I've been tagged! Blog Hop...

Paula Benson from the Writers Who Kill Blog tagged me in the BLOG HOP! Congratulations, Paula, on the publication of your first story, "Nectar of the Gods!" I couldn't be more excited for you.

Other authors who hopped over at Writers Who Kill are E.B. Davis, Warren Bull, Gloria Alden, and Alyx Morgan. When you get a chance, be sure to hop over there are see what they've been talking about.

Now on to my upcoming release, and the questions the Blog Hop poses each author...

1. What is the title of your story?

Oak and Dagger (Book #3 in the White House Gardener Mysteries)

2. Where did the idea come from for the story?

I've always love a great spy story. For me, they add a little extra spark to a whodunit. It's all about the cloak and dagger, danger, and working for a higher purpose (be is good or evil.) When I started working on the White House Gardener Mystery series, I knew right away that there would have to be a spy involved at some point in time. And that time is now...or is it? Is there a spy in the White House or is there something else going on. That's something Casey Calhoun will need to find out.

3. What genre does your story come under?

Quirky cozy mystery. Yep...they're out there!

4. What is the one-sentence synopsis of your story?

When the head gardener is accused of murder, Casey Calhoun, White House assistant gardener, promises to find out what really happened in the White House's Children's Garden, even if it means chasing after a phantom spy.

5. Is your story self-published, published by an independent publisher, or represented by an agency?

It will be published April 2013 by Berkley Prime Crime. But you can pre-order your copy today!

6. How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

First draft? Now this is a difficult question, because I write a bit and revise. Write some more and revise. I never actually have a messy first draft.

It took me about a year to get to "The End." And because I was writing and revising and pulling my hair out all along, I didn't have much cleaning up to do once I reached the end of the book.

7. What other stories would you compare this story to within your genre?

I always get nervous when comparing myself to other authors. Actually, I never feel worthy. But some of the authors who have inspired me and these books include Elizabeth Peters (Vicky Bliss Mysteries), Julie Hyzy (White House Chef Mysteries), and Lillian Jackson Braun (The Cat Who Mysteries). I love their writing styles and if you wish to compare me with any of these I'd be tickled pink!

8. Who or what inspired you to write this story?

My deadline. I'm an incredibly lazy writer and would sit and read novels all day if I didn't have a deadline licking fire under my seat.

9. What else about your story might pique the reader's interest?

Casey Calhoun, my gardening sleuth, is an organic gardener. She peppers organic gardening tips and fun projects throughout the story. But you don't have to garden or even enjoy gardening to have fun with this book.


Thank you, Paula, for inviting me to be part of your Blog Hop! Now, I'll have to think of someone to tag. Hmmm....any suggestions?

Made in America Monday: Room and Board

It's Made in America Monday, where I feature a company that is producing (or selling) products that are made within the United States. Although you can find wonderful things made in other countries, I think sometimes we overlook the craftsmen and products that are being produced just around the corner.

So with the familiar slogan "Think Global, Act Local" in mind, I give you Made in America Monday.

From their website:

"As a Minnesota-based, privately owned company, we've been designing home furnishings for more than 30 years. Reflected in every piece of our assortment, you'll see the principles that have guided us from the very beginning. 

"As you browse our collection you will find beautiful, thoughtful designs. You will find natural materials shaped, welded and woven by dedicated craftspeople across the United States. And you will find all these things at an exceptional value. But most importantly, we hope you find inspiration. Because helping you create your ideal home is the cornerstone of our business. You are the reason we do what we love."

Find a store near you.

Or shop online.

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Dorothy St. James writes the White House Gardener Mysteries for Berkley Prime Crime. Flowerbed of State is the first book in the series. Be sure to grab your copy while they're still available! Visit with Dorothy on the web or at Facebook. Or follow her on Twitter.

Praise for FLOWERBED OF STATE:
"Credible characters, a fast-paced plot, and a light look at political life in Washington, D.C., will delight cozy fans." ~ Publishers Weekly

"This spunky new romantic suspense series is an obvious pick for readers who enjoy Julie Hyzy's "White House Chef" series (Buffalo West Wing), but also think of gardening mystery series such as Rosemary Harris's (Slugfest)." ~ Library Journal

Order Flowerbed of State from your favorite bookseller. 

IT'S HERE! IT'S FINALLY HERE!

The Scarlet Pepper!

  Order The Scarlet Pepper from your favorite bookseller today!

Happy Birthday, Rosie!

Rosie, our little rescue puppy turned one this past month. We don't know the date, exactly, but we think it was a few days ago (give or take a week.)

