40 Ways to Enjoy a Southern Summer

 

1. Go hiking at a state park
2. Visit a real "u-pick-it" farm.
3. Take a dip in the creek.
4. Go star-gazing and learn new constellations.
5. Enjoy a tall glass of ice cold sweet tea.
6. Catch lightning bugs.
7. Wake up early and find unique treasures at a yard sale.
8. Relax in a rocking chair.
9. Enjoy a picnic in a beautiful park.
10. Relish the nectar from a honeysuckle.
11. Spend the day fishing.
12. Shop at your local farmer's market.
13. Visit your local library for summer reads.
14. Grow your own tomatos and peppers.
15. See a movie at a drive in theatre.
16. Learn to can your own vegetables.
17. Read poetry in a garden.
18. Pick blackberries.
19. Visit a new BBQ joint.
20. Feed the ducks at the local lake.
21. Take a road trip to see some waterfalls.
22. Fall in love with a new flavor at the ice-cream shop.
23. Make lemonade from scratch.
24. Visit Rock City.
25. Go to an outdoor concert.
26. Send real postcards during your travels.
27. Go canoeing or kayaking.
28. Declare water war with super soakers and water balloons.
29. Drink from the hose.
30. Tie-dye something.
31. Take photos in a photo booth.
32. Visits wine country for tours and tastings.
33. Spend an afternoon finding shapes in the clouds.
34. Nap in a hammock
35. Visit an art festival.
36. Discover a new park.
37. Go barefoot.
38. Get a new cut and color for the summer.
39. Eat watermelon. Spit seeds.
40. Go tubing.

 

 

 

Deborah Malone's first novel "Death in Dahlonega," finaled in the American Christian Fiction Writer's Category Five writing contest! Deborah was nominated for 2012 and 2013 Georgia Author of the Year Award in Novel category. She has worked as a freelance writer and photographer for the historical magazine "Georgia Backroads." She has had many articles and photographs published, and her writing is featured in "Tales of the Rails," edited by Olin Jackson as well as the "Christian Communicator, and the "Southern Writer's Magazine." She is member of the Georgia Writer's Association, Advanced Writers and Speaker's Association and the American Christian Fiction Writers. You can find her at www.deborah-malone.com.

Chilled in Chattanooga

Chilled in Chattanooga is the fourth book in the Trixie Montgomery Cozy Mystery Series. I had been writing about cities that were interesting places people enjoyed visiting. I have loved going to Chattanooga, Tennessee for many years. Even though Chattanooga is not in Georgia (where my other books take place), Rock City and Lookout Mountain are in Georgia. All of these places are incorporated in the book.

 

 

I had fun researching for the book. I took a day trip to Chattanooga and spent an entire day exploring the city and taking pictures. I must have taken over 200 pictures. It was fun eating at a couple of the well-known restaurants and visiting the Chattanooga Choo-Choo. Most of the places I mention in the book are real and you could visit them if you wanted to. I've already had someone tell me they wanted to visit the English Rose Tea Room across from the Chattanooga Choo-Choo. I hope you find a place you'd like to visit.

 

All of my books are humorous and I hope that when they are read they will give the reader a little time of respite from the stresses of the day. There is encouragement between Trixie and her best friend Dee Dee and they also help each other strengthen their faith. But I don't take a baseball bat and hit you over the head with a particular message. I just want my readers to enjoy a good clean mystery without having to worry about compromising their morals and do it while having a little fun.

 

 

 



Deborah Malone's first novel Death in Dahlonega, finaled in the American Christian Fiction Writer's Category Five writing contest! Deborah was also nominated for 2011 and 2012 Georgia Author of the Year in Novel Category. She has worked as a freelance writer and photographer for the historic magazine "Georgia Backroads" since 2001. She has had many articles and photographs published, and her writing is featured in "Tales of the Rails," edited by Olin Jackson, as well as the "Christian Communicator." She is a member of the Georgia Writer's Association, Advanced Writer's and Speaker's Association and the American Christian Fiction Writers.

Celebrate With Me!

