Jenn McKinlay: Have you read the Fixer-Upper mysteries yet? Honestly, with titles like Eaves of Destruction, A Wrench in the Works, and Shot Through the Hearth...how can you resist? They're genius, I say, pure genius. Number 9 in the long running series - Absence of Mallets - drops on Dec 7th! Don't miss it! And now here's Kate to talk about the series and her plans for turkey day!
Kate Carlisle: Are you ready for Thanksgiving? I sure am! My deadline is the week before, so I anticipate that I will be in relaxation mode after months in the writing cave. Of course, it’s easy for me to look forward to it, since the most work I’ll do in the kitchen is to open a bottle of wine.
Thankful for restaurants!
Did you know that the national holiday of Thanksgiving is due in large part to the efforts of one strong and determined woman?
Thankful for strong women!
In 1863, after a decades-long campaign by Sarah Josepha Hale, editor of a ladies’ magazine, Abraham Lincoln declared the fourth Thursday in November a national day of Thanksgiving. (Yes, right in the middle of the Civil War!)
Thankful for Abraham Lincoln!
So although we all think of the first Thanksgiving when the Plymouth settlers and the Wampanoag Native Americans shared an autumn feast, the first national celebration was during Victorian times. And I’m thankful for that because it provides me with a smooth segue into talking about my next book, Absence of Mallets, because Lighthouse Cove, the fictional town where my Fixer-Upper Mysteries are set, is known for its Victorian architecture.
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So I thought I’d round up some idyllic Victorian Thanksgiving cards to share. (Thankful for public domain!) I imagined entertaining you with charming illustrations of flowers and cherub-cheeked children. I was surprised by the dark theme I uncovered.
Ah—there are the cherubs, fresh from the scene of the crime. It’s always the ones you least suspect.
All this has me feeling very thankful for readers, and for being here today. (Thanks, Jenn, for inviting me!) So I’m going to give away a Fixer-Upper Mystery measuring tape to one lucky commenter. For a chance to win, tell me something you’re thankful for. +1 bonus entry for also telling a joke!
ABOUT ABSENCE OF MALLETS
Contractor Shannon Hammer steels her nerve to pin down a killer in the latest Fixer-Upper Mystery from the New York Timesbestselling author of Premeditated Mortar. . . .
Shannon could not be happier that her hunky thriller-writing boyfriend, Mac, has moved in, and it is a good thing they are living together because they are both busier than ever. Mac is hosting writing retreats at his now vacant lighthouse mansion, while Shannon and her crew build Homefront, a quaint Victorian village of tiny homes for veterans in need. Mac’s latest guests are proving to be a handful though, and Shannon has heard some grumbling from the luminaries of Lighthouse Cove about her latest passion project. But nothing can throw a wrench in their plans except a malicious murder.
When one of Shannon’s new friends is found brutally bludgeoned with a mallet near the lighthouse on Mac’s property, the couple hammers out a suspect list and searches for a motive. As they drill deeper for clues, more violence strikes and a new victim winds up in a coma. The pressure is on, and Shannon and Mac will have to move fast to find an unhinged killer dead set on demolishing anyone who gets in their way. . .
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Congratulations on your newest book, Kate . . . it certainly sounds like Shannon has her work cut out for her . . . .
ReplyDeleteWhat am I thankful for? Family . . . and, thanks to grandbabies, I even have a joke:
What do you call a running turkey?
Fast food . . . .
LOL!!! I'm starting to get quite the hankering for that kind of fast food.
DeleteThanks for the congrats on my upcoming release, Joan. Shannon definitely does have her work cut out for her. It was a challenging book to write, but fun, too, because there's so much going on. Mac has opened up the Lighthouse Mansion for writers' retreats, so there are lots of very colorful characters in this one.
Congratulations on your upcoming release. I'm thanking for friends and family. I can't tell a joke the way it is supposed to be told. Don't enter me as I already have the measuring tape.
