Grateful

It's been so long since I blogged that I totally missed mentioning the release of two new books. So - IF BREAD COULD RISE TO THE OCCASION and MERRY MARKET MURDER are both now available in the best bookstores everywhere. Thank you for buying (or borrowing) and reading my books. If you get them free from pirate sites, I'm not all that grateful - not because I don't make any money from pirate sites, but because I think the whole pirate site stuff is awful and ridiculous - and it's not only about me. There are other people in this chain - my agent, publisher, editor(s), cover artists, publicists. I know my books are only a small percentage of their incomes, but still. Seriously, if you want to read my books but truly can't afford (or just don't want) to buy them, check out your library, and if my books aren't in your library, ask the librarians to order them. I've never had someone tell me that a library wouldn't order them if patrons asked for them. I just got a text today from someone who'd missed the two releases I just mentioned above, but they saw the books were being promoted on pirate sites and they wanted to make me aware. There's just no way to fight those sites - they don't fight fair. Of course they don't fight fair, they are thieves.

Anyway, I'm really amazed at how bad I am at blogging because I have a ton of stuff I like to talk about. I just get so busy that I don't have time to write things down. For instance, the reason I am even here today is because yesterday a federal judge in Utah struck down Utah's ban on same-sex marriage, so at the moment that I'm writing this, gay and lesbian couples may marry in the state of Utah. I'm sure the state will file appeals, but until then - hurry and get your marriage licenses, my gay and lesbian friends. Congratulations and I'm thrilled for this ruling. I love living in Utah, but I am fully aware of its worldwide reputation of being weird (it's not as weird as all that though. I wish I could explain, but I think you just have to live here a while before you see what I mean). This ruling is a nice shock to the system - plus, it's another step toward true equality and I'm all for that. I'm writing this blog today because I felt the need to somehow be a part of the good news - even if it's just by repeating what's already been said.

And also - what a year! Goodness, it's been rough and great and bizarre and . . . well, bizarre is a good word. My son is healing extremely well from an accident he had in September. We are so lucky. I mean, thank you, thank you, thank you - to everyone and every higher power there is. I'm not having nightmares as much as I was right after it first happened, and he's truly almost all the way back to his old self. This is good stuff.

We lost my husband's uncle in June, and that's been pretty sad. He was a good guy. I dedicated MERRY MARKET MURDER to him. I'd decided to do that the last time I saw him. He was in the hospital and it was clear that he wasn't going to live much longer. He always loved the "Becca stories." Anyway, I thought about telling him, but I didn't want him to think I was making the dedication because he was dying. That was dumb of me. Another relative became very ill and I had to leave town to help him and I never got to see Uncle Tim alive again. I should have told him. I wish I would have.

The other relative is doing pretty well, even though I thought we might lose him too. Very grateful there too.

In book writing news, I signed contracts for two more series that will begin in 2015. The Scottish Bookshop and The Rescued Word mystery series. There's more information on my website about both series if you want some details. I'm having a blast writing everything and I appreciate all my readers so very much. I think the title of this blog post will be "Grateful."

Wishing you a happy holiday season and a wonderful 2014.

Paige

 

CLOCKWORK

Now available!

I am excited to report that CLOCKWORK was chosen for the Nook First program, which means that Barnes and Noble will be giving it a little extra promotional oomph. All of my books are labors of love, but this story has wanted to be told for a long time. Maybe even for a couple hundred years.

 



Purchase for NOOK

Purchase for Kindle

In 2184 New Chicago, Kally Bright lives in a world where the government controls everything from love to time. She, like those around her, has never known personal freedom.

Her one bit of freedom is a secret from most. Obsessed with time and trying to gain some control over her life, Kally spends her days repairing old clocks. On her sixteenth birthday when Kally quietly repairs a clock and waits for the ruling on who she will marry, she is suddenly transported back in time to 1750 Scotland. A land that is completely unlike the world she came from.

Kally’s entire life has been spent repairing time and now that she’s trapped in it, she finds that she has more of it than she ever imagined.

In a world where freedom has no bounds, time takes on a whole new meaning. In her own time, Kally had resolved to remain poor and unmarried rather than follow the government’s design for her, but in 1750 she finds herself able to live and love freely.


And - here's more, a note to my readers -

Dear Readers,

CLOCKWORK is a reissue (rework, fixing of inconsistencies and errors) of a book I published under a pseudonym. The title of the book was SNEAKS.

I wrote the story few years ago, which in self-publishing terms is similar to the dark ages. I threw it up on web sites and kind of forgot about it. I never promoted it. However, over time I received a few emails telling me that readers liked the story, the romance, but they weren’t happy with some of the issues with the formatting, the editing and the consistency. Honestly, I was just busy enough to think it didn’t matter much because not many would sell anyway. This was a terribly misguided attitude. I apologize.

Then not too long ago, I got a bunch of emails in one week complaining about the above mentioned issues. I was in a big enough lull in my contracted writing that I opened the file, And just about cried. I should have given this manuscript attention long ago. I was thoroughly embarrassed by what I’d put out in the world. So, I discussed things with my agent, got an editor, retitled it, and got to work. It’s also been professionally formatted.

