Jen here, and I’m excited to have Annie on the blog today. She’s such a warm person and has a wonderful debut, RESORT TO MURDER, coming your way. (Don’t you just love the title?) More about Annie below:
Thank you, Jennifer Chow, for your gracious invitation. I’m such a fan of the Chicks and am so grateful to have met some of you fabulous ladies in person.
When people first meet me, they don’t see me and think, “I bet that lady baits a mean hook,” or “She looks like she’s mucked a few stalls in her time.” The vibe I give off leans toward ‘mom who bakes the class cupcakes’ or ‘most likely to volunteer for anything as long as it’s air-conditioned.’ In school, I was the shy girl who spent study hall working in the library and faked stomachaches to get out of PE. Little did anyone know, the dorky bookworm started every weekend shoveling “fertilizer” and feeding the animals on her family’s small farm. Did I enjoy cleaning up after our horses, cows, sheep, and naughty goat? Not particularly, but that was farm life! When chore time was over, I grabbed my newest library find and hit the hammock between the tall walnut trees. I was a sucker for a good mystery or historical fiction. Of course, there were plenty of Saturdays that the whole family had to trek into our woods and help stack firewood Dad had cut. (Geesh! I sound like I grew up in the 1880s instead of the 1980s!) Then, we’d be off to church on Sunday, and I’d return to looking like the girl who hated getting sweaty.
From middle school, until I married at twenty-two, my family vacationed in the Northwoods of Wisconsin on Lake Namekagon. Some years, we’d stay in a cabin on a small family-owned resort. But mostly, the six of us and our Collie camped…in a three-room tent…with no electricity. That meant no curling irons, radio(except my totally awesome Walkman), and definitely no television. There was whining, though.
Of course, I brought books—so many books! Sure, I loved water skiing, tubing down the Namekagon River, and horseback riding at Benson’s Ranch, but sitting on the pier with my fictional friends was heavenly.
We’d all go fishing on these trips, but my sisters and brother would get bored. So, it’d usually end up being my parents and I out on the water, rods in hand. I loved those moments with them, especially during my last vacation before I married Brian. That particular summer in 1995, I won Mogasheen’s Resort’s Fishing Contest! I caught the biggest Small Mouth Bass of the season. I…the one who screamed bloody murder when I saw a mouse run across our hiking path the day before. Nobody back home believed that I baited my hook, cast it, reeled that bad boy in, and took it off the hook. I’m pretty proud of my little win. All these years later, I still have the trophy they sent me. My name is on the wall of fame even all these years later.
I’m the epitome of “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” What would people be surprised to know about you?
GIVEAWAY: Annie is giving away a signed copy of Resort to Murder to one randomly selected commenter below.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
When Emmy Cooper’s life in Chicago is turned upside down, the young interior designer retreats to her family’s lake cottage resort in the beautiful Wisconsin Northwoods for a much-needed break. Hoping to clear her mind and gain a fresh perspective, she looks forward to enjoying the slower pace and the crisp, clean pine air at her beloved Cooper’s Cove Resort with her family, dogs, and her best friend, Whitney.
Unfortunately, her homecoming isn’t as calm as she’d hoped when Emmy finds out a ruthless development company is relentlessly pressuring Lake Covington property owners, including Emmy’s family, to sell their land so they can build an extravagant, modern resort that would ruin the quaint esthetic of the area. And things only get worse when Emmy finds the dead body of one of the developers floating in the lake—murdered!
Suddenly the police are involved, and since Emmy’s father was leading the fight to stop the shady development from getting approval, he’s quickly painted as the prime suspect. Now it’s up to Emmy to prove her father’s innocence, save the reputation of Cooper’s Cove, and find out who would resort to murder.
ABOUT ANNIE:
Annie McEwen is the author of the Northwoods Mysteries Series, set amongst the tall pines and
sparkling lakes of northern Wisconsin, where she spent vacations as a kid. Because of a sweet love
story between her youngest sister and a local Wisconsin boy, she’s still been able to keep on visiting
the beautiful place that means so much to her. A former farm kid, Annie and her husband are empty
nesters living in their rural Indiana home. Their son is married to his high-school sweetheart, and
their daughter is married with two adorable toddler boys. Being grandparents is definitely the best
gig ever! They also have four fur babies, one of whom is a very important character in her
books. When Annie isn’t writing, playing with her grandsons, or gardening, she works as a
radiological technologist, aka, she takes pictures of bones…you can’t hide much from her! She’s a
member of Sisters in Crime and loves attending mystery conventions.
