A Wicked Welcome (back) to Annette Dashofy! *giveaway*

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by Julie, enjoying spring in Somerville

I am delighted to welcome friend of the Wickeds Annette Dashofy back to the blog today. Let’s all help her celebrate her new release!

Revisiting Old Friends

by Annette Dashofy

WHAT COMES AROUND cover

My thirteenth novel in the Zoe Chambers series comes out today. Lucky thirteen. I frequently get asked how I keep track of all my characters through thirteen books. The answer? Sometimes I don’t! 

This time, though, I decided to revisit a couple of locations from earlier books, and along with the locations came a few of the characters. 

Back in Fair Game (#8), I’d offered up naming rights as a giveaway. One of my regular readers, Sandy Giden, became the owner of the Vance Motel, a throwback to the days when motorists traveled two-lane rather than four-lane highways. Instead of devolving into a dive, my fictional motel owner prided herself on a family-friendly, affordable place for travelers to rest their weary heads. Alas, since she and her establishment reside in my murder mysteries, a dead body is traced back to one of her guests. She’s mortified, as any of us would be. 

Things get worse for Sandy and the Vance Motel in What Comes Around. This time, the quaint and retro venue is the scene of the murder. Sandy is contemplating selling. I hope she doesn’t.

I had no trouble recalling what this location looked like because it’s inspired by a real motel that’s seen its better days thanks to a four-lane highway taking traffic away from its two-lane address. I say “inspired by” because the real motel is a tad…well…seedier. No way would I spend a night there even for research.

I also revisit a location that first appeared in Under the Radar (#9). This location is even easier to recall because it’s real, and I frequently spend time there. In Under the Radar, Zoe’s husband (then fiancé) Police Chief Pete Adams travels to the Laurel Highlands in pursuit of a couple fleeing the law. He enlists the help of a Pennsylvania State Trooper since Pete is well out of his jurisdiction. Since I knew I needed a State Trooper, rather than creating one, I borrowed one. My critique buddy and good friend, Liz Milliron, writes the Laurel Highlands Mysteries which features PSP Trooper Jim Duncan. I asked her permission to “borrow” him for a scene, and she agreed. After all, as my critique partner, she could make sure I got her creation right.

Pete and Zoe return to the Laurel Highlands in What Comes Around while Zoe is digging into a cold case at the request of her currently incapacitated forensic pathologist, and Pete is digging into the past of the victim from the Vance Motel. Once again, Pete enlists the help of Jim Duncan with whom he’s become pals. Like last time, I thought I’d only need him for one scene, but Jim wanted a bigger part in this book and keeps showing up. Liz once again made sure I kept him true to her vision. 

As a side note, Liz is returning the favor by borrowing Pete for one of her upcoming novels!

I’m giving away three Kindle-format copies of What Comes Around. To enter, leave a comment, letting us know if, as a writer, you’ve ever borrowed a character from another writer…or…as a reader, if you’ve ever read a book with crossover characters. Did you enjoy it? You can also enter by leaving a comment and just say “hi.”

About What Comes Around:

Just as Monongahela County Coroner Zoe Chambers-Adams decides to fire her abrasive chief deputy, Dr. Charles Davis, and put an end to his constant undermining of her position, a suspicious car crash severely injures the county’s only other forensic pathologist. To keep the office operational, Zoe has little choice but to keep Davis on staff.

When Zoe and her husband—Vance Township Police Chief Pete Adams—respond to a brutal homicide, they quickly learn the victim had come to town for the sole purpose of sharing vital information with Zoe. And the decedent’s ex-husband is none other than Zoe’s deputy coroner.

As Zoe and Pete dig deeper into the victim’s past, more questions arise along with a tangle of connections between multiple cases, including a very cold one that leads Zoe and those she cares about directly into the crosshairs of a crazed killer. 

About the Author:

Annette Dashofy is the USA Today bestselling author of the Zoe Chambers mystery series and the Detective Honeywell series. She won the 2021 Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award for excellence in Thoroughbred racing literature for her standalone, Death By Equine, and has garnered multiple Agatha Award nominations. Her short fiction has also earned a Derringer nomination. Annette and her husband live on ten acres of what was her grandfather’s dairy farm in southwestern Pennsylvania with their very spoiled cat, Kensi.

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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

50 Thoughts

  1. As a reader, I’ve enjoyed a few “crossover” characters- particularly Nancy Drew shoeing up in Bayport to help out the ol’ Hardy Boys, and the occasional Tarzan cameo on Mars (…I know, Burroughs wrote both Tarzan and John Carter, but another author mashed ‘em together!)

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  2. I’ve read a few books that have crossover characters in them and have enjoyed the surprise of finding them when I didn’t expect it. I’m looking forward to reading What Comes Around. I love this series!

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    1. Edith, she’s borrowing Pete and Wayne in an upcoming Laurel Highlands Mystery, too!

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  4. Hiya! Congrats on your new book! I can’t think of any crossover characters in any books I’ve read, but there should be more!

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  5. I don’t know of any crossover characters in any of the books I’ve read. But, I am looking forward to reading #13.

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  6. Congratulations on the release of WHAT COMES AROUND!

    Love when characters “drop in”! It’s fun and entertaining to me.

    Not entering the contest since I don’t read ebooks. Congratulations to the fortunate ones selected.
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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  7. Congratulations, Annette. You did an excellent job with Jim. He enjoyed it so much, he says if you ever need help in the Laurel Highlands again, give him a call. LOL

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  8. I enjoyed learning story behind the story. I love the collaboration of authors and their characters. I’m blanking on examples (besides the aforementioned Nancy Drew/Hardy Boys) but know I’ve squealed out loud when bumping into an unexpected friend. Happy book baby and thanks for the chance at winning a copy.

