A Wicked Welcome to J.C. Kenney!

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by Julie, with her umbrella in Somerville

J.C. is a regular commenter on the blog, and has visited us in the past. I had a chance to meet him last November in Chicago, at the Murder in the Midwest conference, which was a ton of fun. He’s got a new series launching later this year, and agreed to come on the blog to talk about it.

The Power of Optimism

Happy Friday, friends! I’m so happy to be back visiting with you and The Wickeds again. We’ve almost made it to the weekend, something most definitely worth celebrating.
This month, we’re talking about looking forward. I’m fortunate in that category because this year, I have a lot to look forward to writing-wise. I have two books coming out. The first, Magic Box Murder, is scheduled to arrive February 27. It’s the third book in my Record Store Mysteries series and I have had a ball writing about the adventures of my amateur sleuth, Darcy Gaughan, and her friends.. The other book, Panic in the Panhandle, drops September 26. It’s the debut of my new Elmo Simpson Mysteries. Isn’t that a fun cover!

I’m also set to attend two bookish conventions. I’ll be in Orlando, Florida in late February for the Coastal Magic Book Convention. Here’s a link if you want to check it out. As if that isn’t exciting enough for this kid from Indiana, I’ll also be at the Bouchercon Mystery Convention in Nashville, Tennessee at the end of August. You can get more deets about it here. Exciting things to look forward to, indeed!

The thing is, none of this fun stuff happened with the snap of a finger. It took a lot of time, a lot of hard work, and some good luck for me to be in this position. Shoot, I wrote the first words of Panic in the Panhandle in February of 2020. By the time it arrives on shelves, four and a half years will have passed from that day I first started writing about Elmo and the oddball denizens of Paradise Springs, Florida.

While that’s a long time, it’s nothing unique in the writing world. Shepherding a book from an idea to a finished, published work takes a lot of things. One of those things is optimism, which can be defined as hopefulness about the future or the successful outcome of something.

For the longest time, I thought I was a pessimist, or a realist at best. Since I started writing stories, though, I’ve come to realize that, deep down, I’m an optimist. I mean, what other kind of person would take on a project like writing a novel with the full knowledge that nothing may come of it, yet they keep at it anyway? Someone with belief in their story and themselves. That the story is good enough. That someone will like it enough to read it.

Someone with hope for good things to come.

That’s a powerful thought. Am empowering one, too. Of course, I have my tough days where I’m convinced I’ll never sell another book again. I know those moments will pass, though. Writing taught me that, despite the gloom that comes with cold and dreary Indiana days in January, better times are ahead. Like sunny days in Daytona or music filled nights in Nashville.

Writing taught me that, at heart, I’m an optimist. I truly believe that if you hang on and keep trying, there will be good times ahead. Not just in writing. In life, too. So, don’t give up, friends. Not on yourself and not on your passions. As we begin another new year, let’s try our best to keep hope alive and to be optimistic about things to come.

Who’s with me? Tell me something you’re looking forward to this year or something that you’re hopeful for. One randomly drawn commenter will receive a $5 Amazon gift card. Until next time, believe in the power of optimism, friends!

About the book:

In the sleepy panhandle of Florida, Benjamin “Elmo” Simpson has carved out a comfortable niche as the go-to wild animal removal specialist. Life is sweet until a peculiar service request takes him to a local condo and an unexpected scene. Retired lawyer Fran Cohen is missing and in his apartment is a well-fed alligator that appears to have enjoyed a nice breakfast with…or rather, of…Fran.

All evidence points toward murder, and local alligator farmer, Waldo “Rambo” Quigley has the motive and the means. When Rambo pleads for help to clear his name, old debts and a history of friendship leave Elmo no choice but to investigate. With his girlfriend, Nicola, by his side, and Rambo’s freedom on the line, Elmo’s on the hunt for the real killer, but don’t panic…Elmo’s got a plan…sort of. Maybe.

Reptilian clues lead to unexpected allies, and the call of danger is addictive. Can Elmo uncover the identity of Fran’s killer before becoming the next victim, removed from the scene like an unwanted pest?

About the author:

J.C. Kenney is the bestselling author of The Allie Cobb Mysteries, The Darcy Gaughan Mysteries, and The Elmo Simpson Mysteries. He’s also the co-host of The Bookish Hour and The Bookish Moment webcasts. When he’s not writing, you can find him following IndyCar racing or listening to music. He has two grown children and lives in Indianapolis with his wife and a cat. You can find him at www.jckenney.com.

You can pre-order your copy of Panic in the Panhandle by clicking here: https://tulepublishing.com/books/panic-in-the-panhandle/

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Published by J.A. Hennrikus

One woman, three names, many books. As Julia Henry I wrote the Garden Squad series for Kensington. As J.A. Hennrikus I wrote the Theater Cop series, and as Julianne Holmes I wrote the Clock Shop series. I've been an arts administrator for my entire career, mostly in the performing arts. Currently I'm the ED of Sisters in Crime, a wonderful organization that promotes and supports crime writers. www.sistersincrime.org Connect with me on Facebook and Instagram! @JHAuthors

43 Thoughts

  2. J.C. I am also an optimist, glass half full type of person.
    I have several trips that I am looking forward to this year, including revisiting Seattle in April for Left Coast Crime. Then 5 days later, I am heading off on a dream trip to Singapore/Malaysia!

    And this year’s Bouchercon will be my first time in Nashville. It’s a huge convention (I have gone since the early 1990s) so it’s very hard to see everyone I expect that is there. Hope to meet you at Nashville Bouchercon!

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    1. Wow, Grace! Talk about a full schedule. Hope all of the travel goes off without a hitch and you have lots of fun. Hope to see you in Nashville!