Your backstory made my morning, Annie! Grabbed a copy of your book, too. Thanks for the post, Jen.
Grant,
You just made MY morning! Thank you so much! Happy Reading!
Annie
Happy to have Annie here today!
Thank you! It was so sweet of you to invite me!
Annie, so funny, I sent you an invite to guest via Twitter the other day! I didn’t know you already were. Congratulations on the debut! It sounds wonderful and I love the cover. People – and you! – might be surprised to know I spent four months in the woods of Wisconsin doing summer stock at a theatre halfway between Tomahawk and Minacqua! We did some awful plays. I’m embarrassed to share that I was Natalie in “Natalie Needs a Nightie.” I spent the whole play wrapped in a towel. I’ve blocked everything else from my mind!
Ellen,
Thank you for your kind words! It means so much! I’m sorry I didn’t see your invite, but fortunately great minds think alike! 😉
I know that area of WI. That little bit of trivia might be the best thing I’ve heard in a LONG time time! 😂 The big question…are there photos available to a longtime, adoring fan? LOL!
Annie
I think I burned the photos!
Looking forward to meeting you in person at Malice, Annie!
Hahaha!
What a wild role, El!
LOL, tell me about it!
Um…did Natalie get her nightie in the end, hopefully? (And is that even a word anymore?)
Hahaha! Yes🤣
God help me. I don’t remember. All I remember is doing the damn towel.
Annie, I would have camped with your family with pleasure – and grabbed the hammock after you. I guess a stranger would not guess I have a second-degree black belt, given my knee and balance issues. But I do!
Liz,
I would’ve loved that! Heck, we’d put up another hammock just for you!
A second-degree black belt??? Lady! You’re amazing! 🤩
Annie
(Can you be my bodyguard, Liz? 🙂 )
Same here, Liz! The camping part, not the black belt part. I did a ton of camping as a kid and gutting fish was my favorite part! I tried to wax poetic about the virtues of this endeavor with my kids but they’d have none of my nonsense.
Glad you’re here, Annie … and congrats!! *waving madly and tossing confetti*
My fish always went back–catch n’ release all the way! (I don’t eat seafood, lol.) And someone else always baited my hook. I did enjoy digging for worms, though.
Becky, I can’t imagine how much fun you’d be on a camping trip! 😂 My kids were the same way. No camping shenanigans for them!
Thank you for having me! (Love the confetti! 🎉) Last year at Malice when you became besties with Paula Charles and me (wink), I never thought I’d be a guest on Chicks! Bucket list check!
Nobody I’d rather be in a bucket with!
This sounds like a book right up my alley! Love the post!
Sarah,
YAY! I hope you enjoy Emmy and the gang! I’m happy you enjoyed the post! Thanks for stopping by!
Annie
Hi Annie! I “met” you last night on Ellie Alexander’s live chat. I just love the way the mystery community supports new authors like you. Most people are surprised I used to carry a gun and knife on the job. Well, a pricing gun and box cutter, but it doesn’t sound nearly as exciting when I put it that way lol. Your book is on my TBR and I look forward to reading it,
Hi, Sue! I’m so happy to formally meet! I’ve seen you on Ellie’s Lives for years now- so it’s nice actually connect! 😊 The mystery community is THE best- so warm and welcoming!
You had me going there for a second! HAHA! I love it! I’m sure you still have plenty of interesting stories.
Thanks for adding RTM to your list! Enjoy!
Annie
“pricing gun and box cutter”–lol, Sue!
Congratulations on your book baby, Annie! I’ve vacationed in Wisconsin a couple of times and really enjoyed. Most folks don’t know that when I was in the sixth grade, I played Charlie Brown in a production of Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown. That was a lot of fun!
I could see that, JC! I’m sure you were an amazing Charlie Brown.
You’re a good man, JC Kenney!
Thanks, J.C.! Wisconsin is full of fun things to do. I LOVE that little piece of Kenney trivia! We might need video footage! Annie
Yay on your debut, Annie! Since there’s been a trend about being in productions, I’ll share a tidbit that I was in my high school’s drama club. I even co-directed a play one year, but I also remember doing people’s stage makeup (eek–glad they never complained).
Jen,
How fun! You’re a woman of many talents! I loved being in plays, but I don’t think I’d have the creativity to direct. The makeup sounds fun! I loved set design and costumes.
Annie
Will you be my makeup person for next conference banquet?
Congratulations Annie on your debut!How wonderfully exciting for you!
Thank you! It’s been absolutely amazing!
Annie
I think a lot of people were surprised when I started doing mud runs, but that’s been almost 15 years, so it doesn’t surprise people much any more.
