Stylist: What can I do for you? Me [indicating longish, past-the-shoulders hair]: I’d like a trim, please. Stylist: Ok, what would you like? Me: It’s all the same length, so how about just a half-inch all around? Stylist: Great. [two minutes later] Stylist: Um, the back is longer than the front, so is it ok if I cut an inch off there? Me: So that … Continue reading The Scarecut
I write romantic suspense as Patricia Sargeant, cozy mysteries as Olivia Matthews, and contemporary romance as Regina Hart. It can be a bit much. We can drill into it another time, if you’re interested. Maybe over caramel macchiatos and chocolate-chip cookies as big as our heads. Continue reading Watch your tone
Jen here. Happy–and not scared–to have Patricia as our guest. Love being introduced to her neighborhood. And check out that beautiful wreath! A Scaredy Cat Confesses My nice neighbor with her lovely porch and its pretty outdoor bench has been hosting two full-size skeletons, sitting nicely together on a cushion, for a month. Her Halloween decorations. Never mind the holiday’s past. But the skeletons? They’re … Continue reading Guest Chick: Patricia Raybon
I’ve been reading Michael Pollan’s new book, A World Appears: A Journey into Consciousness. Pollan was a writing professor at UC Berkeley and Harvard (I think he’s mostly retired from teaching now), and I’ve been a fan of his ever since his early book, The Omnivore’s Dilemma, for his clear and beautiful writing about food, botany, general science, philosophy, and now, that most difficult yet … Continue reading Conscious of Being Conscious
Leaning into the Halloween theme, let’s talk about putting on our costumes — or rather, getting into character. How do authors develop their protagonists, antagonists, and supporting characters? Do we channel our characters or leave the sculpting to our Muses? And how relatable do readers want their protagonists to be? Do we want characters who could live next door or would we prefer to meet … Continue reading Chick Chat – How do you get into character?
We always love having Chicks friend Judy Penz Sheluk join us. Today, she brings a co-author… and shares how they planned for the release of their fascinating new book. Planning a Book Launch Today is a special day for me, and not just because I’m returning as a guest on the Chicks. It’s special because today is publication day for my latest book, A Fatal … Continue reading Guest Chicks: Judy Penz Sheluk and Amanda Capper
For Linus of Peanuts fame, Halloween was all about the pumpkins—and unshakable faith in one in particular. Would you, too, wait through the night in a worthy patch for the mysterious Great Pumpkin’s annual return? Or go for the candy? It’s said that Jack of lantern fame was once a real person who made a bad deal with the devil. He ended up forever doomed … Continue reading The Great Pumpkin Lives!
It’s October, and instead of regaling you with another love letter to the Spooky Season (“We know, we know, you love Halloween!”) I’m going to make a confession. I low-key suck at Halloween costumes. Maybe if I had an awesome Halloween party to attend, I would up my game. Or maybe if I had kiddos to take trick-or-treating, I would try planning ahead. But I’m … Continue reading An Author’s Guide to Halloween Costumes
We are delighted to be hosting our dear friend and colleague J.C. Kenney, award-winning and bestselling author of the North Star Series, Darcy Gaughan Mysteries, Allie Cobb Mysteries, and Elmo Simpson Mysteries! A Big Thank You Hi, folks and Happy Hump Day! It’s a thrill to be back visiting with the Chicks and you all today. As you may know, I’m celebrating the release … Continue reading Guest Chick: J.C. Kenney
Happy book birthday to Leslie Karst, whose Orchid Isle mystery, MURDER, LOCAL STYLE, releases today as a PAPERBACK–hurrah! About Murder, Local Style: Retired caterer Valerie Corbin investigates a suspicious poisoning in this Orchid Isle cozy culinary mystery, featuring a feisty queer couple who swap surfing lessons for sleuthing sessions in tropical Hilo, Hawai‘i. A dinner to die for! It’s been an eventful transition, … Continue reading Paperback Release of MURDER, LOCAL STYLE!
Apologies to Ellen Byron, I accidentally scheduled this post a week early and it published right after hers! Let’s try this again on the right date, today, October 19th. Murders at the Grand Alpine Hotel, is a new Miss Marple mystery by celebrated mystery author Lucy Foley. Murders at the Grand Alpine Hotel is set at a glamorous retreat in the Swiss Alps with an … Continue reading New Agatha Christie: Murder at the Grand Alpine Hotel
I’m not big on ghouls and goblins, but for some reason, when this season comes around, I always fall for the pumpkin marketing. I blame it on my friend Lisa (not our Chicks Lisa), who taught me how to make pumpkin bread in elementary school. Mmm. Ever since then, I have a soft spot for all things pumpkin-y. My seasonal decadent indulgence is a slice … Continue reading Pumpkin, Spice, and Everything Nice
