A couple of nice things!

I was invited recently to a new blog AND a new Facebook group. They were both announced in my newsletter that went out yesterday, but I’d like to do another announcement here, that’s how excited I am about these!

The blog is KILLER CHARACTERS. This is a place where the characters in our novels get to speak outside the book! I’m slated for the 4^th of every month. My first entry was by Quincy. I liked this one a lot because Quincy doesn’t ever get to speak in the FAT CAT books. In fact, the reader doesn’t even get to hear his thoughts. He’s just a cat, going about doing his cat-things in his cat-way.

My new Facebook group is called Nose for Trouble. Anyone interested in mysteries with pets can join to learn about the five authors on the group. I’m thrilled to be here with Krista Davis, Sparkle Abbey, Miranda James, and Linda O. Johnston. Krista just announced her newest cover today!

(If you would like to be added to my newsletter list, please send me an email at janetcantrell01@gmail.com and request it.)

Bookmarks--A Poll

In anticipation of stirring up some interest at Malice Domestic, I just put together a file to take to the printer to get bookmarks made for FAT CAT SPREADS OUT. I haven't gotten there yet, though. In fact, I'm trying to decide something. Maybe you can help me.

There are two things I'd like to know.
(1) Does anyone ever use the QRC thing from a bookmark? I've used them in the past, but don't know if they're useful or not.

(2) Would you rather have a separate bookmark for each book? I have them for FAT CAT AT LARGE, so would eventually have 3 for this series. Or would you rather have both books (then all 3) on the same bookmark? I'm not so sure the colors go together for the two covers.

By the way, if you would ever like me to send you bookmarks, just shoot me an email and I'll send you some to distribute. (This is NOT an April Fools Joke!)

Thanks to my readers!

I'd like to pause to say thanks to all who have entered my recent contests. It does my heart good to know that my reading is reaching people, even one woman who read FAT CAT AT LARGE after a tough surgery. I appreciate all of Fat Cat's fans so much!

Fat Cat Spreads Out ARC Giveaway

Guess why I haven't been posting lately? I was busy furiously editing to meet the deadline to turn in my manuscript for Fat Cat #3, as yet unnamed. I’d like to call it FAT CAT UNLEASHED, because Quincy, in the process of being leash trained, gets loose and finds—you guessed it, a dead body. However, there’s no official title yet. Lots of editing left, too!

Meanwhile, a couple of days ago, the ARCs (Advance Reader Copy) arrived for Fat Cat #2—FAT CAT SPREADS OUT! It does have a title and will be released June 2nd.

I have earmarked most of the ARCs to be doled out to reviewers. However, there are still a few left. Below is what the actual cover will look like.

I’d like to give away 2 of the ARCs here. If you’d like one, please leave a comment below. (You may see a post very similar to this one at Kaye George's Travels with Kaye blog.) The giveaway will close at midnight EST on Sunday, the 22nd.

Maybe, with this deadline met, I’ll post more regularly.

Taking the Easy Way Out

We've had a time of it this week! The governor of Tennessee has declared a state of emergency for the whole state. Knoxville is pretty much shut down for the foreseeable future. The ice is beautiful, but for a place that doesn't get much snow and hardly ever gets temperatures this low, it's treacherous. The worst for us, so far, has been losing the internet and phones for a night an half a day. There's also a large limb on the roof that we'll have to do something about--someday.

Those pine branches, brushing the ground, are usually out of my reach.


Anyway, I'm going to take the easy way out and post a link to something that caught Quincy's fancy. We saw it when Peg Cochran posted it and couldn't resist. We hope you like it!

http://www.dose.com/lists/2968/25-Famous-Paintings-Photobombed-By-A-Fat-Cat-WARNING-4-Can-t-Be-Unseen

Killer Characters

Do you know about this blog? Here's where it is:
http://www.killercharacters.com/

I'm SO excited about it because I've just been asked to join! I'm pondering which characters will post for my slot. It will be once a month, so that should be doable and I should be able to keep up much better there than here, where I'm supposed to post every week, but, I think, have been hitting about once a month.

I will plead the Third. That is, the third Fat Cat book, which is almost finished. I have been slaving away at it while fighting off some kind of cruel, lingering crud that STILL is not completely gone. Aren't I a hero? Heroine?

Anyway take a look at the blog and see if you don't think I'm so lucky!

Watch this space!

Why? Because I'm expecting ARCs (Advance Reader Copies) of FAT CAT SPREADS OUT this month! Depending on how many I receive, I'd like to run one or more giveaways. So, if you like that sort of thing, stay tuned on Wednesdays.

I will note here that the posting has been awfully sketchy lately. I've been laid low since the end of December with something that's still hanging on just a bit, but is almost gone. It wasn't flu and it wasn't pneumonia (per the chest x-ray). It was diagnosed as bronchitis, but I think it was the Real-Live Crud. Things should occur more regularly around here, I hope.