 It's here! What you ask? The third book in my Trixie Montgomery Cozy Mystery Series, "Terror on Tybee Island." It's available on Amazon.com or you can email me through my website www.deborah-malone.com for an autographed copy. Don't forget Christmas is right around the corner. Let me tell you a little about this book.

 

 

 

 

Trixie Montgomery is the main character and her sidekick and best friend is Dee Dee Lamont. Trixie is a writer for a magazine and is sent on assignments to different towns. It seems everywhere they go a dead body turns up and Trixie and Dee Dee must find the person who committed the dastardly deed. Trixie’s eccentric great-aunt, Nana, joins in on the fun. With Nana around there’s never a dull moment. For instance she gets a tattoo in “Terror on Tybee Island.” 

“Terror on Tybee Island” takes place on the beautiful Tybee Island off of Savannah. Trixie, Dee Dee, Nana and Trixie’s mother Betty Jo go for a relaxing vacation on the island. Betty Jo’s friend puts them up in her bed and breakfast. It turns out to be anything but relaxing when Trixie finds a body in the sand behind the house. Betty Jo’s friend, Laura, is accused of the murder so of course Trixie and Dee Dee must come to the rescue when Betty Jo begs them to help Laura. They run into quite a few suspects as they attend a taping of Paula Dean’s cooking, a trip to the Mercer-Williams house, and a pirate festival.

 

During the festival Nana is kidnapped and you’ll have to read the book to see if Trixie and Dee Dee arrive in time to save her.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deborah Malone’s first novel Death in Dahlonega, finaled in the American Christian Fiction Writer’s Category Five writing contest! Deborah was also nominated for 2012 Georgia Author of the Year in First Novel category. She has worked as a freelance writer and photographer, for the historic magazine “Georgia Backroads.” She has had many articles and photographs published, and her writing is featured in “Tales of the Rails,” edited by Olin Jackson. She is a member of the Georgia Writer’s Association as well as Advanced Writer’s and Speakers Association. As a current member of the American Christian Fiction Writer she has established a blog where she reviews Christian Fiction.  

I Need Your Vote!

As Linda was saying the holidays are upon us. Now I'm not a person who cooks very often. I can cook I just don't enjoy it that much. But I've decided I'm going to cook Thanksgiving dinner this year. I'm also going to buck the routine and I've decided to cook a pork tenderloin. I wanted a recipe that included apples. I found three that sound yummy - now I want your vote. Which one do you think I should cook. Can't wait to hear from you and I'll be sure and take pictures and post the outcome.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. Lazy Day Sweet and Sour Tenderloin

   • In a heavy skillet, brown the tenderloin on all sides in 2 or 3 tbsp. of cooking oil. Place the tenderloin in the bottom of your slow cooker. Pour 1 can of apple pie filling over the browned roast. Add 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar. Place the lid on the cooker and cook on low for five to six hours for a small tenderloin and up to eight for a larger 2-lb. roast. Test for proper temperature at the end of the cooking time. Cook longer if necessary to achieve 160 F.

   Tenderloin with Fresh Apples

   • Core and slice 2 small or 1 large Granny Smith apple into 1/4-inch slices. Sprinkle or dip the slices in lemon juice to prevent browning. Slice 1 Vidalia onion into slices of approximately the same size. In a heavy, oven-safe skillet, heat 2 tbsp. oil over medium-high heat. Brown the pork tenderloin on all sides. Remove the tenderloin from the pan and set on a platter. Add another tablespoon of oil to the skillet and sauté the onions and apples until evenly browned. Place the tenderloin on top of the apple and onion mixture in the skillet. Brush the top of the loin roast with Dijon mustard. Bake the roast in a 450 F oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until the internal temperature of the meat reaches 160 F.

