News Flash: Mary Garrett is the lucky winner of JC’s book! Mary, please check your email.
Edith/Maddie here, writing on the first day of a new month from north of Boston.
I’m thrilled to welcome J.C. Kenney back to the blog. J.C. has a first book in a new series out today, and I can’t wait to read it!
Here’s the blurb:
When the manager of Marysburg Music, Darcy Gaughan, returns to work after a vacation, she expects to jump right back into work as the store gets ready for the upcoming Record Store Day celebrations. She’s also celebrating five years of sobriety and is confident that there are good things in her future. She doesn’t expect to find her boss in his office, dead from an apparent self-inflicted stab wound.
The police rule the death a suicide. Darcy, who knew her beloved boss better than anybody, knows better. She vows to get to the truth of the matter before the murderer can get away with the crime and the record store is closed forever. Along the way, she uncovers secrets and shady deals certain town residents would rather keep hidden. Secrets some would commit murder to keep under wraps. Can she assemble the clues and put them in just the right order so everything comes together like a classic jazz album? And how is she supposed to focus on finding a killer when she also needs to figure out a way to keep the record store open? Follow along as Darcy searches for the truth while learning the greatest gifts are truly those that money can’t buy.
Lucky Number Thirteen – And a Giveaway!
Hi, friends! It’s such a thrill to be visiting with the Wickeds again. How about a round of applause for them and all they do for the writing community?
I’m in the mood to celebrate and I hope you’ll join me because Record Store Reckoning, book 1 of my brand-new Darcy Gaughan Mysteries, is out today! Cue the confetti and brass band! Yes, I know I’ll probably need a new keyboard key for the exclamation point after today, but like Kool and The Gang said, celebrate good times!
How about that cover? Not too shabby, I think. One of the things that makes today so special is that Record Store Reckoning is my thirteenth published novel. Now, I know the number 13 is considered unlucky in a lot of circles. In case you didn’t know, there’s even a term for the fear of the number – triskaidekaphobia. Come to think of it, I believe Lucy mentioned the term to Charlie Brown in Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown.
In my house, it’s another matter entirely. In fact, thirteen is quite the lucky number. To begin with, my lovely wife Nancy’s birthday is on the 13th. But wait, there’s more. She was born on a Friday the 13th. Some folks might feel a little triskaidekaphobic about that. Not her. She’s proud of it. And she’s the greatest thing to ever happen to me, so I think it’s pretty cool, too.
A few other fun tidbits about the number 13. It is both a prime number and a number in the Fibonacci Sequence. Each of the four seasons are 13 weeks long. There are 13 cards in each suit of a regular deck of cards. Oh, and there was a little mission to the moon called Apollo 13. That flight started out kind of rough, but what a testament to human ingenuity that everyone came home safe and sound.
Given all that, I don’t think it’s surprising that I consider 13 a lucky number. Especially when Record Store Reckoning joins that esteemed crowd of interesting tidbits. I’d like to think that means good things are in store for it.
So, how about you? Do you have a lucky number or a keepsake like a rabbit’s foot that brings you positive vibes? Tell me about them. I’m giving a signed, paperback copy of Record Store Reckoning to a lucky commenter. (U.S. only, I’m afraid) Until next time, may the Luck o’ the Irish be with you!
You can purchase Record Store Reckoning wherever books are sold or at Amazon by going to the following link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09NQFH65V
J.C. Kenney is the Amazon and Kobo bestselling author of The Allie Cobb Mysteries and The Darcy Gaughan Mysteries. His debut, A Literal Mess, was a finalist for a Muse Medallion from the Cat Writers’ Association in mystery fiction. When he’s not writing, you can find him following IndyCar racing or listening to music. He lives in Indianapolis with his wife, two children, and a cat. You can find him at www.jckenney.com.
No numbers or items are good or bad luck for me…but often find myself prepared for things that are going to happen…relied upon by family!
Preparation is always a good thing, Diane. Good on you for thinking that way!
No lucky numbers or items for me. My saying is “If it wasn’t for bad luck, I’d have no luck at all.” I am very interested in your new book. My brother used to work in a record store and I would go visit him during the slow times and he would let me use his discount. I still have all my records. Thank you for this chance at your giveaway! pgenest57 at aol dot com
Thanks so much for your interest in Record Store Reckoning! And you’re a lot smarter than me. In the late 90’s, I gave away most of my vinyl collection in preparation for a move. Sure wish I had it back!
