Friday, September 19, 2014

Kilgore Was Here

Thought for the day: Anything worth having is worth waiting for.


No, no, no, not Kilroy... Kilgore, as in Carol Kilgore, lovely author and all-around fun gal. Remember? A while back, I told y'all about her latest book, Secrets of Honor, even though it hadn't been released yet. (Such a tease!) Well, the wait is over, and the time is NOW. We can all finally get our hot little hands on Carol's latest mystery with a kiss. 

Hey! Wait! Where do you think you're going? Come back here... you can buy it after you read what Carol has to say to us. Sheesh.

               Okay, Carol? Stop sniffing those flowers now. You're up...



First, I want to thank Susan for hosting me. And for holding two dates open for a few weeks. SECRETS OF HONOR had a bumpy ride clearing the birth canal with a few problems beyond my control.

And if you didn’t know, my usual M.O. is to think I can control any situation only to find out I have absolutely no control over anything whatsoever. You’d think I’d know this by now. I guess I do, but I continue to believe and hope otherwise.

So I’ll just move on and tell you my top ten favorite things about the writing of SECRETS OF HONOR.

10. It’s finished!
See above. After one thing and another and another and so on, I was beginning to wonder if it would ever really be a book!

  9. The characters are still talking to me.
Which is surprising. Usually one or two may whimper or whisper something unintelligible every once in a while. Not these. They’re still popping up and telling me things. I need to take notes.

  8. But they want a vacation.
Yes, they do. And that’s a good thing because I’m working on a different project now with different characters.

  7. Visiting the Texas coast.
This book is set in Corpus Christi, about two and a half hours away from where I live. I needed to visit a lot to confirm things about the setting. It was so hard visiting the coast and going to the beach and the harbor and other places, but somebody had to do it. Who better than the author J

6. Getting to create gadgets.
Super fun, and something I don’t always get to do!

  5. Listening to the characters talk and watching them interact.
Always fun. My favorite thing about writing.

  4. Getting the story out of my head.
Even though the characters are still talking to me, this particular story is no longer rumbling around saying What If….

  3. Finishing the final edit.
No explanation necessary – LOL!

2. Seeing the cover.
Linda Kage at Kage Covers is genius! This is my favorite cover of this three-book collection of coastal stories. Linda is also doing the covers for my next project, which will be set in San Antonio and the Texas Hill Country.

1.Holding the book in my hands.
So far it’s only the proof. But it’s my proof – LOL! More books are ordered and shipped, but I think they’re coming via donkey cart. Now, if I could just figure out how to hold the Kindle version in my hands without the actual Kindle . . . but of course, I’d want the Kindle back for reading.



CONTEST INFO

Monday through Friday this week, I’m visiting five different blogs to promote my just-released novel, SECRETS OF HONOR. You can visit my blog, http://www.underthetikihut.blogspot.com, to see where I am each day. On each blog, I’ll give away a $5 Amazon Gift Card.  Everyone who comments on my posts will be entered into a drawing for a $5 Amazon Gift Card for that blog. So there will be five separate contests, and it will be possible to win all five, for a total of $25. Although what are the odds of that? Don’t ask me – math isn’t my BFF!

Winners will be announced next Monday on my blog, and I’ll make an effort to contact the winners over the weekend prior to the announcement.



SECRETS OF HONOR


By the end of a long evening working as a special set of eyes for the presidential security detail, all Kat Marengo wants is to kick off her shoes and stash two not-really-stolen rings in a secure spot. Plus, maybe sleep with Dave Krizak. No, make that definitely sleep with Dave Krizak. The next morning, she wishes her new top priorities were so simple.

As an operative for a covert agency buried in the depths of the Department of Homeland Security, Kat is asked to participate in a matter of life or death—locate a kidnapped girl believed to be held in Corpus Christi, Texas. Since the person doing the asking is the wife of the president and the girl is the daughter of her dearest friend, it’s hard to say no.

