We have some winners!!!
Diana, you are the winner of Rhys's giveaway of The Paris Assignment! You can email her with your email address at authorrhysbowen at gmail dot com
Celia, you are the winner of Lucy's giveaway of the paperback of A Dish to Die For ! You can email her with your address at raisleib at gmail dot com
Congratulations!!!
JENN: I'm not writing so much as doing page proofs on FATAL FIRST EDITION. I found a massive error on page 77, so I'm trying to correct it and not change the page layout. What a dope! I knew I needed to fix it during copyedits and somehow I missed it. Argh!
Anyway, here is the newly finalized cover! YAY!
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| FEBRUARY 2024 As you can probably deduce, there is a train involved. Even better than that--what could be better, you ask?--well, the opening of the mystery takes place at an archivist conference and the guest speaker is none other than Brooklyn Wainwright from Kate Carlisle's bestselling Bibliophile mystery series.  Coming October 24th Yes, Kate gave her permission. In my mind, I love to believe that Brooklyn and Lindsey are as good of friends as Kate and I. Here's a snippet from their meeting: |
Lindsey tried not to be nervous as she approached the famed book restorer. She’d read articles about Brooklyn Wainwright and watched online videos where she discussed her various projects. She was everything Lindsey had hoped to be when she’d been in library school, studying to be an archivist.
“Excuse me, Ms. Wainwright,” she said. Brooklyn turned away from Standish and gave Lindsey her full attention. “Hi, how can I help you?” “I’m sorry to bother you, but I have a book here that I was hoping you’d take a look at?” Lindsey used up speak, turning it into a question so that she didn’t sound demanding. She held out the bag and the man beside Brooklyn took it before Brooklyn could. “Really, Derek?” Brooklyn asked the man but he ignored her and opened the bag, peeking inside. “Yes, really, darling,” he said. Lindsey noted his British accent and immediately warmed to him as he reminded her of their friend Robbie Vine, also Brit, back home in Briar Creek. “If I’ve learned one thing whilst being married to you, it’s that books can kill.” Sully turned to Lindsey with his eyebrows raised. “He’s not wrong.” Lindsey glanced at Brooklyn and in that moment she knew she was right and they really were kindred spirits. Not just in their love of old books but also in the men they’d married. “It’s clear.” Derek handed the bag to Brooklyn. “Thank you,” she said. She took the book out of the bag holding it gently just as Lindsey had. She examined every bit of it, cloth cover, edges, and spine, and when she opened it and read the inscription, she gasped. “This could be worth a fortune. It’s a first edition with what appears to be the original dust jacket and it’s in amazing shape. It’d go easily for several thousand but the inscription, if authenticated, makes it an extremely rare collectible for both fans of Highsmith and Hitchcock. The bidding war at an auction for this book could be off the chart.” Henry Standish who’d been speaking with one of the conference volunteers, identifiable by the lanyard and badge that he wore, joined them. “Thank you again, Brooklyn, always a pleasure. Our next speaker is here, however, so…” He made a shooing motion with his hands. Well, that was abrupt. Brooklyn and Derek exchanged an amused glance. She put the book back in the bag and handed it to Lindsey. “It appears to be in excellent condition. You have quite a treasure there.” “It’s not mine,” Lindsey said. “I found it under my seat.” Henry glanced between them clearly impatient for them to depart. Lindsey held the tote bag out to him. “Do you have a lost and found for the conference?”
“Yes, of course. You can check with the registration staff,” he said. “I’m sure they have one set up right there by the main doors.” He began to walk, ushering them like a flock of ducks across a busy road. “I’ve only taken a quick glance at the book and I’d need more time to be certain, but I think that book is very valuable, as in tens of thousands of dollars,” Brooklyn said. “Potentially even more than that.” Henry stopped ushering. “Excuse me?” Brooklyn nodded. “First edition, excellent condition, and inscribed by the author to a famous movie director? We’re talking big money.” “And probably a murder,” Derek muttered under his breath. “In fact, I think we need to go so you don’t get involved in yet another life threatening situation.” “Me?” Brooklyn put her hand on her chest, the picture of innocence. “Sound advice,” Sully said. He and Derek exchanged a look of complete understanding. “We should go to.” “But the book,” Lindsey and Brooklyn protested together. I had so much fun writing Kate's characters into the mystery, although I did tease her and tell her I was going to kill them off - LOL!!! I know, I'm a terrible friend. Also, I would never. I love Brooklyn and Derek! So, how about it, Reds and Readers, do you enjoy it when characters from one series pop up in another? |
Wow . . . what a great opening! Thanks for sharing it with us . . . .
