Today is My Eldest Daughter's Birthday

 

“What has that got to do with mysteries or writing mysteries?” you ask. Not usually much, but in the case of The Trash Harem actually quite a bit. Not her birthday so much as my daughter herself. While talking about life in the 55 plus gated community where she and her husband now live, the title and the kernel of an idea for a new Deputy Tempe Crabtree was a part of her description of their new life.

Daughter Dana has always been a fan of my Deputy Tempe Crabtree mysteries. Before our latest visit to our daughter’s home, I’d decided End of the Trail would be the last in the series. Many of my readers thought it probably was too, though not everyone was happy about it.

While describing all the things they do, and especially the habit our son-in-law has settled into, an idea for a new Tempe mystery began forming. Once I mentioned it, Dana, and my other daughter, Lisa, who was with us thought it was a great idea. We talked about it some, and Lisa and I came up with some more ideas on the way home and I jotted them down in a small tablet.

Once home and settled, I began thinking more about the plot and the characters. When I write, the characters drive the plot, so I began creating the people who would inhabit this tale—who they were, what they looked like, their personalities and their importance.

From there the writing flowed. Of course there was some research to do about things I wanted to include—but research these days with the Internet is so much easier than it once was. I also sent a few emails to Dana asking her questions about things I needed to know.

Of course the story took on some twists and turns I hadn’t expected, but that’s what’s fun about writing.

Daughter Dana and her husband Mike

Marilyn

Official Blurb:

Deputy Tempe Crabtree has retired from her job in Bear Creek when friends, who once lived in Bear Creek and attended Pastor Hutch’s church, ask her to visit them in Temecula. The husband, Jonathan, is a suspect in what might be a murder case. The retirement community includes many interesting characters, any of whom might have had a better motive than Jonathan. There is also a connection to Earle Stanley Gardner as well as the Pechanga Old Oak. What is a trash harem? You’ll have to read the book to find out.

To purchase The Trash Harem

https://www.amazon.com/Trash-Harem-Tempe-Crabtree-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B096KZDPH8/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=The+Trash+Harem+by+Marilyn+Meredith&qid=1622899167&s=books&sr=1-1

Marilyn Meredith’s Bio:

She is the author of over 40 published books including the Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery series, and writing as F. M. Meredith, the Rocky Bluff P.D. series. She’s a member of two chapters of Sisters in Crime and the Public Safety Writers Association.

Webpage: http://fictionforyou.com/

Blog: https://marilynmeredith.blogspot.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marilyn.meredith

 

 

 

Well, Darn, I haven't a new book to brag about!

Actually, I have one finished--sort of--a Rocky Bluff P.D. What sort of means is that I haven't quite finished reading it to my writers' group, and I haven't gone over it all the way myself. That's what I'm in the process of doing, though I've had many distractions. Next, I'll send it off to be edited. The biggest being that the publishing house that series is with is in a major flux. More about that at a later time.

I do have a title for it, absolutely no idea for a cover, but hopefully I'll think of one before too long.

I really, really should be starting on a Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery but only have ideas flitting around in my brain, nothing written down as yet.

I've been busy--besides with holiday stuff--doing work that actually brings in some money, so my writing has been put aside.

Family life around here is always lively, because we have three generations living on the property--my granddaughter and her family which consists of her hubby and two darling little girls who live in the house with us. In the small house next door our son and his wife reside. We eat many meals together and I do the majority of the cooking.(I like to cook.)

And of course, there are promotion plans ahead--I have plenty of books to sell at book fairs and when I give presentations.

Hoping to soon have time to get to my writing.

How about you? How is you New Year going?

Oh, and if you haven't heard, California is finally getting some rain--lots of it. Rivers are overflowing everywhere, including the one behind our house.

Marilyn

Another One of Those Busy Times

There are those who think I'm always busy--but the better word might be occupied. But right now, I really am busy.

