Some of you might not be aware of it but I send out a monthly letter to my readers. In the letter I include news that you normally won´t be able to read here in the blog or anywhere else. This time, I make an exception so that you can see what I write about and whether you would like to sign up for it on the homepage of my website (just scroll down there until you see the button). Here is an excerpt of my author letter:
“These are the days when the men in my remote village prepare for fishing. They clean the crab traps and repair the jetty that was damaged by the pack ice. The weather is volatile. One day the sun comes out in full force, the next day it is snowing. The soil is water-soaked, it feels like walking on sponges. Robins and other migratory birds have returned which is always a wonderful sight (and the sounds are wonderful, too) because this means spring has arrived. Four days ago, I discovered the first flowers. They are named coltsfoot or Tussilago farfara in Latin. I think I was never so enthusiastic about snowdrops while living in Switzerland as I am about coltsfoot.
Our wood stove goes still full blast, though, and I haven´t put away my ski pants yet. On the beaches, some dead seals can be found that were quashed between the ice pans of the pack ice. Nature is not always benevolent. When I walk the dog, I try to avoid these spots because Coco tends to sniff the dead seals endlessly.
In the last few weeks, I read the autobiographical book “Just for the Love of it” by Cathy O´Dowd, a mountaineer from South Africa who climbed Mount Everest twice. The book is not only about mountain climbing but also about relationships, friendships, personal tragedies. Recently, I discovered the mystery novels by Simon McCleave, for instance „The Snowdonia Killings“, with a captivating female detective and a fascinating setting in Wales.
And I enjoyed reading the witty, ironic and entertaining novel „Autopsy of a Boring Wife“ by the Canadian author Marie-Renée Lavoie. Of course, the wife is anything but boring. On Netflix, I watched „The Serpent“, a fictionalized series based on real events which really scared me. But it was also totally fascinating. And it showed me again that often, reality is stranger than fiction.
As an author, spring has brought me some positive events. My German crime novel “Kalte Klippen” is published and does well. The title was among the most-sold e-books on Amazon.de on the very first day.
My mystery thriller “Cries from the Cold” is almost ready to launch in the paperback version. Publication will be in about two weeks. I’m so excited! You can also preorder the e-book for only $ US 0.99. Publication date is June 25.
It is the first case for detective sergeant Calista Gates. A reader wrote to me: “I like Calista Gates, she is tenacious but very good at handling people and she also has a vulnerable side to her. I hope you keep her as a character in your next book.” I do, and now I have a Calista-Gates series! I hope to have the second book translated soon.”