ReplyDeleteI haven’t often seen characters from one series pop up in another, but I think it’s great when they do.
Thank you, Joan. I'm lucky Kate said, "Okay, but don't hurt them." LOL.
DeleteTake good care of them. <3 I love the train! -- Storyteller Mary
DeleteTotally agree with Joan. I can’t recall, oh wait, yes I can! You did it, Jenn, when characters from your Cupcake series and your Hat Shop series were in a book from your Library Lovers series! (I think I have the visiting characters’ series correct, but forgive me if I’m wrong.)
ReplyDeleteI found Kate’s Bibliophile series a long time ago and love it. Later, as I read more cozy series, I kept seeing references to Jenn McKinlay (as in, “If you like Jenn McKinlay’s books, you’ll like Such-and-Such’s book”) so decided to check this author out. I love your sarcastic sense of humor, Jenn (threatening to kill off Brooklyn and Derek!) and am thrilled you’re teaming with Kate (or with her characters, anyway)! —Pat S.
Thank you, Pat! Yes, I did do that in Death in the Stacks - very challenging but so much fun!
DeleteI love the cover! I so need to catch up on this series.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteWhat an intriguing scene — and theme! I'm hooked by anything involving books. And I love the cover. Yes, I do like it when characters from one series pop up in another. It helps to enhance both series.
ReplyDeleteI think because I read for that sense of community, I love it when my communities collide :)
DeleteI love this, Jenn! What a fun premise. I think I read Kate's Bibliophile series at the beginning and loved it. Can't remember why I didn't keep going. Now I will.
ReplyDeleteI wrote a short piece where two of my protags from different series meet each other (for those who've read the books, Cam and her Hoosier parents eat in Robbie's restaurant), and Robbie's great-grandmother is Rose Carroll. And I've had a character read or see author friends' books, but so far haven't brought in another author's character into the story.
Love that kind of Easter egg, especially for faithful readers!
DeleteI wrote one mystery Death in the Stacks where the Cupcake Bakery, Hat Shop, and Library Lovers characters all come together - talk about too many plates in the air - OY! But it is the book I get the most raves about, so...
DeleteIt's a bit of bonus fun, another layer of connedtion, like the Three Pines references in STATE OF TERROR <3 -- Storyteller Mary
DeleteJENN: YAY, I love that Lindsey & Brooklyn (as well as Derek) are together in this book!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Grace! It just felt right, you know?
DeleteJenn, I am so excited that you put the four of them together, I love both your series and Kate's. Derek and Sully are dreamy book boyfriends! Lindsey and Brooklyn are two smart and loveable characters. What a fun scene!
ReplyDeleteIt was so much fun to write. Thank you, Judy!
Deletewhat fun Jenn, congratulations!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lucy!
DeleteVery fun! I like it when characters turn up in each other's series. It's a small added surprise enjoyment.
ReplyDeleteIt is a fun Easter Egg, isn't it?
DeleteJenn, I love that Lindsey and Brooklyn met. And that their husbands are kindred spirits. I also love how women can be good friends who respect each other. If this was a Hallmark movie, which actresses would you and Kate pick to play Brooklyn and Lindsey? I was thinking maybe Alison Sweeney as Brooklyn and Lindsay Frost as Lindsey?
ReplyDeleteLook forward to reading FATAL FIRST EDITION and I am preordering! That was a great opening scene.
And so excited that I won the book from Rhys! I will send Rhys my mailing address so I can get the book.
Diana
Congrats, Diana. And your casting choices are perfection.
DeleteFun! Love the premise.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Margaret!
DeleteWhat?? A library/bookbinder series mashup? How fun! I love both characters, and am looking forward to this, Jenn.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Karen!