ReplyDelete:::waving madly::: Hi, Dru! So good to see you here. Thanks for your generosity in stepping aside to let someone else win, but especially thanks for taking the time to comment.
DeleteKATE: Welcome back to JRW and good luck on your upcoming book. I am a long-time fan of the Fixer-Upper mysteries. And I am lucky enough to have already won the cute pink measuring tape, so don't include me in the draw. BTW, the is the BESY BOOK SWAG item...I keep it in my backpack and use it often!
ReplyDeleteWhat am I thankful for?
After more than a year dealing with new health woes (COVID brain fog, prolonged blurry vision due to less than optimal cataract surgeries), I am feeling better both physically and mentally.
Oh, Grace, it sounds like you've been taken through the wringer this past year! I'm so glad you're feeling better.
DeleteThank you for letting me know that you love your measuring tape. They're so handy, aren't they? I'll confess, I've kept a couple for myself--one in my desk and one in my handbag. I can't even tell you the number of times I've pulled it out in a store.
KATE: Exactly! So handy to use the mini measuring tape when shopping (in person!).
DeleteThis Thanksgiving season, I am thankful for my partner's regained health after a scary stretch of time over the last six months. Dialysis is no longer needed (a miracle!), and we can again begin planning fun activities and eventual travel.
ReplyDeleteHuzzah for no more dialysis!!!!!! That is amazing, Marianne, and such happy news!
DeleteHave you been thinking about where you'd like to travel?
I am grateful for authors who sit in their writing caves day after day in order to keep us all entertained with their stories; with their romance, humor, pathos, adventure, frights, new worlds, histories, mysteries. Thank you, authors.
ReplyDeleteKate, I love this series and am almost all caught up, just one book away from Absence of Mallets, and almost caught up with your other series, too. I love the quirky worlds you've imagined and shared.
What a sweet thing to say, Judy. Thank you. Sometimes the writing cave does get dark, but the light that keeps me going is knowing there are readers like you, wanting and waiting for the next story. <3
DeleteYay for a new book, Kate! I'm grateful I can host Thanksgiving - my favorite holiday - in person again with a few trusted family members and close friends. What a blessing.
ReplyDeleteI remember lots of joke punchlines - "Don't put all your Basques in one exit" "There's nothing like chrome for the hollandaise" "If it's not Juan, it's Jamal" - but not the long story leading up to them!
Edith, we should team up! I remember the stories, but always flub the punchlines!
DeleteWe should! Here's another one for which I can *sometimes* manage to get the story out untangled. "It's the end of the ninth, the scores are tied, and the basses are loaded." (Spelling intentional!)
DeleteLOL!!!! Lead-up or no, Edith, you still cracked me up. ;)
DeleteThanksgiving is a favorite holiday of mine, too. All that delicious food, and almost all of it cooked by someone else! Who wouldn't love it? I do enjoy watching others cook, though.
Congratulations on your latest release! We're looking forward to Thanksgiving with our daughters and son-in-law. We haven't seen them since last Christmas.
ReplyDeleteSnow in Cincinnati on Sunday...no joke!
Oh, how lovely that your family is getting together again! This pandemic has been so hard on all of us. May we see brighter days ahead.
DeleteCongratulations, Kate! Thanksgiving is going to be small for us again this year, but I'm thankful to have found the perfect size turkey breast. I'm also thankful we'll be able to have the dinner this year - last year, my son came down with COVID, which scuppered the whole thing.
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm so sorry to hear about your son, Liz. I hope he's fully recovered, and that you can all enjoy your lovely day together.
DeleteDoes anyone else think those Pilgrims are pretty fancy? It looks like they bought their outfits at the same place where they sell those sexy nun costumes.
ReplyDeleteI am exceedingly grateful that no one in my family currently has Covid. Last year this time they were falling like dominoes, with everyone but me eventually having the crud, from very mild to actual death.
And still they are gathering in a huge group for Thanksgiving, so I opted out. I'm cooking for us and the couple next door, and possibly my daughter and her little family.