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  9. Hi, I do enjoy crossover characters. Most have been from other series written by the same author, but not all. Most recently, Jenn McKinlay wrote two of Kate Carlisle’s characters into her book. When that happens, I like more than a brief mention.

    I love the Zoe series, but I have listened to the audiobook of all but one. Will this one release in audiobook format?

    Thanks for the opportunity.

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    1. Thanks for asking, Debbie. YES. The audiobook of What Comes Around will be available on July 23!

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  10. Oh, this post was fun. You asked if I, as a writer or reader, have engaged with stories containing characters from OTHER people’s stories. Well… (the ellipsis are needed as I hesitate), um, er… yeah, whenever I wrote my fan fiction stories or read my fan fiction friends’ stories. Did I enjoy it…? More than I ever could’ve imagined. So much so even that I was inspired to write my own novel-length stories after penning half a dozen novel-length hugely popular fan fiction stories.

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    1. I’ll tell you a secret. I wrote novel-length fan fiction stories when I was in high school. Sooo much fun!

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    1. Thanks, Sherry! And to think, ten years ago, we were both kicking off our FIRST books!

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  12. I love this. I’m looking forward to catching up with Pete, Zoe, and Jim! I can’t think of a book with crossover characters, although I’m sure there are some and I’ve read them. I do remember cross-over television characters (Jessica Fletcher and Magnum for two) and I enjoyed them every time.

    No need to enter me in the drawing, What Comes Around is on my kindle and waiting for me tonight.

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  13. Welcome back, Annette. I LOVE it when characters from one world appear logically in another! It makes them seem even more real. Best of luck with What Comes Around.

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  14. Hi Annette – you are an inspiration to me! I hope to have as many novels written as you . . . some day!

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  15. Hi Annette,
    It was nice meeting you at the event you did in East Liverpool and at this time have only read two of your books. I have enjoyed both of them Where the guilty hide and Keep your family close. I look forward to the 3rd book in the series. The book club is introducing me to a lot of different authors I have not read anything from yet and am excited to start reading more since it has always been a passion of mine. Congratulations on the new release in the Zoe series and look forward to starting that soon.

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    1. Hi, Renee! It was great meeting you…even if we needed pontoon boats to get home that night! I’m working on edits of the third Honeywell mystery right now (or SHOULD be, but I’m celebrating this launch today instead), and am waiting to see the cover and title my publisher comes up with. It’s supposed to be coming out in December.

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  16. Hi Annette,
    It was nice getting to know you at the East Liverpool event. I have not read any books with crossover characters that I can remember but sounds like it would be interesting. Just wanted to let you know I have enjoyed the 2 books Where the guilty hide and Keep your family close. I cannot wait till book 3 comes out. look forward to starting the Zoe series as well. The book club is introducing me to many new authors and I am excited to read different ones.

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  17. Jenn McKinlay borrowed from Kate Carlisle in the opening scene of her latest Library Lover’s Mystery. And I feel like the Wickeds have done that, but I can’t remember who and when at the moment.

    I just read book 9, and I didn’t know Jim was borrowed. I guess I need to get busy and read some of Liz’s contemporary mysteries.

    And yes, please enter me in this giveaway. Still a couple of books behind in this series, but I’m trying to catch up.

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    1. Since someone else mentioned fan fiction, I do feel the need to mention I wrote a crossover story where Trixie Belden and her friends wound up helping Chuck and the gang from the Buy More solve a case. I had a blast with it, although the plot gets resolved rather quickly. I’m sure Carstairs Considers wouldn’t appreciate that.

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  18. As a reader, I have read a couple of books with crossover characters. I enjoy it because I feel like I know the characters already. cking79503(at)aol(dot)com

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  19. Hi, Annette! Your new book sounds great. The idea of authors sharing or trading characters is new to me, and I feel inspired. Maybe I’ll ask Donna Leon if I can have her Guido Brunetti stop by the Polizei Bern main police station to ask Renzo and Giuliana for help with a case! No, I won’t–but I still think it’s a great idea! I’m going to see if I can do some borrowing somehow (with permission, of course).

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  20. Not entering since I’ve already read the book and have a print copy coming but thanks for the mention in your post. I’ve read several books with crossover characters and have generally enjoyed them

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    1. You’re very welcome, Sandy. It was fun bringing your namesake back for another adventure.

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  21. CONGRATULATIONS!!! I so enjoyed your blog, Annette! Thank you for the hours of fun you provide for us eager mystery readers! I have read only 1 book that had a character from another series…it was strange at first, but then I figured out why the lady was so familiar…it was done very well, so I would love to have by BFF characters visit another cozy world. I would love to read What Comes around…incredible hoe fast time goes…it is the thirteenth novel in the Zoe Chambers series!!! I have not read this book, and now I am really looking forward to reading it! Luis at Ole dot travel

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  22. I enjoy crossover characters. It’s fun. The one that comes to mind is Edith/Maddie’s character from one series showing up in another series.

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  23. I love crossover characters! In two anthologies from the ITW that I love, Matchip and Face-off, all the stories are crossovers. Each story is written by two authors with their characters interacting. I think my favorite story is Faking a Murder with Temperance Brennan (Kathy Reichs) and Jack Reacher (Lee Child).

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  25. Catching up on emails (after a crashed laptop), I read this Wicked post. I have never borrowed a character, but the idea sounds interesting. I hope to see how it works when I read your book!

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