Welcome to a Special Edition of Cozy Wednesday!
I am always excited to have Sally drop by for a visit!
Many, many thanks to the wonderful Lori Caswell for inviting me to drop in again. Dolly’s cozy corner is a perfect place to take a break, to relax with friends like you…and to talk about books and life. Today my topic is:
THE PERFECT PLACE TO WRITE
Recently I watched an HGTV show featuring a couple looking for their dream home.
The husband—a writer—was having a horrible time because he could only write in a bathtub, he said, and none of the homes they toured had one he considered suitable. Lots of questions ‘surfaced’ in my head—is there water in the tub? A pillow on the bottom? A waterproof computer on his knees….? (And certainly I had major curiosity about what he wrote.)
But each of us has our own quirks about where we write, and I moved on from bathtubs to thinking about a notable writer, Stephen King, who has strong ideas about where writers should write. He says all novelists should have a serene, preferably dull, writing place. But dull and serene is very subjective, don’t you think? I spend lots of time writing in a local coffee shop. I easily block out the cappuccino machines and gossip and crying babies. But when I need to come up for air and prove to myself that there are other people living in this beautiful universe, I look up from my laptop and rejoice at the people around me, proof that I haven’t totally left the world of the living.
Different stories require different writing spaces. While working on the fifth book in the Seaside Knitters Mystery series,The Wedding Shawl,
Nancy Pickard, who was writing The Scent of Rain and Lightning,
A portion of a A Fatal Fleece
But for my most recent book, Angora Alibi,
And now I’m writing the 8th book in the series, the one in which a stranger comes to Sea Harbor to find out who she is. Where, I wonder, is the best place to write it? I’m thinking it could be on a porch…a coffee shop…a deck…a library. Hmmm…well, it could be almost anywhere, as long as Nell, Birdie, Cass, and Izzy stop by and sit with me, telling me what’s happening next in their lives. Anywhere. Sometimes that’s the perfect place to write.
~Sally
About This Author
Sally Goldenbaum is a philosophy teacher, knitter, editor, and the author of more than two-dozen novels.
Please visit her on Facebook.
Or at her Website: sallygoldenbaum.com
Angora Alibi:
A Seaside Knitters Mystery
7th in Series
Cozy Mystery
Obsidian (May 7, 2013)
Published by The Penguin Group
Hardcover: 320 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0451415349
E-Book File Size: 702 KB
ASIN: B00BYLQO54
The sun is shining in Sea Harbor and a group of friends, the Seaside Knitters, are spending Thursday evenings knitting the sweetest of gifts—a baby blanket. But as the due date draws near, they find they must take time away from their needles and yarn to confront a murder and untangle a mystery before a certain baby is brought into the world….
Everyone is excited about the upcoming birth of Baby Perry and Izzy is trying to take perfect care of herself by getting plenty of exercise. On one of her walks along the beach she notices an abandoned infant car seat complete with a yellow angora baby blanket. After several days she realizes no one is claiming the seat and it bothers her to just leave it there. She stows it the trunk of her car but then the seat starts showing up in her dreams/nightmares. She just can’t get the thing off her mind. What happened to the baby? She just has a feeling something bad happened or is about to happen. Are her raging hormones responsible for these terrible thoughts?
Then a young man who does odd jobs around town dies while scuba diving. Is this the bad thing that has been on her mind? When it is learned that he was murdered and he has a connection to the car seat Izzy rallies the Seaside Knitters to investigate. Their attention to intricate patterns may be just what is needed to catch a killer.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
I look forward to my visits to Sea Harbor. Sally has created a special place with very special people. The friendship of these characters is so genuine, readers feel like a member of the group. Nell, Birdie, Cass and Izzy are blessed to have each other in their lives. The joyful preparations for the new baby are so much fun, aside from the murder, of course.
My favorite character this time was Gabby. She has grown up before our eyes and has a heart as big as all outdoors. She also has a real talent that comes to light which was quite a surprise to the other characters as well as readers.
The death of Horace caught me a little off guard as he was a very interesting individual that had a great way of compensating for his failing eyesight. Something that unfortunately led to his demise.
The new characters really made the plot very complex with several red herrings that keeps the reader on their toes. We are also kept guessing about whether Izzy is having a boy or girl until the big moment arrives. I found this very refreshing as most couples these days know and have a name chosen months in advance. I like the surprise and while we had a list of names ready after the birth of all four of our children it was important to us to actually see and hold them before donning their names upon them. Only one child came home with the first name on the list.
