Karen Robbins has a new Mystery book out!

I'm happy to introduce Karen Robbins and her new book: Pickle Dilly. I think you'll enjoy her writing and the fun and delightful characters that grace her pages! Now, check out the interview with TOMMY MADISON of the Annie Pickels story. Enjoy! 

Oh, and don't forget to click on the "Links to buy"!

Welcome Tommy Madison. I understand you are in the pickle business. What do you do?

I am one of the officers of the newly incorporated Annie Pickels Pickles. I’m actually in charge of production. Mrs. A, that is Mrs. Annie Pickels who is the president and originator of the business, taught me how to can her special dill pickles. I helped her out with some problems she had in making a profit and together along with a couple of others, Arnie Forrester and Elma Thompson, we begun to do pretty well.

That’s not your only job though, is it?

No. I work full time actually for Tinkers Tavern wherever the proprietor, Bill Barker, needs me to help out. He’s a great guy and lets me arrange my hours so that I can help out with the pickle business as well.

This Annie Pickels and you got into a little trouble a while back I hear. Can you tell us anything about that?

It’s not something I’m proud of. I was growing marijuana on a plot of land that Mrs. Pickels rented me. You see I have some physical problems with my legs from an accident when I was much younger. The marijuana gave me some relief from the pain. Annie got in some trouble along with me when she mistook it for marjoram and put it into her pickle recipe. That’s kinda how I got involved with the pickle business. I’m working off some fines Mrs. A paid for me. I’ve also found help with the pain instead of the marijuana—lots of prayer and visits to a pain clinic.

What is the latest on the relationship between Arnie and Annie?

Well, if Elma had her way, they’d be walking down the aisle as soon as she could get Annie into a wedding dress. Annie is a deep thinker and she takes relationships seriously. She was married quite a few years ago to a fellow that she really loved and she’s had a hard time getting over his death. I think Arnie would like to be very special in Annie’s life but that’s for the two of them to work out. They don’t need any pressure from me. They have enough from Elma.

Tell me more about Elma.

Elma is a hoot. Annie made her VP of marketing and she has taken it very seriously. She has grand ideas of making our business international. But she also has the biggest heart of anyone I know. She and Annie have been best friends for many years. They live across the street from each other.

Is there anything else you’d like to tell me about Annie or Arnie or Elma?

Arnie is a great lawyer. He’s only doing it part time now that he’s retired but he certainly has helped us all out a lot. We all suspect that Elma may have a new someone special in her life but I really couldn’t tell you yet for sure. And Annie? Well Annie, in addition to her kindness and grace and love for all of us and her pickle expertise, she makes the greatest cinnamon rolls in the world. Hands down!

How can we get to know more about all these wonderful people?

There are two books by Karen Robbins that tell pretty much the whole story. In A Pickle was the first and now she’s finished the Annie Pickels story in a new book, Pickle Dilly. Here’s the teaser as they say:

Annie Pickels, a widowed pickle entrepreneur, and her best friend Elma are off to London for a little holiday. While in London things are happening back home that threaten to cause the loss of Annie’s farm property. Once again she will rely on Arnie, her friend who is a lawyer but who wants to be so much more in her life, to help her out of trouble.

A trip to Alaska and a meeting with her deceased husband’s family solves some of her problems but there are still questions to be answered. How far will the people who want her property go to get it? And, is there room in her heart for Arnie, the one Elma keeps telling her is the “man of her dreams”?

It’s a dilly of a pickle Annie finds herself in but with friends, family and faith the answers become clear.

Thanks for joining us today. Where are you off to next?

I’m off to Mrs. A’s kitchen to get a cup of coffee and the best cinnamon roll around.

KAREN ROBBINS is a writer, author, and speaker. She and her husband are travel addicts and many of her stories are enriched by their adventures in different parts of the world. She has written six novels, collaborated on two non-fiction books and contributed often to Chicken Soup For The Soul books. She is currently working on a Christmas novella, A Pocketful Of Christmas. While the world is fun to explore, Karen most likes to spend time with her grandchildren. They offer the greatest adventures of all.

Catch up with Karen at her blog, Wandering Writer (www.karenrobbins.com), Twitter (https://twitter.com/writerwandering), Facebook (www.facebook.com/KarenRobbinsAuthor) or Amazon (www.amazon.com/author/karenrobbins)

Links to purchase books:

In A Pickle:

https://www.amazon.com/Pickle-Annie-Pickels-Story-Pickes/dp/1974391868/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

Pickle Dilly:

https://www.amazon.com/Pickle-Dilly-Annie-Pickels-Story/dp/1974397092/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

REVIEW Day!

Delighted to give you a few suggestions about recent books I've enjoyed! 