DeleteJenn when will this new book be out? Got to put it on my calendar!
ReplyDeleteKate's newest is in October and mine is in February 2024.
Deleteoh now i see the release date on your initial post!
Deletecan't wait!!
Thankfully, I am reading Kate’s Buried in Books, my first time reading Brooklyn and Derek, right now so I totally get this crossover. Seems like double the fun to me!
ReplyDeleteAnd if you didn't read Kate's books, Brooklyn would just be a book restorer that Lindsey admires so it's all good, I hope :)
DeleteCross-series characters are a special favorite, in books or television - remember when Jessica Fletcher showed up on Magnum PI? Loved it. Made me feel like an insider because both were favorite shows.
ReplyDeleteYes! Exactly. So fun!
DeleteJenn, I may be the damper on your parade (sorry). I hate it when tv shows cross-over, such as the Chicago series. I may be watching the one series (Med), but only half watching the other (Fire) or really dislike the third (Police), and so am not invested in the other characters or their subplots. The shows usually back reference to things that are not in my knowledge, and so I sit there going hunh – and hope they soon go back to regular programming.
ReplyDeleteAs for books, would it not bring up a similar issue as reading books in a series out of sync? If there is a series, I usually find that no matter how good the author is at trying to update you on what has gone on before, there are either parts left out – hopefully not the important ones, or else the book will be nothing but a big catch-up and not a moving on to the new plot story. I have not read the Sue Grafton books, but imagine to really appreciate them you need to start at the beginning.
Picture Debs latest book – I needed to know the backstory of (brain just went blank and can’t remember) the relationship with the Pop singer to understand the goings on in that part of the story. I needed to know the backstory of Charlotte to understand what is now going on with the family decisions that need to be made. So if I have not read the other author’s character, would I understand or appreciate the cross-over, or would it be a case of reading this book, and then later discovering what I had missed?
I don’t know your character, but have read some of Brooklyn (these are night read books – a page at a time and then I usually fall asleep!). Spoiler alert – I didn’t know Brooklyn & Derek were married. So, it probably will be a few years before I will have read all your books to catch up, and then read a few more in the Bibliophile series, and by then this conversation will be mute.
Good luck!
You bring up some very interesting points, Margo. I think there is a difference between a cameo appearance and weaving the characters into the entire mystery but I'll just have to wait and see how it's received. Fun!
DeleteYay, Jenn! How cool is that? Yes, I do love it when a character from one author's series pops up into another's. Makes me feel like I am in the know. If I am not familiar with the character or the other series it doesn't matter at all, because that isn't info I need. TV show crossovers, however, are a totally different thing, as Margo just said. I don't like them at all!
ReplyDeleteSeveral years ago Philip S. Craig and Bill Tapply did that with a few of their books. Craig also talked about a character ,a dentist, in another author's book, usually with the latest joke from that character. I always looked forward to the doc's latest joke.
That's hilarious!
DeleteThat was Doc Adams in the books by Rick Boyer.
ReplyDeleteAn interesting idea. I don't recall reading characters from different Author's series, but have read stories by Margret Maron that crossed Deborah Knot and Ingrid/Seigrid (gray haired brain lapse)from her NY detective series. That seemed seamless. How hard was it for you, Jenn, to write dialogue in the style of Kate? Elisabeth
ReplyDeleteBecause I'm a huge fan of Kate's series and it's such a brief scene, it wasn't hard. Plus, I made her read it and approve. LOL.
DeleteOffhand, I can't think of any I've read, but I can definitely think of several I'd LIKE to read! This is such a delightful addition to your series, Jenn, and fans of both your books are going to love it!
ReplyDeleteOh, yes, I have a list of mash-ups I'd enjoy!
DeleteDelicious cross-pollination between the two series!
ReplyDeleteI love that! Cross-pollination!
DeleteI can’t recall a cross over series but after reading your snippet, I’m sure I’ll like it.
ReplyDeleteAnd Jenn, I loved Summer Reading
Danielle
Thank you so much, Danielle!
DeleteLove it. But now the question is - will Lindsey and Silly be showing up in Dharma in a future book?
ReplyDeleteI kind of feel like they have to. LOL!