An excellent story, a delightful place, rich characters – I couldn’t ask for more! But there is a tasty recipe and a baby blanket pattern too!
I am anxiously awaiting my next trip to Sea Harbor!
Would you like to win a copy of this wonderful book?
Thanks to the people at Penguin
I have 2 copies to giveaway!!
U.S. and CANADIAN RESIDENTS
You do not have to be a follower to enter but I hope you will find
something you like here and become a follower.
Followers Will Receive 2 Bonus Entries For Each Way They Follow.
Plus 2 Bonus Entries For Liking My Facebook Fan Page.
Leave a comment for Sally for 5 Bonus Entries !
If you publicize the giveaway on Twitter or Facebook or anywhere you will receive
5 Bonus Entries For Each Link.
Contest Will End May 23, 2013 at 11:59 PM CST
Winners Will Be Chosen By Random.org
Winners Will Be Notified By Email
and Will Be Posted Here In The Sidebar
CLICK HERE FOR ENTRY FORM
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.”
Thank you for the wonderful interview, review and giveaway, Lori ~ I added “Angora Alibi” to my TBR List and I look forward to reading it ~ Happy Reading and Writing~ Cheers~ Elizabeth
I just recently heard about this series, probably via this website. I requested the first two books from the library and am looking forward to starting the series.
Hope you enjoy it, Anne and Elizabeth.
I like to write in quiet-but anywhere quiet is good. I like to write in bed! I write long handed too! Paper and pen for me…then put it on computer. I get the flow better that way.
I love this series! Dee
I love this series and hate the wait between books.
Katreader–I have a friend who writes a lot–and always in bed!
Deanna and Dotty, thanks for the nice words!
I’m looking forward to starting this series, knitting seems like a comforting hobby, would love to learn.
It’s a wonderful hobby, and productive, too! There are so many near yarns out nowadays. And, like in Sally’s books, it brings people together in a very special way! If you live near Manhattan,KS, I’ll teach you!
Welcome to Sally! I loved to hear that you can write with your friend in such peaceful sounding places. Now that we’ve turned to corner and spring is really here, I love to read out on the patio. Looking forward to the new book, thanks for the chance to win!
Thanks for the welcome! I love Lori’s cozy corner.
Yes, it’s comforting to write with a friend nearby (also writing!). Less lonely, and doing it in a beautiful place helps to!
It’s great to get a glimpse into how writers write. Writing on a back porch with a fellow writer beside you is not something I’ve heard before. I look forward to reading this series.
I just LOVE this series, and learning some of the different places you have wrote them in was great! So looking forward to reading this book!!
Jennifer and Donna, thank you for your nice comments and I hope you like the series, Jennifer.
Writing with a friend makes it easier to ‘stay put’. Yesterday we wrote on Nancy’s deck–it was so beautiful, with flowers blooming all around.
I love this series. Thanks for the giveaway.
Great interview. I love reading things about how writers write.
You are very lucky to have friends that have the same interests as yourself. Hold on to them, good friends don’t come along often.
Peggy, Nancy and Katie–thanks for your comments. I am glad you enjoyed the blog. (And you’re so right, Peggy–I feel fortunate.)
Congratulations on the publication of Angora Alibi! Love cozy mysteries that include knitting. Thanks for sharing the places where you write. It is always so interesting to learn something personal about a writer.
You have to love knitters who are willing to be crime-fighters;) Sounds like a blast!!!
I haven’t tried this series, it sounds great!
Booklady, Cindi and Christine, thanks for posting and for the congratulations. They DO have a blast, Cindi. Friendship, knitting and solving crimes seem to fit together very nicely! Christine–I hope you give the series a try and enjoy it.
You can come write at my house, Sally. I have lovely woods to peer into. And you know I can keep you in cookies, coffee and tea.
Or wine, if necessary. 🙂
What fun that would be, Aimee! And in addition to all those other perks, you have an amazing daughter to provide inspiration….
This series sounds unique and special. Thanks for this interesting interview.
I enjoyed the photos and the interview. This book would be enjoyable and lovely.
Haven’t come across your books before but added to my to read list
To Elle, Vesper and Anne–thank you for dropping in! And I hope you will enjoy some time with the Seaside knitters….
I’m looking forward to reading this one 🙂
Sounds like a good book, I can’t wait to read it.
