Monday, March 11, 2013

Have Time for a Chat?

Thought for the day: In Ireland, you go to someone's house, and she asks you if you want a cup of tea. You say no, thank you, you're really just fine. She asks if you're sure. You say of course you're sure, really, you don't need a thing. Except they pronounce it ting. You don't need a ting. Well, she says then, I was going to get myself some anyway, so it would be no trouble. Ah, you say, well, if you were going to get yourself some, I wouldn't mind a spot of tea, at that, so long as it's no trouble and I can give you a hand in the kitchen. Then you go through the whole thing all over again until you both end up in the kitchen drinking tea and chatting. 

In America, someone asks you if you want a cup of tea, you say no, and then you don't get any damned tea.

I liked the Irish way better.
 [C.E. Murphy]

Don't ya just love it when a friend stops by for a cuppa tea and a chat? 

Or a beer and a ballgame?

Or just to say hello?

Me, too. But after previewing what Carol has to say, instead of preparing a pot of tea and a tray of cookies, I shoulda stuck a ring of kielbasa on the stove. 

Too late now. She's here. Carol Kilgore, that is. The lovely lady has a few words for y'all... and she's giving me the day off. (And giving you the opportunity to win a signed copy of her book!) So, Carol? Take it away! 

+++

Thanks for having me on your blog today, Susan. I love visiting here. One day when I visited, I learned how to make kielbasa, one of my favorite things. Seeing what’s involved, I’ll just watch you make it. I’ll make you chili or enchiladas when you visit me. Or we’ll get takeout J

Hi, everyone!  Susan gave me free rein, so I’m going to take advantage and talk mostly about my upcoming release, Solomon’s Compass – April 2, Amazon, paperback and Kindle.


 Solomon’s Compass is the story of Lieutenant Commander Taylor Campbell of the US Coast Guard. While she’s on leave at the Texas coast tending to the details of her uncle’s estate following his death, she meets sexy former SEAL Jake Solomon, and sparks fly. There may even be buried treasure. But that’s another post.

Early on in the writing of Solomon’s Compass, I had a vivid image of Taylor sailing a catamaran. The Coast Guard has everything from small outboard boats for port security to large ocean-going cutters. But as of this writing, they don’t have catamarans. At least none that I know of. And I’ve never sailed a catamaran. So I yelled for help.

I was graciously put in touch with a man I’ll call Bob … because that’s his name. Bob is not only a former Coastie, he’s also a devoted catamaran sailor. Trust me, the man knows everything there is to know about all kinds of catamarans, not just Hobies.

But I couldn’t seem to grasp what he was telling me – for whatever reason. Well, I know the reason – I usually have to actually do something before I fully understand it. So I wrote and rewrote again and again. Finally he blessed it.

Then I changed it. In my defense, it was first draft.

I really tried hard not to change any of the sailing parts or the terms he used. Or the principles, which I think I finally understood part of. Maybe.

So when I wrote Bob to tell him about the book, he wrote back and told me he was glad the book was going to be available. He said he’d had a lot of fun telling everyone that he was “the technical advisor for a romance novelist.”

I made sure I thanked him appropriately on the Acknowledgments page.


And to thank you for reading this far, I’m going to give away one copy of my debut novel, In Name Only, to one lucky person who comments on this post. If the winner lives in the U.S., she has a choice of a Kindle book or a signed paperback. If she lives elsewhere, she will receive a Kindle book. He or she, of course, but that’s too clunky to write every time.

Also, I would like to invite each of you to my blog, Under the Tiki Hut, for a free virtual margarita to celebrate March Monday Mania.

Each Monday in March, guest bloggers on my blog are giving away a copy of one of their books. While they’re doing that, I’m giving away one copy of In Name Only on a different blog (like here today with Susan). Today’s guest at Under the Tiki Hut is Ciara Knight. Ciara writes Fantasy, Paranormal, Sci-Fi, and Young Adult Dystopian. To be eligible to win Ciara’s book, all you have to do is leave a comment at Under the Tiki Hut.

No home. No family. No place to hide. For Summer Newcombe, that's only the beginning.

