For an author, there’s nothing quite like holding in your hand that book that you’ve spent many long hours writing. You started with a shimmer of an idea. You added characters. You built a setting. You played creator and embroiled your characters into all sorts of situations. Maybe some fun ones. Or romantic ones, or even dangerous ones for a mystery like Murder Is No Accident.
In the past few weeks, I’ve shared with you some of my planning for this story. And then last week the man in the brown truck brought me my very first copy. I thought it was too early since the release date isn’t until March 14, but when I ripped open the package, there was my book. An early copy hot off the press all wrapped up in its pretty cover and with good words on the back to entice readers to open up the book and take another trip to Hidden Springs.
A reader commented on one of my Facebook posts today that she’d just finished reading Murder Comes by Mail, and was eager to get her hands on the new book. One of the things she said was “Poor Michael. I love him so much.” I suppose Michael did have a rough time in Murder Comes by Mail. But I was really happy to know Frances liked his character.
Michael is a good guy in the stories. I just kept liking him more and more while he led me down those story paths into mystery. I like to read books about likeable characters. I quit on books that don’t have at least one character I can cheer on to a good and happy end in the story. How about you? Do you feel that way too?
I hope there are several characters in Murder Is No Accident that you will be happy to get to know. I think you’ll like Maggie, my new young character who makes her first appearance in this book, but she has a teen romance with a character you might remember from the first Hidden Springs mystery, Murder at the Courthouse. I really like Aunt Lindy as a major player through all the stories. When I first thought about writing these mysteries I considered making her the main sleuth. That would have been more along the line of most cozy mysteries, but then the story took a different turn. My stories have a way of doing that. As long as it’s a good turn, that’s okay.
To celebrate Murder Is No Accident being available to purchase in about a month, I’m going to send out a newsletter next week with a new Celebration Giveaway. I think you’ll like the prizes, so if you are on my newsletter list, be sure to watch for Ann’s News in your inbox on Wednesday or Thursday. Besides my giveaway, the newsletter will have information of some other good deals coming up. If you don’t get my newsletter, you can sign up for it right here on my website.
As always, thanks for reading. I love hearing what you have to say and on my Facebook page too. It’s always good to hear from you friends.
So tell me. Have you ever quit on a book because you just didn’t like the characters? Or did you read on hoping he or she would become more loveable?