Tuesday, July 2, 2019

Howard And Effie's Next Destination Is Chosen

Howard Mantry and Effie Portchester will soon be on their way from New York to their next island adventure. This one takes them outside the Thousand Island region and up a river.

Up A River Without A Paddle?

The title of the next book has been decided, but that's not it. You'll have to wait until November 1 for it to be revealed. But being "up a river without a paddle" is just how Howard and Effie may feel when they debark their boat and enter into a world secretive and somewhat hostile.

In this, their second journey together, they'll encounter some dangerous and determined personalities and acquire a new ally who will help them navigate the dangerous waters they're sailing. I hope it will be a story that will keep readers awake nights and turning pages. The treasure they seek isn't of a jeweled nature, but it is priceless.

While you wait for the new novel to be revealed in November, I'll get on with the research side of things. There is a lot to do. By the end of November 2019, you should be able to read a few posts about -- oops! I almost let the title slip its moorings.

Before November arrives there are a few things you may want to do. 

  1. Break out your life jacket and give it a good dusting. Make sure it's still buoyant.
  2. Practice up on your swimming techniques. 
  3. Spend some time sitting in a lounge chair by the pool with a book in your hands. Turning pages can be tiring. Better have a snack and a drink handy. 
  4. Try some deep breathing exercises to help pass the time. 
In the meantime, I'll do the research, layout the book, tap out the chapters, get Howard and Effie into and out of trouble, and add in a dash of this and that for good measure. 

Wednesday, May 15, 2019

Where To Send Them Next?




You would think that adventure would be lurking around every corner, and mischief easy to get into, but it's not so easy as all that. Well, perhaps for the living it is, if you try very hard. But for fictional characters it's a waiting game. Waiting for the author to make up their mind as to which point on the map to send you, and just what kind of problems are waiting on the next page or chapter.

The next book in the Cozy American Castle Mystery series is one fraught with decisions. Where will the characters hang out as they leave the Thousand Islands and to which American castle shall I send them. There are so many to choose from. Will they go by boat, train, plane, automobile, or motorcycle? Will there be romance? How much intrigue is too much? Is that really possible or has your imagination gone too far?

By the time November 2019 rolls around, Lord willing, I should have answers to those questions, and many more. In the meantime, check out The End Of Things At Dark Island. It's anything but the end, at least for Howard and Effie.