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Tuesday, August 3, 2010

The Art of the Cliffhanger and a Contest!



Okay, I know some of you don't like cliffhangers, but just so you know, I intend to keep writing books that sort of flow into each other. Someone once told me that the first sentence sells the current book but the last sentence sells the next one. I know that I simulaneously love and hate how my favorite television programs end with question mark. But even as I might curse the writers, I find myself eagerly tuning in each week for more.

So what cliffhangers can you expect in the upcoming Kiki Lowenstein books? More specifically in Make, Take, Murder when it comes out May 1, 2011?

First, you'll learn more about Bama Vess, Kiki's new co-worker. Bama (pronounced "Bam-ma" and named long before our president took residence in the White House) is a conflicted woman. She's spurned all Kiki's overtures for friendship. At the same time, Bama does a great job of organizing and running Time in a Bottle. Will she and Kiki make good business partners? What's stopping Bama from being nice to Kiki? Could it be that Bama is as jealous of Kiki as Kiki is of her?

Second, you'll see what happens with Sheila and Police Chief Holmes. This is an old flame, rekindled, but they have a big problem. You see, Sheila is Jewish and Police Chief Holmes is Roman Catholic. Since Sheila is so very, very inflexible...you might guess there will be problems ahead.

Third, Dodie's health problems. Yes, they'll have an impact on how the store runs, and who's involved in Time in a Bottle. That's a given.

Of course, the biggest snafu ahead concerns Brenda Detweiler. There have been hints about problems with her marriage, but what are those problems? And why is Chad Detweiler unwilling to say, "Goodbye?"

You know, I've rarely seen people up and divorce each other. There's always a back-and-forth, a questioning, a sorting out of feelings. I don't think that marriage is a commitment to take lightly, and I truly believe that most people don't. This would be Detective Detweiler's second marriage. Since he's clearly such a cool guy, you have to wonder, what's up? Is he not everything he seems? Or has he simply gotten lost along the way? (My sister keeps teasing me that everything I write seems to be about redemption. Well, I'm a big believer in redemption, the art of the second chance. Most days, I think it's all we have to live for, that hope that we'll be forgiven, that we'll learn something, and we'll do better in the future.)

CONTEST DETAILS

Meanwhile, I'm always curious. Which characters do you want to see return? And why? So here's the deal--you tell me, and I'll choose one of your comments to win a Kiki Lowenstein Fan Club tee shirt! You have until August 15 to comment. (Hey, why not get a friend to comment, too? Maybe she or he will let you share the tee!)

By the way, here's a sweet review of Paper, Scissors, Death,

Made my day!

17 comments:

Colleen said...

I have to wait until next May for another installment in Kiki's life? I can't wait that long. I really want to know more about the Detwillers' and of course Kiki's husbands murderer.

Dru said...

oh yeah, that last sentence in your latest book ensures that I'll be picking up the next book.

I say Brenda doesn't recover from what ails her and then perhaps Chad will finally be able to be with Kiki. Of course he'll have to find the man who killed her husband first.

Sarah said...

I agree- May 2011 seems so far away! LOL!
But, I would love to see George's killer return! That would be a great story while the Kiki/Chad/Brenda thing is playing out at the same time!

Tracey H. said...

Wow, would love that shirt to wear at crops --- would be a great conversation starter !
I would love to see Detective Detweiler stay in the picture for Kiki, and find out more about Bama Vess and what secrets may explain her behavior !

Joanna Campbell Slan said...

Keep 'em coming! I'm taking notes!

Jane Jeffress Thomas said...

I just love KiKi and all I have to say is please write faster...like put out a book say once a week. :-) Now, get back to the computer keys and get to hammering them girl. I am eagerly awaiting your next book. Hurry, I say!!!

Joanna Campbell Slan said...

I'm considering offering some Kiki stories in-between books. Would you like that?

Heather said...

Please, please, PLEASE offer some Kiki stories between book. When I stumble upon similar offerings from other authors who I enjoy reading, I always feel like I've stumbled upon a valuable nugget or jewel that was hidden just for me! Oh, & I love Mert & how she seems to Kiki's conscience in so many ways!

Julie Edmonds said...

I would LOVE to see more of Detective Detweiler and Kiki!! LOVE that these books are set in STL - always fun to read about your hometown!
Wish the third book would hurry up and come out as an ebook - I like to reread and it so much easier when it's right there in my reader!! :)

Julie said...

OH just read about the Kiki stories between books - that would be FABULOUS!! I love when we get little short stories between the big books!!

Joanna Campbell Slan said...

Wow, that's such a position response. I can't promise you, but I can sure try to make this happen. I do have a bunch of Kiki short stories that I've already written. It would be a matter of polishing them and choosing a delivery system.

CMOM Productions said...

I'm very curious to see what interaction happens between Brenda & Kiki. Are they sympathetic to each other or will they feel the sting of resentment? I must add that Sheila is absolutely one of my favorite characters to see Kiki navigate around, and in some ways I see a resemblance to my own mother-in-law.

Joanna Campbell Slan said...

CMOM, Sheila is a combination of several people, but most of what she says has come out of someone else's mouth at some time or another. Or something very similar! Yet, as time goes on, you can't help but find her more appealing, I think. No one is wholly good or bad.

You're going to love what happens between Brenda and Kiki in Make, Take, Murder. Trust me...it's complicated.

Sue said...

I would like to see more of Johnny. He seemed to kind of disappear in Photo Snap Shot. A love triangle is always fun!
Your books are so much fun and make my work lunch hour go by way too fast! Now I have to go back to reading Good Housekeeping and Ladies Home Journal until your next book comes out - yuck!

Peg said...

I would like to see an explanation from Detweiler so I'd like to see more of him. I'd like to also see more of Mert. She's the always got your back kind of friend everyone needs. Sheila, of course, too. The book wouldn't be complete without her sticking her nose in.

Joanna Campbell Slan said...

Sue, I have a love/hate relationship with love triangles. I agree, they sure can be fun! But I hate it if the heroine is fickle. Kiki isn't fickle, but Johnny is pretty irresistable--and such a scamp! Glad to know I helped the time pass quickly. I personally LOVE magazines. I buy too many of them. I'm an addict.

Joanna Campbell Slan said...

Peg, I agree that he has some 'zplaining to do. I adore Mert. She's always there for Kiki. She's sort of the mother Kiki doesn't have. Speaking of which, you're going to get to meet Kiki's mom in Book #5. And Sheila? She's simply convinced she knows best. How very simple the world is for her!