2024 came in like a battering ram for me. As many of you know, my mother died on January 3rd, the day after her 97th birthday. Despite her age, her death was unexpected and up-ended my life a bit. Okay, a lot. I haven’t even had time to grieve, to be honest. I’m guessing that will come at the end of March when I’m staring … Continue reading A L’il Help From the Hive Mind
It’s Oscar season–and you know what that means, readers! Time for us Chicks to spill on the celebs we’d most love to hang out with this year–and maybe a personal award nom or two…
Continue reading “Chick Chat: Stars in Our Eyes”
Chicks on the Case is thrilled to bring you Iris Yamashita and her fascinating road to becoming a mystery author. Remember that Friends episode where Ross kept yelling “Pivot!” as he, Chandler and Rachel tried to get a couch around a bend in the stairs? Well, “Pivot!” is what I hear in my head when I think about my road to becoming a book author. … Continue reading Guest Chick: Iris Yamashita
The sequel to In Good Company, a previous compilation of quotes, follows…many of these offer advice that could apply to more than writing! There is no perfect time to write. There’s only now. ~ Barbara Kingsolver You fail only if you stop writing. ~ Ray Bradbury Actually, every time we begin, we wonder how we did it before. Each time is a new journey with … Continue reading In Good Company Again
I really do. Books, of course, but also TV, movies, and spoken word. I set a timer to sit down at three o’clock on Saturday afternoons to listen to The Moth Radio Hour whenever I’m home. Three or four people tell stories on a particular theme. They’re hilarious and they can break your heart, often in the same piece. I come from a long line … Continue reading I Love Stories
We are thrilled to have a visit from Edgar-nominated author Mary Winters today (congratulations on the nomination, Mary!). Please join us in giving her a warm welcome back to Chicks on the Case and please enjoy this fascinating and thought-provoking post. Thank you, Chicks on the Case, for inviting me on the blog today, and a special thanks to Cynthia Kuhn, who is one of … Continue reading Guest Chick: Mary Winters
This is a story of rejection, perseverance, and generosity. A few years back, the mystery writers convention Malice Domestic announced that the subject for their next anthology of short stories would be food and cooking. I’d never penned a short story before, but given my love of all things culinary, I thought, “Great! I’ll try my hand at it and write a one about food!” … Continue reading Long Story, Short
Welcome to “Chicks Celebration,” our fun new Chicks on the Case feature! Join us as we Chicks share what we’re currently celebrating (book release, new idea, recent read)… 1. Which Chick is celebrating? Jen 2. The reason for the celebration? the launch of Ill-Fated Fortune (Feb 20th) 3. What did you do? As always, I had a fabulous blog tour with Great Escapes Book Tours, organized by Lori … Continue reading Chicks Celebration: Launch of ILL-FATED FORTUNE
Jen here. A very warm welcome to Tara Lush; I was lucky enough to spend time with her at the inaugural Ashland Mystery Fest last year. I so relate to her gardening (un)skill. Take it away, Tara! A Bean to Die For Tara Lush The inspiration for my book came from my backyard. No, I’m not some amazing, award-winning gardener. I’ve actually killed succulents, cacti, … Continue reading Guest Chick: Tara Lush
Hurrah! It’s release day for Ill-Fated Fortune! This is the first book in Jen’s Magical Fortune Cookie series. Praise includes: “This first in a new series featuring a likable Chinese American heroine will appeal to fans of Jenn McKinlay, Eve Calder, or Joanne Fluke.” ―Booklist “I enjoyed all aspects of the pleasantly appealing whodunit.” ―Dru’s Book Musings ABOUT THE BOOK The first in the heart-warming … Continue reading Happy Book Birthday to ILL-FATED FORTUNE
I’ve never been fond of Alice from Lewis Carroll’s ALICE’S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND. She’s easily bored, asks endless questions, and she’s often cross and disrespectful. In short, a brat. Continue reading Chasing Rabbits: Me, Myself & Alice
Ah, Hawaii… land of gentle breezes, Aloha spirit, and irritable dinosaurs. The latter reserved for the big screen, of course. I just returned from a lovely Oahu getaway with Ian, during which we went to Kualoa Ranch, a full-time ranch and sometime film location known as the backlot of Hawaii. What surprised me–in addition to how many people love George of the Jungle–was how often … Continue reading Movie Magic
Chicks on the Case 