   Roasted Tenderloin and Apples

   • Place a 1 lb. to 1 1/2 lb. tenderloin in a roasting pan. Cover with a tight lid or aluminum foil. Place the pan in a 400 F oven and let cook for 30 minutes. While the roast is cooking, slice two cooking apples (such as Granny Smiths) into 1/4-inch slices. Add 2 tbsp. of fresh or frozen cranberries. In a bowl, combine 2 tbsp. dark brown sugar and 1 tsp. cinnamon. Spoon this mixture over the fruit, coating the fruit thoroughly with the sugar and spice. Remove the tenderloin from the oven after 30 minutes and spoon the fruit mixture on and around the roast. Return the roast to the oven and cook for an additional 15 to 20 minutes until the roast is golden brown and reaches a 160 F internal temperature.

 Deborah Malone’s first novel Death in Dahlonega, finaled in the American Christian Fiction Writer’s Category Five writing contest! Deborah was also nominated for 2012 Georgia Author of the Year in First Novel category. She has worked as a freelance writer and photographer, for the historic magazine “Georgia Backroads.” She has had many articles and photographs published, and her writing is featured in “Tales of the Rails,” edited by Olin Jackson. She is a member of the Georgia Writer’s Association. As a current member of the American Christian Fiction Writer she has established a blog where she reviews Christian Fiction.  

Murder Mystery vs. Suspense

I've been reading "How To Writer Killer Fiction" by Carolyn Wheat who was a long time mystery writer. I have really enjoyed the book. It is chock full of great tips for the myster/suspense writer. I wanted to share a little from her book about a few differences in the classis whodunit vs. the suspense book. She likens the books as being in a dream.



The Mystery:
     At the opposite end of the popular crime fiction genre is the whodunit. Here the nightmare of sudden, violent death is tamed, put into a neat, logical package of detection and clues, rendered less frightening by the impostition of order. The detective hero, unlike the suspense hero, is the master of the situation, keeping her head when all about her are losing theirs. The detective manages the out-of-control emotions of othersand brings logic and insight to bear on the puzzle of unexplained passions. Here the experience is one of taking control while the dream is going on, of telling oneself: I can handle this; it's only a dream.
     In the whodunit, the reader indentifies with someone outside the troubled circle where the crime takes place; whether the sleuth is a cop, a private eye, or an amateur, the classic mystery is a story of other people's troubles. In recent years, detective characters have begun solving thier own personal problems in the course of the mystery, but the core of the genre is a situation involving murder that happens to other people. In the ideal mystery novel, the reader is two steps behind the detective.

 

 

The Suspense:
     In a straight suspense novel, the hero is the center of the book. The troubles are his, not someone else's. The reader indentifies with the hero and goes through a catharsis by following the hero's journey every step of the way. At the end of the story, the hero, as in a fairy tale, emerges at a different level of maturity.
     In suspense, the emotions are up-front and dominant. The big scenes are played out in front of the reader; we see the good and evil clash before our eyes. The hero is pursued, captured, tortured in real time, while a time bomb ticks in the background. We expect to see the hero working her way free from the ropes that bind her; we will be extememly disappointed to come on the scene after she's freed herself. The ideal suspense reader, is two steps ahead of the hero.


Deborah has worked as a freelance writer and photographer, since 2001, for the historical magazine “Georgia Backroads.” She has had many articles and photographs published during this time. Her writing is featured in “Tales of the Rails” edited by Olin Jackson. She has also had a showing of her photographs at Floyd Medical Center Art Gallery as well as winning several awards. Her debut cozy mystery "Death in Dahlonega", a winner in the ACFW Category Five Writer's Contest, is now available.
She is a current member of the Georgia Writers Association, and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. Deborah has been nomiated for Georgia Author of the Year 2012. She has an established blog, Butterfly Journey, where she reviews Christian Fiction. You can also catch her at
Sleuths and Suspects, where she reviews mysteries. She also contributes to the Cozy Mystery Magazine every other Tuesday.



    

Tools For Publishing - Part Two

 

THINGS YOU CAN DO WHILE WAITING FOR PUBLICATION

1.      Establish A Website: Once your book is contracted and by the time it shows up in online bookstores, you should have a website – preferably one with your author name as the URL,(www.deborah-malone.com) so that readers can easily find you. Use Google blogspot for free and pay only for the URL.