I’m very proud of it now.

It’s a young adult time-travel romance, and it’s only available in e-book format. If you enjoy those sorts of stories, I hope you’ll give this one a try.

As always – thank you for all your amazing support of my books.

Fondly,
Paige

Ladies Literary Club Blue Tea

If you're in Salt Lake City and you love wonderful stories, be sure to check out the upcoming Ladies Literary Club Blue Tea. This wonderful group has been around Salt Lake City for a long time. Its history and its purpose are fascinating. Check out the details:

https://www.facebook.com/events/428860057202710/

December

A KILLER MAIZE hits bookstore shelves on December 4.

And on I'll be signing with the fabulous Jenn McKinlay on December 8 at the Poisoned Pen bookstore in Scottsdale, Arizona. Jenn's December release is BOOK, LINE, AND SINKER.




If you're in the area, we'd love to see you.

Thanks!
Paige

MASHED POTATOES Giveaway

Stop by Dru's blog today - 10/22/2012 - for a visit with Jake Swanson from the Country Cooking School series, and leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of IF MASHED POTATOES COULD DANCE.

Thanks, Dru Ann!

Click here!

The Email Question

It's wonderful to receive email from readers, and there's usually a bump in activity about a week after a book releases. I always try to predict what the main comment or question might be but I'm never correct. IF MASHED POTATOES COULD DANCE released on October 2, and I've already pinned a common theme on the POTATOES emails. Many people have had the same question.

First, though ---- SPOILER ALERT.  If you haven't read the book, you might not want to read what I've written below. It won't ruin the mystery, but it's something you might want to discover for yourself. Scroll down if you'd like to see what readers are asking me.

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Here's the number one question: Did Lizzie Borden really have an illegitimate half-brother?
Answer - Yes, she did. And, it's been considered that he was the killer, but there wasn't enough proof to convict anyone.


Thanks so much for reading the book, and as always thank you for your kind comments and emails.

Best,
Paige

Upcoming Releases

First of all - thank you! I have been receiving emails asking about books I have publishing through 2012. Seriously, I have the best readers ever - your enthusiasm and and kind words make all the hard work very worthwhile. Again, thank you!

Here's what's coming up ---

September 4:
RED HOT DEADLY PEPPERS
This was an absolute blast to write! It's a Farmers' Market mini mystery that will be available as an ebook only. It's priced at $2.99 (it's definitely a short story) and it will have previews of A KILLER MAIZE as well as IF MASHED POTATOES COULD DANCE included.

Becca travels to Arizona to do some farmers' market research, but is, of course, thrown right into the middle of a a murder mystery.

Timeline wise, the story takes place between CROPS AND ROBBERS (published last December) and A KILLER MAIZE (publishing this December) but it is very stand alone. If you haven't met Becca, it's a chance to get to know her. If you have met her, it's a chance to watch her in action again - she meets a "real" detective in this one and I'd like to maybe someday bring him into another story. She loved asking him "detective" questions.

I think the cover is wonderful, and I kind of wish it wasn't just an ebook. I'd love to see it on shelves.

October 2:
IF MASHED POTATOES COULD DANCE
This is the second book in the Country Cooking School Mystery Series. Betts, Gram, Jake and the other Broken Rope, Missouri residents all return to solve another modern day murder as well as a mystery from the past. This is the first book I've written that I did some intensive research for. I'm not sure how much I'm allowed to say at this point - the blurb isn't up on bookseller sites, yet. Fingers crossed I don't get in trouble for sharing this so soon, but the ghostly visitor from Broken Rope's shady past is an ax murderer who killed her parents. Sound familiar? It was fun to weave some facts from a similar well known legendary crime into my fictional character's story.

Again, I love the cover. I think it captures the "feel" of the story very well.

November:
I'll be cooking, baking, eating and writing.


December 4:
A KILLER MAIZE
This is the fourth book in the Farmers' Market Mystery Series and, yes, Becca does choose. I promise. This was one of the most emotional books I've ever written. I really enjoyed it, but I felt like that along with solving the murder mystery, the characters needed to go through what they needed to go through. That probably won't make much sense until you read it, but I was really happy with all their "journeys."

And - I hope this doesn't sound arrogant because I have absolutely nothing to do with this part of the process - I think this cover is one of the best covers I've ever seen. You never really know how it will look on the shelves until it's there, but I think it's amazing and I'm very grateful for my Berkley Prime Crime cover artists. Thank you!

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What I'm currently writing - IF BREAD COULD RISE TO THE OCCASION, the third book in the Country Cooking School series and Farmers' Market 5 (still, sadly, untitled). Both of these books will publish in 2013.

I'm also working on some other projects, but I know I'd be wet noodle whipped if I talked much about them at this point. Details soon.

One more time - thank you! I hope the rest of your 2012 is fabulous, and please stay in touch.

Paige