Murder on Spyglass Lane

For anyone who enjoys a little humor in their mystery novels, then this is for you. Along with a Bassett hound, a mysterious neighbor and a heroine who fights her psychic powers, I think the story is a lot of fun.

It all started when I was riding through a lovely neighborhood with a friend of mine. Florida is so beautiful and the weather in winter is delightful. We passed a cul de sac where the street sign read Spyglass Lane. OMG! I made my friend turn around and drive through the insular neighborhood. That was when the story took hold and wouldn't let me go for love nor money. It haunted me, niggled at me all the time, it refused to let me rest until I got the outline settled in my mind.

With the help of Jean Cipriano and Jeanine Spikes, I finally got the book finished. Pat Thomas edited it for me and a second edit was done by Melissa Keir. With those things out of the way, I presented it to Amazon. It will be free to all for 3 days, so download this baby onto your reader anytime between Thursday and Saturday (January 12th - 14th).

Please rate the book and above all....Be Kind LOL

The Ebook Arena

Sharing my stories and artwork in paper format has been an interesting and fun experience. When a friend mentioned she has put her books up on Smashwords and Amazon in ebook form, I got to thinking. I am an artist and a mystery author with books in both genres, so maybe I should go ahead and give it a try....putting my books up there in the ebook world.

While my publisher, Lachesis Publishing, has the Vinnie Esposito mystery series in ebook form, I will put Murder on Spyglass Lane out by tomorrow on both Smashwords and Amazon's Kindle site for a minuscule amount of money. This story takes place in present day west coast Florida, has a sexy hero and a psychic heroine who finds her abiltiy annoying. Then there is always the who-done-it factor and a way too cute Bassett hound. So stay tuned for that.

Next week I plan to try my hand at placing a Zentangle art book in ebook form on Smashwords. Let's hope I don't crash and burn before Christmas gets here.

Wish me luck!! LOL

Chapter Beginnings

Have you ever sat in front of the computer screen and wondered how to begin the first chapter of your novel? I faced that situation not long ago. I'd been to Block Island during the summer and fell in love with the island all over again. As I meandered through winding roads, I thought a story featuring my Vinnie Esposito series characters and the island would make for a perfect murder. I gathered as much free info on the island and its history that I could while there and then sat down to write. Nada! Nothing! There was just too much information (TMI) to deal with at once. Too many possibilities, too many ideas bouncing around my brain.

It took some time, some shuffling of info and thought blooms on paper before I finally managed to get an opening. I crammed words onto the pages without worrying about them. My friend and fellow author, Annette Blair, once told me that is the only way to start. "Get it down," she said. "Then worry about sorting it out later." Smart woman!!!

Writing like the devil stood over my shoulder breathing fire down my neck, I got the scene set. Then....three chapters into the story, I stalled. Tired? Maybe. Free thinking? Definitely not. I set the work aside and now, a few weeks later, my engine has started to rev like I am a Nascar driver. Today is the day! I will jump back into the story and hope I can finish a few laps around the track before my motor stalls. Whew! I was beginnning to wonder if it was going to happen. The story had been rattling around in my attic until it jelled, so I'm ready to get back to it.

Share your story with me on how you begin your first chapter. I'd like to know, really!

Check out my website for the latest give-aways/contest/and information on upcoming books. See who won the ereader contest im August. I may even have gotten that first chapter of the newly submitted Exposito novel so you can have a sneak peak. Cold Moon Dead is the wackiest of the Esposito novels and I'm sure you'll enjoy it.www.JMGriffin.net

My publisher, Lachesis Publishing, has my Vinnie Esposito series on sale at their website. Talk a look and read some excerpts. www.lachesispublishing.com

New cover for Dirty Trouble

My publisher sent me the finished version of the new cover for Dirty Trouble. The book will soon be re-released by Lachesis Publishing. The cover is cool and the book has some added twists.

The book will be availabe on Amazon.com and at www.lachesispublishing.com