Thanks so much for hosting the Seven Sinister Sisters on our grand blog tour! We’re seven mystery authors, all members of Sisters in Crime, with new books launching this spring. At each blog on the tour, we feature a different question.
Leave a comment here today to enter our grand giveaway!
Our question for today: What one thing would your main character say about you?
Leslie Karst: Sally Solari would observe that the real-life grind of running a restaurant is far less glamorous than I make it out to be in the series. However, she’d concede that an honest, true-to-life book about the inner workings of a commercial kitchen would be pretty darn boring and tedious. After all, who wants to read about a chef standing all night long over a hot stove flipping salmon fillets and stirring saucepots? I’m guessing Sally would agree that it’s for the best that I spiced up her life a tad and cherry-picked the more interesting events that have happened to her.
Pat Hale: If you asked my PI, Britt Callahan, to tell you something about me, she would say that I’m a PI/detective wanna-be. And. . . maybe I do live vicariously through her experiences. While I send Britt into all sorts of dangerous situations, I’m safely at my desk. In truth? I’d rather be where she is. I’m sure there are lots of us who had lofty dreams of how our lives would play out, but the choices we made took us down alternate paths. Marriage and children steered me onto a different course, one still full of twists and turns, but without the peril (most of the time). I rely on Britt to take a risk or make a dicey decision while I make dinner and watch a soccer game.
Sue Star: I am the woman my main character—Nell—wishes she could be. Nell lost her cushy home in the suburbs when her husband disappeared across the border with a blonde on each arm, and Nell’s teenage daughter is still resentful. Unlike Nell, I have a stable life (aka bo-o-o-ring) and a happy and thriving family. My pantry is well-stocked, and my bills are paid. The house is kind of a mess, but that’s because I prefer books over chores. Nell would think I’m lazy and need more discipline. Compared to the hard knocks she’s suffered, I’m so lucky!
Shawn McGuire: Jayne would say that I’m nosey but in a quiet, observing way. This is a good thing for a writer whose work is enhanced by details! She’d say that I have a sense of humor, both in my writing and in life in general because humor can help with even the worst situations. She’d say I’m an optimist who believes that with hard work, and a little luck, she can have everything she wants in life.
Becky Clark: Charlemagne “Charlee” Russo would tell me I fret over reviews too much. She’d say, “You should never read your reviews because good or bad, you might start believing them.” Then she’d tell me all about the stupid reviews she’s received over the years like, “I’m giving Ms Russo’s book one star because I ordered the wrong book.” Or “This is a mystery and I hate reading mysteries.” And I’d sit patiently and wait for her to finish so we could go out for coffee and pastries.
Cathy Perkins: Holly Price would tell you her clients are much more . . . interesting . . . than mine. I might let Holly borrow a few events or experiences from my life, but as far as I know, none of my clients have murdered anybody, trafficked drugs, or committed major fraud. She’d also tell me rather pointedly not to mess up her love life and to get going on the next book in her series!
Edith Maxwell: Rose Carroll would say she is happy to have a fellow Quaker and former birth attendant writing about her late 1880s adventures, because as a Friend I understand her need to pursue Quaker values of justice and equality, and because I value her focus on simplicity and integrity.
Now it’s your turn: What sort of character compels you to pick up that book in a store (or make you shun it like the plague)?
To celebrate our new releases, the Seven Sinister Sisters are having a giveaway!
Seven lucky winners will receive an e-book from one of us. One GRAND PRIZE winner will receive a signed copy from each of us! Enter to win by leaving a comment below.
We’re answering a different question at each blog. Leave a comment at each blog for more entries! We’ll draw the winners from all the combined comments at the end of our tour. If the grand prize winner is outside the United States, we’ll send an Amazon gift card for the equivalent amount.
About the authors
You can see where we’ve been on our Facebook page or follow us/sign up for a newsletter on our websites.
www.patriciahale.org
www.edithmaxwell.com
www.lesliekarstauthor.com
www.cperkinswrites.com
www.shawn-mcguire.com
www.rebeccawriter.blogspot.com
www.BeckyClarkBooks.com
All comments are welcomed.
Thanks for hosting us today! Happy to answer any questions or comments from your readers.