My next Rocky Bluff P.D. mystery, Violent Departures, is at the publisher's. As I'm writing this, in my in-box is a rough draft of the final product that I need to go over. (By the time this appears I will have done it.)

I received an email from the publisher's assistant as to suggestions for a cover. I'm really not sure. I looked through some stock photos and picked three that might work. A lot will depend upon how the title is done.

One of the things I always do is a blog tour and I'm planning that now. It won't happen until April but it is a lot of work gathering hosts, setting up the calendar and then writing all the blogs. Each one needs to be unique and interesting enough that at least some people will follow along.

I'm also writing the next Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery--and I need to keep at least one chapter ahead of my critique group which meets every week. (Thank goodness, since the book will be due at the end of summer.)

In the meantime, I have to keep hubby happy, run my household, teach my Sunday School class, do my duties as church clerk, and enjoy my big, big family.

This is a photo that inspired the coming Violent Departures.

Marilyn Meredith who who writes the RBPD series as F. M. Meredith

Announcing the Debut of River Spirits

River Spirits is #14 in the Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery series.

Blurb:

While filming a movie on the Bear Creek Indian Reservation, the film crew trespasses on sacred ground, threats are made against the female stars, a missing woman is found by the Hairy Man, an actor is murdered and Deputy Tempe Crabtree has no idea who is guilty. Once again, the elusive and legendary Hairy Man plays an important role in this newest Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery.

It doesn't matter how many books an author has written, it's always exciting when a new one arrives on the scene.

The book can be obtained from the usual places, and in every format directly from the publisher at http://mundania.com/

Bear Creek is very much like the town where I live with a few big exceptions. I moved Bear Creek 1000 feet higher into the mountains for better trees and the chance of more weather.(You can do those things when you're an author.) 

I've given all the places of business new names because sometimes the businesses don't last long in the real town--but I'd like to keep the ones I have in my fictional Bear Creek. Even our historical inn closed this year--but the one in my book is thriving.

October 13-17th, an earlier book in the series, Bears With Us, one of my favorites, will be offered for Kindle for .99 cents. Of course the idea is to have readers sample the series in hopes that they'll want to try others.

In November I'm having a blog tour and I'll be discussing all sorts of things from details about the characters in the series and some insights into my life as a mystery author.

Of course I'll also be doing several in-person events during October.

On the 11th, I'll be with my Rocky Bluff P.D. series publisher at Taste of the Arts in Visalia, CA--a street fair for artists, with a few authors in attendance.

On October 18th, I'll be at the Great Valley Book Fest in Manteca, CA from 10 to 4.

And on October 25th from 1-4 I'll be on a panel with Central Coast Sisers in Crime from 1- 4 at the Atascadero Library.

Can you tell I'm excited?

Marilyn

Raging Water Featured at Book Tea

Every year the Springville Community Club puts on a book tea. Different women choose a book they want to talk about and decorate a table to go along with the theme of the book. There is room for 8 women at each table and tickets sell for $20 apiece. Attendees are served tea (of course) and three courses: teeny tiny appetizers, teeny tiny sandwiches, and teeny tiny desserts. Though quite attractive and delicious, though there are several each go around, no one leaves too full.

This year my Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery, Raging Water, was featured at two of the tables. The reason was my friend who begged and begged me to put her in one of my books was featrued in Raging Water as the character Miqui Sherwood. Now I've had several contests where the winner's name gets to be used for a character in a book, but this was different. Miqui Sherwood had the very essence and personality of my friend. Everyone who read it said I nailed her perfectly--and she plays an important part.

So when she told me she was going to decorate two tables in honor of Raging Water of course I bought a ticket. (She'd done this once before for a previous Deputy Tempe Crabtree book where she dressed up like Tempe even to the point of wearing a black wig.)

Because Raging Water takes place right after Christmas, both tables were Christmas themed. In the books Miqui is known for wearing sweaters with the theme of whatever holiday is closest (and that is what she does in real life too), but since it was 107 degrees in Springville that afternoon, she wore a lightweight T-shirt with a Christmas design.