Midnight on the Mississippi by Mary Ellis
I could hardly wait to get this book.

Ellis is an author that I admire, her writing is superb, and now that she's moving into some suspense, I'm delighted! This book doesn't disappoint.

The protagonist is a spunky, albeit clumsy, PI who is determined to prove her worth in detecting. Hindered from the start by her uncle with his less than satisfactory view of her and her immediate family and his refusal to let her work with him, she doesn't let that stop her. Fortunately, Hunter, the co-protagonist and accused, takes "a shine to her" and hires her to find the murderer of his partner.

Unpleasant details immerge about the partner--blackmail and indiscretions, that further the plot. The uncle proves to be dishonest, Hunter's girlfriend--not what she seems, and a whole lot more goes on in this novel. The romance develops even though Hunter and Nikki seem unsuited. The setting is delightful--New Orleans--with vivid details about the city and descriptions of the food to die-for!.

When Nikki finally finds the murderer, she not only solves the present day crime, but one that took place seventeen years prior. A delightful mystery that will keep all mystery lovers glued to their chairs! Highly recommended. Given to me by the publisher for an honest review, if desired.

* * * * * 

To Soar on Eagle's Wings by Renee Blare

Ms. Blare packed a lot of action, suspense and sweet romance into this story about Rachel, struggling with family problems and her own questions and doubt about God, besides the suspenseful problem she and Steve (her brother's one time best friend), to make this a book not easily put down. Set in the beautiful country of Wyoming, this novel coveys a message that is both powerful and vital today: trusting God.

I recommend this book for all readers. The thought, alone, of soaring on eagle's wings, is fascinating to me because what are we if we cannot trust God? And to fly high above situations and problems that would drag us down below anything less than sky-high victory with God is unsatisfactory. Provided a copy of this book for an honest opinion and review, I appreciate the opportunity of reading it!

* * * * *

Fear Not by Barbara Derksen

A christian couple determined to hold fast to their beliefs must find who murdered the man on the cruise ship. Their friend Troy is in big trouble and unless Brian Strait and Andrea Wilton can uncover the clues leading to the murderer, he's headed to prison!

A clean read, the protagonists react with unbelievers in the story with a sense of reality and strong faith. The romance is strong but within safe bounds; the suspense continues to build with intensity as the couple face serious problems including the black market and culpits who will let nothing and no one stand in their way of success. 

This is another great book from an author who knows how to write suspense. I recommend this book to any serious lovers of suspense. Well done, Ms. Derksen!

Enjoy! and super blessings! 

Thrilled to Help Janet Sketchley Promote Her Book

I'm tickled to have Janet Sketchley visiting this week! Read on to find out about Janet's writing journey:

How long have you known that you were a writer?  Did you receive a clear “call?” Or have you just loved writing all your life?

When I was a child, I turned part of my closet into a "writing office" and wrote some admittedly awful stuff that has not survived. University papers "cured" me of writing until I became an at-home mom without enough time to read. I started making up stories to amuse myself, and when the seeds of Heaven's Prey came along I didn't want to daydream them, so I started writing the story.

I've been blogging for about five and a half years, and every week God gives me an idea for a devotional post. Sometimes it's the night before, but it always comes. I still have to write them, and any errors are mine, but I believe His ongoing provision is proof of His desire for me to keep writing weekly devotionals. That's as close as I have to a calling, and there have been plenty of times I've wished for something clear for my fiction. All I can say about that is, I love it too much to give it up, but I do hope to share it with others.


What is the genre you write in?  Would you explain what it is?

I write Christian fiction in contemporary settings, and I guess it fits into the "issue-driven" part of the genre because of the content. I didn't set out to write about an issue, or to prove a point, but that's what happens when you follow the story question of "is anyone too bad for God to forgive?" and "what if you came face to face with a serial killer?" My intent was to write a novel of suspense and redemption, and that's in there too.


How do you spend your writing days?  Do you set goals to reach a certain number of words per day?  Can you give us a general idea of how long it takes you to write a novel?

On my best days, I have a target word count, which I set on the low side so I can pass it. If I can't write on a given day, I double the next day's goal or if possible I work extra before that day to cover it. Ideally, I'd write for a couple of hours after lunch. The harder goals are when I'm revising, because I could spend a long time on a short section, or fly through a whole chapter if there's not much that needs attention.

I really can't say how long it will take me to write future novels. Heaven's Prey took years, because I was learning as I went and I started without any form of outline or plan. The next book in the series, Secrets and Lies, took much less time and is still in revisions. I'm learning to plan more, but also to guard my writing time more intentionally. Before, without a contract, it was too easy to let everything else come ahead of the writing. Now I have an excuse to write!


