Some NEW Deadwood Mystery Series Love on Valentine’s Day
“You need to get your ass back in gear, Violet,” Old man Harvey told me. “The world’s still spinnin’.” —BETTER OFF DEAD IN DEADWOOD
IT’S HERE!! No, not Valentine’s Day (well, actually, that’s here, too, and I hope you have a great 24 hours of love and hearts). I’m talking about the 4th book in the Deadwood Mystery Series, BETTER OFF DEAD IN DEADWOOD. It’s finished and published as an ebook! You can find it on Amazon Kindle or Barnes & Noble Nook websites. It will be in other digital distributors in the future, as well as printed books by early March 2013, but we need to pause to celebrate first. Virtual drinks on me—pick your poison.
BETTER OFF DEAD IN DEADWOOD on Amazon
BETTER OFF DEAD IN DEADWOOD on Barnes & Noble
In this newest book, the whole Deadwood gang is back for more craziness, fun, and bone-chilling adventure.
I’m not kidding. Below is the official back cover copy …
One dead body. One century-old haunted opera house. One zombie musical. One pissed-off detective.
Will Violet “Spooky” Parker keep her tail out of trouble or will she end up as one of Deadwood’s walking dead?
Included at the end of the book …
I had a fun time with my wonderful, talented team of Beta Readers for this fourth book, asking them to send me a list of questions for a “Speed Dating with Ann Charles” feature at the end of the story (in place of the usual “Five Fun Facts About Ann”).
“For the record, I refuse to be any part of a corpse reanimation,” I told Cornelius. —BETTER OFF DEAD IN DEADWOOD
What have I been doing? Writing, writing, writing …
Back in September, I sent an early letter to Santa, asking him to bring me a finished version of this fourth book. He wrote back and told me I was a borderline “naughty” list candidate per some things my sassy cat had written to him about me. Dang cat! Santa said I was on my own on this one and to write the book myself, so I did. I spent much of September through early January writing away. Now I’m very excited to share with you what over 200 very helpful Beta Readers helped me to finesse.
Cooper had been the one who tidied up the place? I imagined him with a dust mop in one hand and a semi-automatic machine gun in the other. —BETTER OFF DEAD IN DEADWOOD
Back to Lead …
In this fourth book in the series, we are back in Lead, South Dakota, for much of the story, with the focus on the six story high Historic Homestake Opera House. I was lucky enough to be given a full tour of the building last summer while plotting this fourth story, exploring the amazing, almost century-old building, learning all about its history and the people who helped build, maintain, and take care of it over the years. If you ever make it to Lead, I encourage you to sign up for a tour of the Historic Homestake Opera House and see it with your own eyes. I tried to stay very true to the floor plan in my story so that if readers ever take the tour, they can picture Violet moving through the halls and rooms. Many thanks to those who are in charge of the opera house these days for allowing me to explore the lovely building!
The room smelled like cardboard, floor cleaner, and a hint of sweat. Wait—I sniffed my armpits. Good, it wasn’t me. —BETTER OFF DEAD IN DEADWOOD
And the beat goes on …
This fourth book picks up a week after the last book ended, with many of the same characters in the story and a few new additions. Violet is trying to avoid trouble, but trouble just keeps finding her.
“Girl, we’re all capable of killin’ someone,” Harvey said. “It’s just a matter of if we choose to pick up the hatchet or not. —BETTER OFF DEAD IN DEADWOOD
With much thanks to all of the amazing people who help me polish and create these books, I am excited to share with you this next chapter in Violet Parker’s life. There will be many more to come!
My “MOM” tattoo goes on this one …
I decided to dedicate this book to my mom, who has been my foot soldier on the street in Deadwood and Lead and the surrounding Black Hills since before I even published the first book in the series. She promotes, sells the books, makes sure the distributor and local stores are stocked up, hands out my promotional mini-books, talks me up at the grocery store in Lead, rides on parade floats that are promoting my books, and puts up with me calling and bugging her way too often. In fiction, I shower her with gold and diamonds. In reality, I tell her I love her and try to make her laugh whenever I can.
