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Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Writing What She Doesn't Know

by Kate Carlisle.


From the time I was a little girl, I’ve loved books. More than just the content—the stories, the language, the knowledge—I loved the book itself as an object. I always volunteered to hang Dad’s dry cleaning so I could lay claim to the thin, white cardboard sheets tucked inside his dress shirts. I used them to make my own little books, beautifully decorated but blank inside.

I moved on to take book arts classes at the local library and then at book arts centers. Writing the Bibliophile Mysteries with bookbinder protagonist Brooklyn Wainwright was a natural extension of a hobby I’ve enjoyed all my life.

The Fixer-Upper Mysteries? Not so much.

Shannon Hammer, heroine of A High-End Finish (November 4) and This Old Homicide (January 27), lovingly restores Victorian homes in the quaint town of Lighthouse Cove, California. While my father was a contractor and my brother painted Victorian buildings in San Francisco, I personally have no hands-on experience in that field. No, I have never restored a Victorian home. Or any home, for that matter. I had my kitchen remodeled a couple years ago, but I didn’t do the work; I just complained about how long it took.

With the Fixer-Upper Mysteries, I’m writing about something I don’t know—for the sheer pleasure of doing the research. And I’m having so much fun, I almost feel guilty!

Through Shannon, we get to explore every nook and cranny of the fascinating Victorian homes of Lighthouse Cove, from the grande dames to the crackerboxes. When most people think Victorian, they think of Queen Anne style, but there are many styles of Victorian architecture. In the books, readers will have the pleasure of traipsing through strangers’ homes and through the history in each, all wrapped up in a quirky whodunit.


It’s unfortunate for Shannon that in A High-End Finish, she literally stumbles upon a dead body in the basement of one of her projects. And even more unfortunate that the victim turns out to be a creep she went on a blind date with the night before, a date that ended badly… and publicly.

I grabbed my purse and jacket and started to dash off—until I felt cold air hit my skin. I looked down to see my teal blouse rippling in the breeze. Jerry had torn it off my shoulder. 
I turned back and yelled, “You big jerk!” I was so angry. He’d ripped my clothing! What a Neanderthal! I knew it was wrong, knew I had to shake off this negative energy, but I wanted to give him a swift smack across his big stupid head. Just walk away, I thought.
I started to move, but stopped when I heard another sound. 
Applause? 
Looking up at the pier, I saw two men rushing down the stairs toward me. The rest of the people standing at the railing were clapping and laughing and whistling. I even recognized a few of them when they waved at me. What did they think was going on here? 
Jerry raised his head and glared at me. “You’ll be sorry for that.” 
“Oh yeah?” I felt safer now that we were about to have company, so instead of slapping at him like I wanted to, I reached inside my purse and pulled out the only weapon I had on me. My pink needle-nose pliers. I leaned over and snipped them in front of his face a few times. 
He recoiled. “Get that thing away from me!” 
“Just a warning,” I said with deadly calm, furious with myself for ever believing that he might’ve been a nice guy.

So who do you think is the prime suspect when Jerry is found murdered the very next day? Especially when he’s murdered on one of Shannon’s job sites… and the likely
murder weapon is one of the pink tools for which she’s known.

A High-End Finish is available now, so you have the chance to get in on the Fixer-Upper Mystery series right from the very beginning. I hope you’ll enjoy the stories and that you’ll love learning fascinating little tidbits about restoring beautiful Victorian homes.


Read more about the Fixer-Upper Mysteries at www.KateCarlisle.com!





The publisher has generously offered a copy of A High-End Finish to one of my readers. Please comment below, WITH A VALID EMAIL ADDRESS, before midnight on November 26, 2014. Entries from the US only, please.


72 comments:

  1. Looks like a great book that I would love to read!

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    Replies
    1. Judy, I can't enter you in the drawing without a valid email address. Thanks!

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    2. Marlyn, thank you so much for hosting me here today! I really appreciate you helping to spread the word about A HIGH-END FINISH. Mwah!

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  2. This book sounds captivating and a start of a great mystery series. Thanks. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

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  3. Replies
    1. Yay! I hope you will, Julie. :) You can get a jump start on it by reading the excerpt on my website: http://katecarlisle.com/high-end-finish1.php

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  4. I enjoyed learning about the author and her background. This books is intriguing. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  5. I'm hoping to read this book over the holidays! :D

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    Replies
    1. Carol, I can't enter you in the drawing without a valid email address. Thanks!

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    2. Oh, is there anything better than time off work with nothing to do but read?! Happy holidays, Carol!

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  6. I would love to read this book. Looks like a good one.

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    Replies
    1. Kathy, I can't enter you in the drawing without a valid email address. Thanks!

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    2. Thanks, Kathy! I hope you'll love A HIGH-END FINISH.

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  7. Replies
    1. Lori, I can't enter you in the drawing without a valid email address. Thanks!

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  8. Thanks for the chance! I would love to read this book!

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  9. Replies
    1. Thanks for reading Stuff and Nonsense, Terri!

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  10. Thanks, Marlyn and congratulations, to Kate! "A High-End Finish" is getting such rave reviews. It's on my TBR list and I'm looking forward to reading it.


    patucker54 at aol dot com

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for visiting, Patricia!