What is the spiritual message in your latest book?  What can readers expect to get from reading it? 

Whatever happens, Jesus will be there. That's something I tell myself whenever fearful "what if" questions try to steal my peace. Ruth's experiences in Heaven's Prey prove to her heart what her head has already known about God: He is trustworthy and He never
leaves us.


You recently had a book published.  Would you take this time to describe it to us?  How and where can readers buy your books?

Heaven's Prey is my first novel, and I'd love to tell you about it!

A grieving woman is abducted by a serial killer—and it may be the answer to her prayers.

Despite her husband’s objections, 40-something Ruth Warner finds healing through prayer for Harry Silver, the serial killer who brutally raped and murdered her niece. When a kidnapping-gone-wrong pegs her as his next victim, Harry claims that by destroying the one person who’d pray for him, he proves God can’t—or won’t—look after His own. Can Ruth’s faith sustain her to the end—whatever the cost?

The novel releases November 1, 2013 in print and e-book format, and since the purchase links are still being added, the best place to go is the Heaven's Prey page on the Choose NOW Publishing site. That has links to everywhere else as they go live.


Where do you get ideas?  Character names?  Do you find your characters similar to you in any way?

So far the ideas have come to me, and I've taken time to let them grow. Asking "what if" helps. I have a file of names that I like, and I keep another file of names I've used, so I can avoid too many similar names in one story. As for similarities, they probably all have a bit of me in them. It helps me relate J


Do you ever feel like giving up?  Most people don’t understand the stress, the work, and the joy of being a writer.  How tenuous becoming a writer is. Do you care to share how it feels, what discouraging/encouraging times you’ve gone through?  Who’s inspired you the most?

Feel like giving up? Often. I've even quit a few times, but my imagination always gets me started again. Where this is my first novel to be published, my struggles to date have been with motivation but mostly with "am I wasting my time?"

I know God has given me a gift to write, even to write fiction, but there's been a lot of second-guessing about whether to keep on with my current stories or to switch to something else. Eventually I decided to embrace the gift, write what I enjoyed, and be content with the process of writing, whether I got published or not.

There have been moments throughout the process where God has positioned me in a spot to be encouraged to keep on. Perhaps most memorably, when I was at a low ebb, He nudged me into attending the 2012 Write! Canada conference even though I didn't think I should go. I was feeling discouraged and directionless, but the conference challenged me to renew my sense of wonder and to carry on.

So I took that and ran, right? No, I forgot and got discouraged again. Here's the part I love: instead of letting me sulk, He got my attention while I was listening to Peter Furler's song, "All in Your Head." I'm sure that song was written for more important assignments than my writing, but God used it to challenge me. If you like rock music and need a bit of encouragement, here's a YouTube link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VillmIj5SE


Would you roughly explain how you “chose” (or was chosen) a publisher?  Do you just go “inny, minny, miny, moe?”  Grin.  Now, that you’re published, can you sit back and relax from the success you’ve experienced?

Oh, they were lined up waiting for me J Actually, my agent, Leslie Stobbe, sent the proposal to the most likely publishers. My story's more issue-oriented than most wanted, especially from a debut author, so it took a while to match up with Choose NOW Publishing, where they thrive on issue-type stories. I love working with this publisher, and it's been well worth the wait.

As for sitting back, I'm busier than ever learning about (and doing) promotion for Heaven's Prey and getting my website upgraded. I'm giving myself until after launch date, but soon I need to get back to working on the next book in the series.


Do you mind telling us some of your likes and dislikes?  Hobbies, interests?  Where would you like to travel if you could?  

I love to read (surprise!), and when I have some quiet time I like to knit or cross-stitch. Love my tea—hot, because I'm not in the South. I've been blessed to travel a bit, but the top things on my wish list now are a river cruise (North America or Europe), to see the Badlands of Alberta, and to visit the Grand Canyon. Australia, New Zealand and Scotland are on that list too.


Would you give us your blog or webpage so everyone can check it out?   Anything else you’d like to share?  Promotional information?

I'd love to have readers visit my website (janetsketchley.ca). The Heaven's Prey page has a link to read chapter 1 for free, and I'll be adding more tidbits as time goes by. My blog, Tenacity, is part of the site, and I post weekly reviews, devotionals and features (including an interview with author Carole Brown on Nov. 8)

Thanks so much for hosting me, Carole, and congratulations on the release of your own novel!



Janet Sketchley's novel, Heaven's Prey, released November 1 from Choose NOW Publishing. Feel free to tell your friends! For more information and a free sample chapter, see the Heaven's Prey page at Choose NOW Publishing.


Thank you for joining us, Janet.
Blessings!