Thanks For Your Support!

It’s been a week and two days since From Beer to Eternity came out. Launch week is a crazy busy time. With each new book I’m reminded how generous and supportive the crime fiction writing and reading community is.

I did two Facebook parties. The first was with other Kensington authors whose books came out the same day. Jen J. Danna organized and did most of the work setting up the party. Her first book in the new NYPD Negotiators series is Exit Strategy. Here’s a bit about her book: In this taut new suspense series featuring NYPD detective Gemma Capello and her close-knit law enforcement family, a madman brings a halt to the heart of the city that never sleeps . . .
 
After her mother’s death during a bank robbery when she was a child, Gemma Capello grew up to become one of the NYPD’s elite hostage negotiators. In a family of cops, there’s rarely a day when a Capello isn’t facing down some form of threat. Still, despite their unpredictable schedules, they always find time for their annual family summer picnic. But this year, a sudden phone call changes everything.

The next night I did a Facebook party with Catherine Bruns. Her second book in her Italian Chef mystery series, It Cannoli Be Murder launched the same day as mine! Here’s a bit about it: Six months after her husband’s death, Tessa Esposito is hoping to drum up reservations for her restaurant’s grand opening. And since a signing with bestselling author, Preston Rigotta, is sure to draw a crowd, Tessa agrees to cater her cousin’s bookstore event—whipping up some of her famous Italian desserts. But the event soon takes a sour turn when Preston’s publicist, an old high school rival, arrives and begins to whisk up their old grudges.

That night, a fight breaks out in front of the crowd, and it becomes clear there’s bad blood in Harvest Park. And when the publicist is found dead on the bookstore floor the next morning, a stray cannolo at her side, Tessa knows who will be framed as the prime suspect.

To clear both her cousin’s and her own name, Tessa must investigate the murder. But Preston’s publicist has many secrets to hide, and in the end, the truth is bittersweet…

Friday night I was interviewed by fabulous bookstore owner Eileen McKervey. Eileen owns One More Page Books in Arlington, Virginia. She is so supportive of the crime fiction community here in the Northern Virginia/DC/Maryland area. (You can order signed copies of my books and many other authors books through One More Page.) Here’s a link to the interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NchLg_VI3jE

Another fabulous bookseller is Kelly Hebert Harrington at the Barnes and Noble in Destin, Florida. Kelly was so excited about From Beer to Eternity and we’ve been talking about it since I signed the contract for the series. Kelly pointed me to books about Destin’s history that were so valuable for researching the history of the area. We were going to have a big launch, but of course those plans had to be scraped. Kelly has a special display of the books at the front of the store.

Then there’s all the blogs like Jungle Red Writers, Dru’s Book Musings, and the Dollycas Blog tour. If you’re interested in reading any of the blogs I did for them, they are all available on the Appearances section of my website. Click here. I also have to thank all the review blogs like Carstairs Considers. And a big thanks to all the people who share posts on social media. Word of mouth is still one of the best ways a book can be promoted.

I always have the love and support of the Wickeds. They listened to me freak out when I found out about a mistake that made it through all the readings and proof readings of the book. Sigh.

I can’t leave out the amazing Jen who always has my back and I’d be lost without her.

I have to thank the team at Kensington. My editor Gary Goldstein came up with the idea for a series set in a beach bar and agreed to let me set it in the Florida panhandle. Larissa, you are the best and I’m so lucky to work with you. Lou designs amazing covers and there are all the behind the scenes people like the social media team and the production team. Unsung heroes all!

My family takes the brunt of the emotional roller coaster of my writing life and still love me. Lastly, my mom who has been so excited about my writing career from the day she heard about Tagged for Death. I miss you.

Readers: Do you follow book launches? Writers: What’s your favorite thing about launching a book?