Congrats on your debut! (And yes, please enter me in the giveaway.)
Mark,
Mud runs! Wow! They always look fun, but I know they’re actually tough. Thank you and you are entered in the giveaway!
Annie
I was a horse-obsessed pre-teen, so the few times I mucked out stalls I thought it was great fun. (The operative word there is “few”; had I done it often, I’m sure the charm would have worn off.)
Thanks so much for visiting the Chicks today, Annie, and big congrats on your debut–it looks terrific!
Leslie,
Haha! I remember how much fun I thought it was…for the first couple of weeks! Thank you so much! I’m absolutely thrilled to be here!
Annie
Lol, Annie!
Congratulations on your debut! Added to my list.
YAY! Thank you, Mary! I hope it gives you all the cozy feels!
Annie
Sounds fun Thank you for the chance
Thank you! Good luck!
Congratulations on your debut. Not many people know this, but I once worked as a front desk receptionist at a homeless shelter. It was challenging but also rewarding.
Thank you! I’m sure you’ve seen it all. I can imagine it being a rewarding experience.
Thanks for stopping by!
Annie
Welcome, Annie, and congrats on your debut (and your fishing win, lo those years ago!).
I look like (in my sainted mother’s words) a kindergarten teacher (she herself taught first grade), but people are often surprised to know that I’m a bit of a hard rock fan. Plus, I can play The Eye of the Tiger on my flute. So there’s that.
Wait, whaaa? Kathy, your fellow Chicks (and possibly the rest of the mystery world) did not know about this intriguing Tiger deal. I bet we could get Chick Emerita Marla Cooper to accompany you on her ukelele.
Haha! I would love that! Chicks Reunion Tour!
Love it! 😍
First of all, I wouldn’t have expected the hard rock info. Secondly- Eye of the Tiger on the flute?! THAT IS FABULOUS! Lol! Now I want to learn it on the piano(but that doesn’t sound as fun!)
Annie
I’d love to hear it!
Annie, what a great fishing story! It’s not very exciting, but sometimes people are surprised I am left handed. You have to adapt a lot in a right handed world, so at work, I figure It’s because I taught myself to use “regular” scissors.
Thanks! I think it would be tough being a leftie. Kudos on the scissors!
n your new release!! Yay!! Thank you for sharing your story. Love it! Like you, I always bring a book with when I have to be in line somewhere – like banks, DMV, etc – before the online thing is so popular.. I still have books with me – more of the ebooks on my phone. So, I am a bookworm since I was a kid!
Thank you for writing and please keep writing! Love what you do, and do what you love!
Thank you! You sound just like me! I totally agree! ❤️
Annie, it’s so nice to meet you here on Chicks! Sorry I’m late to the party–but huge congrats on your debut. The story sounds amazing, and that is one stunning cover. (Extra points added from this Golden owner.) I have fond memories of family camping in Maine–still remember that beautiful scent of pine in the mornings (I live in NH, but…not the same.) I fished with a stick, string, and a bent pin (caught a lot of sunnies) off the dock until my dad finally deemed me ready for a junior rod. Congrats again, and looking forward to seeing you in person in Bethesda!
Thank you, Lisa! Goldens are awesome! Camping in Maine? Fun! There’s nothing like that crisp pine air! I love the stick pole method!
Can’t wait to meet you!
That I am a domestic violence survivor.
I admire your courage! Best of luck with this new chapter of your life!
CONGRATULATIONS to Cherierj! You are the winner of a paperback copy of RESORT TO MURDER!
The winner’s name was picked out of a bowl by a very excited three year old.
Be on the lookout for an email from me.
Thanks to everyone for their lovely comments and support! I’ve had a great time! Thanks, Chicks, for having me! You all are awesome!
Annie
Thank you so much! So excited to read it!
The first, and only, play I wrote was Sherlock Holmes and the Chocolate Factory with besties Scarlett and Anita. We were in 5th grade and performed it for the second grade. Not to brag, but I think my writing was probably marginally better than my acting! I played Watson.
Thanks for visiting today, Annie! Did you fry that fish?
Well, I wrote a comment and it disappeared. If it shows up twice, I apologize but it will be a bit different. I was never very good at sports. I was not a great swimmer, tennis player or anything else. I did do well at exercise later in life. I later bloomed in life when I got married. He introduced me to canoeing, fishing, gun shooting, and football. I love every one of those sports. I have caught so many fish and I love it. My favorite sport though right now is college football. Hook ’em Horns. I would love to win your book. Thank you.