Blog Tour and Book Review: WEED LAKE A Fuchsia/Brilliant, MN Crossover by Julie Seedorf

 

 

About the Book

Hermiony Vidalia Criony Fiddlestadt, aka Granny, and Jezabelle Jingle are supersleuths in their own communities, Granny from Fuchsia and Jezabelle from Brilliant. Because they live only twenty miles apart in rural Minnesota, they are careful not to encroach on each other’s territory. Granny and Jezabelle both believe a rivalry exists on who is the better crime solver.

When Delight Delure, Granny’s friend and Jezabelle’s niece, sends them on vacation with the women’s two best friends, Mavis and Lizzy, they don’t know they will be actual cabin neighbors at Weed Lake in Northern Minnesota. During a skirmish with each other and an accidental plop in the lake, they find a dead body. Adding to the mystery are clues and puzzles left on their doorstep that may warn of danger and others that show friendship and caring. Which one should they believe? Are their lives in peril, or are they being pranked, and to what end?

The two cunning amateur sleuths work together to solve a murder that Sheriff Phil Puxatawny doesn’t take seriously. But mayhem breaks out, having all four women wondering if they’ll leave Weed Lake alive.

Review

With a little help from Delight, Mavis and Granny are off to the spa, or at least that's what Granny is led to believe. Instead it is an isolated at Weed Lake with the promise of nude mud baths courtesy of the lake. Only Delight also arranged for Granny's rival, Jezabelle and her best friend Lizzy to write their cookbook. When they stumble on the dead body in the muddy lake, Granny and Jezabelle reach an understanding they'll work together (sort of). Ultimately, they may not have a choice.

Whether in Brilliant, Fuchsia, or Weed Lake, MN, these women make for a fun read. The characters of Granny and Jezabelle are well-developed, their dialogue and actions providing a real sense of their personalities, quirks, and foibles. The story is well-paced with additional quirky characters like the sheriff. Nothing is ordinary when Granny or Jezabelle have a mystery or puzzle to solve. 

This is a cross-over of two series, most definitely to be enjoyed by fans of Fuchsia and Brilliant MN. Weed Lake can be read as a stand alone, given the well-crafted characters. Like unique and quirky characters, sleuths who compete to solve a stranger's murder, and humor? This one will not disappoint. 

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in the hopes that I would post an honest review. This has not affected the content of my review in any way.

About the Author

Julie Seedorf grew up in Southern Minnesota, attending grade school and high school in a small community. She learned the value of small-town life and small-town relationships. Still living in rural Minnesota, she cherishes the beauty of the changing seasons and the various landscapes the state offers.

Through the years, she has worn many hats. Her favorite was activity director in a nursing home and finally computer repair and sales, eventually earning her own business before retiring to write and enjoy life.

She is a wife and proud mother of two boys and one daughter, along with four grandchildren. Being a mom and grandmother is her favorite career. Julie feels no other job can hold a candle to raising up a child in the way they should go. Remember the poem? Watching the world through a child’s eyes and seeing them light up with wonder takes us to the beauty of simple things we sometimes lose as an adult.

Julie has four-book series. Granny’s In Trouble, Fuchsia, MN, Brilliant, MN, and the Whistle Stop Series. She likes to write light mysteries occasionally bordering on silly and fantasy because she believes we need to take ourselves out of the real world for a space of time to laugh and relax.

Author Links 

Website - http://julieseedorf.com 

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/julie.seedorf.author 

Instagram - http://instagram.com/julie_seedorf 

Twitter - http://twitter.com/julieseedorf 

Blog - http://sprinklednotes.com 

Blog - http://the-pink-per-cola-tor.com 

GoodReads - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6556799.Julie_Seedorf 

Purchase Links: 

Amazon - Apple - Kobo - Angus & Robertson 

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Guest Post: AUDIOBOOKS - FROM A NARRATOR'S PERSPECTIVE by Shaina Summerville

There's an increasing demand for audiobooks and many questions about the process. Today Shaina Summerville is my guest to fill us in on the process from the perspective of the narrator. 

Greetings! My name is Shaina Summerville and I am an audiobook narrator with 50+ audiobooks available on Audible. I have narrated for indie authors in addition to publishers such as Simon and Schuster, Harper Audio, Houghton Mifflin, Tantor Media, and Hachette. You will often find me narrating YA and middle grade fiction…but I also adore narrating (and reading) cozy mysteries! 