2.      Start A Blog:  I’ve discovered blogging and reviewing books is a great way to get your name out in the world of writing. You can build a following before you have your book published. If possible use your author name as your URL. Interviews and book giveaways are a great way to draw traffic to your blog. You can use Google or Wordpress for free

3.      Start An Author Facebook Page:  If you start an author page as opposed to a personal page it allows followers to connect with you without having to wait for a friend approval. You can post book news, awards, and book signings.

4.      Get An Updated Author Photo:  This doesn’t have to be a high-priced photograph, but make sure it is updated and of good quality. It won’t hurt to have a couple of different shots.

5.      Set Up Accounts On Reader Sites:  There is a great opportunity in this area. You can sign up at Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, Goodreads, and Shelfari. Then when your book is published you can set up author pages and list your book and your information.

6.       Get Business Cards, Postcards and Bookmarks:  Vista Print offers great prices on these items. You can get your business cards before your book comes out – be sure and put your picture on your card. Someone might not remember your name, but they will remember your face. If you place a small order with Vista Print they will send you discount cards with that order then you can place future orders at a greatly reduced price.

I made my own bookmarks out of heavy duty paper and saved a lot of money. Don’t forget the book I mentioned earlier “Stress Fee Marketing” by Renea Winchester, it includes a lot of detailed information on these marketing strategies.

 

Deborah has worked as a freelance writer and photographer, since 2001, for the historical magazine “Georgia Backroads.” She has had many articles and photographs published during this time. Her writing is featured in “Tales of the Rails” edited by Olin Jackson. She has also had a showing of her photographs at Floyd Medical Center Art Gallery as well as winning several awards. Her debut cozy mystery "Death in Dahlonega", a winner in the ACFW Category Five Writer's Contest, is now available.
She is a current member of the Georgia Writers Association, and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. Deborah has been nomiated for Georgia Author of the Year 2012. She has an established blog, Butterfly Journey, where she reviews Christian Fiction. You can also catch her at Sleuths and Suspects, where she reviews mysteries. She also contributes to the Cozy Mystery Magazine every other Tuesday.

Better Late than Never!

My apologies to both the readers of Cozy Mystery Magazine and my fellow mystery author-bloggers. Today was the last day of summer before my kids head back to school, and already the PTO has their claws in me.

I have been looking forward to this day's blog post with a little list of things to share: best way to chemically fake a heart attack, three ways to hide a body at a funeral, icky things that make great biological clues, fun mysteries to enjoy on Netflix while you catch up on housework now that the kids are back in school. As you can see, especially if you aren't on the left coast like I am, I didn't get it done.

But I did notice from the previous two posts that it is tea time! I can dig that. I've got my own little collection of tea pots, two for Christmas, two for pretty, and one we use everyday. Well, not literally, but several times a week.

A tea party, Hilton style, looks something like this:

The tea pot is Target, circa 2001. It was a wedding present from my Aunt Sally. I knit the cozy myself. Many an evening finds my husband and I sitting at that pine farm table with that teapot in that tea cozy enjoying a cup of Tetley while we work. I write novels, blogs, and tweets. He preps for the class he teaches at the community college in his spare time and blogs.

Other nights the tea pot follows us into the bedroom where we snuggle down and watch our favorite mysteries. I can wholeheartedly recommend Rosemary and Thyme, a very cozy British Mystery available for streaming at Neflix.

But I can't leave it at just this picture. My post feels incomplete without offering you a little something to take home. So...here is the pattern for a great tea cozy you can knit!

Pattern for Tea Cozy at Pamela's Blog.

(image from Pamela's Blog)

And with that, I must be off. Tea doesn't steep itself!

Traci Tyne Hilton is a mom, Sunday School teacher, novelist, and award winning playwright from Portland, Oregon. She is madly working on her next mystery series which has finaled in the Books of Hope Contest at Write Integrity Press and has an impending deadline.

Traci earned a degree in History from Portland State University and lives in the rainiest part of the Pacific Northwest with her husband the mandolin playing funeral director from Kansas, their two daughters, and their dog, Dr. Watson.
More of Traci's work can be found at tracihilton.com

The Mitzy Neuhaus Mystery Series is available at Amazon.