FRIYAY!!

Friyay and giveaway winners!!

YAY!! It's FriYAY!!! Congratulations winners!! YOU have one week to claim your prize by emailing me through my contact page on my website.

Monday's winner of the garden fun pack: Mary Richardson
Tasty Tuesday Winner: Peggy and roman holiday cocktail!

Happy Forth of July!! Be sure to jump over to the Whodunit page on Facebook tomorrow. They are throwing one heck of a party!!!!

Tasty Tuesday!!

Thank you to everyone emailing me their fun recipes!
Since it's Fourth of July week, I thought I would share a fun cocktail!
It's a take on my old school favorite popsicle the BOMB POP!

Ingredients

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup water
• 2 ounces vodka
• 2 ounces freshly squeezed lime juice
• 4-6 cups ice
• 4 ounces blue raspberry vodka
• 3 ounces cherry vodka

Instructions

1. To make a simple syrup, combine sugar and water and heat in a small saucepan until sugar dissolves. Cool completely in refrigerator.
2. In a blender add clear vodka, lime juice, 2 ounces simple syrup, and 1½ cups of ice; blend on high until it reaches a "slush like" consistency, adding more ice if necessary. Pour into a container and place in the freezer. Next, in the blender add blue raspberry vodka, 2 ounces simple syrup, and 1½ cups of ice; blend on high until desired consistency is reached, and pour into a container and place in freezer. Then, in the blender add cherry vodka, 2 ounces simple syrup, and 1½ cups of ice; blend until desired consistency is reached and place into a container and place in freezer.
3. Let chill in freezer until ready to use.
4. To "assemble" drink layers, spoon some of the blue in the bottom of a glass, then white, then red on top.

**For the non-alcoholic version: 
Replace vodka with Cranberry juice and replace blue raspberry vodka with blue gatorade and replace cherry vodka with cherry gatorade. 

Do you have a favorite cocktail drink?? 

Leave the recipe in the comment section and be eligible to be featured in my new cozy mystery featuring a bed and breakfast releasing in 2016!!

FriYAY!!!

We made it!!!

I do a lot of giveaways, so on FridYAY, I'm going to be posting all the winners from all the platforms.
With each giveaway, you have ONE week to claim the prize.

Monday Giveaway: Kappes changing cups: JEN SCOTT
Tuesday Recipe: Susan P.
The share photo will continue until release day :)

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

My son, Austin, is in full college mode. Since my husband works out of the home and I'm home working (obviously my work travels), I'm putting the final college visit plans together. We are traveling a few places with over night stays since the lacrosse teams want to "talk" to us and show him around the campus. We are also getting ready for all the lacrosse camps he is doing this summer, starting next week!

What are you doing this weekend?
Let me know in the comments to win a Kappes mystery box!

Be sure to continue to share the photo!

Preorder today!
Kindle: http://amzn.to/1Lizrya
Nook: http://bit.ly/1ByliL6
iBooks:  http://apple.co/1J1QwtO
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1IbEiAg

Traveling the Mystery World with My Characters – by Ritter Ames

I love being an author—I love sending my own experiences into a spiral and seeing how I can use the bones of the events to challenge my main characters. Especially when it comes to pushing the bounds in my Bodies of Art Mysteries series. The paces I put Laurel and Jack through—all in the name of saving art masterpieces—is a blast to write.

This series is my “running away from home” writing. The first book, COUNTERFEIT CONSPIRACIES, is mostly set in London, my favorite city in the world, and I use personal photos to find tricks and traps for Laurel’s world. See the skyscraper shots below? Notice the egg-shaped building on the far right? In a scene where my characters zip through London streets, trying desperately to escape the bad guys, Laurel mentions that skyline and building.

It’s called the Swiss Re building. Google using the search question “What is the London building that looks like a Faberge egg?” and you’ll find that hundreds (and maybe thousands) of people have googled the same exact question—like I did when we were there several years ago.

Just looking at pictures like these shots, taken from the top of St. Paul’s Cathedral (yes, I climbed all 528 steps for a total of 365 feet—with a heavy day bag and 35mm camera), and the ideas start flowing. Look below, in the left shot of the Thames, and there’s the Millennium Bridge. The London Eye is in the shot to the right. Notice the lovely textural differences between the skyscrapers and the older buildings in all the pictures. London is so visually diverse, which is one of the reasons it makes a truly marvelous setting for a novel. Great locations like the Victoria & Albert Museum and the National Gallery adds to the treasure trove.

And I don’t even have a shot of the curved glass skyscraper that could melt cars across the street (no, I’m not making it up). Nicknamed the Walkie-Talkie Skyscraper, the BBC did a story on it when a Jag was melted. Here’s the link: www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-23930675 .