Here are the two tables:

As you can see each table had a Christmas tree, appropriate table cloth, Christmas china, and lots of decorations, including a copy of my book, and she also had a photograph of her two dogs who also had important parts in the story.

Each table hostess gave a brief summary of the particular book they'd chosen, and my friend did a great job telling all about Raging Water.

Despite the heat, I think everyone who came had a great time, I know I certainly did.

Marilyn

Working on a New Book--and it Hasn't Been Easy

Because of big ongoing trauma in our family, and then some good stuff too--I've not been working on my next Rocky Bluff P.D. mystery as I should have been--nor have I done the editing needed on my next Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery so I can send it off to the publisher.

The trauma of course was my son's severe beating on the job and then him not getting proper medical care at first--all is going well now thanks to a wonderful brain trauma rehab center. The good stuff was his daughter and her husband coming out to visit from North Carolina for a week with their seven month-old-daughter.

He looks good, doesn't he? Still not perfect, but way, way better.

So now it's time to get busy and write, write, write. I need to be thinking and writing about the police officers of Rocky Bluff P.D. and their families, what's going on with them while they are investigating a murder case.

To get myself in the mood, I'm thinking small California coastal town, smelling the salt air, and remembering the layout of the town.

I do know where I'm going with this one, know the title, all it's going to take his place my fanny down on the chair in front of my computer and writing.

Marilyn aka F. M. Meredith

Wishing you the Merriest Christmas Ever

This is the closest to a decorated Christmas tree I'm going to have this year. My husband doesn't like putting it up anymore. The last time we had it up and decorated, our cats thought it was a new play toy and knocked off all the glass decorations which shattered all over. Now we have an 18 month old great-grandson who visits often. His grandpa calls him "Bam Bam." When I decorated, I took that into consideration and only put out the stuff that is unbreakable.

I have a whole array of stuffed moose and he's quite welcome to play with them. He likes the one that sings, "Grandma got run over by a reindeer."

Decorating was so much easier this year with my two excuses: cats and great-grandson.

Plus, I've really been busy. Just came off an intensive blog tour for Raging Water which took a lot of time.

I just send off the 2nd edits for the next book in my Rocky Bluff P.D. series, Dangerous Impulses, and wrote the blurb for it.

The next in the Deputy Tempe Crabtree series is still being heard by my critique group and I'm writing the 2014 offering in the Rocky Bluff P.D. series.

Who has time for holidays?

Me, really I do. I just don't do quite as much as I used to. Went to a fun church Christmas party, and to see The Hobbit with hubby and a good friend--in fact the woman who is really Miqui Sherwood in Raging Water and she's loved every minute of it.

Our critique group is meeting for dinner at our favorite Thai restaurant.

And Christmas Eve three of our grandsons will join us, along with our son, and their lady loves and Bam Bam for dinner and opening of gifts.

Christmas day we plan to sneak off and go see a movie. Afterwards we'll visit daughter and son-in-law and their grandkids and see if they received the gifts they asked for.

So that's how we'll be celebrating.

Oh, and if you want to catch up on my Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery series, check it out at my publishers: http://mundania.com/


Marilyn

Frustrations With My Latest Book--Maybe Too Much To Do?

Anyone who knows me, knows that I always have a lot going on.

I'm continuing to promote my Rocky Bluff P.D. series, not just the latest, No Bells, because my publisher at Oak Tree Press was generous enough to bring ou the earlier books in the series that had been with a different publisher. Of course I'd like people to read them too, though I've always written each book so it could be enjoyed without reading the earlier ones.

I have a new Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery coming out toward the end of this month. I've been planning a blog tour for it during the month of September. I think I've got all the blogs written, photos chosen, and everything ready to go. I also planned two physical book launches. (Still have to make posters and invitations for those, but they are on my to-do list for later.

I've finished writing the next in the Rocky Bluff P.D. series, no title as yet, and I'm reading it chapter by chapter to my critique group. (Something I do with every new book.)