“Awww, come on, Mom,” Addy said. “That’s the past, let’s just move on with our lives and find happiness in love and forgiveness.” —BETTER OFF DEAD IN DEADWOOD
Ann on tour …
If you’re curious about upcoming book signings, I’ll be in:
- Colorado Springs (Colorado) for the Left Coast Crime Convention at the March 20-23rd;
- Kansas City (Missouri) for the Romantic Times Convention May 1-4th;
- Deadwood and Lead July 8-16th for a fun Ann Charles Treasure hunt and multiple book signings;
- Deadwood again September 19-22nd for the South Dakota Festival of Books.
(I’m working on fitting in a trip back to Northwest Ohio in August, but I have no firm dates yet.)
I’d love to meet any of you who can make it to a signing in person! I promise not to bite … well, if you’re eating something really tasty looking when you approach me, I reserve the right to nibble.
If you’re looking for me online …
As always, you can find me on Facebook under Ann Charles (personal page and official author page) on a daily basis if you feel like chatting with me and hearing from me more often. I also have a fun new Facebook Group site called Ann Charles’ Purple Door Saloon where readers and I hang out and chat about books, Deadwood and Jackrabbit characters, life, and more. Come on over and pull up a bar stool—drinks are free and there is always room for more players at the pool tables.
You can also follow me on Twitter: @DeadwoodViolet and @AnnWCharles.
I have some really cool new Pinterest boards where you can see fun pictures that go along with the different characters in my books. Follow them at: http://pinterest.com/AnnWCharles/
I hope you have some fun mid-winter plans, whether traveling, spending time with friends and family, or just staying inside with a good book or movie.
Here are those book links again:
BETTER OFF DEAD IN DEADWOOD on Amazon
BETTER OFF DEAD IN DEADWOOD on Barnes & Noble
Take care,
♥ Ann
10 Responses to “Some NEW Deadwood Mystery Series Love on Valentine’s Day”
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Ann,
Do you ever come to Virginia or the Washington, DC area for book signing? I would love to meet you & have you sign a book for me.
Thanks,
Melinda
Hi Melinda,
I haven’t been that far back east YET for a signing, but someday I’ll get back there. Thank you for reading my books. I appreciate you writing to me. Hope the weather is treating you better than those in the midwest.
Take care,
Ann
Born and raised in the Black Hills I have been to Deadwood. I just found Ann Charles and can’t wait to read her books. They sound like lots of fun to read.
Hi Sharon,
I hope you get some chuckles out of my Deadwood series.
Ann
Hi Ann!
You are a complete goddess when it comes to humorous murder mysteries! Just had to get that out.
I literally read the entire Deadwood series including the short story within the last two weeks. I love how you put a lot of humor and realism into the storyline. And your characters, all of them, are so well developed.
It’s been years since I’ve truly enjoyed a series this much and I look forward to the next book. Thanks so much for bringing spice and humor to the murder mystery world…it definitely needed it!
Wendy
Hey Wendy,
You found me on Facebook–Yay! But I still wanted to reply here. I’m glad you are enjoying my quirky mysteries. I have such a great time writing them. I love all of the laughs while I’m hitting the keys. I am thrilled that you are like me and enjoy spice and humor with you mysteries.
Hugs and more on FB!
Ann
I just finished Better Off Dead in Deadwood. I think it’s the best one yet. Hope you are working on the next one right now. Can hardly wait. What a talent you have.
Carolyn in Houston
Hi Carolyn,
I’m glad you enjoyed Better Off Dead. I love getting to have unofficial zombies in the story with a humorous touch. When Violet is talking to the zombie guy in the grocery store, I chuckled as I wrote, thinking about pieces and parts falling off of him as she’s trying to discuss something serious with him. I am in the process of writing the 3rd book in my Jackrabbit Junction series currently, and then I will write the 5th Deadwood book. Thank you for the kind words!
Take care,
Ann
I loved this latest edition. You can’t leave us hanging. You have to hurry and finish the next book. I am going into withdrawal from not knowing what happens next!
Hi Sherrylynn,
I’m glad you enjoyed the latest Deadwood book. I had a lot of fun writing it–lots of grins and chuckles as I typed. Those characters always keep me entertained. I can’t wait to find out what happens next, too. But first, I have to take a trip down to Arizona and write the third book in my Jackrabbit series. Stay tuned for more Deadwood.
Thank you for writing!
Ann