Thus far I have narrated cozy mysteries for three different authors: The Taylor Quinn Quilt Shop Mysteries by Tess Rothery, Asbury High and the Thief’s Gamble by Kelly Brady Channick, and the Paige Mackenzie Mystery Series by Deborah Garner (soon to be released!). 

When I asked members of a cozy mystery audiobook group what they want to know, many questions came up about the audiobook creation process, so that is what I will address today. 

What does the audiobook creation process look like? 

The first thing to keep in mind is that one hour of audio takes many hours of work. The general estimate bandied about in the narration world is that one finished hour of audio can take up to six hours of work. This includes: 

• Prep: I pre-read the book prior to recording, taking notes of important events, words or names I need to get pronunciations for, and character or vocal descriptions in order to prepare my character voices. 

 • Preproduction sample: I record a small portion of the book for approval by the author. This is also where we will collaborate on character voices. 

 • Narration: Once my sample has been approved, I begin narrating the book. It typically takes about two hours to record one single hour. 

 • Post Production: This includes the proofing, editing, and mastering process. During this point the audio is compared to the manuscript for errors and corrections are made. The audio is also “prettied up” to make it sound its absolute best. While some narrators perform their own post production, many outsource this to a professional sound engineer as it a) guarantees the best possible sound and b) frees us up to spend more time on narration. 

How do I get chosen as a narrator? 

Typically, the first thing I do is record an audition sample for the authors to make sure my voice fits the vision in their heads of the character. Assuming that’s a go, we come to an agreement on our terms, sign a contract, and off we go!  

How do you handle character voices? 

Character voices are one of the first things I nail down with my authors. I’ll typically ask them to describe their characters for me—preferably describing vocal qualities rather than looks. I can often glean a lot about a character from what is written in the text, but sometimes an author will have a specific idea. I ask them to describe all of their characters, but often I’ve found that an author will want to nail down a small number of key characters who will appear throughout the series and they give me free reign on smaller characters.

As a female narrator with a higher pitched voice, male voices can be a bit of a challenge at times! However, the important things about male voices is to note that they don’t have to be low and deep! Many times, male voices are not all that different in pitch from many females but there are other characteristics of their voice to consider. Men typically use a smaller range of pitches when they speak. They are often more staccato in rhythm. The placement of their voice in their mouths is different as is their diction. 

As with my female characters I will take a large number of vocal qualities and combine them to create differing characters. I love cozy mysteries because there is such a large range of characters and I can sometimes make slightly larger choices on character voices than I might in say a typical romance. 

And that’s the narration process in a nutshell. I hope this has provided answers to questions you may have had about audiobooks. You can always feel free to reach out to me on social media or contact me at my website www.shainasummervillenarration.com if there is anything else you would like to know!

Thank you, Shaina, for demystifying a process that is new to me and, I suspect, to other authors and readers. 

An important thing to note is that when audiobooks are released, authors and narrators usually get free promo codes for the new audiobook in hopes of garnering reviews quickly. Interested? Here are some sites where available promo codes may be posted, and possibly reviews as well:

Cozy Mystery Audiobook Lovers  

Audiobook Promos For Authors and Readers of All Genres 

Everything Audiobook . . .E.A.R.S. 

Stay tuned. . . Next month (7/19) Diane Weiner will share perspectives on the process from the author's perspective.

Here's some other cozy audiobooks available from your favorite authors:

Granny Snows a Sneak by Julie Seedorf (Author) and Priscilla Finch (Narrator)

Murder at the St. Regis by Dianne Harman (Author) and Anna Wheeler (Narrator) 

Glad One by Margaret Lashley (Author) and Sarah Pesek (Narrator)

A New Place, Another Murder by Christa Nardi (Author) and Jeanne Pilgrim Mayo (Narrator)

Mind Your Manors by CeeCee James (Author) and Jennifer Groberg (Narrator)

Playing with Poison by Cindy Blackburn (Author) and Caroline Miller (Narrator)

Book Review: GRANNY BRICKS A BANDIT A Fuchsia Minnesota Mystery #6 by Julie Seedorf

Synopsis

Granny and her cohorts are at it again! When Granny and her neighbor Mavis, go water-skiing and discover a dead body, Granny’s sleuthing instincts take over! She is determined to identify the corpse and find the killer. But wait! No sooner are Granny and her cohorts on the murderer’s trail, then Mavis’ husband George suddenly disappears! Could he be the killer’s next victim? Or could he be the killer? When the gals take a side trip to the Mall of America, they find a man fell to his death on a climbing wall––and Mavis is certain she spots George nearby! What does it all mean? Will Granny get to the bottom of it, with the help of her entourage of buddies and pets?