Thanks so much for your interest in Record Store Reckoning. You’re a lot smarter than me in holding on to your vinyl. I had a big collection that I gave away in the 90’s when I was getting ready for a move. Wish I had it back!
Excellent cover, and I love the look on your Amazon sales page! As for numbers, ten two-letter words have proven essential: if it is to be, it is up to me. Best of luck with your latest book!
I love that! I’ve heard that mantra before, but never made the connection that it consists of ten 2 letter words. How cool!
I don’t have any lucky or unlucky numbers, but congratulations on book #13! I love how significant the number 13 is to you, and I hope this latest release brings you all the luck!
Thanks so much for the kind wishes, Marla! Cheers!
J.C., congratulations on the new book’s release! I have a friend who owns a record store (Purchase Street Records in New Bedford, MA) and it’s a great place to find your vinyl must-haves. He also has CDs and cassettes and has ordered me new albums on CD in the past. And thanks to the store being located two doors down from a music hall, he’s had tons of rock artists drop by the store. I’ve met Dee Snider and Jay Jay French during signing events at the store as well.
So as you might imagine, your book is one of three MUST-HAVE purchases from this week’s slate of new releases.
I don’t have a lucky number that I know of. Since I haven’t yet won one of those huge lottery jackpots, it would appear all my numbers are unlucky. HA!
Thanks for the chance to win the book!
Thanks for your kind words, Jay! And that it is so cool about your friend! Long live independent record stores!
Congratulations on your new book! I do have a little silver angel in my car I consider good luck…well, at least I’ve been in no accidents with her there lol!
Sounds like it’s doing the job to me, Kathy! Thanks so much!
Congratulations, J.C.! No lucky anything here. Every time I think I found something it, um, doesn’t quite work out. LOL
Appreciate it, Liz! And I know that things not quite working out feeling oh, so well!
My hubby was born on April 13th and we married on Fri. Oct. 13th. Was it lucky? Some days yes, some days…Ha! Yes, it was 🙂 Good luck with your new book.
Ha! Love that, Judy. I’d say the 13th has worked out for you okay. Cheers!
Thanks so much for the invitation, Edith! It’s always such a pleasure visiting!
You are so welcome! I’ve always preferred the number 8, but not for its luck. I can’t wait to read the new story.
No lucky number here.
I hear ya. Thanks for stopping by!
Congratulations on the new book and series, JC! And welcome back to the Wickeds. I don’t have any lucky numbers, but I do have some routines I observe superstitiously.
Thanks a million, Barb! Routines – I totally have a few of those I follow. Better safe than sorry, right?
No lucky numbers or charms
Fewer things to think about that way! Thanks for stopping by!
As a kid I had a “lucky” chestnut, until my sister stole it and then lost it.
A lucky chestnut sounds really cool, Alicia! Gotta love memories from childhood!
Congrats on the new book, J.C.! Definitely like the record store setting. I still have a bunch of 45s, LPs, and even some 78s!!
I’ve always been partial to the number 7. And I have a square coin from Curacao that I think of as my lucky charm. Don’t know how I got it, but it’s always in my wallet. I’m a reasonably lucky person so I figured it helps!
Oh, wow. The square coin sounds way cool! And I love that you still have your record collection. Those 78s have got to be valuable!
Thanks for visitng the Wickeds today, J. C.! I like lucky numbers and have often associated 17, 5, 9 and 22 with positive outcomes. I think it likely the results have much to do with expectations and the reticluar activation system in the brain, but one has to have ways of navigating the world so I figure it is as good as anything else! Best of luck with your book!
Thanks so much, Jessie! I totally see the idea of lucky numbers being associated with expectations. Makes total sense! Cheers!
Welcome back to the blog, J.C. Congratulations on the new series! For me, the number 7 resonates, and repeating numbers, ie it is now 11:11 are numbers I take as signs.
Thanks so much, Julie! I know a lot of folks who are fans of number 7. The repeating number topic is really interesting, especially how we all just experienced 2-22-22!
