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writerchristophfischer

Monthly Archives: February 2019

Mystery Mondays Interview with Maureen Fisher

18 Monday Feb 2019

Posted by writerchristophfischer in Uncategorized

≈ 9 Comments

I’m delighted to introduce Maureen Fisher, a lovely fellow writer whose work I’ve been following for years now. As dog breeder the animal theme in her books of course speaks especially to me. What better way to present her new book “Horsing Around with Murder” than with my Mystery Mondays Interviews.

 

Welcome back to my blog, Maureen.Please explain to my readers what type of crime fiction do you write and why?

With three romantic suspense novels under my belt (I refer to them as romantic crime mysteries with heat, heart and humor), I decided it was time to bounce into another genre (a no-no for an author, but I’m not in this for the money). Since I love mysteries, I thought it would be fun to write some cozy mysteries while incorporating lots of crime, animals, and a hit of romance. Horsing Around with Murder is the first in a funny and furry Senior Sleuth Mystery series.

I chose to write about three sixtyish sisters because, hey, been there, done that, and have the wrinkles and body to prove it. I know a little something about how aging looks and feels, and have used my experience to incorporate some boomer humor into my book. It’s my attempt to fight ageism by spreading the word that growing older doesn’t make seniors invisible, boring, or less worthy of respect.

What is a cozy mystery?

As far as I can determine, there are some basic rules cozies must adhere to. First and foremost, sex and violence are downplayed or treated humorously. Also, the crime and detection must take place in a small, socially intimate community. Although a killing is not mandatory, if there is a murder, the victim is typically detestable. Thus, the crime, if not justifiable, is often understandable. Finally—and I admit this set of rules gave me some trouble—there should be no blood, no cursing, and no explicit sex.

Okay, so maybe I stretched these final rules a tad here, but I did NOT cross a cozy line. No siree. To start with, the action takes place in a contained little community—Grizzly Gulch Guest Ranch, a dude ranch owned by my protagonists. The victim, far from being an upstanding member of society, has a history of horse drugging, preying on women, and general sleaziness. Finally, my corpse doesn’t drip blood, my protagonists invented replacements for their favorite naughty words, and by the end of the book, no one has managed to engage in sex. Yet.

Are you like any of the characters (and how so)?

I confess to having an inappropriate sense of humor. Try as I might, I seem incapable of preventing this trait from migrating into my main protagonists. Here’s an example from Horsing around with Murder:

Bending over to scrutinize the cookies, Dodie presented me with a disturbing view. She’d encased her plump legs in black leggings, a feat as miraculous as stuffing a bucking heifer down a drainpipe. Her queen-sized butt-cheeks bulged, straining the wafer-thin fabric in an alarming manner.

Or

“Whatcha reading?” my sister yelled. “Financial Planning for Dummies?”

“Nope. Hard, Hung, and Horny: A Tender Love Story. You can borrow it.”

“Groovy.” She sucked in an audible breath and kept on walking with an odd stiff-legged gait, flared nostrils, and fixed expression.

“You look like you’re passing a kidney stone,” I observed.

“You have a … remarkable way with … words,” she said, staggering the last few steps. Once behind the counter, she flung herself into her chair with a grunt.

“That was a geezer-grunt,” I said. “What’s wrong?”

After a lengthy pause, she said, “Turns out cramming this year’s booty into last year’s jeans is the mistake that keeps on punishing.”

Tell us a little about Horsing Around with Murder.

With horses, and goats, and a llama, oh, my!

There’s secrets, and intrigue, and someone must die.

Abby, Dodie, and Clara Foster, three 60-something sisters, are astonished to learn they’ve inherited Grizzly Gulch, a dude ranch in the Alberta Foothills. Facing financial ruin, they host a week-long horse breeding symposium to attract more guests.

Hours into the symposium, a cowboy’s sudden death appears accidental. When the Mounties dismiss Abby’s notion of murder, she convinces Dodie and Zeke, their hot barn manager, to conduct a covert investigation without alerting their guests. Problem is, the quirky guests are their main suspects.

Chaos ensues when the senior sleuths tangle with one seriously amorous gelding (yes, it happens), a runaway stud, dwarf goats and their guard llama, a cranky stallion, drug abuse, deceit, and more danger. It doesn’t help that late-life romance ups the ante.