Review

Visiting Fuchsia Minnesota is always a fun trip, and this 'visit' doesn't disappoint. No surprise Granny and Mavis find the body. The twist here is that Mavis’ gentleman friend, George, may be the killer though no one seems to be able to identify a clear motive and he's disappeared. 

There's laughs and mysteries from the shenanigans at the Mall of American with Granny’s sister Amelia, to the town’s push for Granny to run for Mayor – against her very straight-laced brother who wants all the nonsense to stop. And, of course, that includes Granny and her friends sleuthing. And then there’s Angel, Granny’s little granddaughter, 6 years old, who helps to solve cues and find bricks with messages on them. 

As usual, the pace is good, the writing is good. Angel is a great addition. I tried to visualize Granny on water skis and that made me laugh. Then again, the contrast between Granny and her brother, and Amelia is pretty extreme and the antics, as always, bring a smile. A fun read.

AMAZON

IT'S ALL ABOUT SALES IN DECEMBER

I don't know about you, but all the sales in December are oh, so tempting. Many years ago I worked retail (hence, I don't do Black Friday ever) - more money was spent in December than several months combined.  

I've been including sales - yes, mine, but also others - in my monthly newsletter.  This month? It would be a very long newsletter.  So instead of a spotlight or guest post or book review, this post is all about sales.  I'll update it periodically ... so be sure to check back often.  Keep reading, and Happy Holidays!

Enjoy 60+ free ebooks through my bookcave - Mystery plus Romance until December 23rd... https://mybookcave.com/g/1c0f61b6/

VIEW TO A CHILL
(A CHERRY TUCKER AND MAIZIE ALBRIGHT MYSTERY NOVELLA)
LARISSA REINHART
$0.99 THROUGH 12/30








BIG TOP TREACHERIES (CIRCUS COZY MYSTERIES)
CEECEE JAMES
$0.99 ALL DECEMBER








CHRISTMAS IN VENICE
MARIA GRAZIA
$0.99 ALL DECEMBER








SLEIGHING IT IN KINSEY FALLS
GAYLE LEESON
$0.99 ALL DECEMBER







THE DISCOMBOBULATED DECIPHERERS
(BRILLIANT MINNESOTA #2)
JULIE SEEDORF
$1.99 THROUGH 12/25

MURDER AT THE GRILL
CHRISTA NARDI
$0.99 12/10-12/16










BURIED BONES (SARAH BOOTH DELANEY MYSTERY #2)
CAROLYN HAYNES 
$1.99 12/4-12/10








THINK MURDER 
(ADINA DONATI MYSTERY)
CASSIDY SALEM
$0.99 12/6-12/12

THE MISPLACED DOG
(A HANNAH & TAMAR MYSTERY)
CHRISTA NARDI & CASSIDY SALEM
$0.99 12/6-12/12

JUST LOST AND FOUND
A LUCY FONG AMATEUR PI MYSTERY
ANNE R. TAN
$0.99 THROUGH DECEMBER





GUSTY LOVERS AND CADAVERS
A RAINA SUN MYSTERY
ANNE R. TAN
$0.99 THROUGH DECEMBER

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Book Review: The Penderghast Puzzle Protectors (Brilliant, Minnesota Mystery #1 by Julie Seedorf

Synposis (from Amazon)

The Brilliant Brothers founded Brilliant Minnesota, and then they disappeared. The residents of Brilliant didn’t know the brothers left a puzzle needing to be solved. A chain of unexpected present-day events shakes up the Penderghast neighborhood of Brilliant: Mr. Warbler hanging between floors after stepping through a hole cut in his floor by a floornapper, then a dead body in Annabelle Avery’s empty house. To the dismay of Police Chief Hank Hardy, Jezabelle Jingle and her quirky neighbors form their own sleuth group under the guise of the Penderghast Puzzle Protectors to solve the puzzle before any of them end up in pieces or—worse yet—dead. Will they be able to figure out if the same person who is causing the mysterious happenings is also Jezabelle’s secret admirer, or is another mystery unfolding to complicate their investigation? Is the entire town in danger of a pernicious puzzle waiting to be solved?