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    2. Thanks, Patricia! I have been really thrilled at the reviews of A HIGH-END FINISH, but even more thrilled at reader reaction. #9 on the New York Times list is a new high for me. So exciting!!

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  11. I would love to win a copy jgeorge4@woh.rr.com

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  12. Would love to win
    trichie@windstream.net

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  13. I've seen some pink tools on sale online---maybe I should order some. Thanks for the contest.
    suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

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    Replies
    1. Hmm... maybe I can find some purple ones... Thanks for dropping by, Sue!

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    2. Every woman should have a set of tools. And hey, why not pink? ;)

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  14. Replies
    1. Cheryl, I can't enter you in the drawing without a valid email address. Thanks!

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  15. This is great! You can find me at thecosgroveclan@gmail.com. Thank you

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  16. I love reading about fixer uppers.. Cant wait to read this one..Thanks for the giveaway.

    Kimberlee
    girllostinabook@hotmail.com
    www.girllostinabook.com

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    Replies
    1. What a great coincidence... I love WRITING about fixer-uppers. ;) I hope you'll love A HIGH-END FINISH, Kimberlee. Enjoy your first visit to Lighthouse Cove!

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  17. Love Kate's books. Really excited for this new series, it's on my to be read list.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Taryn! I'm so glad you're excited to dive into the Fixer-Upper Mysteries.

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  18. i can't wait to read this series! and i LOVE the idea "writing what she doesn't know"!
    woofmew@aol.com

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    Replies
    1. It's a lot of fun for me, Malka! And I hope that makes it fun for readers, too. :D

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  19. I keep reading about this new series and can't wait to read A High End Finish. Thanks for the chance to win! rencw@verizon.net

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    Replies
    1. Oooooh... that means there's buzz! Buzz is a very good thing! ;)

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  20. Thanks for chance....can't wait to read this book. email: merlotchick912@yahoo.com

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  21. Thanks so much for this opportunity love to read this book azelgert@gmail.com

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  22. This sounds great. I can just see that kind of blind date. I love the pink needle nose pliers and Shannon snips at the obnoxious date. I visualize your words and I thank you.

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    Replies
    1. Awww, thanks, Melody! When I was writing that scene, I had to jump up out of my chair and act out the pliers snipping. Just for fun. A writer must amuse herself!

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  23. I would love to read this book—thanks so much for the opportunity to win a copy!

    skkorman AT bellsouth DOT net

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  24. Want so bad to read this book! paddydee54@hotmail.com

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  25. Sounds like a good one!

    ElaineE246(at)msn(dot)com

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  26. I always wondered what it would be like to fix up an old victorian house. I look forward to reading your book, I totally enjoy reading mysteries and fiction and love to learn about new things. Thanks much! Ann . My email is ajbfls@charter.net

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  27. I am looking forward to reading A High-End Finish! I would love to be able to do restoration work, but alas, I'm all thumbs. Thank you for the chance to win the book! cowboyseeker1 (at) aol (dot) com **For some reason my aol AIM info is not being verified, so I am posting anonymously. Kathleen Giannone

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  28. Haven't read this oñeoñe yet but is on my list. pamrp52@yahoo.com

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  29. I am all caught up with the biblio series so I looking forword to reading this new one. Congrats on a new series.
    gibsonbk at hiwaay dot net

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  30. Would love to read this book. Sounds like she will need some help in this.

    Mblteach@aol.com

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  31. Looks like an interesting premise for a new series-- and the purplish-blue of the cover is certainly eye-catching!!

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  32. It sounds like a very interesting story and I love the cocer

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  33. Hope to read soon.
    Thereadmaster(at)me(dot)com

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  34. I would love to have a copy of your book! I have just discovered your books!
    lraines78 at gmail dot com

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  35. It's fascinating to see what can be done with old homes when fixed-up! Minneapolis StarTribune has featured many over the years. I'm looking forward to a nice long series of terrific stories.
    kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com

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  36. Like you, I've loved books my entire life. My mother taught me to read at 3, and I've never stopped. I also enjoy renovating older homes and all the antiquing and flea-market/consignment shopping that goes along with it.

    tcuevas@iccable.com

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  37. Look like an awesome book. Hope to win it. Thank you.

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  38. Can't wait to read "High End Finish"! I'm out and about in the snow today so will stop in at the bookstore :)
    Regards, Linda ~ email is LindaC9@windstream.net

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  39. Would love to read this. I have been an avid reader my whole life. I use to hide books inside my school books so it would look like I was studying, when I was actually reading.

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  40. I requested my library to buy this book and I am looking forward to reading it!
    lianamarie76@gmail.com

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  41. I love Kate Carlisle books! I have several on my bookshelf. :) I would love to add this one too.
    jandeplus3 (at) live.com

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  42. Glad that all blind dates don't end in murder. More glad to read about fixing up a lovely Victorian house! Ronnalord(at)msn(dot)com

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  43. Sounds like a series I would like to try. Thank you for a chance to win a copy of A High-End Finish. twbooks (at) cox (dot) com.

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  44. Love her books. Will have to read this series ! oneponychick66@hotmail.com

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