This is a new series for me.
I am thrilled to have Deborah here today!!
Thanks to Lori for the chance to be here today. I’m thrilled to meet everyone!
Like all writers, I’m often asked a question by an earnest aspiring author that goes something like this:
“How do I write a book that will make high-minded literary critics swoon and college professors assign serious essays?”
Beats me, I always answer. I’m not that kind of writer.
Don’t get me wrong. I work hard, and I’m proud of my Mace Bauer Mysteries. But so far, Sweden has not phoned to notify me I’ve been awarded the Nobel Prize in literature. It’s impossible to take yourself too seriously when one reviewer describes your main character as “a redneck Stephanie Plum,” and another calls your series “a humorous bit of fluff, perfect for the beach.”
I’m okay with that. When I left newspaper reporting to write funny, Southern-flavored fiction, fluff was exactly what I was seeking.
I’m not sure what the authors of serious literature are doing the month before their books come out. But this was the scene with my husband, Kerry, in our South Florida yard on a sweltering day a couple of weeks before the publication date of my newest book, Mama Gets Trashed:
“It looks better if you’re smooshed deeper into the garbage can.” Hands on my shoulders, Kerry pressed down like he was trying to squeeze ten tubes of toothpaste back into one tube.
The toothpaste was getting a bit cranky.
”It won’t matter how it looks if my legs are broken in half at the knees.”
Gingerly, I edged a Hefty trash bag off my shoulder and onto the ground for a smidge more room.
It was photo day. We were getting creative with title-related props to go with the theme of TRASHED. I wondered if William Faulkner (Nobel Laureate, 1949) ever considered posing with a tombstone to promote “As I Lay Dying.”
Probably not.
My husband has been a reporter on TV for 30 years. He has strong opinions about what makes a visually interesting picture. I was also in journalism for many years, and have my own ideas about how pictures can tell a story. We don’t always agree, but I did refrain from whomping him with the rubber lid of the can.
After 25 years of marriage, I’m used to Kerry encouraging me to leap out of my comfort zone. The author photo on the back of my books is pretty standard, even staid. Kind of like me. But when it comes to playing off the theme of the books for photos on social media or to go along with personality profiles, he’s encouraged me to cut a little looser. So, it was a feather boa and Hollywood bling for the movie-set theme of Mama Sees Stars. For Mama Gets Hitched, which detailed Mama’s fifth try at tying the sacred knot, I donned hideously tacky wedding wear. And, to promote Mama Rides Shotgun and its trail ride setting, I showed up in the saddle on TV, sporting a cowboy hat. At least this latest session did not involve horse manure.
With my knees jutting into the side of a 40-gallon can, I tugged at my trash collector’s neon safety vest and smiled for the camera.
Click.
How about you? Are you already wild and crazy, or do you have to be pushed to find that side of yourself? Would you ever climb into a trash can for art?
~Deborah
I don’t know how I missed this series! I am so glad Deborah and I connected on Facebook because I am started at the beginning with Mama Does Time (A Mace Bauer Mystery) as soon as possible!!
Mama Gets Trashed (A Mace Bauer Mystery)
5yh in Series
MIDNIGHT INK (September 8, 2013)
Cozy Mystery
Paperback: 360 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0738736150
E-Book File Size: 825 KB
ASIN: B00EA117KM
After a tipsy Mama tosses out her wedding ring with the trash, she drags daughter Mace to the city dump to search. When they stumble upon the body of librarian Camilla Law, the straitlaced town is scandalized: Not only is a killer on the loose, but prudish Camilla is all done up in sexy black leather. Foul play and fetish wear in little Himmarshee, Florida? Mama’s blushing fifty shades of pink!