When we first got her, she was 4 pounds and could fit easily in the palm of my hand. She's now closer to 40 pounds and frustrated that she isn't small anymore. She has growing pains aplenty. She doesn't fit neatly on our laps, can no longer hide under the sofa and treat it like a den, and can't play with our little Iona (who is 7 pounds) without making Iona nervous that this giant, bouncy beast might crush her.

But she loves how her long legs eat up the ground below her. She loves getting a bigger portion than Iona for dinner. And I think she truly enjoys trying to knock me over when she jumps up on me.

Happy birthday, you big goof! And many happy returns!

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Dorothy St. James writes the White House Gardener Mysteries for Berkley Prime Crime. Flowerbed of State is the first book in the series. Be sure to grab your copy while they're still available! Visit with Dorothy on the web or at Facebook. Or follow her on Twitter.

Praise for FLOWERBED OF STATE:
"Credible characters, a fast-paced plot, and a light look at political life in Washington, D.C., will delight cozy fans." ~ Publishers Weekly

"This spunky new romantic suspense series is an obvious pick for readers who enjoy Julie Hyzy's "White House Chef" series (Buffalo West Wing), but also think of gardening mystery series such as Rosemary Harris's (Slugfest)." ~ Library Journal

Order Flowerbed of State from your favorite bookseller. 

Order The Scarlet Pepper from your favorite bookseller.

Feeling Lucky? Enter a contest...or two.

With the release of The Scarlet Pepper a little less than a month away, I've chewed my fingernails and pushed my patient husband to the end of his rope as I worry about its release. Will the readers like it? It's a little different from Flowerbed of State. But there's still plenty of twists and turns to be had.

I dare you to figure out who the villain is before Casey does!

To help take my mind off my pre-publication jitters, I'm running several contests. I hope you take a moment to enter one, or two, or all of them! Here's the details:

1. Get in on the drawing to win one of 4 copies of THE SCARLET PEPPER this week from Books On The House! Contest winners will be announced on MARCH 14, 2012!

2. Head over to Goodreads for a chance to win one of 2 copies of THE SCARLET PEPPER! Contest winners will be announced on APRIL 5, 2012!

3. Go play the fun and games over at The Romance Reviews for a chance to win tons of prizes including a copy of the book that started it all, FLOWERBED OF STATE! The contest is running for several weeks, but Flowerbed of State is being given away at the end of the week of MARCH 14 and ending MARCH 21, the prize winners will be announce MARCH 22!

As the official organic gardener for the White House, Casey Calhoun is usually up to her elbows in something or other. But when someone starts tampering with the Presidential vegetable garden, she soon finds herself in way over her head.  

As if it wasn't bad enough that red peppers are growing instead of green ones and cabbage is popping up where the First Lady's favorite lettuce should be-a hard-nosed investigative reporter is found dead after targeting the President's unpopular Chief of Staff.

Raking over the clues and rumors, Casey knows that someone is sabotaging both her garden and the First Lady's reputation. But when she has one close call too many, Casey realizes that the next thing buried in the dirt might just be her…

Praise for FLOWERBED OF STATE:

"Credible characters, a fast-paced plot, and a light look at political life in Washington, D.C., will delight cozy fans." ~ Publishers Weekly

"This spunky new romantic suspense series is an obvious pick for readers who enjoy Julie Hyzy's "White House Chef" series (Buffalo West Wing), but also think of gardening mystery series such as Rosemary Harris's (Slugfest)." ~ Library Journal

"If you are looking for a great murder mystery book with a surprise ending? You MUST read this book." ~ Ana, Once Upon A Twightlight

No wilting plants can be found in this gardening mystery!"~ Sharon Galligar Chance, Fresh Fiction

"Simply put, I adore this book, and I'm eagerly awaiting the sequel.  Go out buy it now - you can thank me later." ~ Kat, The Season For Romance

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Dorothy St. James writes the White House Gardener Mysteries for Berkley Prime Crime. Flowerbed of State is the first book in the series. Be sure to grab your copy while they're still available! Visit with Dorothy on the web or at Facebook. Or follow her on Twitter.

Praise for FLOWERBED OF STATE:
"Credible characters, a fast-paced plot, and a light look at political life in Washington, D.C., will delight cozy fans." ~ Publishers Weekly

"This spunky new romantic suspense series is an obvious pick for readers who enjoy Julie Hyzy's "White House Chef" series (Buffalo West Wing), but also think of gardening mystery series such as Rosemary Harris's (Slugfest)." ~ Library Journal

Order Flowerbed of State from your favorite bookseller. 

Look for The Scarlet Pepper in April 2012. Pre-order your copy today!