Thanks, Rita and Stephanie. Hope you enjoy it!
I’ve been an on and off reader of this series (if the library has it I read it). Sometimes a friend will gift me with books she has finished or isn’t going to read (she’s also a blogger) and when it’s a Seaside book I always know it will be enjoyable.
I’d love to be able to add this one to my overburdened book shelves.
Sally, I love the characters you have created. They feel like old friends to me. The setting is also very appealing to me even though I am originally a “south shore” girl. Thanks for all the enjoyment you have given over the years.
Thanks, Kaye!
Hi Lori, please enter me in the drawing. I am a follower by GFC and like your FB page. That’s where I read about the contest. Lol!
Congratulations on your new release Sally. I just love this series. I found it through BookPages and my local library. I enjoyed the characters and the twists and turns through the who-do-you-think-did-it. Thank you for some very enjoyable reading!
Thanks, Kelly!
Sorry if this is a duplicate but when I commented the first time and clicked ‘post comment’, I got a message that the page was not found.
Anyway, lol, my comment was that I love a good cozy and thank you for hosting this giveaway.
wfnren(at)aol(dot)com
Sounds like an interesting series….
I was just wishing I had another one of your books to read, yesterday!!! It’s like catching up on old friends! Anxious to read this new one!!!
Hope you like it, Alicia.
Marla–so happy to hear from you! If you have a minute, check my author webpage and look at the post from a woman from Norway. She showed in photos her knitting of Nell’s scarf–the one you so beautifully knit! It’s beautiful–she even spun her own yarn.
I would love to read and own this book. I think it will be your masterpiece yet.
What a sweet thing to say. Thank you.
Love this series – love the mystery but love the food in the books as well- makes me hungry for a visit back east!
I love this series, even though I’m a crocheter 🙂 The friendships and the setting are really my favorite parts of these books…loved the pictures of your writing spaces.
Samantha–I love the food, too. Nell has my dream kitchen.
Mary–I try to slip some crochet in every now and then. I need you to teach me.
Thanks for dropping by!
I can’t knit a stitch–but I sure do like to read this series.
Suekey–your comment made me happy–I want the series to connect with people who don’t knit. So thank you!
Sounds very exciting–a murder mystery among knitters!
Thanks for the giveaway.
What wonderful places to write. I recently read a post by another author who said one of her favorite places to write was her local coffee house, at first I thought how distracting, but on further reflection what a golden opportunity to let the imagination run. Thank you for sharing your gifts with us, I am looking forward to reading this treat. I am new to the series and it looks like loads of fun 🙂
Margie and Denise–I hope you enjoy the books. Let me know…..
I cannot imagine writting in a tub. Whrn I was in college I did my best writing at my desk. It didn’t matter if there were people around but at my desk was best.
Thank you for the chance to win this book. I think this is a fun series.
I’m a numbers person but I have my quirks too. Must have a black Pentel pencil–.05 lead. Had mine for over 30 years. Would love to start this series.
I have one of those quirks, too!
A very enjoyable post.
Angora Alibi:A Seaside Knitters Mystery, sounds like a really great read
Thank you so much for the Giveaway!
Hi Sally,
I enjoyed hearing about the different places you write… love your screened in backyard porch!
Thanks, Merry. (There is a MERRY in the seaside knitters mysteries….)
I enjoyed your chat about writing places and yours sound much more pleasant than Mr. King’s, even though I have all his books! I am not familiar with your series, but it sounds like something I would like. Thank you for the chance to win one!!
Love your bathtub musings. But your writing locations sound better and your book sounds great. Those colors on the cover are so enticing.
Sally, I loved reading about the places where you write. And I’m equally bemused by the man who can only write in the bathtub. (The tub? Seriously? Sounds like a disaster waiting to happen, even if he uses paper and pencil.) I think your versatility is a real strength.
I’ve had your books on my radar for some time now. I don’t know why I haven’t started the series yet, because it’s got so much that I love: knitting and mysteries and a small town and New England’s coast. And, from the sound of this book, a nice ongoing relationship. Well, I promise, I’m not going to wait any longer. As soon as I get caught up on my ARCs in a week or two, I’ll be starting the first one!
This sounds like a nice book. I hope I win.
Marvelous interview. This sounds like a book I would enjoy. I knit and I’m trying to write. I’m probably my own worst critic.
loved the comic strip at the top of the site
interview was good … love to add book to my collection