The night Summer escapes from a burning Padre Island eatery and discovers the arsonist is stalking her, is the same night she meets Fire Captain Gabriel Duran. As much as she's attracted to Gabe, five years in the Federal Witness Security Program because of her father’s testimony against a mob boss have taught her the importance of being alone and invisible.

No matter how much she yearns for a real home, Summer relinquished that option the night she killed the man who murdered her father. But Gabe breaks down her guard and places both of them in danger. Summer has vowed never to kill again, but she's frantic she'll cost Gabe his life unless she stops running and fights for the future she wants with the man she loves.

KINDLE AND PAPERBACK



Carol writes a blend of mystery, suspense, and romance she calls Crime Fiction with a Kiss. Always at least one crime; always a love story. Solomon’s Compass is her second published novel.

As the wife of a Coastie, she has lived in locations across the U.S. She and her husband now live in a San Antonio suburb and share their home and patio with two active herding dogs that keep them free from all danger, real or imagined.

You can find Carol here:


+++

Thanks, Carol. That was fun. Ready to order some take-out now? How about you guys? Anybody else want something...? Oh, don't forget to leave a comment, even if only to say "Howdy!" I've read Carol's book, and really liked it. I think you would, too... and an AUTOGRAPHED copy, yet! How cool is THAT? (Gee, I wonder if I'm eligible...) Nah? Oh, well. Good luck, all! Give it yer best shot...

Until next time, take care of yourselves. And each other.

93 comments:

  1. Ms. Kilgore's book sounds meticulously researched and well-crafted. In promoting it here I believe you have done a fine ting.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Geo. Not sure how meticulous my research was, but I did a lot of it :)

      Delete
    2. Aye, dude, it never hurts to do a fine ting.

      Delete
  2. I'm actually having a cup of tea right now, after all we're in British Columbia.

    Good luck to Carol with her books!

    Some European customs are like a dance of words. So nice to encounter.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Here in Texas, I'm drinking coffee. Strong, black, no sugar. I'm nearing the end of the first cup, and one eyelid is half open :)

      Delete
    2. I'm on my second... or is that third?... cuppa tea about now.

      Yes, a "dance of words"! What a delightful way to put it. And such an enjoyable civilized way to be... "No, no, really, I don't want to be any trouble..." Only works if both partners know the dance, though.

      Delete
  3. It's great that Carol has been so thorough in her research. Something I could learn a lesson from!

    Susan, I don't know if you've ever seen Father Ted, but your opening paragraph reminded me so much of Mrs Doyle... "Ah, ye will have a cup of tea... Ah, go on, go on, go on, go on, go on..." etc. :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nick, I think my thoroughness is probably caused from a touch of OCD :) Gotta get the details as right as possible.

      Delete
    2. No, I haven't seen Father Ted, but it sounds like something I'd enjoy. I'll have to check to see if BBC carries it in our area. Thanks!

      Delete
  4. Or just to say hello?

    I have long since realized I have some suoernatural talent to show up at someone's house at the worst time possible for them. I always call first.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm not much of a dropper-by person either. Planned visits usually go much better for me, too.

      Delete
    2. It's funny; I'm usually thrilled when someone else stops over unexpectedly, but I wouldn't dream of visiting someone else without calling first. My favorite laugh-out-loud drop-in visits have been from people who called on their cellphones... from our front porch, saying, "Come open up your door!"

      Delete
  5. Yea, I'm not much for just dropping in. It usually goes wrong. But a planned outing or get together to chat is wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. See above response - LOL. Not many people just drop by our house either. One of our dogs is VERY choosy about the humans he likes, so those he doesn't always call or text first to give us time to get them to their backyard playroom.

      Delete
    2. When we lived in Baltimore, we had absolutely NO privacy, because family and friends beat a constant path to our door. It led to some pretty funny situations at time, but for the most part, we loved having that many people feel welcome to stop by. In Georgia, very few people stop by on a whim.

      Delete
  6. People used to always drop by and I loved it. Now I find that everyone is too busy or "too polite". Too bad! However, I never turn down a cup of tea or even a virtual margarita.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Enjoy the margarita! And my picky dog isn't at the Tiki Hut :) But maybe you should watch out for the cabana boys. It's spring break, and they're a little frisky this morning :)

      Delete
    2. Doggone it; I really wished we lived closer to each other, Arleen! I believe we'd have us a grand old time together. In deference to our health, we'd better go light on the salt for those margaritas, though. (Or have whiskey sours.)

