Welcome to Cozy Wednesday!
I discovered Joyce and Jim when I became hooked on their Renaissance Mysteries. Then being a huge NASCAR fan, a few months ago I devoured Swapping Paint
I love the way they write. I will never understand how two wonderful authors work together to create such terrific stories. Joyce and Jim Lavene sure do make it work. I am so thrilled to have them as guests today. They share a little bit about their lives behind the scenes.
Hi Joyce & Jim!
Hi Everyone!
Living With Writers
Living with one writer is probably bad enough. We’ve heard terrible stories about forgotten dry cleaning, crackers for dinner, and holes in porches that don’t get repaired for months. Living with TWO writers in a house is even worse.
Imagine if you will that two writers are both deeply involved with writing a new novel. It’s going well. The characters and plot are flowing. Everything seems fine.
Then the power company comes to turn off the electricity because someone forgot to pay the bill. “It was right in the middle of that part where we couldn’t decide if the killer was actually the killer,” my husband says. That’s his excuse.
I’m not much better. There was a crisis in one of our character’s lives that was completely turning the plot away from where it was supposed to be.
A call came in on my cell phone that I had missed my dental appointment. “You know we charge you for the appointment unless we have a cancellation at least 24 hours in advance,” the receptionist tells me with ‘60’s music playing in the background.
“We had a family emergency,” I tell her. “A family member was almost killed when a fire broke out in her home and she was locked inside.”
“MY LORD!” the receptionist says. “Is she okay now? Why wasn’t that on the news?”
I assure her that our ‘family member’ is fine. I know that person I’m creating in my laptop isn’t real, but she seems real to me.
There’s a scene at the beginning to Romancing the Stone when author Joan Wilder is finishing a book. She’s crying and she can’t find any paper products in her house to blow her nose. That’s because she forgot to buy them. The house is a wreck but the book is finished. That’s all that matters.
And so it goes in our house. Sometimes we might forget to cut the lawn until our neighbor comes and does it for us or our poor dog might have his legs crossed because he has to pee so badly.
But the book is finished. That’s all that matters.
~Joyce & Jim
About The Authors
Joyce and Jim Lavene write bestselling mystery together. They have written and published more than 60 novels for Harlequin,Berkleyand Charter Books along with hundreds of non-fiction articles for national and regional publications. They live in rural North Carolinawith their family, their cat,Quincy, and their rescue dog, Rudi. They enjoy photography, watercolor, gardening and long drives.
Look for our new Peggy Lee Garden Mystery, Buried by Buttercups, coming October 2012!
Find Them At Their Website here. They have so many great things happening!!
Treacherous Toys
(Renaissance Faire Mystery)
5th Book in Series
Cozy Mystery
A Berkley Prime Crime Mystery
The Berkley Publishing Group (September 4, 2012)
Published by The Penguin Group
Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0425251584
Cover Illustration by Ben Perini
Cover Design by Lesley Worrell
This series features Jessie Morton, an assistant history professor at the University of South Carolina at Columbia that may be out of a job after the holidays. She returns to Renaissance Faire Village to work as an apprentice for her dissertation – “The Proliferation of Medieval Crafts in Modern Times”.
It is Christmastime at Renaissance Faire Village. Jessie’s wishes are coming true as she apprentices for a new toy maker. Unfortunately Chris Christmas’s time at the Faire is abruptly cut short when he is found dead shortly after Jessie’s arrival. Jessie befriends Chris’s wife and helps her with their children in hopes of learning who would have wanted to put Father Christmas on ice. She is doing her best to unwrap the clues to track down who was very, very naughty and protect those who are very, very nice.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
What a wonderful time at the Renaissance Faire Village. Snow is falling, a skating rink in the village green, wreaths on the doors and candles in the windows. Christmas coming to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and it’s a balmy 80 degrees. Father Christmas and his elves are hearing the children’s wishes and there are many special events at the Faire.
Sounds like a lot of fun until the head elf, Father Christmas himself, is found dead in his workshop. Then Jessie and Mrs. Christmas are almost run down by a horse and other injuries and close calls start happening. Oh and don’t forget Queen Olivia is entering the last month of her pregnancy and has the whole village hopping as she practices her plan for getting to the hospital.
This installment is extraordinary. I really enjoyed Christmas at the Faire. The characters jump right off the pages.
Jessie’s relationship with Chase is getting more serious. She is plotting revenge after she gets pranked. Then she finds herself in a precarious predicament. There is never a dull moment when Jessie is at the Faire. I wanted to find out whodunit but I didn’t want the story to end.
These stories are just plain fun to read and enjoy. This holly jolly installment is the best one yet. I am already booking my next trip to the Renaissance Faire Village. I can’t wait to see what kind of murder and mayhem hits the village next but with authors like Joyce and Jim Lavene I know it is going to be fantastic!!
