Ah, the upside of writing series set in beautiful location. I thought that today, I’d share a little backstory on what inspired my Golden Motel Mysteries and how it led to two glorious vacations, I mean research trips, to Cali’s Gold Rush Country. If you drive 4-5 hours west from this spectacular view, you’re at the Pacific Ocean. I love this state! In the late … Continue reading The Perks of “Research”
My second Golden Motel Mystery, Solid Gold Murder, launches on 7/29 – hello, shameless plug! I like to try something new in terms of promotion with every launch. I’ve always thought it would be fun to have a map of the fictional locations in my series, so I connected with mapmaker extraordinaire Rhys Davies and put him to work. The first step was determining the … Continue reading Mapping out Gold County
It’s been a week since I returned from this year’s Malice Domestic convention and I’m still on a high from it. Malice felt exceptional this year. It’s like it got its con battery recharged and reached 100% positive energy. There were a ton of first-time attendees representing a wide range of ages. There were even more guys than usual, which added just the right touch … Continue reading Malice Memories – and a Misconception
Howdy, all! I noticed a blank space on our calendar, so I’m swooping in to share that Kensington is running a Goodreads Giveaway for 100 copies of the trade paperback edition of A Very Woodsy Murder from now through May 11. You can click here to enter. Good luck and have a great weekend! I’ll be back on Monday to share some memories of last … Continue reading A Goodreads Giveaway from Ellen
On the last Saturday of every month my local library, the Studio City branch of the Los Angeles Public Library system, hosts a book sale. And on every last Saturday of a month that I’m in town, I am there. Studio City Library, from the LAPL website I can’t remember when I realized the sale existed or it became a vital part of my life. … Continue reading I Heart Friends of Library Sales
Greetings from New Orleans, where it’s Carnival Season. That’s right, Mardi Gras is one day – Fat Tuesday – but the partying in NOLA starts on the Epiphany, January 6. (Technically, partying is a year-round event here, but I’m talking MG specifics.) When hubby Jer learned this, he said, “Let’s not go for the actual day, when it’s insane there. Why not do the week … Continue reading Mardi Gras Paradin’, Ellen Style
(Once again, Bruce Springsteen’s song is painfully appropriate.) I’m no stranger to cataclysmic events. My first date with Jer was postponed by the L.A. riots. Our wedding venue was red-tagged right after the Northridge earthquake. My father was working in the Empire State Building on 9/11 and my brother worked downtown. Eliza and I evacuated for Hurricane Ida and watched the New Orleans power grid … Continue reading My City in Ruins
Season’s greetings, beloved readers! We hope you enjoy the yearly sharing of our holiday baby Chicks cards. We’re very sad this will be our last Christmas card post with our dear pal Kathy Valenti. We’ll miss you, Kathy! We’re taking a break for the holidays, but we’ll be back on January 6th. Until then, we wish you and yours the happiest of happy seasons and … Continue reading Happy Ho-Ho-Holidays!
Hi, it’s Cammie, ruler of the Byron-Remillong household. Last week I heard Mom going on and on about how this dog Lily was “soooooo cute,” and not gonna lie, I got kinda jealous. So I hijacked Mom’s computer to tell you about another pooch who is “sooooo cute.” ME! First, a little backstory, as my mom calls it. I wound up as a pregnant stray … Continue reading My turn, Lily!
Hi! Ellen here, on the road from Chicago to L.A. after a lovely day spent at the Midwest Mystery Conference and long weekend in this awesome city where many of hubby Jer’s college friends live. (He went to Marquette in Milwaukee, if you’re wondering, and is from St. Louis. He’s got some serious Midwest bona fides.) I never intended to be on and off the … Continue reading Big Tree Energy
I’ve been promoting FRENCH QUARTER FRIGHT NIGHT all over the place, which has brought up the irony that I wasn’t a fan of Halloween growing up. I have one photo of me in a costume from my childhood and I can barely muster up a smile. Partly because my mother pulled my hair into the tightest, most painful bun of my life, and partly because … Continue reading Memories of Halloween
When I joined SoCalMWA, the local chapter of Mystery Writers of America, I lucked out. Every year, the chapter kicks into gear in the fall with a gumbo party, hosted by chef extraordinaire Bill Fitzhugh and his lovely wife Kendall. If you know my connection to New Orleans, you know how happy this makes me. (Bill is from Mississippi, but his gumbo is so good … Continue reading It’s Gumbo Season… in SoCal?
Chicks on the Case 