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  3. Welcome back to the blog, JC, and congratulations on all the new books! I’ll miss you in Nashville – I’m skipping it this year.

    But my preemie grandgirl is coming home in about two weeks – yay! – and in April I’m returning for the first time in forty-five years to Japan where I lived. Very exciting. Plus I have a new historical releasing in March and a couple of cozies coming out during the rest of the year. Much to look forward to.

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    1. Thanks for sharing all the good news, Edith, especially about your grandbaby! Enjoy the trip to Japan, too. Cheers!

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  4. I’m going to miss seeing you at Bouchercon, JC. Are you going to Malice? Right now, that looks like the only mystery con I’ll be attending in 2024.

    I’m looking forward to having two books coming out this year, one in May, the other in December. Personally, I’m looking forward (I think) to my hubby’s retirement. I do actually enjoy having him around, but 24/7? Wish me luck!

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    2. Enjoy Malice for me, Annette! I won’t be able to make it this year. Congratulations in advance on the new releases and good luck having hubs under foot! 😉

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  5. Sounds like a fun book to read! I’m definitely a forever optimist – every morning I tell myself something great is going to happen to me today and it always does! What’s that song, look for the sunny side of life? Everybody sing lol!

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  6. This year I am so looking forward to marking something off our bucket list – a trip to Alaska. I’ve wanted to go to Alaska all my life. After all, it was almost my home state except my dad had to have his orders there cut short and sent back stateside because my mom was RH- because way back then they weren’t capable to handle possible problems. Since they talked so fondly of it to all meant, I have always had a desire to go there.

    After we married, hubby acquired the same desire. (I think it started out to make me happy.) After retirement, it was a major trip on our bucket list. But the expense, Covid and my medical issues, had it always being moved down the list. That is until this year! Years of planning and saving had us planning all of last year the trip route, where to stay, and what to see. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, it will become a reality this July/August. So looking forward to it! And yes, I’m being optimistic that it IS going to happen!

    Can’t wait for the opportunity to read and review both of your upcoming books. LOVE the cover on “Panic in the Panhandle”! Thank you so much for the chance to win an Amazon gift card.
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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    1. Thanks for sharing that story, Kay. I hope you have the most amazing and memorable trip ever! And thank you for the kind words about the Panic cover. Cheers!

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  7. Congrats on the new book, J.C. I’m not going to make it to Bouchercon this year. Will you be at Malice?

    I’ve got two books coming out this year and looking forward to starting a new series with a new publisher, so I guess I must be an optimist at heart as well.

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    1. Two new books and a new series, Liz! That is fantastic! There’s nothing quite like the excitement that comes from beginning a new story journey with a new publisher. Have fun at Malice for me!

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  8. Welcome back to the Wickeds, J.C.! I am one of those realists-but-really-an-optimist, too. I have two books coming out this year, including a novella in a collection in 11 days.

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    1. Excellent news, my fellow deep down optimist! Enjoy all the kudos that will surely be coming your way and a special round of best wishes for your novella!

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  9. congrats on the new books. I’m just hoping i don’t lose my job in the next year – not sure that counts as optimism but it is what i’m hoping for.
    fruitcrmble AT comcast DOT net.

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    1. I hear you. I got laid off in 2021 and it took me a year to land a position with similar pay and benefits. Sending good vibes that your position stays safe!

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  10. A new year filled with hope and great health. This is my wish to enjoy travel which has been missing from my life.

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    1. Hope and great health are things I will celebrate with you, Ellie! Hope you are able to get back to travel soon!

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  11. Congratulations on your new book – it sounds like a fun read! I am really looking forward to continuing my healthy lifestyle journey this year. It’s been hard to get used to but I feel much better for it. aprilbluetx at yahoo dot com

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    1. Truth! I tell myself that this time of year, my goal is to simply make it to March. Be safe when you get back out there!

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    1. Thanks so much! I haven’t made it to the Keys yet. Hope to sooner rather than later. Also hope your hubby is feeling better with the new hip!

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  15. A beautiful message! I’m looking forward to finishing one of my series and hopefully beginning another!

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    1. Thanks so much, Sherry! I got inspired to write it while in Panama City Beach, so there’s a little bit of that mixed with some Destin. I’ve vacationed in the area three times now and am going back for a fourth in April. Tough research assignment! 😉

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  17. It’s nice when hard work pays off, isn’t it? Hope that everything you are looking forward to in 2024 is better than expected.

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  18. I’m looking forward to my husband’s surgery next month to reverse an earlier one, and we can get back ti a normal life. Then looking forward to traveling, again.

    And, of course, looking forward to your new series.

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  19. Hi J.C. I’m looking forward to going to Malice. I missed last year. And I’m looking forward to the first book in my new series coming out in November. Being a writer means you have to be an optimist and believe in yourself!
    Have a terrific year!

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  20. We have gone to Florida and the Florida Keys since 1982. But we spent thirteen years in a row in the Florida Keys starting in 2003, I think. We rented a house in Marathon. Fishing, food, fun, driving the seven-mile bridge daily, boating, friends, riding bicycles, doing tourist stuff, and so much more. It has made me love all books, Florida. Only reason we stopped was, we had seen and done it all and all that fishing and bending and reeling put a problem on Hubby Dearest’s hip. He had to have a hip replacement. I can’t wait for it to come out in paperback or HB. I do like kindle but still like my books. Congrats.

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  21. GiVEAWAY ALERT:

    And the winner of the $5 Amazon gift card is…Kay Garret!

    Congrats, Kay! Please send me a good email address to jc@jckenney.com and I’ll get the gift card out to you. Cheers!

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