Cheers, Kate! Looking forward to your new book.
Oh, Karen, I'm so sorry to hear how hard you've been hit by this terrible virus! <3 I understand your decision completely. I'm still not comfortable in large groups in closed spaces, either. A small gathering is much more my speed.
DeleteThank you, Kate. And I wish you a safe and happy Thanksgiving.
DeleteThank you! To you, too. <3
DeleteWelcome, Kate - you're making me very grateful that someone ELSE kills the turkey, plucks it, cleans it ... Victorians were a lot closer to the source of their feast. It's hard to even imagine what it was like to make cornbread stuffing in the days when you had to dress your own bird. So yes, modern conveniences and selective amnesia: thank you.
ReplyDeleteYessssssss!!!!! That was my exact thought when seeing the cherubs cheerfully lugging home the broken bird--those poor little tykes have to pluck it and clean out the insides. So grateful for the modern convenience of grocery stores.
DeleteNo jokes here, but I'm thankful for WKRP in Cincinnati's turkey-drop episode. Just thinking about it makes me laugh.
ReplyDeleteAlso thankful that my unvaccinated household members are not sick, but praying they will come to their senses soon.
Ha ha, that WKRP episode is a classic!
DeleteOMG, that episode was everything!!!! I might need to find that--after I finish this darn book. I could use a good belly laugh.
DeleteI am very thankful for my family who are there for me everyday and for all of our great health. That is what makes life worth living.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right, petite.
DeleteI am thankful for bookstores which is the only Black Friday shopping I'll do! Woo hoo!
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting the Reds today, Kate. I love this post and I can't wait to pick up Absence of Mallets (such a fabulous title)!!!
And I'm thankful to YOU for inviting me, Jenn! ::mwah::
DeleteCan't believe it's less than a month to go until Absence of Mallets is out! It seemed so far away, and now it's almost here.
Hello there. I've been waiting, waiting I tell you, for the next book. Every time I get a post on Facebook or a snippet in email I good back and reconfirm the publish date. Jan 9, ugh. I will need to wait until the weekend before I can go to my favorite local because I have choir rehearsal on Thursdays, which is what I'm thankful for, being part of the choir. It's been 20+ years since I formally sang in the choir and my top notes are very weak and unsure. I'm grateful that the director ask me why I wasn't in her choir and thankful she didn't suggest I leave because of those too notes. Sorry, no jokes to share.
ReplyDeleteThe release date of ABSENCE OF MALLETS is December 7. :) It was originally slated for November, but got pushed back one month. So excited that it will be in stores during the holiday shopping season. I hope lots of new readers will discover the Fixer-Upper Mystery series this year.
DeleteGood for you for joining a choir again, Deana! With rehearsal, your voice will strengthen, I'm sure. I'll bet the director is delighted to have you!
Each day I am grateful for the beauty which surrounds me, the sunshine and the blue skies. I enjoy walks in this environment which keeps me inspired and happy. Family and friends are a bonus.
ReplyDeleteYour comment is a beautiful little poem. Thank you for this uplifting moment.
DeleteYikes, you are so right--those dead turkeys are SO festive! (SO FUN! Let's go kill something, Billy!)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the new book--you are amazing! And safest of holidays to you all...
Sort of like the iconic, "Let's put on a show!" But in this case, it's "Gee whiz, Billy, let's go slaughter a bird!"
DeleteThanks for the congrats, Hank. It's always exciting to have a new book out. Never gets old. Now if I could just wrestle the one I'm working on into shape...
I am really looking forward to reading Absence of Mallets. And the next Brooklyn book after that. I’m very grateful for all the lovely authors who work so hard to give me books to read. Thank you. And I’m grateful for the Covid vaccine and booster shots. I’m grateful for family that I can actually spend time with now in person.
ReplyDeleteWhat is the turkey grateful for at thanksgiving? Vegetarians. Ba dump bump! I’m here all week.
