Spring is in the air…except for Amanda and Chad

I’m alive. Really.

I apologize for the long silence, but “the other part” of my life has pulled at me like a 3-year-old in the midst of a tantrum. It demands all of my attention and tries to smother every ounce of creativity.

But as the earth warms and brown gives way to green, I, too, need to shake off one season to begin another. I’ve decided it’s time to ignore the shrill mandates for a time and focus on what I love: writing.

Which means I’m back at book two. I had originally hoped to have it available by Memorial Day, but I want to make sure this novel provides at least as much enjoyment as Tourist Trapped, so my final stake in the ground is Labor Day, the second anniversary of my first endeavor.

Over the summer I’ll need your help as I decide on a title (I have a working one, you’ll have to let me know if you like it) and a cover. Stay tuned!

By the way, I’ve given you a hint in the title of this post: in the second book, the world is cruel…and cold. Very, very cold…

I’m so looking forward to the next few months!

KJ

My Gift to You

I want to thank all of you for your positive feedback on Tourist Trapped, you’ve been so kind. I hope when Book Two comes out next summer, it’ll live up to your expectations!

BubblesOver the holidays I wanted to finish a project dear to my heart, but I ran out of time. During the post-Christmas lull, I finally completed it. I’ve written a story, “Unbearable Bubbles,” that I’ve dedicated to my nieces, Olivia and Isabella.

The characters named Olivia and Bella in my story aren’t my nieces, but that essence of goodness in the fictional pair comes from the real ones. Between work and writing, my schedule is crazy and I don’t end up spending enough time with Livy and Bella, but I wanted them to know they always have a special place in my heart.

To show my appreciation for your support, I wanted to make the story available to you as well. Adam Scull has kindly posted the story on EatSleepWrite.net.

I want to thank my perpetual editor, randall “Jay” andrews, for once again pushing me to make my work better. I also want to thank my mom and the gang at Writers World for their input.

I hope “Unbearable Bubbles” brings a tear to your eye and a smile to your lips.

Happy New Year,
Karlie

A dream come true!

Posing with my mentor and fellow author, Christine DeSmet

Posing with my mentor and fellow author, Christine DeSmet

On the weekend of Nov. 7-8, I joined thirty-two other authors for Mystery To Me’s Author Slam in Madison Wisconsin.

What a thrill–and yet terrifying.

Me. An author. Speaking to readers and other authors. I had fifteen minutes to share whatever I wanted. My “fifteen minutes of fame.”

I pondered the best way to use my time–fill it by reading excerpts from the book? Talk about how Tourist Trapped came to be? Determined to use my fifteen minutes wisely, I stopped in to hear some of the other authors Friday night, and took notes.

In addition to “new author jitters,” I needed to make my mentor, Christine DeSmet, proud…especially since Mystery To Me bookstore gave her the slot right after me! Talk about pressure!

With Jayne, my grade school classmate.

With Jayne, my grade school classmate

On Saturday, as I mentally prepared while waiting for my turn, old friends and current associates showed up to cheer me on. Then, as I began, I spotted Jayne sitting down–a classmate I haven’t seen since grade school!

My journey with the release of Tourist Trapped continues to surprise me, as it offers me these magical opportunities to reconnect with old friends, and as well as giving me the chance make so many new ones!

 

My head is spinning!

Not literally, so let’s not call in Father Merrin, but it’s been a crazy month. When you publish a book, you need to promote, and I’ve worked at it pretty much every day.

I’ve had some wonderful help from friends and mentors.  I’m including links to various articles and interviews, many of which they’ve made possible.

I know this is a marathon, not a sprint, so every day I do a little bit more to share the news about my novel. Today I received an email that made me smile.

I finished your book on Friday and absolutely loved it.  I had to put it down a couple of times at the end of the book because my heart was racing and my blood pressure was for sure rising…lol

 I had an appointment for a flu shot and blood work on Friday so I had to put the book down to get my breathing under control in case they were going to take my blood pressure!  Luckily they didn’t need to and this book got me thru several appointment waiting times that day!

 I can’t wait for your next book!