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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Heavens, does anyone take time to get groceries and dog food? Seriously, thanks for writing so many interesting series. Dee
Thanks, Dee! Unfortunately, we do have to shop, etc.Real life intrudes.
I can truly sympathize with “forgetting” things- if it weren’t for post-it notes, I’d forget everything! The cozy mysteries you write are fabulous and I am certainly looking forward to this next installment…
Thanks, Amanda! My Post-Its have Post-Its! I need a computer brain.
There just isn’t enough time to get all the things done we want to do—my poor dogs sometimes have to wine and beg way to long to get out—but I’ve not seen them crossing their legs yet.
Love to read books with a Christmas connection around the holidays so I’ll have to get this one.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Thanks, Sue! It’s true. I remember a quote from a book, “There is never enough time to do all the things that we would wish. The trick is to do as much as we can with the time that we have!”
I thought it was just me! Attempting to find the balance between your craft and your home life can get pretty hectic! I love reading about other authors and I can say that I have a soft spot for cozy mysteries! Thank you for that wonderful interview. 🙂 Please check out my blog too http://myrecespieces.blogspot.com/
Nice blog, Clarice! Thanks for stopping by!
These sound like some good books. Thanks for the giveaway.
Thanks for stopping by, Sherry!
Whew! I’m glad I don’t live with an author, lol. 😉
Thanks for the review and giveaway. It sounds like a great series.
There’s the fun times that make it worthwhile, Ashley! Thanks for stopping by!
We have a Renaissance Fair nearby and it’s wonderful to visit! Your series sounds terrific.
kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com
Thanks, Karen. we have a Ren Festival nearby. Writing these books tides us over until we can go again.
I would love to read your book. It sounds very good. Tore923@aol.com
Thanks, Victoria! The Ren Faire series is a fun read. Glad you stopped by!
Love this series. I have read 2 of the books but LOVE them.
Hi Nancy! Glad you’ve enjoyed the books. We have certainly enjoyed writing them!
Congrats to Joyce and Jim on another new book! I always like a Christmas theme around this time of year. I didn’t realize how many other series you write, glad dollycas gave us the lowdown! Thanks!
Thanks, holdenj! Thanks for stopping by!
I loved that excuse for missing the dental appt!
One good thing about being a writer – you’re creative! Thanks, Lisa.
That story about the missed dental appointment excuse was hysterical. I hope it worked. And, your poor dog. Let him out once in awhile. It’s good to take breaks anyway.
My excuses always work, Linda. I aim to be realistic! We probably should take more breaks but who has time?
Oh my living with another author and forgetting to do all those things , I would be going bananas by now . I hate when I forget things. But needless to say Im looking forward to reading this great sounding mystery.
Thanks, Ann. Yes, forgetting things is terrible. But sharing that kind of passion with another person is great! Thanks for stopping by!
I am laughing about the “missed”Dentist appointment. How creative! Just keep your writing passion. There is a saying “the dirty dishes have a tale to tell..” I may not keep the House clean…It takes Care of Me”… I can’t wait to read this book! Happy Writing and Blessings~
Thanks, Cyndee! We appreciate you stopping by. You’re right. I don’t feel a bit guilty about those dishes! I feel a little guilty about the dog.
I just LOVE Joyce and Jim Lavene! I also adore the Renaissance Faire Mysteries. Thanks for the interview and giveaway. Even more… thanks for putting ALL your energies into writing for us, your readers. You might occasionally forget to pay the power or a dental appointment, however your books are fantastic.
We appreciate the feedback, Vanessa! It’s easy to get lost in what you do when you really love it!
We’d just like to say thanks to Lori for the review and the nice words. Our power was off (not our fault) yesterday afternoon. We were only able to get online again this morning. Thanks everyone who stopped by!
I think I would like living with an author. I would think while they are writing a book, I could read or get my e-mails done!
P.S. I count four small post it notes and one large one with messages on them all one my desk. I look at the once in a while, sometimes too late.
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
Nice review. The book sounds good.
Sounds like a great series, am looking forward to reading it. Thanks for this interview love to learn about authors that are new to me.
That was a funny post. I like the Missing Pieces series. I’ve only read the first one but I have the other two at home and I have some of the Peggy Lee series, all but one or two.
Don’t forget to clean the litter box or the cat will make a mess elsewhere.
I’m forgetful as it is, imagine living with another one that’s a real disaster
love the title.love books set at christmastime
I enjoyed the interview. I haven’t had the pleasure of reading any of these books. Obviously I must correct that omission soon. These books sound wonderful.
I absolutely LOVE a good mystery!
A good mystery is the best form of entertainment!
love the wallpaper, since its getting cold here.
great title to the story.
I thought I was the only one who canceled a dental appointment because the characters I was involved in bringing to life were so real at the moment. I am glad I am not alone!