Warning: This book may contain inappropriate boomer humor.

“Great fun to read! I love it! Laughed out loud and enjoyed all the characters.”

“The physical comedy infused throughout gave me several actual laugh-out-loud moments – the mark for me of a great read.”

” I LOVED IT!!! What a fun cozy mystery.”

 

Horsing Around with Murder is available at:

Amazon:

US: https://amzn.to/2BqMqzd

CA: https://amzn.to/2Shyq5a

UK: https://amzn.to/2Gqwm3X

AU: https://amzn.to/2RLzqJY

Kobo:  https://bit.ly/2DslJdU

B&N:   https://bit.ly/2BsyO6G

Apple and More

 

What are you working on now?

I’m currently working on Book 2 of the Senior Sleuth Series, tentatively entitled Dodging the Bullet. Octogenarian Mildred Cox, a cagey card shark whose major poker win enraged the losers, lands unannounced with her pet ferret at Grizzly Gulch in a bid to escape pursuit. Luckily, a local retirement home’s annual seniors’ getaway coincides with her visit, providing plenty of cover. Attempted murder, ornery animals, mistaken identities, and vengeful geriatrics add excitement.

About Maureen Fisher

After eons in the I.T. consulting world, I live with my husband in Ottawa, Canada’s beautiful capital city, where I write fresh and funny novels featuring romance, mystery, suspense, and always an animal or two. I’m also a besotted grandma, a voracious reader, the Gardening & Landscaping Coordinator for our community, an avid bridge player, yoga enthusiast, seeker of personal and spiritual growth, pickleball player, and infrequent but avid gourmet cook. My husband and I love to hike, bicycle, and travel. I swam with sharks in the Galapagos, walked with Bushmen in the Serengeti, sampled lamb criadillas (don’t ask!!!) in Iguazu Falls, snorkeled on the Great Barrier Reef, rode an elephant in Thailand, watched the sun rise over Machu Picchu, and bounced from Johannesburg to Cape Town on a bus named Marula.

 

Other Books by Maureen Fisher

Cold Feet Fever (The Fever Series, Book 2) myBook.to/CFF

 

‘One for the Money’ with steamy romance meets ‘The Sopranos’. A bad boy gambler and a mortician-turned-event-planner find romance while overcoming obstacles such as a goofy dog, ruthless thugs, exploding trucks, an eccentric granddaddy, disappearing corpses, an unfortunate synchronized swimming episode, and the threat of live cremation.

 

“An exciting novel that left me doubled over in laughter”

“a wonderful hilarious comedy … a warm and enjoyable read”

Fur Ball Fever (The Fever Series, Book 1) myBook.to/FBF

 

This romantic crime mystery features romance (sizzling hot), a second chance at love (hope and heart), crime (dastardly), an aging aunt (bawdy), dogs with personality (many), and humor (may cause mascara to run).

 

“It entertains, it heals, it delivers a message.”

“… hilarious, moving, and sexy.”

 

The Jaguar Legacy MyBook.to/TJL

Romance, suspense, and adventure explode in the steamy Mexican jungle. A secretive archaeologist guards his discovery, the ruins of a hidden Olmec city, while a journalist on the trail of an ancient Olmec curse experiences flashbacks to her past life where shapeshifting is a reality.

 

“…magnificent characters and scenarios.”

“An intricately woven tale of mystery, romance and occult. Definitely a keeper.”

 

Social Media Links

 

Please feel free to keep in touch with me using the following links:

 

Website: http://booksbymaureen.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorMaureen

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MaureenFisherAuthor

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/845094.Maureen_Fisher

 

 

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#amreading : Preview copies from abroad (2)

16 Saturday Feb 2019

Posted by writerchristophfischer in Uncategorized

≈ 8 Comments

9781771861823As I said on my blog yesterday, one of the biggest privileges of my writing life has been encountering some humble yet incredibly talented authors and becoming friends with the people behind truly inspiring books.

Murielle Syr, whose wonderful tale of a turtle ( https://www.amazon.co.uk/TURTLE-WISH-Murielle-Cyr-ebook/dp/B00DV1FA9G) caught my heart a few years ago,
has become a writer and a woman whom I simply adore.

