold case murder. Some call it instinct, but we know that it’s our ancestors’ ‘memories.’ Certain inciting incidents bring up certain memories, like washing behind your ears. So, when Kimberlee returned to Fern Lake, it was my legacy to help her solve her father’s murder.

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In the sequel, Black Cat and the Lethal Lawyer we added ‘alliteration’ to the catchy, informational book title. Isn’t it obvious that the story is about a crooked lawyer? Grrr! And don’t you love the LL? Kimberlee took the family to her grandmother’s Texas horse ranch. This is where I met my soulmate, with eyes the color of mustard and stripes the color of marigolds. It was love at first bite…er sight! Kimberlee learned pretty quickly that the lawyer had embezzled Grandma’s money through a fake children’s charity. Can murder be far behind when she plans to disinherit the charity and leave her money to her granddaughter? I had to face a killer to prevent him from murdering her sorry….self.

Which brings us to Black Cat and the Accidental Angel.

You’re right! Sounds like there is going to be angel! When I woke up in a busted cat carrier and realized I’d been left behind following an MVA, there was a golden striped feline by my side. I had a conk on my noggin and no memory of my name or my former life. She said, “Call me Angel. I’m here to take care of you.” Despite my questions, for some reason, she wouldn’t share any history. Where had we met? Why did she claim to be my bride? She seemed pretty sure of her claim and…and she was as cute as a catnip mouse.

We began a journey to find home. Certain events brought us to John’s Emu ranch and vineyard where he and his daughter, Cindy took us in. In spite of a babbling brook, virgin vineyard, and caring persons to feed us, it was clear, we had landed squawk in a peck of trouble.

John’s ex-wife gave him grief and he was about one giant hairball from foreclosure. His hope was that the sale of his Emu chicks could fend off foreclosure until his vineyard’s first harvest. John had faith and prayed for guidance, and I had a few lessons of my own to learn, dealing with grief, loss, doubt, pride and shame as we encountered a roller coaster of thrills and chills.

So there we were, facing financial disaster and potential homelessness again as increasingly dangerous pranks began to threaten Cindy’s safety.

In spite of my selfish demands to get back on the road and find home, Angel put her nose up and her paw down. She was convinced divine destiny brought us to this place to help John and Cindy. I let her convince me to linger. But, then Angel risked her life to save her loved ones. Was I about to lose the only link to my past and my dearest soul mate?

And the title, Black Cat and the Accidental Angel? Well, Angel has a tale of her own to tell, but I won’t spoil it now. You won’t want to miss the opportunity to hear our story of faith, prayer, sacrifice and love as we tell our truth a different way...through the eyes of a cat.

Thanks Thumper!

Here’s a bit about Thumper’s pal, author Elaine Faber!

Elaine Faber lives in Northern California with her husband and four cats. She is a member of Sisters in Crime, Cat Writers Association, and Inspire Christian Writers. She is the author of three cozy cat mysteries. Experience the adventures through Thumper’s eyes as he helps his person solve intrigue, mysteries and mayhem, while staying true to his magnificent self and his soulmate, Angel.

Black Cat’s Legacy

Black Cat and the Lethal Lawyer

Black Cat and the Accidental Angel.

All three novels are available at Amazon.com.

Elaine and Thumper will give one lucky commenter their choice of title in e-book format!

To enter, leave a comment on this blog post with your name and email address (entries without email will be disqualified). Put your choice of book in the comment. For extra entries, you can do any or all of the below:

* Follow my blog (+ 1 point)
* Follow me on Twitter (+ 1 point) (Link: https://twitter.com/RoccoBlogger)
* Tweet about the contest (+ 1 point)
* Friend me on Facebook (+ 1 point) (Link: https://www.facebook.com/ToniLotempio)#!/

* Mention the contest on Facebook (+ 1 point)
* Mention the contest on your blog (+ 1 point)

Winner will be chosen at random using random.org.  Don’t forget to mention all you’ve done in your comment. Good luck! Contest ends midnight, August 12!