      Delete
    3. By the way, I love your new profile and picture. I also can't wait for your book to be published. Do you have any idea when that will be?

      Delete
    4. Thanks! Hopefully, sometime this summer. I'll let ya know when it's getting closer. (And I'll show off the cover when it's ready.)

      Delete
  7. Ms. Kilgore's book sounds interesting indeed!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. It's always great to hear from Carol! I can't wait to read Solomon's Compass. How fun that Bob became the "technical advisor."

    And I cracked up about the American vs. Irish way with tea. I think I'm actually better off with the American way. I'd probably get so nervous that I was offending the Irish person when she kept asking that I'd end up drinking a whole pot of tea LOL.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bob is a great guy, too!

      It's probably good I'm not Irish. Except for marrying someone who is :)

      Delete
    2. I liked that bit about Bob the technical advisor, too.

      Hey, what's wrong with drinking a whole pot of tea??? HA!

      Delete
  9. So a howdy doo,
    Is all that has to be said at your zoo?
    Pfft to that
    Need to be a mouthy cat
    Always fun when a friend comes on by
    Unless they think they are a friend and really annoy you under your sky
    I could have put he or she there
    But that is too clunky which now I'm aware hahahaha

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, Pat ... I'd love to answer here with a poem, but what talent I have lies elsewhere. I do sometimes write really bad and naughty limericks, tho :)

      Delete
    2. Always nice to get a hello
      From our favorite rhyming fellow,
      But when Pat comes to this door,
      We expect a little more.
      (He keeps things fun and mellow.)

      Delete
  10. Thanks for hosting me today, Susan. Seeing lots of new faces and having a great time!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Virtual Margaritas? Im in! A virtual hangover is so much more appealing than the real thing. (Not that I'd know... my only drinking problem is I can never finish a drink because my children are always interrupting me!) Hic.

    The books sound fabulous. Thanks for the interview and I miss Ireland. I never win anything--cake-walk or otherwise, but I'll post my lucky Grandmother-in-law's name. She wins all the time!
    Sign me,
    "Pearl"

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey, Pearl! Great to meet you. Good luck in the drawing :)

      Delete
    2. Indeed, a virtual hangover is MUCH better than the real thing. (Or so I've been told...)

      May Pearl's name bring you lots of luck. (That's a good idea... maybe I should borrow my lucky mother-in-law's name.)

      Delete
  12. Aha Susan and Carol,

    Firstly, somebody invites you for 'tea' in England and you end up with a meal. Unbeknownst, you go for a cup of tea and end up shoving sandwiches in your rather confused mouth.

    Good to see Carol visiting your delightful site, Susan. Carol, delighted to note your "upcoming release". Freedom at last. Seriously, most pleased in regards to your book. And to further confuse, a "margarita" in Britain is a pizza without toppings. Imagine my surprise when I found out that I wasn't going to get drunk from eating a pizza.

    Be well, both of you and happy writing.

    Gary :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We have Margherita pizza here with sauce, cheese, and fresh basil leaves. It's one of my favorites. Goes good with wine or a frozen margarita :)

      Delete
    2. Ah, yes, the "tea" that's actually a meal... with the "biscuits" that are actually cookies... But a margarita that's actually a PIZZA? Well, since I don't actually drink margaritas anyway, I'd rather have the pizza anyway.

      You be well, too, Gary. Give Penny a hug for me.

      Delete
  13. I notice that back in the paragraph where you start talking about In Name Only, that you've already decided that the winner is going to be a she.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And the last sentence of the paragraph says 'he or she'. For all those years we were told to use 'he' for both genders, I figure we can now use 'she'. So no, I haven't decided. Random.org will choose the winner.

      Delete
    2. Yeah, Carol did start the paragraph that way, but at the end of that same paragraph, she said "he or she", and that it was too clunky to say that every time. So no presupposition that a female wins. Heck, it could be... YOU! Love ya.