Now the frustration part. I am about 3/4 of the way through the first draft of the  Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery for next year (yes, I have to juggle those two series if I'm to get two books done a year) and I am at a most critical point. At first, because it's going to be rather dark, I had trouble getting into it. Oh, I do know what's going to happen, though I haven't worked out all the details yet--I'll do that as I go along--experiencing it with Tempe.

When I got all fired up to write, for some reason, the automatic paragraph indent quit working. I have the latest version of WORD which has been the most complicated of all the word processing program to learn--for me at least. I fiddled with this and that, emailed my favorite computer tech, he gave me some complicated directions. I followed them, but not well-enough I guess, because it didn't quite work.

Then I told my publisher for RBPD and she told me to send it to her and she'd try to fix it. Well, she fixed what I'd alread done, but when I started to write, the new stuff didn't work right. Then I discovered I had extra space between my paragraphs which I didn't want.

I tried all different things, things I thought ought to work--but they didn't. Another email to the guru. I worked at it some more--and finally I got it. Guess what, it was now time to fix lunch for hubby.
Plus I was really too frustrated to write.

Deciding to write this blog, I tried to get into the sign in space and nothing would work. When all else fails, turn off the computer and start again. Well, I did that, but Blogger still wouldn't cooperate, so I switched from Firefox to Explorer. Voila! It worked.

Now it's nearly time to fix dinner. Didn't do half of what I hoped to accomplish today. Tonight is my critique group and they always lift my spirits. I do hope your day has been far less frustrating than mine.

Coming soon.

Marilyn who is also known as F. M. Meredith

Why Do We Love Mysteries

Of course I’m speaking about fictional mysteries, I don’t think we like real-life mysteries if they happen to us.

I have no idea what other’s reasons for loving mysteries are–but I do know mine. There are very few mysteries that I don’t care for and those are the ones where the mystery isn’t really solved, or the bad person, perpetrator of the crime, the villain, manages to get away to come back another day.

Though I do really like on-going series–after all, I write two of them myself– I prefer for each book to be complete in itself. That doesn’t mean there can’t be some ongoing plots in the life of some of the characters, I just want the major crime to be solved.

In my Deputy Tempe Crabtree series, Tempe and her husband Hutch sometimes go through rough patches because of their different belief systems. Hutch is a Christian pastor with strong faith. Tempe uses some of the mystical and supernatural aspects of her Native American heritage to solve crimes. Slowly, he is coming to terms with some of Tempe’s experiences, like her ability to see spirits, though he often has deep concern for the health of her soul. Whatever the major crime may be in a book, Tempe will find out the truth by the time the reader reaches the last page as you’ll see if you read the latest in the series, Kindred Spirits. Though the guilty party has in essence planned the perfect murder, Tempe continues on until he reveals himself.

Because the Rocky Bluff P.D. is about the men and women in the police department and their families rather than just one hero or heroine, focusing on someone different and several crimes in each book, there are many ongoing stories as these people live out their lives on the job and at home. My main theme in each book has been to show how what goes on in the family affects the job and how the job affects the family. The most growth shown in a character has been Detective Doug Milligan, who in the first book, Final Respects, is a street cop who loses his best friend and his wife. In the fourth book, Smell of Death, Doug becomes interested in a female officer who is the first on the scene of two murders. In some of the other books, Doug is merely a supporting character, with other officers in the forefront.

No matter which series I’m writing, you can be sure the bad guy or gal will get it in the end. This is important to me for two reasons–in real life things don’t always turn out for the best or the way they should. Bad guys do get away with murder. I want better endings in the books I read and the ones I write.

The second reason is I have no control over the world I live in–my smaller world containing my friends and family–or the big outside world. When I’m writing, I’m in control–more or less. I must admit, sometimes the characters lead me in directions I never expected, but that’s a whole other blog.

And that’s why I love mysteries. What's your reason?

Marilyn
http://fictionforyou.com