GIVEAWAY!

by: Joelle Charbonneau

Happy Sept. 1st.

Now, if you're like me, you're looking back at the summer and wondering---where did it go?  I mean, didn't June just begin?  How is it September already?  Between the unusually cool July and August here in Chicago and all the deadlines I had to hit, I kind of feel like I missed summer.  Although, the weather this past week has clearly been trying to make up for that cool streak.  Still, while part of me feels like I never really got a chance to frolic and play in the summer sun (which would more than likely burn my VERY pale skin to a crisp anyway), I am excited for the things that the upcoming change of season will bring.

First off, there is school!  The kid started his first official week of kindergarten last week and had a blast.  He can't wait for this week's class to begin.  I'm so happy for him and his anticipation of seeing friends, and learning.  It's awesome.

Then, of course, there are all things FALL!  Fall is my favorite season.  I love the changing of the leaves, Halloween, Thanksgiving and pumpkin spice Lattes at Starbucks.  I admit being a little trepidatious about my first Fall in the new house since we have a LOT of trees and no doubt a lot of raking to do, but something tells me we'll make it work.

And finally, I am terribly excited to say that one month from today (October 1st) SKATING UNDER THE WIRE, the fourth Rebecca Robbins novel, will hit shelves.  Hurray!  Rebecca and the gang are very dear to my heart.  I love Elwood the Camel, Pop and the newest addition to the clan - Homer the raccoon.  (You're going to have to read the book to meet Homer!)

And in case you want to know what Rebecca and Company are up to, here is the jacket copy of SKATING UNDER THE WIRE:

Rebecca Robbins has pulled the rink she inherited off the market. She's decided to stay in Indian Falls for good. Rebecca is certain that if she can get her maid of honor duties fulfilled and Thanksgiving dinner cooked, life will finally settle down to normal. But when Rebecca is hired to look into a string of home invasions and a dead body turns up at the bridal shower, she is forced to put aside her hopes for a quiet holiday season. With the help of her Elvis-loving grandfather and her sexy, commitment-seeking large animal vet boyfriend, Rebecca has to track down thieves that have eluded the cops for years, solve a murder, get her friend safely married, and somehow cook dinner for an ever expanding guest list without getting herself killed.

So to celebrate the start of this new month and the upcoming release of SKATING UNDER THE WIRE, I am giving away an advanced reader copy to one commenter below.  (US and Canada only - sorry to all those in other parts of the globe!)  Please leave a comment containing your e-mail address and something you're looking forward to in the upcoming months between today and Sept. 8th.  On Sept. 9th, I will have the kindergarten kid pull a name out of a hat and announce a winner.  

And before this month gets too crazy, I want to say thank you to everyone who writes for and reads this blog.  Your support of me and my work continues to honor and amaze me.  You are all THE BEST!

Beach House Noir

By Steve Weddle

Now is the day the crows come home to roost. Or the roosters come home to crow. Or maybe they're black skimmers.

The Noir at Beach House deadline is today. Below are the links for folks who have let me know what's what. You still have time to post a link to your story in the comments -- or email me. Or tie it to the foot of a carrier rooster and send along.

"Insanely entertaining." That's what Josh Bazell said about FUN AND GAMES from Duane Swierczynski. Might as well say the same thing about all the fantastic entries for the DSD challenge. Check these out ->

Peter Rozovsky

Benoit Lelievre

Charlie Wade

Evil Ray

David James Keaton

Al Tucher

Eric Beetner

Thomas Pluck

Gerald So

Keith Karabin

Stephen D. Rogers

Katherine Tomlinson

Kieran Shea

Don Lafferty

Fiona McDroll Johnson

If I missed someone, post in the comments and I'll update. If you're coming in late, post in the comments today and you'll still be entered to win FUN AND GAMES from Duane Swierczynski. I'll pick a name late Monday (today?) afternoon.

FUN AND GAMES is the first of three Charlie Hardie thrillers from Duane Swierczynski (Mulholland Books).
Charlie is an ex- sort-of cop with the requisite wounded psyche, avoiding his past by running around the country house-sitting, drinking, and watching olde tyme movies.

His shot at redemption comes in the Hollywood Hills, trying to save a movie star from sure death. Much like that poor young man in CLERKS who wasn't even supposed to be here today, Charlie was supposed to be drunk in someone else's house, watching old Robert Mitchum movies.

What really works well in this book is that as the action moves forward -- explosions, poisonings, car chases -- the story moves backwards, bringing depth and explanation via character backstory.

Who are these Accident People trying to kill movie star Lane Madden? And why?
And why did Charlie Hardie run away and hide from his life, leaving his wife and kid far away?
And what's in that damned bag he can't live without?

As the story moves along from one chase scene to another, the story of Lane Madden's Secret is revealed a little more. As Lane Madden's backstory is revealed, so is Charlie Hardie's.

This book moves. Not just in the normal thriller way, not just racing from one explosion to the next. These explosions are more like dynamite thrown at that mountain where that dude was making the Crazy Horse monument. The more explosions, the more is revealed. And once that thing is revealed, you know, it's pretty freaking cool.

FUN AND GAMES is available this month. The second in the three-parter is set to hit shelves in October.

You'll dig this book.

One lucky person in our Noir at the Beach House contest will get a copy of the book. Will let you know shortly.

Thanks for playing.