Review

The theft of pieces of flooring in houses in the Penderghast neighborhood lead to questions about the history of Brilliant and the Brilliant brothers who founded the town and built these old houses. Whatever the secret of the flooring, it has resulted in one death and another accident. As Jezabelle and her neighbors track each others' movements, there seem to be some other puzzling occurrences. You have to feel sorry for Police Chief Hank Hardy who tries to keep these puzzlers out of his investigation, but he doesn't have all the pieces either. 

With this new series in Brilliant, MN, Seedorf introduces the rather unique and quirky characters in a lighthearted cozy mystery. These characters are just as much fun as Granny in Fuchsia, MN and there seems to be a competition between the same towns. I look forward to reading more in this series.

AMAZON LINK

The second in the Brilliant, Minnesota Mystery series - The Discombobulated Deciphers is available as well AMAZON LINK

Great Escapes Blog Tour: GRANNY SKEWERS A SCOUNDREL (A Fuschia Minnesota Mystery) by Julie Seedorf

This Laugh out loud whodunit will have you reading past your bedtime.

~Shelley’s Book Case

Synopsis
Granny has a new addition to her arsenal of crime fighting weapons as Fuchsia, Minnesota’s most colorful detective. Now, along with her famous crook-hooking umbrella, she’s acquired a scoundrel-skewering knitting needle. And just in time! Residents of Fuchsia seem to be dropping dead like flies! First, it’s Granny’s neighbor Sally (who gives up the ghost in her weed-filled front yard), followed by Esmeralda Periwinkle (the squirrel lover on Main Street), and then, Mr. Nail, owner of the local hardware store (who is squashed when dozens of bags of fertilizer fall on top of him). Granny is baffled. Who is behind this murder spree?

Granny enlists the help of her sort of boyfriend franklin Gatsby, the town’s police chief Cornelius Stricknine (or “The Big Guy”), her reality-show loving neighbor Mavis, and her own son Thor. And, of course, the special assistance of her menagerie of pets — including Mr. Bleaty, the goat. Soon Granny is hot on the trail of this dastardly murderer. Unfortunately, when Granny herself is poisoned, everyone insists that she cool her crime solving ways and stay indoors and out of harms way. Of course, that’s never going to happen! Not when Granny knows all the secret passageways and tunnels that run underneath Fuchsia. Out she goes–and watch out, you evil doers! Granny will solve this mystery–you can bet your pink undies, she will!

Review
Hermoiny Vidalia Criony Fiddlestaat (aka Granny) is not your usual Granny.  As you might guess, her friends and animals are not quite ordinary either. Although perceived as senile and of concern to her children, Granny has her ways of solving crimes.  This is the second in the Fuschia, Minnesota series and continues Granny's sleuthing despite those concerns. The characters are quirky and extraordinary, the plot a bit twisty, and altogether a fun read.  Hopefully, there will more Fuschia Minnesota Mysteries in the future.

About This Author

Julie grew up in a small Minnesota community. She knows the value of neighbors looking out for neighbors.

Julie has worn many hats during her lifetime. She has been a waitress, barmaid, activities assistant, store clerk, office manager and for the last 14 years has worked in computer repair, and finally owning her own computer repair business. In January 2014 she closed her computer business to write full time.

Her most important career in her estimation has been wife, mother and grandmother. Nothing could equal the gift of nurturing and watching her children and grandchildren grow.

Julie is also a columnist for the Albert Lea Tribune. Her column “Something About Nothing” brings a little fluff to an unfluffy world. She believes there is always something underlying in the nothings we talk about. In 2011 she self-published “Whatchamacallit? Thingamajig?. It is a book about grandmothers and grandchildren. It was a collaboration between her grandchildren and Julie. Along with a glossary and lots of weird words, it is a mystery that reveals to the characters grandchildren who Grandma used to be.

