Who’s A Recipient of the Sweetest Award? ~ Moi, Ain’t That A Kick In The Head?

I’ve been called a lot of things, but not often “sweet.” Perhaps…intense, stubborn, opinionated, but I digress.

Of course the one who deemed this blog to be the recipient of the Irresistibly Sweet Blog Award is indeed a sweet lady herself. And she’s prone to baking awesome strawberry shortcake. That’s Barbara Robinson, writing as BJ Robinson. Author of SOUTHERN SUPERSTITIONS and LAST RESORT. Check out her blog, Christian Inspirational Fiction, also nominated for the Sweetest Award.
http://barbarajrobinson.blogspot.com/

The rules for the Irresistible Sweet Blog Award are that nominees thank the person who nominated them,  nominate at least ten other blogs and contact them to let them know, share seven random things about yourself/your blog.  Here goes…

My Ten Nominees for the Sweetest Award…

1. FAY LAMB ~
http://faylamb.com/ontheledge/on-the-ledge/
  On The Ledge, an interesting, topical blog surveying the writer’s world, with tons of humor

2. LORILYN ROBERTS ~
http://lorilynroberts.com/blog.html
 An inspirational blog about homeschooling, animals, biblical topics, parenting, politics, and of course writing

3. STACI STALLINGS  ~
http://stacistallings.wordpress.com/
 Books From The Heart, reader reviews, Bible study, fiction/non-fiction, and more.

4. LINDA WOOD RONDEAU  ~
http://www.lindarondeau.blogspot.com/
 This Daily Grind, author interviews, inspirational topical articles

5. JANALYN VOIGHT ~
http://janalynvoigt.com/blog/
 Live Write Breathe, creating worlds of beauty and danger, living a writer’s dream

6. TRACY KRAUSS ~
http://www.tracykraussexpressionexpress.com/
 Expression Express,  author interviews, the arts and inspiration

7. VIRGINIA TENERY ~
http://agatharemembered.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?orderby=updated
 Agatha Remembered, showcases the best in faith-based fiction

8. WENDY L. YOUNG ~
http://wendylyoung.wordpress.com/
 reviews, interview, guest posts, author resources

9. ELLEN C. MAZE ~
http://thejudging-ellenmaze.blogspot.com/
 Curiously spiritual vampire tales-the blog, geared to the discerning reader, reviews, author interviews

10. TERIC DARKEN ~
http://tericdarken.blogspot.com/
 Dark Domain, a really sweet guy blogging about faith found in the darkest of places.

Here iare seven random things about me and/or the Crime Fictionista blog…

1. I have a passion, go absolutely bazonkers for a suspenseful, page turner of a crime fiction novel. And I go round the bend for detective novels.

2. I’m a graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology (NYC) and worked in the bridal industry. In the world of fashion I used to hear the term “fashionista” bandied about. So, I thought, why not a Crime Fictionista? And the idea for the blog was created as well as a neat moniker for moi.

3. I love the quality of contemporary inspirational crime fiction (mysteries, romantic suspense, thrillers, detective novels) and can’t wait to showcase these new novels when they come out. I love finding a new author I’d not been to familiar with before.

4. I enjoy immersing myself in research in the post WWII era in American history. My Sanctuary Point series showcases that period in this country’s history in my breakout novel BURNING HEARTS (arson/murder and romance) and GOODBYE NOEL (Christmas/New Year’s/winter themed).

5. I’m fiercely loyal to other authors. When I really like a book or author I’ll promote that author with vigor.

6. I’ve been an animal rescuer for about 28 years. In this time I’ve found homes for about 40 cats and dogs. I have a house full of the less adoptable one, the quirky ones, more antisocial and reclusive one. I’ve also rescued and released baby squirrels who fell out of the nest.

7. I’m very proud of my social worker husband who’s assistant director in the substance abuse program of one of the craziest public hospitals in New York City. If I need an off the wall druggie character, I simply ask my DH for a profile for a particular drug and its effects on a person. I’m equally proud of my teenage daughter who has auditioned for three of NYC’s public art high school and also applied to one oceanography high school, as weather and oceans is her other passion.