Kat and Dave quickly learn the real stakes are higher than they or the first lady believed and will require more than any of them bargained for.

The kicker? They have twenty-four hours to find the girl—or the matter of life or death will become more than a possibility.



AUTHOR BIO


Although Carol has deep Texas roots, she’s lived up and down the eastern seaboard and in other locations across the U.S. as a Coast Guard wife. She sees mystery and subterfuge everywhere. And she’s a sucker for a good love story—especially one with humor and mystery. Crime Fiction with a Kiss gives her the latitude to mix and match throughout the broad mystery and romance genres. Having flexibility makes her heart happy.

You can connect with Carol here:
Under the Tiki Hut blog:  http://www.underthetikihut.blogspot.com
Website with Monthly Contest: http://www.carolkilgore.net
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Carol-Kilgore/e/B008FRCXQY

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thanks, Carol. We appreciate you stepping away from your famous Tiki Hut long enough to visit with us here today. And we all wish you much success with your newest book.

Okay, y'all, you can go buy her book at Amazon now. Wait, wait, wait! AFTER you leave a comment. (Sheesh.)

By the way, sincere thanks to all of you who've already bought a copy of Old Broads Waxing Poetic. We're most appreciative. (So is CARE International, since all proceeds are going to them.) From September 22 until October 6, Goodreads will be hosting a giveaway for Old Broads, as well as for my equally fun novel Hot Flashes and Cold Lemonade. Why not enter? Somebody's gotta win... why not YOU? (But to be safe... you might as well buy 'em. HA!)

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

66 comments:

  1. Congratulations Carol. I love that your characters talk to you, and am pleased that they are no longer nagging.

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  2. Delightful and energetic promotion, Susan. I am in awe of people who can write stories. The ten "favorite things about the writing" Carol Kilgore lists reflect both joy and determination, and are quite instructive. My compliments to her and to you.

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    1. Stories and people are always in my head. Writing them frees them to leave. Usually they do.

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    2. Thanks, dude. YOU are quite the story-teller, too, ya know. (And no, I'm not calling you a fibber... you're highly imaginative.)

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  3. It was so hard visiting the coast and going to the beach and the harbor and other places, but somebody had to do it.

    I tell my wfe the same thing but she doesn't believe it.

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    1. I feel your pain, BB. We just got home from an awesome visit to Myrtle Beach. (sigh) None of the others cared about going to the beach, but they indulged me so I could walk on the sand and get my feet wet, anyway. It was wonderful!

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  4. Hi Susan and Carol .. as Beach Bum says .. it's so hard visiting the seaside! But must have made a good change after completing and finishing your Secrets of Honour ... good luck with all things .. sales, new project, following along with your characters ..

    Cheers to you both - Hilary

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    1. Thanks for the good luck wishes! I'm looking forward to another visit to the coast in a month or so.

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    2. Kind soul that I am, I'd be willing to sacrifice by going to the shore any old day...

      Cheers to you, too!

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  5. Haha... Susan, you make me laugh... I love that why wait to see if you win the book... be safe and just buy it... :)

    I hope the book sales go well, it does sound like a really great book :)

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    1. Happy you like the sound of the book. Kat Marengo and Dave Krizak hope sales go well, too.

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    2. Thanks, Launna. Always glad to make ya laugh.

      Happy weekend, kiddo.

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  6. Congrats indeed. Getting the story out of one's head and the final edit are sure great parts in the process.

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    1. Each, at its own time, seems like the most important part of all.

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    2. Yeah, it's hard to sleep with all those stories itching to get out of your head and down on paper. (or computer)

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  7. Congratulations, Carol. It sounds like an interesting and good read. I wish you the best of luck with this book.

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  8. Congrats on the new book Carol....I'm sure the 'pain' was worth it.

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    1. Especially the pain of visiting the coast. So, so difficult :)

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  9. Okay, if you're next book is going to be set in the Hill Country and you need to do research which entails driving ALL the way up here :) do let me know. I might be able to show you some interesting places, views etc.