DeleteI have enjoyed having characters from different authors or the same author appear together.
ReplyDeleteI haven’t read the cupcake series, but have read the other two and liked having them all meet each other. It’s interesting to see how they interact with each other in different surroundings. Not reading one series didn’t affect the story at all and it was a chance to introduce them to readers who don’t know them. It gives them an added dimension when they meet with new people outside of their traditional environment of their cast of characters.
I have also read the Tapply, Craig and Boyer series and liked the fact the there were references to the characters knowing each other and had looked forward to their meeting up again.
None of the three authors is still around but their books are worth reading.
An excellent recommendation! Thank you!
DeleteFrom Celia: First a BIG thanks, I’m delighted to be the winner of Lucy’s book. Now to business. First I love, love the cover Jenn. I reopened JRW on my iPad so I could examine it carefully from the cow catcher to the six blackbirds. Do you and Kate use the same artist? I loved her cover too. And yes I think Covers are important clues. Crossing book lands with characters. I do so enjoy picking up references, whether characters or other is always fun. Thank you for an interesting week.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Celia. We do not have the same artist but we are very lucky in our art department who hires the artists!
DeleteThis is fantastic! What an adorable idea, and what a charming idea, and you know, somehow it makes them both seem much more real. Love this so much. (As for your finding the error, I know the feeling, sister. I am in first pass pages of my new book, and I just found a howler. How did everyone miss it? How did I miss it? So relieved that I found it. And I keep telling myself, and both of us, everything is fine, because it has not gone to print yet! Yay!)
ReplyDeleteIt's so important - I've found a couple of goofs in a few cozy's where certain things were not possible to have happened, or where the main character makes a poor choice that is so obviously going to end up badly. Like leaving the house in the middle of the night, telling no one where you are going, meeting up with some one who says they have an important clue to tell you about that could solve the case (or something similar). I mean it is just so obvious that the normal person would call the police or have back up.
DeleteYes, thank goodness it hasn't gone to press. Ack, the horror!
DeleteI love unexpected cameos! So much fun! Unnamed but very recognizable characters popped up in a Tasha Alexander book set in Egypt. Peabody and Emerson's kids. Years ago I was reading a book by Bernard Cornwell, set during the American civil war. A French cavalryman popped in briefly as an observer. No names, but again from what was said, I knew it was Richard Sharpe's grown son.
ReplyDeleteOh, I love that!
DeleteSuch fun, Jenn! I love character crossovers and can't wait to read this one!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Debs!
DeleteCan't wait for Fatal First Edition! Lindsey is my fictional alter ego with a better job and hot guy.
ReplyDeleteI finally read Summer Reading. It was funny to see my friend's name Mrs. Braga in print and I thought perhaps the Camaras were related to my bff by marriage but she says hubby does not have family on the island. I'm represented by Tyler's eating habits! woohoo! Sam's memories of her Avo made me miss my (Italian) Nonnie.
For 4t of July, I made the Strawberry Surprise cupcakes from Strawberried Alive. OMG! They were a huge hit. My cousin's 6 year old said they smelled like pancakes! I didn't make the frosting, just the cupcakes. We decorated red (pink), white and blue cupcakes to look like the American flag with Cool Whip and berries. 6 year old took TWO strawberry cupcakes- one for now and one for the next day. I'll have to make them again next time we're all together for the 4th of July. The Moonlight Madness cupcakes were also a hit with my colleague and board members. I didn't have Hershey Kisses so I topped with blue and brown mini M&Ms instead for a nighttime look. Thanks for so many amazing recipes!
Crossovers are so much fun! Especially when it’s two different authors and the characters have so many traits in common. I can’t wait to read it!
ReplyDeleteI love the guest cameos. Jeanne M. Dams and Elizabeth J. Duncan used to do that in their books. I'm also fond of the TV crossovers like NCIS, FBI, Arrowverse, but I watch all the shows. I wouldn't mind it in books, but it would be more difficult. Actually I just love series and all mentions of my favorite things. Even when Carolyn Hart and other book seller or library stories mention other author and books. Looking forward to the new book.
ReplyDeleteCameos are definitely fun, especially if I'm a fan of both series.
ReplyDelete