In 2013 Julie signed a contract with Cozy Cat Press for the publication of her Cozy Mystery “Granny Hooks A Crook.” It fulfilled one item on Julie’s bucket list. Granny lives in the fictional town of Fuchsia, Minnesota. The Fuchsia, Minnesota books is a series. Granny Skewers A Scoundrel, book two in the series was released in March 2014. The Fuchsia books are unusual cozies with a little satire about small communities and an over the top Granny that gives a new meaning to old. Julie also writes free lance for the Courier Sentinel and the Albert Lea Tribune. She also is designing a line of shirts, cups and other material to complement her books.

Never quit dreaming is Julie’s motto. Dreams are the gateway to fun, fantasy and the future.

Author Links

http://www.julieseedorf.com,http://www.sprinklednotes.com,http://www.facebook.com/sprinklednotes,http://www.facebook.com/grannyfromfuchsiaminnesota, Twitter: @julieseedorf

Purchase Links

AMAZON B&N

Tour Participants

July 14 – Shelley’s Book Case - Review
July 15 – Kelly P’s Blog - Interview
July 16 – My Recent Favorite Books – Review
July17 – Melina’s Book Blog – Review, Guest Post
July 18 – readalot blog – Review
July 19 – Christa Reads and Writes – Review
July 20 – Latte’ Da! – Review, Guest Post
July 21 – Author Michele Lynn Seigfried’s Blog – Guest Post
July 22 – Brooke Blogs – Review, Guest Post
July 23 – Back Porchervations – Review
July 24 – Teresa Trent Author Site – Review, Interview
July 25 – Omnimystery News – Interview -
July 26 – LibriAmoriMiei – Review
July 27 – a chick who reads – Review
July 28 – deal sharing aunt – Interview
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Granny Hooks A Crook Blog Tour! Review and Giveaway!

Synopsis:
Granny leads a secret life in the small, unique community of Fuschia, Minnesota. It’s not just her all junk food diet, multiplying pets, or her shocking bedtime attire that makes Granny one in a million. No, Granny is an undercover cop, charged by “the Big Guy” (the town’s police chief) of preventing theft in local stores. Granny takes her job seriously and daily foils many shoplifters using her trusty spiked umbrella and amazing acting skills. When some startlingly brazen burglaries begin to occur that Granny can’t solve, along with mysteriously appearing bad guys, disappearing clerks, and misplaced Corvettes, Granny begins to wonder if she isn’t ready for the wrinkle farm. Maybe, it’s fortuitous when she accidentally-on-purpose falls in the lap of an attractive older gentleman who is soon roped into her wild adventures, as they try to figure out what’s happening in their little town.

Review:

Julie Seedorf has a great imagination.  The characters, from their names to their personality and physical characteristics, are very unique and quirky, including their names.  In fact, as I read this, I visualized a cartoon or caricatured version obviously with lots of fuchsia detail.  Granny is not the stereotyped grandmother although at times she is convinced she might be ready for the wrinkle farm.  She’s also having some difficulty with remembering where she left her bright red 1957 Corvette and her cat bringing home another friend every day.  It’s not immediately apparent why or how someone is emulating her, but it is quite clear that somehow her house is where objects missing from each of several burglaries show up, included a small forest in her back yard.  Her adult children appear to be clueless except for her son.  Her comrade, The Big Guy, is suspicious and only the distinguished man with strong arms seems determined to help her, whether she likes it or not.  If you like cute and fun reads, you'll like Granny Hooks a Crook.

About the Author:
Julie Seedorf owns her own computer repair business, but her secret undercover job is writing. Her column “Something About Nothing” for a Minnesota newspaper is about nothing, which is what we talk about most of the time, always with something underneath the conversation. Julie has been a wife, mother, grandmother, housewife, barmaid, salesperson, activity director, full time volunteer and more. Her motto is, “If you dream it, you can do it.” Her Fuchsia Minnesota, published by Cozy Cat Press is her first journey in her undercover career. Having lived in small communities in Minnesota all her life, she knows the richness and uniqueness that only a small town can bring and with a little humor and imagination, she transforms those experiences into her imaginary Fuchsia community.  Keep up with Julie:

Webpage
Goodreads Author Page
Blog
Facebook,
Column.

Giveaway:
Post a comment with your email for a chance to win an e-copy or paperback (Winner’s Choice) Paperback  - U.S. Mailing Addresses only!  The winner will be selected at the end of the tour!!!