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arning: If you read the first chapter, click here, you may become a fan like me.
Visit Tim Downs' Website. And come back tomorrow for a possible interview. Tim's on deadline, but he has the questions.
My Review:
How have I not run into Tim Downs and the Bug Man? Seriously! I LOVED Less Than Dead. Creative, clever writing, snappy sarcastic dialogue, three dimensional and humorous characters, and great plotting make this one of my favorite reads of the year. The fact that it contains major forensic oohs and ahhhs only added to the enjoyment. I will go back and pick up the rest of the series, but I can't imagine that they will be any better than Less Than Dead.
I love Nick and his nose for sniffing out trouble, when he's not making his own that is. I think I have maybe found a favorite fictional leading man in Nick. Alena was a tragic and mysterious leading lady and I love the idea that they'll be together in future books. The forensic details and Alena's dog skills were fascinating. The major story is the teamwork between the two major characters and the mystery pales in comparison to their friendship and all it's implications, though the underlying plot of a politician and skeletons is intriguing.
Two notes to others who may be looking to avoid or for something. Though a Christian fiction publisher, the Christian message is very, very light and there is a term or two that could offend very conservative readers or those looking for a strong inspirational thread. Secondly, the book is about murder and details pertaining to murders including icky facts and dialogue, so squeamish souls may want to thoroughly check out this novel.
Crime novel, forensic, mystery, or snappy character fans should find Less Than Dead to be a satisfying read.
Mr. Downs you have earned yourself a new fan.
My daughter, 22 as she’s known around the Dregs water cooler, is a major fan of The Office and as she is so enthusiastic in her appreciation, I’ve become a fan, too. She has purchased all four seasons on DVD and is now the proud owner of the board and DVD games.
Her plan is to throw an office party during the blah months of January/February and is preparing with lists, SWAG (stuff we all get) menus and trivia loading. To test her skills she challenged a friend to an Office-off. To get into the mood, several of us drove to Chili’s (home of several Office memorable moments). For days I’ve been hearing all about the Awesome Blossom appetizer that we’d order.
Last night she whipped through the menu – no Awesome Blossom. The waitress appeared and 22 said. “ It’s not on the menu, but you still have it, right?” The waitress adopted a sorrowful look. “No, I’m sorry, we don’t serve it anymore.”
22’s lip nearly quivered. “But I was going to order it and tell you to add some extra awesome.”
The waitress laughed.
Then 22 got over it – she is, after all, kind of like her mom. Being the cause of laughter is possibly even better than an Awesome Blossom with extra awesome. And after looking for a picture and seeing the nutritional details, way better for us. Yikes.
Sandra Moore dropped in to share some wit and wisdom with the Dreggers. Great reading on a rainy day, thanks, Sandra.
And scroll down and click to read the first chapter of Murder on the Ol' Bunions.
What crayon in the box describes you on a good day? Bad day? Which one do you aspire to be?
I'd like to be Purple. Rich, deep, alluring. I aspire to be red someday--daring, fun, extrovert. Ha! It just won't happen, I'm afraid.
Pick one…..Pink iguana, purple cow, periwinkle giraffe. Which one and why? Can be negative or positive.
Pink iguana. To be that ugly and then pink. I'd have all the other iguanas green with envy. Wait, they are green, aren't they? That periwinkle giraffe sounds good too. . .Gentle, kind giraffes, and periwinkle is such a lovely color.
Favorite turn of phrase or word picture, in literature or movie.
WhatEVER!
If you were assured of writing a best-seller, what genre would it be? Give us a sliver of information, a characteristic or glimpse of a scene.
Mystery!
He wasn't after her to kill her, he only wanted her for her dentures.
What period of history intrigues you the most?
1842--China during the Opium Wars. A lot of American sea captains were involved during that time. Very intriguing.
What makes you feel alive?
Playing the newest Nancy Drew game with my daughter. :)
How does something worm its way into your heart? Through tears, truth, humor or other?
Definitely humor. Though I love quotes that make me stop and think, but humor is essential for me because I tend to be rather serious minded.
Where would you most like to travel ----- moon, north pole, deep seas, deserted island, the holy land or back to a place from your childhood, somewhere else? – and why.