      Delete
  14. That is a cute pic of Carol. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. One of my friends is a genius with her camera. She hauls me out every once in a while and makes me do stuff while she shoots :)

      Delete
    2. That really IS a cute picture. The photographer may be a genius, but I'm pretty sure the laws of physics mandate that a picture can't be cute unless the subject matter is, too.

      Delete
    3. I don't know...she's pretty much a miracle worker.

      Delete
    4. Ya can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear...

      Delete
  15. Hi Ladies!
    I really enjoyed In Name Only, it's a great story!

    I'll take a cuppa any day. Just not sure if you keep my brand of rooibos tea, which I take with milk and 2 teaspoons of brown sugar?
    Here in our community, no visitor (even the unannounced ones) is allowed to leave your home without being offered a sandwich or biscuits, especially if they've been visiting for over an hour. If it extends to two+ hours, then a hot meal is on the cards...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Michelle. I'm glad you enjoyed the story. I love hearing how customs differ throughout the world. Here I'll offer coffee, if it's brewed. Or water. I rarely have tea or soft drinks. If I know someone is coming and expect the visit to last more than a few minutes, I'll usually have snacks. We're very informal.

      Delete
    2. Hi, Michelle. I've got all kinds of teas around here, but if I don't have rooibos on hand, I'll be sure to get it before you arrive. (Just let me know what time to expect you...)

      Your community sounds like my kinda place.

      Delete
  16. You've done another fine thing here, lass. And you're welcome to a cuppa here anytime, long as you like a wee dram in it too. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, only if it's not too much trouble, my dear... maybe just a splash of Irish, if ye don't mind.

      Delete
    2. Great to meet you Austan. I just came from listening to cool music on your blog :)

      Delete
  17. The Irish..like so many "races" do not feel that they have been welcoming UNLESS YOU THE VISITOR HAS EATEN AND DRUNK SOMETHING
    I was raised by a grandmother who used to force feed all visitors regardless

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My husband's mother and aunt were that way. I never knew his grandmothers. Good to meet you.

      Delete
    2. I'm a lot like that. I wouldn't say that I "force feed" anybody, but it's totally unacceptable for anyone to leave here hungry.

      Delete
  18. Hey Carol and Susan
    Well, wouldn't you two just eat up a storm!!!
    It's great news that your 2nd book will soon be out. I read "In name only" and many of your short stories before. I always love your surprise endings, Carol.
    Thanks, Susan, for sharing your spotlight with Carol. You two are a couple of cool cookies.
    See ya later.
    Love, Manzie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Manzie! I eat up a storm every day - LOL. I admire you for eating so healthy :)I hope you will like Solomon's Compass, too!

      Delete
    2. Why, yes, Manzie, let's just say we'd eat with some gusto, okay? Cool cookies, huh? Darn, and I was hoping to achieve hot tamale status...

      Delete
  19. Carol, Your book sounds very good, but next, would you please write about the true story of Janie Junebug who met Elvis Aaron Schwarz online and fell in love with him in spite of the fact he looks just like Johnny Depp?

    Love,
    Janie Junebug
    www.dumpedfirstwife.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, you poor dear, having to live with a man who looks just like Johnny Depp. Oops, excuse me. I had to wipe the drool off my chin. Oh, and the keyboard.

      Great to meet you!

      Delete
    2. Oh yeah, she's a poor thing, all right... (He even likes dogs!)

      Delete
  20. I am LOVING 'In Name Only' which I won (Yay) and already looking forward to Carol's next book. I really, really need to stop visiting these blogs. I have many, many books to read. I am weak-willed. I should probably not get any more. And I know I will.
    Thank you Carol and Susan for filling my avaricious mind with more things to acquire.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So ... where is it I send that check to you again :)

      Seriously, thank you for your kind words. I'm glad you're enjoying the story.

      I'm weak-willed in that way, too. Sigh.

      Delete
    2. HA! I know what you mean. I keep reading all these reviews, and news about new releases, and then buy them for my Kindle. I've got enough reading material on there to keep me busy for a looooooong time.

      Delete
  21. Hi Carol,
    I loved hearing about how you found Bob to help you with Coast-Guard expertise. I'm currently writing a story that features a Catholic priest; trouble is, I'm not Catholic! I gotta find me a priest!LOL Your book sounds delightful!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have a book in the drawer that will most likely stay there about the first American pope. I needed more answers than I knew or could find online. Finding a priest who would talk to me was difficult. I ended up getting more usable information from the brother of a priest. So ask around to see if anyone has a friend who has a priest in their family.

