Welcome to Cozy Wednesday!
I am so pleased to welcome Carol Ann Martin to Escape With Dollycas today!
Dear Reader,
You have no idea how thrilled I am to be here. All my life I’ve wanted to be an author, and here I am at last, sixty one years old and my first novel just coming out. This should be good news for all you wannabe authors out there. If I could do it, so can you. See? I’m the proof that it’s never too late.
There was a time when I thought I’d missed the boat, that I would never achieve my dream of being published. That was when a local author who was shortlisted for the governor general award (That’s a big deal in Canada.) insisted that age is good thing for a writer. The more life you’ve lived, the more you will have to write about. That was probably what gave me the courage to go for it, and give it my all. But what to write about?
I’d always loved murder mysteries, but at the same time I was tired of all the blood and gore in many of them. I was attracted to a gentler kind of murder mystery, more of the Miss Marple, or Jessica Fletcher type. I wrote a fun little manuscript and sent it out, fully expecting to get a few dozen rejections, but to my great surprise, I landed an agent on my first try. If somebody were to ask me what was the happiest day in my life? That day would be right up there. And then, a short time later, I was offered a three-book deal by Obsidian. My husband couldn’t get me off the chandelier for days. When I finally came down as set about writing, the Looming Murder Series was born.
What I wanted was to create characters that readers would want to get to know better, characters that they might want as friends in their own lives. The first novel in the series, introduces the main character Della Wright, a thirty-something brunette with a passion for weaving, high heels and fashion, and for snooping out clues. Della has just left a successful career as a business analyst to follow her dream of owning and operating her own weaving shop and studio. She has moved from Charlotte, to quaint Briar Hollow, a peaceful town at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains. But, as it turns out, Briar Hollow is not quite as peaceful as she first imagined, because she soon stumbles upon the murdered body of a local business man.
Della’s main sidekick is long-time family-friend Matthew, who also happens to be a criminology professor. Della has feelings for Matthew, but she might have a better chance at capturing his interest if his mother wasn’t working so hard at bringing them together. I mean, really, what self-respecting man will let his mother choose his girlfriend?
Della’s best friend is the beautiful, tall, blonde, Jenny, who is convinced she can predict the future by reading tea leaves and tarot cards. Della only wishes Jenny would have warned her about some dangerous characters masquerading as upstanding citizens.
And last but not least, there is Winston, Matthew’s twenty-five pound French bulldog, who is completely taken with Della. At least one man in her life loves her, right? Too bad it’s Winnie and not Matthew.
My early readers tell me I’ve woven together a great little mystery with just the right amount of chuckles and shivers. I hope you’ll all agree.
All my best,
Carol Ann Martin
About This Author
Carol Ann Martin is a pen name for Monique Domovitch. She borrowed the name from her children, combining her daughter’s—Carole Ann—and her son’s—Martin. Monique lives with her physician husband and their three dogs. They divide their time between their homes in Canada and La Jolla.
Find out more here on her webpage.
Looming Murder:
A Weaving Mystery
A Brand New Series
Cozy Mystery
An Obsidian Mystery
Signet Eclipse (June 4, 2013)
Published by The Penguin Group
Mass Market Paperback: 336 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0451413604
E-Book File Size: 548 KB
ASIN: B009RYL36K
A LOOM WITH A VIEW
Della Wright jumped at a unique opportunity and has moved to Briar Hollow to open Dream Weavers. Her dream has always been to own a weaving studio. She is so excited when a half dozen people show up for her first class and some are already proficient weavers. She quickly learns that like every small town anywhere, people here love to gossip.
She sees a different side to her quiet, little, new hometown when she trips over a dead body and one of her new students becomes the prime suspect. With a little help from an old friend and a couple of new ones she finds herself weaving together clues to catch the a killer and try not to become their latest victim…
Dollycas’s Thoughts
I was very impressed with the debut of this series!
Funny Della has my mother or a mother just like mine. Until she died she called me at least once a day to offer “advice”. 🙂
The characters are a diverse group, teenager to retired, all with their own little quirks. Della seems to act first and think later, a quality I happen to like in a protagonist. Keeps the reader on their toes. Her relationships with the men in her life give a little Chick Lit vibe to this whodunit.
I was very drawn to Mercedes, a teenager that was practically dragged to the first weaving class. She grew by leaps and bounds in this first story. I can see her as an integral character as she continues to grow up and evolve.
The author has constructed a wonderful warp in the story for her to weft with characters and situations for many future mysteries. I can’t wait for my next escape to Briar Hollow.
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 Carol Ann 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 July 10, 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.”
Sounds like an interesting new series.
The cast of characters sound like small town regular people — who will be quite interesting to come to know. Looking forward to reading about Della and Briar Hollow.
Thanks, Dollycas, for presenting another author who is new to me! This sounds like a great cozy series. Carol Ann, who in your life has been your biggest supporter? Is there another author who has served as a mentor?
I follow via FB, Twitter, e-mail, and Networked Blogs. I shared on FB (https://www.facebook.com/katherine.ivan.7/posts/604039769633587) and retweeted one of the giveaway posts (https://twitter.com/dollycas/status/349756032718872576).