Murielle has written in many different genres and has now found a publisher for her historical novel series. Needless to say. I cannot wait for it. To receive her advance preview copy from said publishers in Canada has made my day.

https://muriellerites.wordpress.com/2018/12/21/the-daughters-story/

Available May 1, 2019 Pre-order now

https://www.barakabooks.com/catalogue/the-daughters-story

Nadine is banished to a home for unwed mothers in 1950. She’s 15. Her baby daughter, whose father is shrouded in secrecy, is put up for adoption without her permission. Vowing to reunite one day with her daughter, she cuts all ties with her dysfunctional Irish and French-Canadian Catholic family whose past is cluttered with secrets, betrayals, incest and violence.

It’s now October 1970 in Montreal. Following two FLQ kidnappings, Ottawa proclaims the War Measures Act and sends the army into Quebec. These staggering events indirectly bring about a reunion between Nadine and her daughter Lisette, now 20 years old and embittered after being bounced from one foster home to another. Eight months pregnant, Lisette and her partner Serge, who is close to the FLQ, need money and see Nadine as a possible source.

A family saga with World Wars I and II, the Great Depression and the October crisis as backdrop, The Daughters’ Story tells the unsung, yet intensely passionate, tale of women whose unquenchable need to belong drives them to survive and thrive despite cruel conditions.

# Books on Quebec, #Family Saga, #Historical Fiction, #Novel, #October 1970,# Quebec Literature, #Women’s Rights  #Canadian fiction.

 

#amreading : Preview copies from abroad (1)

15 Friday Feb 2019

Posted by writerchristophfischer in Uncategorized

≈ 6 Comments

One of the biggest privileges of my writing life has been encountering humble yet incredibly talented authors and becoming friends with the people behind truly inspiring books.

I came across Richard Zimler‘s hit “The Last Kabbalist of Lisbon” by chance via a google search and have devoured his work ever since. Few people write with such delicate humanity and sensitivity, always think of others and enchant with prose as he does. I have read all of his work and am a huge fan.

I had the honour of meeting him on social media and in Lisbon last year and now am over the moon to see his latest work “The Gospel According to Lazarus” finally published in English. I received the honour of a preview copy from the publishers and am over the moon. I’m already far into the novel and can’t wait to post my review.
Such a great idea to pick Lazarus as narrator is all I can say for now. Thanks Richard and team!

 

 

Hidebound Hump Day — Cornelis Drebbel 30

13 Wednesday Feb 2019

Posted by writerchristophfischer in Uncategorized

≈ 5 Comments

Back in 2015 Teagan asked me to provide three things for her serial. Check out her blog – her writing and stories are exquisite and the images always great fun. You’ll see why I may be biased lol xxx

Teagan's Books

Wednesday, February 13, 2019

Saturday Evening Post, 1937. Delivery boy ringing doorbell, waits with man in formal attire (and top hat) who has his head through a cut out in a big Valentine cardSaturday Evening Post, 1937

Happy Valentine’s Day, my chuckaboos!

I know this image is not from the right era, but the dashing man looking all afternoonified, made me think of something Cornelis might do.  I think Valentine’s Day around him would be positively naty narking.

Back in 2015, Christoph Fischer sent the “things” for this chapter.  Christoph is a blogger, reviewer, and the author of many compelling novels.   I’m currently reading “The Body in the Snow,” and I’m having a great time.  If you asked Christoph to let you see a photo of his Valentine, he might show you something like this…

4 Labradoodle puppiesChristoph’s Labradoodle Puppies

It’s time for Hidebound Hump Day!  If there are Valentines where our heroes are, then they are surely in shades of violet and lavender.  

Previously with Copper, the Alchemist, and the Woman in Trousers

Chapter 28

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STOP PRESS – BLOGGING APE NOMINATED FOR 2019 BLOGGERS BASH AWARD…

04 Monday Feb 2019

Posted by writerchristophfischer in Uncategorized

≈ 10 Comments

A huge resource for authors and readers – not surprised thestoryreadingapeblog is nominated again – please VOTE fror the adorable ape in the Bloggers Bash Awards

Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog

This old Blogging Ape is greatly honoured and humbled to have been nominated for a 2019 Bloggers Bash Award – see the email below for details:

Dear Chris,

Congratulations! You have been nominated for Best Blogging/Writing Blog at the Annual Bloggers Bash Awards 2019! 