      Delete
    2. Maybe one of your friends is Catholic? I'd think lots of priests would be happy to talk with you, but it would probably help if you had a mutual friend introduce you. Or maybe you could find a retired priest who is slightly bored and lonely, and has lots of stories to tell.

      Delete
  22. Nice to meet you, Carol! I'm a big fan of cuppa teas, coffees, margaritas, drop-in visitors, cabana boys, random drawings, and romance novels.

    I wonder if I persuaded Karma in my favor now...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOL! It's all up to random.org. Nice to meet you.

      Delete
    2. HA! Well, you're pulling out all the stops, anyway. I know the drawing is gonna be random, but it doesn't hurt to give Karma a little kick in the keister. Good luck!

      Delete
  23. I really think there's more Irish in me than my parents have let on.... :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Maybe there was some unexplained Irish somewhere along your line :)

      Delete
    2. Perhaps there was a leprechaun hiding behind the woodpile? HA! Heck, this time of year, I think everybody is a little Irish. Just call me Susan O'Swiderski.

      Delete
  24. Oh I like the Irish way better too. I drop unexpectedly for tea on a lot of elderly people these days and I must tell you there must be a little Irish in everyone just like my Gramma said:) B

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I pretend to be Irish this time of year :)

      Delete
    2. With a name like Kilgore, Carol can get away with pretending to be Irish. Alas, I fear my last name would raise a few eyebrows in disbelief. (Doesn't mean we can't enjoy some corned beef and cabbage, though.) Aye, this time of the year, we all be a bit Irish.

      Delete
  25. Loved your story about Bob, Carol. Solomon's water scenes are fabulous. Research is my second favorite part of writing (editing is #1). Odd, since research sometimes involves travel and editing means staying at home. Hmm...

    Susan, I'm not a big kielbasa eater. Any pierogies planned for future blog posts? :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glad you enjoyed them, VR :)

      I love most parts of editing. Don't like the Search and Destroy parts, though.

      Delete
    2. No, I hadn't planned on writing about pierogies in the future, but ya never know.

      Delete
  26. Nice to see Carol and hear about her book. I actually consulted an 'expert' with my current wip for some military info. It was extremely helpful!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Great to meet you. I've had to get in touch with experts with every manuscript I've written. I love learning, and I'm always amazed by how much I didn't know that I didn't know.

      Delete
    2. Like my father-in-law used to say, a smart man doesn't have to know all the answers; he just has to know where to find them. That makes both of you darned smart.

      Delete
  27. I always enjoy Susan's recommendation, (well, with one exception of an old classic that I couldn't get past the first chapter)so I look forward to reading your books Carol.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi-ya, Kati! Next time, maybe you should try starting it on chapter TWO???

      Delete
  28. I do love Ireland. It is one of the friendliest places on the planet!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's on my list of places to visit!

      Delete
    2. How wonderful that you've had the opportunity to visit. Maybe some day...

      Delete
  29. Hmm, really thinking of making some tea now. Care to join? :) Fun post and I love what Bob had to say about helping you out. I think hubby needs to start telling people he's a technical adviser to a sci-fi novelist!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. By all means, I think he SHOULD! And if he was your advisor for your book I just finished reading this evening, he did a super job!

      Delete
    2. Just apprise him of that, Meradeth. I'm sure he will :)

      Delete
  30. Okay, Carol, I'm really late but I visited with Ciara at the Tiki Hut and I finally caught up with you here.

    Aren't we lucky to find the Bob's in the world?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi-ya. I don't reckon Carol's gonna be coming back to check for any more comments on this post. She already gave away her book, and she's moved on to another blog. (Busy, busy, busy!)

      Thanks so much for stopping by, though, and for signing on as a new follower. Wow... lucky number 300! A bell shoulda gone off or something.

      Anyhow, welcome aboard. Nice to meetcha.

      Delete
    2. Surprise, surprise! Here I am :)

      The Bobs of the world are awesome!

      Delete