The latest release, MARKED MASTERS, ups the stakes, and my characters travel to Florence, Italy to pursue the baddies. I spent hours watching YouTube videos of the city and Tuscan countryside. It was tough, but someone had to do it. As in COUNTERFEIT CONSPIRACIES, the pace is fast, the twists are surprising, and Laurel & Jack keep everything spinning with their quick wits and witty dialogue. Here are some Florence shots used for inspiration. The buildings are cathedral complex views. The blue moon shot is the Arno River and the Ponte Vecchio.

Book #3 in this series is coming soon. Fast pace, amazing artwork, plot twists at every turn, and sharp main characters who use snark and smart sarcasm to keep the dialogue fast and furious—that’s my Bodies of Art Mysteries. If this sounds interesting, the first book is on sale right now for 99 cents www.smarturl.it/CConspir, so both books can be downloaded for less than $5.

I’d like to take a minute here to thank the lovely Tonya Kappes for inviting me to guest post today (I’m as big of a fan of hers as you all are). Thanks so much, Tonya!

I spend way too much time on Pinterest, finding stuff to share about my books. You can wander my boards or follow me at https://www.pinterest.com/ritterames/  I love making new friends.

Something new—a group of my fellow authors and I are getting together to have a summer of giveaway fun. 

Check out the Contest Page at my website for more details and how to enter at: http://ritterames.com/contest-page-2/   We’ll have dozens of ebook giveaways, as well as a fabulous new Kindle Paperwhite in a Labor Day drawing.

Ritter Ames is the USA TODAY Bestselling author of the Organized Mysteries series and the Bodies of Art Mysteries series. When she's not writing or brainstorming Ritter is usually trying to get her favorite yellow lab to stay out of the pond, or keep her grouchy black cat from trying to give the dog away on Freecycle. For more info check www.ritterames.com  Amazon Author Page at www.amazon.com/Ritter-Ames/e/B00I78AQEW, Facebook Author Page at www.facebook.com/RitterAmesBooks or follow on Twitter @RitterAmes

TASTY TUESDAY

I'm soooo excited about TASTY TUESDAY!

What on earth is this TASTY TUESDAY? Well.... I have a little secret. So criss-cross applesauce promise and poke a needle in your eye? Pinky swear?!

Okay!



I have a new mystery series coming out in 2016 that is a straight cozy! I don't have the dates yet, but I'll let you know when I do.



It's based on a woman who buys a bed and breakfast on the east coast. That is about all I can say *evil grin*
I want to start collecting recipes to use in the book and a possible cook book! You will get credit in the acknowledgements of course! It can be any recipe, including cocktails, coffee, desserts, meals, anything!


Every Tuesday, I'm going to post one of my own recipes. Each week, leave a recipe in the comments section and each week, I will pick a winner!






CHICKEN POT PIE
In Kentucky, we LOVE our pies....including meat pies. Here is a super easy pot pie recipe that my four boys absolutely crave!

Ingredients:
2 lbs chicken
2- 8 oz cans of Veg*All
1 - 8 oz can of corn
1-8 oz can cream of chicken
2- 8 oz can chicken broth
2 cups Bisquick
2 cups 2% milk
1 stick of butter melted

Directions:
Preheat oven 450º
Cook chicken by boiling or in the crock pot.
In a large baking dish combine cooked chicken, Veg*All, corn, cream of chicken, chicken broth and butter.
In a mixing bowl combine Bisquick and milk.
Pour the Bisquick and milk mixture evenly over top of the chicken mixture. DO NOT MIX, just pour over.
Place in the over and bake for 20-30 mins or until topping is brown.

YUM!!

What Pinterest Means To Me

Happy FRIYAY!!!

Yesterday's blog on journaling really made me think about Pinterest. I'm not sure if you "pin" but I do. In the beginning I used it to create vision boards for each book and a board about things that amused me. I have to admit that some of the 'pins' I was pinning on my amuse me board were not so nice and sometimes pinned with someone in mind *evil grin*
I KNOW! SO WRONG and so not me! In fact, those pins made me a little sad after I would pin one, making Pinterest a not so fun "social tool" for me.

I decided to take back my emotions! I deleted any and all negative pins and only focused on pins that made me smile from joy that bubbled deep in my soul or pins to make other people feel better about themselves. After I changed my attitude toward the pin and used it to feed my soul, other pinners started to follow those happy/joyful/uplifting boards. I have even gotten several messages about how they know they can go to any of my boards and click off feeling better than when they first got on!

Pinterest has kinda become my own way of journaling to the happy place in my life! I love life and I love to PIN!!

Do you pin? I have a public board I 'd love to add you to! Just comment to let me know you pin or not!! LOOK ME UP HERE!! 

Mayhem, Mystery & Murder!

You asked and I delivered! YAY!

I'm so excited to announce a fun get together weekend with you! I hope you check it out and decide to come. I already feel like I know you, but I want to see your face! We are going to have a lot of fun by starting off with a murder mystery train luncheon on the Old Road Dinner Train in Blissfield, Michigan, just over the border from Toledo, Ohio. That night we will have a fun pizza get together where my publisher HarperCollins/Witness Impulse has sponsored goodie bags full of swag from the Ghostly Southern Mystery Series! In the morning, we will be having breakfast together before venturing off to Barnes and Noble for a book signing of the newly released A GHOSTLY MURDER!
I hope you sign up today. Space is limited to only 40! 