The Annual Bloggers Bash is a yearly blogging event which takes place on Saturday 15th June 2019 at the Grange Wellington Hotel in London.

We’re now in our 5th year and have had attendees from all over the UK, Europe, the US, Canada and even Australia!

To find out more about this year’s event,click HEREto be taken to our website.

What do I do now?

Attached is your nominations badge. You can use this on your blog, across your social media and emails and it is an excellent way of gaining promotion for when voting opens in April. 

Annual Bloggers Bash 2019 - Nominee: Best Blogging/Writing Blog

One…

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Book Review: In Search Of A Revolution

03 Sunday Feb 2019

Posted by writerchristophfischer in Uncategorized

≈ 7 Comments

Woke up to this wonderful review of one of my own favourite books. Thanks to blogger Pete for this.

This novel is set in a familiar time period, but in locations unfamiliar to many, and rarely featured in literature. Two friends in Denmark are inseparable, despite holding completely opposite political views. Close to the end of WW1, one of them decides to leave the country, and he volunteers to fight for the Reds, in the Finnish Civil War of 1918. Whilst there, he meets a nurse, and forms a relationship with her.
Meanwhile, his friend back in Denmark is espousing the views of the other side in politics, the burgeoning far-right. He is forced to leave Denmark, and flees to join his friend in Finland, with his arrival turning the relationship into an unusual love triangle.
This story has huge scope, reminiscent (to me at least) of novels like ‘Doctor Zhivago’, and the ‘Don’ books of Sholokhov. We follow the characters from 1918, right through to 1948, during the time of The Winter War between Finland and the USSR, into WW2, and collaboration with Nazi Germany. Historical detail is first-rate, and the changes in the main characters are well-described too. It’s all there for us. The social structure of Finland and Denmark, the turbulent politics of that thirty-year period, and the short but intense military actions experienced during three periods of conflict. And importantly, characters that I cared about and wanted to follow.
I am looking forward to reading many more of Fischer’s books.

As you can see from that review, I liked this book a lot. I also enjoyed the ‘traditional’ writing style, and construction of the novel. The book is divided into parts, and we follow certain characters in each time period, with chapters focusing on one or the other. No gimmicks, no style excesses, and what boils down to a good old-fashioned read. The historical setting may not be for everyone, but I assure you that this rarely-covered area of conflict is fascinating, and seeing political ideals tested to the breaking point as the whole world descends into all-out war gives the reader much to think about.

We also get a window into the lives of people of all classes at the time, from poorly paid labourers living in cramped conditions, to the dismissive wealthy changing sides and allegiances to secure their fortunes. But the book is also about close relationships. Those between parents and children, often stilted by the demands of a rigid society, and those of close male friends, disrupted by the arrival of a determined woman. Something for everyone, in just under 300 pages.

I read the Kindle edition of this book, and here are some links for you to see more about Christoph and his other books, and to buy the novel, if you should choose to do so.

http://www.christophfischerbooks.com/
https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/6590171.Christoph_Fischer

beetleypete

Blogger Christoph Fischer is also a prolific writer, and many of his novels have been published. I have had two of his books waiting on my Kindle for a long time now, and finally got to read this one over the past few days. Here is a short bio of Christoph.


Christoph Fischer was born in Germany, near the Austrian border, as the son of a Sudeten-German father and a Bavarian mother. Not a full local in the eyes and ears of his peers he developed an ambiguous sense of belonging and home in Bavaria. He moved to Hamburg in pursuit of his studies and to lead a life of literary indulgence. After a few years he moved on to the UK where he now lives in a small town in West Wales. He and his partner have three Labradoodles to complete their family. Christoph worked for the British Film…

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Recent Posts

  • Mystery Mondays Interview with Maureen Fisher
  • #amreading : Preview copies from abroad (2)
  • #amreading : Preview copies from abroad (1)
  • Hidebound Hump Day — Cornelis Drebbel 30
  • STOP PRESS – BLOGGING APE NOMINATED FOR 2019 BLOGGERS BASH AWARD…

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