Thank you, Ann! The next Bibliophile Mystery will be THE PAPER CAPER, slated for a July 2022 release. That's the book I'm working on now. It's like wrestling a bear. But I remind myself that it always is. Every time. Unfortunately, angst is a big part of my messy process. It's part of the joy of being me.
DeleteLOL on your joke! It's funny because it's true. ;)
I have preordered The Paper Caper. My Nook library has lots of books that will be released next summer. Gives me things to look forward to.
DeleteThank you, Ann. Preorders are powerful--they send a message to publishers that readers are excited for these books. And that leads to more books, so yay!
DeleteI'm thankful for my family! I'm also thankful for authors like you who give us so many hours of entertainment!
ReplyDeleteAnd we authors are thankful for readers! <3 Works both ways.
DeleteKate, I'm thankful that your post made me laugh out loud this morning! And your titles are wonderful. I'm going to have to catch up on this series. I'm also thankful to be planning to spend Thanksgiving with our daughter, son-in-law, granddaughter, and friend Gigi. Last year it was just the two of us with takeout and it was pretty sad, so this year I am very appreciative.
ReplyDeleteMay it be easier for all of us to count our blessings this year, after the time we've lived through. Hope you enjoy your Thanksgiving, Deborah!
DeleteI already have one of your handy dandy tape measures, so leave me out of the drawing! I'm thankful none of my immediate family have gotten sick. I'm thankful for all the good books that keep coming out and the new authors I "discover." I did have a good Weekly Reader style joke but I've already forgotten it. Sorry about that!
ReplyDeleteLOL, Pat! I can so relate to forgetting what I was thinking about halfway through a sentence. You made me laugh even without a joke.
DeleteWhen someone asks me what my plans are for Thanksgiving, my reply is to check and see what restaurants are open. Hehehe! Of course, I know we'll have a Thanksgiving meal here at the house with our daughter's family and maybe our son and his girlfriend. There is some truth to the restaurant connection though. I'm making it easy on myself, and I've ordered turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, and rolls from a local restaurant we love. I'll be fixing the scalloped oysters, asparagus casserole, and chocolate cake. Daughter will make the pumpkin pies. Oh, I ordered a pecan pie from the restaurant, too. I make a good pecan pie, but their pie is good, too, and, again, one less thing to make myself. When I think back on all the delicious holiday meals my mother fixed for the large group of us when I was growing up, I am amazed at how she not only had enough for the number of hearty eaters present, but she usually had some leftovers, too. My favorite food to eat for ever and always will be my mother's dressing balls warmed up in her gravy the day after a holiday. My brother says he can make them like our mother, but I don't ever expect to eat that delicious dish again.
ReplyDeleteI'm thankful for my family having some through the pandemic without contracting COVID and all of them being vaccinated.
Congratulations on your new book, Kate. It sounds like a great read.
I am *very* intrigued by "dressing balls," Kathy. Are they held together with egg? Is anything else added?
DeleteSo glad your family has avoided COVID--and yes, so very grateful for the vaccines!
I've seen cards like this before! How far we've come. Sunday, my granddaughter wanted to know if the ham had come from a pig. We were all enjoying it so I let her dad handle it. He used misdirection on her but she still didn't eat any.
ReplyDeleteSounds like she's starting to make connections, Cathy. I'll bet that was cute.
DeleteI forgot to say how very thankful I am that my family has thus far not had Covid and that all who are old enough have had their vaccines with more planned soon.
ReplyDeleteThank you, everyone, for making this such a fun day! And thank you once again to Jenn McKinlay for inviting me to join you in the Jungle. The measuring tape winner is Ann S! Ann, please send your mailing address to me at kate (at) katecarlisle (dot) com by 11/17 to claim your prize.
ReplyDeleteI missed the drawing, but here’s a “Dad” joke for Shannon - What do you call a cute door? … Adorable (a”door”able!)
ReplyDelete