Ain’t That A Kick In The Head by Dean Martin

Happy New Year 2012!!! ~ Best Crime Fiction Novels List, Read in 2011

Many toiling away in inspirational literature have great plans for 2012.

I send them my best wishes for a new year that is profitibale in all ways imaginable.

Since I haven’t put out my “Best Faith-Based Crime Fiction Read in 2011″ list yet…here it is. This is my list of novels read in 2011, not necessarily released in 2011. I tend to fall hard for detective novels and police procedurals.

1. Pattern of Wounds (Roland March series, book 2) by J. Mark Bertrand

2. The Rook (Patrick Bowers series, book 2) by Steven James

3.  Simple Deceit: (The Harmony Series, Book 2) by Nancy Mehl

4. Revenge (A Travis Mays Novel) by Mark Young

5. The Clouds Roll Away (A Raleigh Harmon Novel) by Sibella  Giorello

6. The Pawn (Patrick Bowers series, book 1) by Steven James

7. Medical Error (Prescription For Trouble, book 2) by Richard Mabry, MD

8. The Kevlar Heart by Janice Cantore

9. Muslin Mystery (Patchwork Mysteries, Vol 3) by Vera Dodge

10. Deceit by Brandilyn Collins

11. Pursued by Lillian Duncan

12. Last Resort by BJ Robinson

Nike & Sophie at NBC Studios for Today Show Segment

This past Good Friday our family drove to the Manhattan NYC Animal Care and Control and adopted Sophie.

Sophie had been featured on the Today Show for adoption.

Well, to start the New Year off right, Sophie was invited back to the Today Show this morning…along with about a dozen other adoptive owners and their dogs. Here you can see her with her Christmas bells on her feet.

Here we are in the “doggie green room,” really a waiting area.

Sophie and Nike would like to wish everyone a healthy and happy New Year.

Thirteen Methods of Murder Most Foul

Bwaaa-ha-ha-ha-ha!!!

.1. Arsenic (poison in general…)

2. Stab and/or impale

3. Bury alive and/or seal in a wall

4. Insect bite/snake bite, or other venomous creature (said creature, of course, carefully placed)

5. Smother with a pillow,/poisonous gas

6. Beat or stomp them to death

7. Throw out a window or off a roof

8. kidnap, torture, maim, mutilate

8. Pay a hit man to do it for you.

9.Use a gun

10. Drown

11. Hit  and/or run over with a car, truck, or other vehicle

12. Tie to a tree and let exposure or wild animals do the deed

13. Throw victim in a furnace or freezer (my 13 year old daughter came up with this one…ghoulish, positively ghoulish)

Featuring Multi-Talented Author Robert Liparulo

This guy’s writing knocks me out!!!

A former celebrity journalist who intereviewed the likes of Stephen King and Charlton Heston, Robert has over a thousand articles and short stories, not to mention  multiple awards.There’s no doubt he’s a law enforcement and military enthusiast. He gets police procedure and the action/adventure parts right. The lable ”high-octane suspense” fits his work, no doubt about that!

I’m an over-the-top fan of his Comes A Horseman and Germ. I’ve got Deadfall on my to read list and can’t wait to get to it.

 

Robert is currently working with a few Hollywood producers. Three of his adult novels are in various stages of developement for the silver screen. Film rights to Comes A Horseman was purchased by the producer of Tom Clancey’s action/adventure movies. The word is he’s now in the process of writing screen plays for Germ and Deadfall…and is also working with director Andrew Davis (The Fugitive, Holes) on a political thriller.

I’m not at all surprised to learn that J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic Lord of the Rings trillogy are among Robert’s favorite books. I love those three as well and agree it’s a work that not only gets out of the box but goes off the reservation. Of course, Robert has said he also liked Moby Dick, which I couldn’t get through. So, there’s no accounting for taste on that one.