Check out the train here! 

All the details are on my website. Click here to see accommodations and how to reserve your spot!

The Curse of being CREATIVE

I get emails from aspiring writers daily asking me how did I do it? Or how do I do it? Ira Glass from This American Life, one of my radio favorites, sums it up in a little over a minute!

Tsu....who?

Most of you have heard about the new social media Tsu. Of course I'm over there! Come find me!

Tonya Kappes on Tsu.

Here are my thoughts....
1) It's easy to use.

2) The timeline feed is called a diary. It doesn't trickle like and move like Facebook's feed. AND it doesn't show me last status updates from a few days ago like Facebook does. It shows me the true up to date status of my friends/followers! I love that!!

3) It also give me the reach of ALL of my friends and followers, not like Facebook. For instance....I have 3k LIKES on my Facebook page. These are authentic likes from people who want me in their feed. Not just friend and go. They are LIKES.  I had a Holiday ISpy party and Facebook ONLY let 261 of my likes see the post. 

Facebook is making it harder and harder for authors to connect with their readers. 
4) Tsu is helping cut back on trolls. You aren't allowed to just share to be entered into a contest, or like to be entered into a contest. You really have to LIKE someone in order to use a share. This is priceless!

5) You can like, share, and comment to get a cut of their cash...I'm not really sure what I'm talking about here (hahahaha!), but it's still something Facebook isn't doing!

So are you going to TSU???

HOLIDAY ISPY!

Today is my Holiday I-SPY party with awesome mystery authors Laura Bradford, Maggie Barbieri, Lynn Cahoon, and Susan McBride!

It's easy and fun! We are giving away a basketful of print books, audio books, and swag! Be sure to bounce over to my author page on Facebook and join in on the fun!!

Here is the link!

Remember! You can order your June's Gems today from Cooper's Cocoa! They are also giving away any Tonya Kappes ebook with purchase!
Plus they have a bunch of other awesome treats you can purchase or send to family and friends. 
Check them out right here!

And...it's not too late to send me coloring books/crayons for Alyssa's Coloring for the Cure! Check out the blog post here for details about why I do this every years.  

Giveaways Galore!

Today I'm hanging out on Facebook with Jana DeLeon and Denise Grover Swank at their release party of their co-authored novel of Rose and Helena Save Christmas! 
Denise Grove Swank's Rose Gardner from her award winning Rose Gardner Series and Jana DeLeon's Helena from her Ghost In Law Mystery Series has teamed up to SAVE CHRISTMAS!

You can purchase their book today!

Amazon

I'm excited to be part of their release party today at 3 pm CT (4 pm EST)! I'm giving away a lot of stuff! BUT the party starts at 2 pm CT, so jump on over and join in the fun!! Here is the LINK
Here is the line up, remember the times listed below are CT:

2:00 Jana DeLeon
3:00  Tonya Kappes, Author
4:00 Leslie Langtry
5:00 Jenna Bennett & Jennie Bentley
6:00 Lyla Payne
7:00 Traci Andrighetti
8:00 Larissa Reinhart
9:00 Denise Grover Swank

Lots of prizes and fun, including a $100 Amazon or iTunes gift card! grand prize!

Remember! You can order your June's Gems today from Cooper's Cocoa! They are also giving away any Tonya Kappes ebook with purchase!
Plus they have a bunch of other awesome treats you can purchase or send to family and friends. 
Check them out right here!


And...it's not too late to send me coloring books/crayons for Alyssa's Coloring for the Cure! Check out the blog post here for details about why I do this every years.  

JUNE'S GEMS!! and GIVEAWAY!

Seriously! How lucky can a gal who write about a fictitious magic village where there are talking crystal balls, fairy-God cats, and fun witches galore be??
Last year I was lucky enough to have a clothing line named after the characters and places in the Magical Cures Mystery Series.

These are just a few of the clothing items that sold out in hours!!! Now I'm beyond thrilled to have real life JUNE GEMS available for sale from Cooper's Cocoa and Cookies! Seriously! How adorable are these??

Plus they have a bunch of other awesome treats you can purchase or send to family and friends. 
Check them out right here!

If you haven't checked out the MAGICAL CURES MYSTERY SERIES, you can get the first three for only $5.99!!! 

If you place an order with Cooper's, send me a receipt of your purchase and I'll enter you into a drawing for any print book you desire plus some JUNE GEMS!

And...it's not too late to send me coloring books/crayons for Alyssa's Coloring for the Cure! Check out the blog post here for details about why I do this every years. 

No Tooth Fairy In The Deep Ocean

I really only thought this fish was in Nemo!





Seriously....what would you do if you saw this fish in the ocean??