About Deborah Sharp
A former USA Today reporter, Deborah Sharp traded sad news stories for funny fiction with her Mace Bauer Mysteries, featuring Mace’s wacky Mama. Deborah rode a horse across Florida for one book. For another, she was interviewed by Al Roker on the Today show. She was a lot less nervous about the horse. Married to TV reporter Kerry Sanders, she lives in South Florida, where she spends her spare time chasing iguanas out of her hibiscus. Mama Gets Trashed, out Sept. 8 from Midnight Ink, is the series’ fifth book. Visit her online at www.DeborahSharp.com or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/deborah.sharp1.
Mama’s on Facebook, too: https://www.facebook.com/groups/32030252049/
You can read an excerpt from TRASHED, here: http://www.mamagetstrashed.com/
Thanks to the wonderful Deborah Sharp I have 1 copy of
Mama Gets Trashed to give away!
Contest is open to anyone over 18 years old
with a US or Canadian mailing address.
Duplicate entries will be deleted. Void where prohibited.
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 Deborah for 5 Bonus Entries !
How about you? Are you already wild and crazy, or do you have to be pushed to find that side of yourself? Would you ever climb into a trash can for art?
If you publicize the giveaway on Twitter or Facebook or anywhere you will receive
5 Bonus Entries For Each Link.
Contest Will End September 20, 2013 at 11:59 PM CST
Winner Will Be Chosen By Random.org
Winner Will Be Notified By Email
and Will Be Posted Here In The Sidebar.
Yes, I have gone dumpster diving for art, actually someone’s pottery rejects that I thought were cool.
Sounds like fun, a dead kinky librarian at the dump. Can’t wait to see what develops. Thanks for the giveaway.
I do have an eccentric side, I’d definitely go through the trash for art.
Sure, I’ve been through the trash looking for something. Haven’t we all!!! This sounds like a fun series and I appreciate the chance to win.
I plan on starting this series from the beginning sounds like a lot of fun reading! Yes I would dumpster dive I have gone though trash when I have thrown something out in error!
Wow, Lori’s readers here are definitely early risers! Thanks so much for giving me the chance to Escape to this fun site.
Happy to meet my fellow dumpster diver, Barbara!
Love those eccentrics, Carl.
Jeanne, I hope the series is fun. That’s what I set out to do with Mama and the gals.
I like the cover.
Don’t enter me, but I love this series and I can’t wait to dive into the trash with Mama.
Glad I read today’s post, I’m a long time Mama fan and didn’t know a new one was being released. I used to dumpster dive as a kid and while the spirit may still be willing, I doubt the knees could handle it any more.
Mama Gets Trashed is a fabulous addition to the Mace Bauer Mystery series. It is funny and touching all at the same time. Mama is one of my favorite South Florida characters. Deborah highlights a side of Florida that few know; small town rural central Florida. Himmarshee is, apparently, challenging Miami as murder capitol of Florida. This is the fifth book in the series that always start with a dead body in chapter one and Mama caught up in the action. I’ve loved every one of them and you will too, Dolly.
No need to enter me in the contest. I look out for these books as soon as they are released.
Victoria Allman
Author of: SEAsoned: A Chef’s Journey with Her Captain
This sounds like another winner…Dee
Thanks for the comments, y’all!
Pamela and Dru: happy to hear you’re willing to ”dive in.”
Anne: I know what you mean abou tthe knees. I just gardened for two days. CREAK, creak!
Victoria: I’m blown away by all the kind things you say about MAMA (PS: Your check is in the mail 😉
Dee: I hope you’re right!
When I was younger I was much more wild and daring. I would have dived into a trash can (and I have a few times) without a second thought. But as I’ve aged I’ve lost some of that nerve and now I over think everything before I do it. But that’s okay I can live vicariously through ‘Mama”. I love this series!
I have to be pushed which is necessary to experience something daring.
Great post. I can hardly wait to read this one. Have to and soon,.
New to me author and series, I can’t wait to start from the first book and go from there !
Love this series. I was lucky enough a couple of years ago to meet Deborah. Such a nice lady.
