National Coloring Book Day 2018
Well, I almost did it again. I almost missed celebrating National Coloring Book Day–which would have meant a post for tomorrow instead with a few mea culpas to type. But this year, I made it! Well, by evening across North America anyway (if you’re already at tomorrow on your calendar, I apologize, as usual). But if you love to color with crayons or pencils or paints or pens…Today’s the Day. And besides my own page full of Free and Downloadable Coloring Pages at http://ritterames.com/coloring-pages-to-download/ where you can always find famous cities, landmarks, and art-themed coloring pages, if you want more here are some other free coloring options I’ve noticed recently:
Weekend Excerpt Available for Fun Fast Mystery Reading
I’ve been talking a little lately about FATAL FORGERIES, book #4 in the Bodies of Art Mystery series. And for anyone who hasn’t yet had the chance to start the series–so you’ll be ready for the June release–Henery Press is running COUNTERFEIT CONSPIRACIES on sale this weekend only for 99¢ Is that good timing or what? But if you want to test drive the book before you buy the bargain, Kindle Nation Daily was nice enough to provide an excerpt today. Just click this link– KND Early Chapters Excerpt of COUNTERFEIT CONSPIRACIES But if you’re rather simply buy, go to my Where To Buy My Books page, and find all the buy links for COUNTERFEIT CONSPIRACIES at all the different booksellers. Links for FATAL FORGERIES and the rest of my books are on that same page. Happy Reading this Weekend! .
What’s New and Free Wednesday–Giveaway Edition!
My posts have been on the lean side lately, I know, but I’m rounding the editing bend on the next to the last set of proof pages for FATAL FORGERIES. I received my cover last week, too, and will share it soon–probably around the time preorders go live in March (yes, March is almost here–unbelieveable). But in the meantime, I scooped up links for some freebies by my author friends, and have a giveaway of my own today (My giveaway at the end, so be sure to check it out and enter, or please tell all your friends if you already have a copy). Ready? Here goes– First up is one of my all-time favorite cozy series is Michele Scott’s Wine Lovers Mysteries series, which is set in Napa Valley and features Nikki Sands. The covers have been updated, and the first book in the series is free right now on Amazon. Read more…
Armchair Traveling on a Chilly November Afternoon
Had the need today to page through some pictures that tie back with books in my Bodies of Art series, and thought I’d share them with anyone needing a little Armchair Traveling for the day. I’ve thrown in pictures I used for all four books written–but only 3 are available for sale right now. The fourth, Fatal Forgeries, will be released in 2017. Sit back. Enjoy. For a bit of a picture legend to these shots– The first two pictures are London, where all the Bodies of Art Books are at some point each time. Third is the hilly street of Le-Puy-en-Velay from Counterfeit Conspiracies, fourth-through sixth is Florence for Marked Masters, seventh is a picture of Cassie’s flat entrance mentioned in book #1 & visited by Laurel & Jack in book #4, with the eighth the artists restoration pit where Cassie worked at the Victoria & Albert Museum that Laurel used to get Read more…
Could It Really Be a Year Already?
Yes, it is a fabulous anniversary, my friends. One year ago I signed my contract with Henery Press to publish my Bodies of Art Mysteries series. So with two books released and another available in preorder, how am I celebrating? By working all day on lovely book #4, of course–but that’s not all. In a surprising coincidence, I have a blog post today over on Club Hen House telling behind the scenes stories about writing book #3, Abstract Aliases, and there’s even a giveaway to one lucky commenter for a copy of Marked Masters. The post isn’t long, but it was fun to write, and I hope that makes it fun to read too. If you like “story behind the story” reads, grab a cup of tea or coffee and take a break over at Club Hen House. And be sure to leave a comment on the Club Hen House blog so your Read more…
It’s Elementary
This week I have a half-dozen writing projects at all different phases of completion. So what will I spend my evenings doing? Well, it’s elementary…since PBS is rebroadcasting the Sherlock series this week on one of their digital channels–and I get to feast on double servings of the fabulous episodes the next few nights. Yes, I know there’s some kind of party going on in Cleveland, with the planners there ready to offer me a front row seat to the festivities while the event plays out in prime time on the main PBS station. But really, I just prefer switching to digital channel two and follow along behind Benedict Cumberbatch as he so beautifully resolves crimes that he’s already shared the answers to before. I don’t watch a lot of television series reruns but Sherlock is one I cannot resist. And I hear there’s another big party coming to Philly soon Read more…
Friday Peek Behind the Scenes
I turned in a blog post recently on what I do with stories and scenes that don’t necessarily make it into whatever book I’m currently working on. That got me thinking about ways books and stories have changed. In particular, I thought about the original opener for Counterfeit Conspiracies. While most of the original opener still makes up over half of the first chapter, the whole “reclamation” scene that starts the book now wasn’t even an idea for a long time. The book originally started with this: This line is still in the first chapter, but the book was originally written to start with this line when she was in the castillo and trying to work through the party to find the contact who was supposed to give her the snuffbox. She was feeling ill at ease about the way things were going, and wishing she had some backup. But even after adding the Read more…
First of the Week Giveaway
I posted a fast contest yesterday over on my FB Author page. Winner will be announced tomorrow. Only criteria to enter is that you must LIKE or have already LIKED my FB author page and have a U.S. mailing address. See all the details here: https://www.facebook.com/RitterAmesBooks/ –
My Litographs Reward
Confession time: I try to stay away from Kickstarter because I like just about everything that hits the site. While I love encouraging and supporting entrepreneurship and innovation, I also like to eat and pay my electric bills (my laptop appreciates when I pay that bill too). So I tend to ignore a lot of the enticing emails Kickstarter sends my way–they’ve already pegged me as a soft touch. But when one of the guys at Litographs sent me an email saying they were starting another Kickstarter project earlier this spring, I opened it. And yes, I contributed (in about 0.5 seconds–told you I was a soft touch). I already adore Litographs. The company takes the words from a published book and creates a picture on a t-shirt using just the words. I’ve loved this company for many reasons: The shirts not only have great designs, but they’re high quality Read more…
Fun, Friday Giveaway
How about a Fun Friday giveaway? I set up a new one-day giveaway with a handful of copies of Counterfeit Conspiracies. Amazon will pick the random winners, and the contest ends within 24 hours–or as soon as the copies are all given away. So hurry to enter if you want a chance at a Kindle copy of Counterfeit Conspiracies 🙂 Click here to enter at Amazon
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