Thanks for a fun post and for offering this giveaway!
Can’t wait to read this book !
Sounds like a fun read. Dee
Sounds like a good book.
Looks like a good one, it’s on my tbr
Congrats on the new series! It sounds like so much fun to read.
Another series added to the list!
Congratulations on your book, it sounds great. I’ve just added it to my must read list.
Congratulations, you must be an excellent writer to get an agent on the first try. I can’t wait to read this.
Carol Ann, your book looks delightful! And I’m so encouraged that you went for it and didn’t let a little number stop you.
Great reading about how an author works. and the book sounds great!
Sounds like a fun series. I like series where you get to know the characters and you are not just done with them after one book. Thanks for posting!
Whenever my partner and I go on vacation we look for historic areas nearby to see how our ancestors lived. Our favorite parts of the search is finding weavers who talk about the history of weaving and the type of work they are doing.
I’m looking forward to reading this book, and hope that I’m one of the lucky winners.
Sounds like a fun, enjoyable book and even though I don’t use a loom myself, I don’t mind learning about it and meeting new characters in a new series. I especially love how Carol Ann decided to follow her dream at any age; that is a lesson we should all pay attention to!
Congratulations on your book deal, sounds like a good read
Congrats on getting a late start with such panache:))) You are absolutely beautiful at 61!!! You look much younger!
Congratulations on the publication of Looming Murder! Publishing your first book at 61 is quite an accomplishment and an inspiration to all writers. I love mysteries that include a craft in the storyline and will definitely be adding this book to my TBR list.
Glad to see a new series to add to my list.
Sounds like a good read. Love the beautiful colorful cover. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.
I love that there’s a dog named Winston in this! (I had a wonderful Bichon Frise named Winston for 17 years). I look forward to reading this. Congrats on the new series!
Ms. Martin,
I’m so glad to hear you reached your authorship goal. And it does make me feel more confident that I can obtain my “dream” goal (I turn 61 this year, too!). Looming Murder (I almost said Weaving Murder) is on my TBP list (to be purchased) — I’m about 2 months behind on my list purchasing, i.e. I just bought early May release titles this past week…so opportune to have a chance to win a free copy. I look forward to reading your first mystery whether it’s a free win or I end up purchasing it. I can always hope that my name comes up in the “random selector” drawing.
Congratulations on Looming Murder publication & hope that the series continues with many more! And, thanks for the giveaway chance!
Linda
I love the small town vibe of cozy mysteries and Briar Hollow sounds like a place I would love to escape to! From the synopsis and wonderful review, this sounds like another great cozy series that I am sure to enjoy! Congratulations to you, Carol Ann, on the publication of Looming Murder!
This book sounds delightful and special. Winston makes the book ever better.
A book for this summer which I would love and enjoy greatly.
This sounds like a very interesting book! One of my favorite cozy themes are ones with small towns and craft stores. =)
This looks like a great new series! Can’t wait to read it!!
Yay a new cozy series, can’t wait!
This sounds like a great series, and judging by your writing above it looks like I will thoroughly love it. It looks like I have another book/author to add to my list.
How wonderful for you to have your first novel published. It sounds delightful.
Carol – Your books may me want to take up knitting. I enjoy your series.
I like where you said “the more you live the more you have to write about” See it is never to last to fulfill your dreams . Conrats on your first novel . Cant wait to read it. they are my favorite kind of reading matereial.
I am so thrilled Carol is here today! It so fantastic to hear about her first book and how she found a publisher first time! Now that’s GOLD!!! Love the story line and it’s a real pleasure to meet this author here.
Always love trying out a new series!
Sixty-one is the perfect age to start a new journey in life…congratulations! It sounds terrific.
Congrats to Carol Ann on her success and that she persevered, even though she thought the time may have passed to start something new like this! Della’s life sounds like one I’d like to read about! Thanks for the intro and chance to win!
Love this title! Thank you for the chance to win this book.
wfnren(at)aol(dot)com
Great interview. Sounds like a great cozy mystery
This is right up my alley. I’ve been wanting to learn weaving for a long time. Maybe this book will get me more motivated.
I always enjoy reading mysteries like this one. I would like to win this.
I have a friend who weaves and makes the most gorgeous things. I’m looking forward to reading this book.
This book sounds like a good read.
This book sounds great! Thank you for introducing a new author. Enjoyed the post.
Barbara Thompson
barbmaci61(at)yahoo(dot)com
This is such a great sounding book I’ll be ready to read it right away if I win. Congratulations Carol Ann, on the publication of Looming Murder!
Cozy mysteries are something that I love to read and often don’t have the time to read! This sounds great.
Beautiful Cover. I can see my friend’s mother sitting in her cape cod with her loom.
Definitely looking forward to this new series. Thank you for posting!
Sounds like a great book! Look forward to reading it. Thank you for sharing.
barbmaci61(at)yahoo(dot)com
Congrats on the new series Carol Ann! 🙂 Thank you Dollycas for introducing me to a new author and new series. 🙂
Love Dollycas and looking forward to your book