I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’d happily hang out with my Seven Sinister Sisters and each one of these characters!
And you come, too, Dru! Thanks for hosting us!
The books sound like good fun. I love a good mystery and the characters that I find most appealing tend to be intelligent and resourceful. I also have a weakness for culinary, bookshop and craft cozies.
I like strong women, not the helpless, dense ones.
I’m right there with you Pat!
I like a confident, bright, smart heroine! (Not the “Too Stupid To Live” type who always wonders what is down that dark alley!
I think you’ll love our heroines!
When my best writing bud and I brainstorm a new story, the first question is always, why would she get involved? We want smart heroines trying to save friends and family.
What a great name for your group!
Thanks Libby!
The Sisters in Crime connection just begged us to chose that name, but it’s been so much fun working together on this tour.
I have loved this blog tour and I think this is my favorite stop.
I love characters that aren’t afraid to make the call and take action–and who don’t whine about it when things don’t go exactly as planned. No whining allowed (okay, a little whining – but get over it quickly, please!
Thanks for following, Liz. I couldn’t agree more regarding whiney characters!
Thanks for playing along with us Liz!
A tiny little pity party can be excused, but yes! no whining!
I agree–no helpless, dense, stupid, or whiny protagonists! (But snarky is fine.)
Thanks to the fabulous Dru for hosting us Sisters!
I very much enjoyed this little exercise in introspection on the part of these authors. Seven Sinister Sisters! What a great tagline. I’ll be delving into their stories and following them as a group. Thanks, Dru, for putting me in the know about them.
I really enjoyed reading the answers to your question! What a great way to allow us reader to get to know your characters a bit. Thanks, Dru–always 5 steps beyond duty and headed toward sainthood!
Thanks for stopping by today Carolyn!
(And I agree, Dru is the bomb!)
I like characters who are strong women, who go against the grain of traditional occupations. I like characters who make me laugh and cry!
Hi Lori
Thanks for stopping by. I think all seven of us write strong women – definitely our favorites too. 🙂
I like strong characters, who maybe go against the grain of traditional thinking. I also like those that make me laugh and cry!
Same here, Lori!
The Seven Sinister Sisters sound like a great group. I’d love to read what they have to tell us.
Thanks Polly! Hope you enjoy our stories
I wish I was closer & could have joined you on your tour. I’ve read 3 of Dawn’s Whispering Pines series. Just finishing up the 4th & looking forward to the next. I’d love to read all of the books shown above.
It sounds like our stories might be ones you’d enjoy 🙂
Ladies, each of your books sound fascinating if the characters gave honest answers! I can almost hear them talk…I loved the comments like… “Don’t mess up my love-life” and “You’re lazy” and “You fret over reviews too much!” The Seven Sinister Sisters sound like a tight knit group that probably has too much fun when they are all together! Brava Ladies!
We did have a great time planning and carrying out this tour!
I love this tour and all your insights. I also dislike whiny weak women. I like the lead to be proactive and sympathetic and understanding of others. Write on!!
I hope you checked out some of our other stops on the tour. We had fun with the different questions at each blog!
don’t read cheating or annoying characters
Oh, I agree – nothing will make me close a book faster!
I like relatable, fun characters and a great cover. A eye-catching cover.is the first thing that makes me pick up a book and read the blurb about the story.
I hope some of our covers caught your eye! Characters definitely make the story though.
I do love getting Dru’s emails so I can check out all the series & authors I might have otherwise missed. I have just added all your names to my reading list!
Thanks Renee! I hope you check into our stories and find one (or several!) that draw you in 🙂
I like brave, kind and independent characters. Thank you for the chance.
What a fun selection of characters.
I like characters that are eccentric but smart or make me laugh. Thank you for the visit…
Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com
I enjoy nice, likeable characters.
I like fun and likeable characters.
I like what author Sue Star says..as I too prefer books to doing chores. Kept putting off my chores just so I can finish just one more chapter, one more page!
I’m drawn to complex, realistic characters with strengths and flaws. A sense of humor, loyal to friends and family, and fairy rational. I avoid characters that are repeatedly rude or mean to others, or who frequent, foolish decisions.