I'd love to cruise the Mediterranean islands simply because I've never been there and you can see so much in just a few days.
Favorite season and why?
I used to adore Springtime, but now I love Autumn. It might have something to do with the fact that our new house backs to the mountains and they are so beautiful right now. Spendid colors!
Which compliment related to your writing has meant the most and why?
"Your book cured me of my insomnia."
It certainly gave me a warm, fuzzy feeling to know I had the power to HEAL! Insomniacs line up!
What would you do today if you knew you had only a week to live?
Get in the car with my family and drive to a secluded cabin, video camera in hand and recording. I'd take some time to make videos of myself "talking" to my daughter about those times in her life that I would miss. Then I'd cry. . .and cry. . .and cry. . .
Favorite chore
Isn't that an oxymoron?
Anything you'd do but don't because of fear of pain? What is it? Ex. Bungee jumping, sky diving, running with scissors.
How about just gardening and walking, or jogging, or even running? You see now why I write for a living. :)
Grammatical pet peeve…sound off.
When people leave off the comma before direct address.
Creative corner:
A man and woman sit at a table in an upscale restaurant. They each have a cell phone to their ear. What are you overhearing? Tell me about this couple…..
"I'm not speaking to you, Gerald. I told you I was right and that I'd never speak to you again if you went ahead and did it."
"You're speaking to me now."
"Not face to face. The phone doesn't count."
Cozy mystery fans will want to read the first chapter.
Come back tomorrow for Sandra's Q & A and visit her website here.
And now, my review.
Sandra Moore's debut novel sings. Snappy and creative wordsmithing, characters of substance and humor, and a mystery that will keep most readers guessing make Murder on the Ol Bunions an entertaining read. LaTisha is a laugh-out-loud, sarcastic woman with a strong will and a big soft heart.
Moore peppers her novel with delicious culinary moments, twisted red herrings and enough snarky commentary to keep half the town fed and on their toes. Long-suffering Hardy got my sympathy vote when LaTisha went into an occasional "keep out of her way" mode, but he got his darts in and the result of their interaction was as amusing as a sit-com. LaTisha's big heart makes her very sympathetic as she mourns her empty nest, and her able skills make her as asset to the tiny police department.
Those who love cozy mysteries should enjoy Murder on the Ol Bunions as much as I did, especially if you love strong women who put on a touch of tude.
Bonfires are big in Iowa. At least in the countrified sections. The sections where tractors live, and bales of hay fill barns. Where the harvest moon really does shine like a big orange superball through the haze of dust in the air.
My eyes are burning from the smoke, my stomach is churning over the hot dog and other unhealthy items I ate. The canine vacuums are not happy with me. I didn't take them and they smell other dogs!
Tomorrow I will pay. After I sleep in.
I am a horrible mother.
You think not. Well let me clue you in.
Today 22, aka my daughter -- incognito, and I took the puppies for a walk. Apparently they had a little go-juice sprinkled over their Wheaties this morning. Now, keep in mind that these are strong dogs in the 70+ pound each range. Boxer Black Lab mixes that are all legs and muscles. Got the picture? Good.
22 has this sweet leash that attaches to both dogs.
She had 140+ pounds of "horse" power in one hand.
Who knows what grabbed their attention? Possibly a bird, a leaf floating lazily on the breeze. Maybe even a wild hair/hare. Whatever it was ended the "nice" part of the walk. All of a sudden 22 got distracted at the exact time that the "team" decided to work as one and take off to visit a neighbor's yard.
If you are a water skier or know water skiing picture this...22 was a skier and the dogs were a speed boat. Her distraction was kind of like a "Hit it!" from the water. From the corner of my eye I saw 22 break into a world-record-destroying sprint." What the heck?" I thought to myself and then realized what had happened.
This is where the terrible mother part comes in. Did I yell at the dogs? (LIKE THAT WOULD HELP !) Did I offer her a helping hand? No, I laughed so hard I bent over double. Did I offer her any sympathy when she slid into home on her hiney? Or when she snapped and put the dogs back under her control? Did I even offer her an alternative to going back home again and changing her pants? No. No, I didn't, I was busy laughing and couldn't speak.
Sorry, 22. tee hee snort. Gotta go.
