On November 4, I took part in a Sisters in Crime Canada West author showcase featuring readings by six SinC-CW authors: Karen Abrahamson, Cathy Ace, me, Joanna Vander Vlugt, PD Workman and Susan Wright. All of us were reading from recent releases or about-to-be released crime fiction novels.
My reading was from my brand-new release, Identity Withheld.
I’m pleased to be in another story bundle curated by Dean Wesley Smith. My near future, post-apocalyptic-or-maybe-not-so-post-apocalyptic SFF novel Obeah is in great company with nine other books, including one collection and one anthology. Here’s part of what Dean has to say on the StoryBundle blog:
“…I get a chance to find writers to look into the future again, only on the downward side of the pandemic. And there is all kinds of science fiction in these books, from galaxy-spanning space opera to generation ships to near future science fiction. And yes, this time even one that looks at a world after pandemics. In my opinion, we need them all. These visions are science fiction in nature, looking out into the possibilities of the future.”
For a minimum of $5, you get four books. For a minimum $15, you get all 10. Plus, you get a chance to donate to a charity. Everybody wins.
It’s a real chuff to be included among these fine writers. I can’t wait to read all the stories!
I’m thrilled to report that my “women’s thriller” novel, Shelter, is featured in the Getting Justice Storybundle for the next three weeks. I’m in excellent company, with seven other novels plus two short story collections, all featuring mysteries that deal with justice. Here’s what Curator Dean Smith has to say, in part, about the bundle:
JUSTICE: A GREAT WORD: by Dean Wesley Smith
I learned that if you ask a writer for a story about justice, you get all kinds of books and genres. But mostly when you say the word “Justice” you get mystery and crime fiction.
And that was fine by me. To be honest, that’s what I thought of when I started putting together a bundle of books with the theme “Getting Justice.”
Turns out the concept of justice isn’t so easy to define. I know, I ended up looking it up. The most common term in the many definitions is “fair.” For example, the best definition in my mind for the idea of justice is “the quality of being just, impartial, or fair…”
But when you add the word “Getting” in front of the word “Justice” it brings up an entirely different form of story.
For StoryBundle, you decide what price you want to pay. For $5 (or more, if you’re feeling generous), you’ll get the basic bundle of four books in any ebook format—WORLDWIDE.
Unexpected Good Guys by Annie Reed
Independent by Means of Magic by Kari Kilgore
Shelter by Marcelle Dubé
Justice by Fiction River
If you pay at least the bonus price of just $15, you get all four of the regular books, plus six more books, for a total of 10!
The Meter’s Always Running by C.A. Rowland
Help Me Nora by Diana Deverell
Beyond the Grave by R.W. Wallace
Death by Polka by Robert Jeschonek
Ace High by Dean Wesley Smith
Street Justice by Kris Nelscott
This bundle is available only for a limited time via http://www.storybundle.com. It allows easy reading on computers, smartphones, and tablets as well as Kindle and other ereaders via file transfer, email, and other methods. You get multiple DRM-free formats (epub, mobi) for all books!
I guess it’s official. They announced it on YouTube and everything. I won the Crime Writers of Canada Award of Excellence for my short story, “Cold Wave.”
Forgive me for bragging a little. The judges called “Cold Wave” a “mini masterpiece,” and said the story had “pitch-perfect pacing” and that “the humour is delightful.”
To say I’m pleased is an understatement.
The best part is that the story was published in Sisters in Crime – Canada West’s inaugural anthology, Crime Wave. And not only that, one of my chapter sisters, Winona Kent, was also nominated for her novella, “Salty Dog Blues.” Now that’s a feather in our cap.
Thank you all for your kind congratulations. It’s much appreciated. I would like to congratulate the winners in the other categories. You will find them all listed in the Crime Writers of Canadanews release.
Travel Yukon, the Government of Yukon’s official tourism arm, started the Yukon Book Club for people who can’t physically travel to the Yukon because of Covid-19. It features fiction and non-fiction books, classics and new releases, all of which connect to the Yukon in one way or another.
And now they’re featuring The Shoeless Kid, the first of my Mendenhall Mystery series. While Shoeless is set in the fictional town of Mendenhall, Manitoba, it was born in the Yukon—from the inspiration for the book to the name of the town, all Yukon.
I love Christmas, even this year. I love it so much that I’ve actually written a few romantic Christmas short stories over the years. If you’re in the mood for some light (mostly light) reading, here are some short stories that might warm your heart.
Well, it’s been a while, eh? I have a good excuse. Since I last posted here, I’ve sold my house, moved out of the Yukon and into Alberta! I bought a house and have been busy setting it up. I never thought I would leave the Yukon but a brand-new grandchild changed my mind. Although I’ve lived in many parts of Canada–and visited everywhere else–I’d never lived in Alberta. Turns out Alberta is absolutely beautiful and Albertans are a lot like Yukoners: warm, welcoming, and funny.
I’m going to like it here.
Now that I have my computer set up, I can tell you about a book bundle I’m in. Worlds Beyond Disaster features two short stories, one novelette and four novels by seven fine, fine writers (at the risk of being immodest). The bundle includes Backli’s Ford, which is the first in my A’lle Chronicles Mysteries series. All that for $4.99. It’s available everywhere ebooks are sold, but it’s super easy to get it directly from BundleRabbit.
Corrupt governments, secret societies, mutated creatures, and post-apocalypse Earth meet strong-willed characters, unexpected hope, and gripping action.
For fans of Suzanne Collins, James Dashner, and George Orwell, a new dystopian ebook bundle is here! Filled with seven action-packed stories that pose the questions: What would you do in the face of disaster? And how far would you go to save the world?
Home Run and Troll Country are no longer free. Instead, I offer The Saffron Curse:
“…a great romp set in a Vancouver restaurant. This was good fun.” (SF Crowsnest)
Chef Eddie and his partner Amanda luck into a cheap site for the new restaurant they want to build. The old man they buy it from warns them that the site is cursed and makes them promise never to use saffron in their restaurant. But Eddie isn’t superstitious, and when a career-making critic shows up asking for his famous Badaboom monkfish dish—which contains saffron—well, what’s an ambitious chef to do?
This story was featured in Tangent Online’s 2018 Recommended Reading List.
“The story’s pace and prose bristle with the energy of a crowded kitchen.” (Tangent Online)
This one will be available for free for about a week.
Like most of you, I’m trying to be socially responsible during this Covid-19 pandemic, which means staying at home. I find myself feeling… a little useless. So, if I can’t actively help during these trying times, maybe I can entertain others who are trapp need a break.
I’ve made two short stories available for free, if you’re looking for a little escapism. Neither one has anything to do with pandemics. They’re not free on Amazon because it takes forever for Amazon to flip to free. Smashwords can provide the stories in .mobi format.
Hang in there, everyone.
HOME RUN: At ten years old—almost eleven—Cooper knows more about surviving than most adults. He and his mom have spent the past three years on the run from the monster. Every time they settle down somewhere new, the monster finds them and they have to run again. But Cooper likes their latest home in Mendenhall and he doesn’t want to leave. Even when the monster finds them again.