I would definitely go dumpster diving for art—I dumpster dive for a lot of things–it’s surprising what people just throw away.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Oh, my! How on Earth did I miss these delightful mysteries? Thank you for having Deborah as your guest today, Lori! Loved your article and reading about your wonderful mystery series, Deborah. I love Mysteries and love books set in the South, too. I’ve added them all to my TBR List and can’t wait to start reading! And indeed, I would do something a wee bit daring for the sake of Art! 😉 Thank you for the chance to win a copy! Happy Reading and Writing~ Cheers~ Elizabeth MacGregor.
I love all the enthusiam and the avid readers on Lori’s blog. Thanks for the comments, everybody!
Ellie W: Mama’s happy to hear you’re living vicarously thru her.
Anne: Good to know you can be pushed — but not too hard! — into daring territory
Ellie & Kathy: Hope you get the chance to try the books.
Nancy: Right back at ya! You’re a nice lady, too
Sue: A fellow dumpster diver, yay!
Elizabeth, are you a Southern gal?
Hey Deborah, on the banks of the Pee Dee in North Carolina, darlin’ ~ 🙂
I love Mace and Mama! I have a quirky side, but sometimes need a bit of help to push me to quirkier. I’ve been known to dig in a trashcan for aluminum cans to recycle, I’d likely get in one for a ‘fashion shoot’. My DH just shakes his head when I do what I do. I can’t pass up a pay phone booth or vending machine without checking the change slot for spare change. My sense of humor is offbeat.
My dad used to take us kids to the dump to see what treasures we could find, nowadays I don’t see it happening. As for daring things, I usually have to be pushed but every once in a while a wild spark will pop through.
This is such a fun series. Hurry and get it while there’s still some beach season in which to read it.. by the beach, get it?
Deborah, you’re great!! I smiled and laughed reading your post. I needed it since I’ve received some bad health news. I’m not an adventurous person, but I know your books are terrific.
Sounds like a interesting story! =)
Sounds and looks like a interesting and fun book that Im going to enjoy reading. Keep em’ coming : )
I’ve had to go through my garbage many times over the years but not a dumpster!
I can’t believe I’ve missed this series – sounds like a hoot!
I am definitely getting this series, it sounds so funny. I bet Momma is a real hoot. Thank you for the review and giveaway.
It is no fun if you are not wild and crazy sometimes. I love to do the unexpected in elevators as facing the back or the side not the front. Though I might search the trash, I don’t remember ever being inside one.
this series has been on my WishList for a long time!!!
congrats to Deborah!!!!
thank you for the giveaway!!
First of all, I am so glad that Lori featured you, because I had never heard of this series and it sounds wonderful! I am definitely going to go on the hunt for this one. As far as wild and crazy, I have never been one who needed any pushing. This has come in handy in my life as a one time liquor promoter at night clubs (organizing ski boot races and couple-mummy runs) and now as a weekend radio host. The worst is when I have a partner in crime. Then there is simply no stopping me.
I’m still LOL at some of your comments, y’all! Vickie B: quirky is good!
Debbie: so is a wild spark.
Shannon: I live in Ft. Lauderdale. It’s ALWAYS beach season here!
Barbara: Bad health news is never good. Glad you got a smile, and hope things turn out ok.
Melissa, Ann H, Karen, Debra: hope you get the chance to check out Mama.
Rachelle: wild and crazy is good!
Kelly … wow, an ACTUAL wild and crazy gal. ”Couple mummy runs??” Now, that’s a hoot.
Love this series! So much so…I buy 2 copies of each and give one to a friend!
Fun interview! I have to be pushed to be crazy but I have done crazy things!
Linda R: Wow, you’re the kind of friend to have, a book-gifting friend! Thanks so much for reading. Merry wrote, ” I have done crazy things!” Haven’t we all ….
Thanks again to Lori for having me visit, and to all of you for the great comments. Good luck with the MAMA GETS TRASHED giveaway!
Best, Deborah Sharp