I used to ask students if they minded before handing them book #13 in a class set, because we could easily skip to 14 if they did. They’d usually just laugh at me, just as I laughed at those who were superstitious of my condo’s address, 666. Once I overheard a student, who’d worked on the grounds crew and thus knew my address, telling another that it meant I was a witch. I glared that teacher glare and said, “If I had powers, you’d be doing your work now” which they immediately did, so maybe I do . . . 😉
Absolutely love that story! I get a kick out of buildings that still don’t have a 13th floor because of alleged “bad luck.”
Perhaps we should all remember the lucky numbers mentioned here and try them in the lottery, just a thought. 😉 I like interesting numbers and enjoyed this past February with dates like 2-22-22. That date will be easy for anyone born on it to remember. Best of luck with the new series, sounds like a good one!
Brilliant idea of playing the lottery with the numbers here, Judy! Let’s hope that beings someone that special vibe!
Congratulations! Sounds like a wonderful new series! (And as a fellow writer, I don’t see book thirteen as unlucky at all!)
You’re so kind, Kathleen! Appreciate it. Yes, 13 is certainly lucky.
No real lucky or unlucky numbers for me. Congrats on the new series and on book #13!!!!!! (A few exclamation marks for you) (And please enter me in the contest.)
Thanks so much, Mark! Appreciate you dropping by. And it’s great you don’t have any unlucky numbers. Let’s keep it that way!
I used to have a lucky rabbit’s foot keychain. Somehow it got lost, maybe not so lucky after all, lol.
Thanks for the chance!
I feel for you. I’ve had a number of special mementos that have been lost over the years. Ah, well, Hopefully they bring others good luck!
Oh, congratulations on the latest. Sounds wonderful and I’m looking forward to reading it.
Lucky charms? Well, of course! For me it’s square nickels that I got on my first trip to St. Maarten. I understand they are no longer legal tender, but that’s fine, they are wonderful in the cosmic world. I also have a lucky sixpence – what is it with this money thing? And my husband insists that 13 is his lucky number. So lucky that we’ve bought or sold all of our houses on the 13th. Make that FRIDAY the 13th!
Kait, that is so cool! Sounds like buying and selling your houses on the 13th is definitely the way to go!
Congratulations on your new book AND the new series. It sounds wonderful. I still have all of me 33 1/3 albums AND my 45s from when I was a kid. I’m now 65 so that’s a lot of records. I can’t think of any numbers or objects that I consider lucky unless you count my wedding ring. The day my husband put that ring on my finger was the luckiest day of my life.
Good fortune doesn’t get any better than a long, happy marriage, Laurie! And cheers to you for still having all of your records! Very cool!
Great cover and looks like it will be an interesting read. My parents got married on January 13, 1941. Their marriage lasted until my father’s death in 1982 and would have gone on longer if he had lived. So that date is lucky to myself and my sister.
And I forgot to mention that my father put the love of music and records in my life from an early age. I grew up listening to the Big Bands, Satchmo, Trio Los Panchos, and all the way up to the Beatles and beyond. He later turned their dining room into his music room with quadrophonic sound. When he died, he had over 1200 LPS, 8 track tapes, 78 records, reel to reel tapes and audio cassettes of music. I have all of that plus all of the 45s and LPs I bought. We used to buy from Sarge’s Record Shop down the block from the Arcadia theatre that he managed in our hometown of Harlingen, Texas. So, music has been in my life for now over 73 years.
Thank you for sharing that, Madeleine! No doubt about 13 being a lucky number to you and your sister. And, wow, what a record collection. such an absolute treasure trove. Music is certainly timeless!
Happy 13th book, J.C.! Wishing you all the luck on your launch! (No lucky numbers per se in our family, although everyone claims that the numbers that make up their birth dates are the best!)
Thanks so much for stopping by, Jen! When in doubt, going with a birthday number sounds like solid advice to me. Cheers!
No lucky numbers or objects but my brother was born on a Friday the 13th. I still have my record albums and remember the local record shop. Congratulations on your new book!
Thank you, Sally! Good on you for holding onto that record collection. And cheers to your brother being born on a Friday the 13th. Just like my wife!
I don’t consider 13 to be unlucky. It’s probably a good thing I don’t because my house number starts with 13. It’s only an unlucky number if you let it be unlucky. Congratulations on your new series.
That is a fabulous way of looking at things, Dianne! Thanks for your coming by!
No. I do not have a lucky number or a keepsake for luck. Thank you for sharing. Happy book birthday.
Appreciate you stopping by, Debbie. Thanks very much for the kind words. Cheers!
Nope.