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    1. I'll let you know when it gets to be that time. My sister lives there, too. Maybe we could have a girls day out!

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  10. Your book sounds great, and I enjoyed reading this post very much. Congratulations!

    Kathy M.

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  11. Yea, Carol! I love that your characters are still talking to you!

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  12. A couple of them are downright chatty.

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  13. I love authors who have characters who talk back to them! :-) Where some people might think schizophrenia, I think creativity. You go, Carol! :-)

    Thanks for this beautiful post.

    Greetings from London.

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    1. Greetings from Texas! I'm glad you enjoyed the post.

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  14. Congrats on your novel,Carol! Very exciting!

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  15. Congratulation !
    Now that this book is set, you can take a breath till the next set of people start nagging you to get their story out !

    cheers, parsnip

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    Replies
    1. The next group is already talking. Mostly they're still talking among themselves, but a few are beginning to reach out to make sure I'm paying attention.

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  16. Susan
    Thanks for reviewing Carol's latest book. I love her mysteries and have read many of her short story mysteries. She is "quite the Scorpio."

    Carol,
    You always come up with such a neat twist to your stories. You've got that deep-thinking Scorpio mind. I remember when we used to quip back and forth about the astrology signs. Congratulations on another book.

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    1. It was my pleasure to help promote Carol's new book. Not really a review, though, because I haven't read it yet. (I hope to remedy that soon!)

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    2. It's always good to see you. I've been so busy the past year or so with writing and family and all that goes with both of those that I've lost track of some friends. I need to remedy that soon. I'm making myself a note to stop by your blog as soon as I have time to breathe again.

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  17. OK, it's Friday. My to-do list is short:
    1. Leave a comment on your blog
    2. Visit Amazon for Carol's book
    3. Scoop the ice cream into the bowl

    See, one thing's already done. I feel very accomplished! :-)

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    1. Sounds like a pretty darned good list to me! Except you left out the glass of wine.Oh well.Gotta save something for tomorrow, right!

      Have a super weekend.

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    2. Awesome to-do list! Plus Susan's addition, of course :)

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  18. Congratulations and thank you Carol! The characters have been talking and I've been telling them they're wrong! Back to work! TY!!

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    1. Characters are like people - they don't always tell the truth. But you never know what yours are saying unless you listen. Have fun!

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  19. That's the real difference between writing and reading a good book, you know. When you're reading, and you reach the end, it's a let down. When you're writing and you reach the end, you crack open the tequila, champagne, or beer. Or in my case all three. :)

    VR Barkowski

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  20. I love that characters talk to you, not just because it's the sign of a great story, but it also reinforces that I'm not insane for hearing imaginary people converse with me!

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    1. It's also entirely possible that all writers are a teensy bit "off". No, make that "special." That's it. We're all special.

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    2. LOL! The sign of a true writer, right?

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  21. Hi Susan! Hello Carol!

    WooHoo! Congrats Carol! Sounds another winner!

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  22. Congratulations to Carol on her book! That's a big deal. How exciting!

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  23. I love the flowery author pic.

    It's great to be able to hold your book in your hand. Congrats on the release.

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    1. Yeah, that's a really good shot of Carol, isn't it?

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    2. Thanks, Medeia. I've had that pic going on two years now. I need to think about an update. As soon as I can think again, LOL!

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  24. If the characters are still talking, maybe a sequel is in our future. I am a particular fan of series stories. I guess I never want it to end....

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    1. I figure if you don't want a story to end, it must be a doggone good story!

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    2. I think there could be. Depends on how much more they have to say. I'm listening :)

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  25. I hope you do take notes, those characters may want a sequel! Congrats on the book release!!

    (and Hi to you too, Susan!). :)

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    1. Thanks! I have begun to pay more attention. So far the notes are in my head. I hope to start getting them down in a few days.

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  26. I'm definitely looking forward to reading Carol's latest.

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  27. Great to see you here, Linda! Enjoy :)

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