Leeann Betts is our guest today.
She wrote a book called A Deadly Dissolution, and she’s here to share the story behind her story.
The total lunar eclipse of October 2004 leaves more than Bear Cove, Maine, in the dark.
The town’s newly-elected mayor, Walter Akerman, hires Carly to audit the town’s books but is then caught in a compromising situation with his secretary Evie Mack.
A journalist in town to cover the eclipse turns up dead. Tom and Sarah’s adopted son Bradley comes to stay overnight to see the eclipse, then goes missing on a walk in town.
When Mike’s car is in a serious wreck which the police say is an accident, Carly thinks somebody is trying to send her a message to stay away. How can she solve all these mysteries while not completely wearing herself to a frazzle?
Learn more and purchase a copy.
What inspired you to write this book?
A series is a completely different animal to write than a stand-alone. In a stand-alone novel, you write about characters and events that you hope resonate with your readers, perhaps including an issue or topic that’s close to your heart, such as sex trafficking or the breakdown of the family. And then you’re done, and you can move on to the next collection of characters, settings, maybe a new issue or even the same one told from a slightly different context. A series, however, involves the same or at least some recurring characters, perhaps recurring locations, but different events.
So how to make every story in a series new and fresh, without confusing new readers starting in the middle, or losing existing readers who want some continuity without boredom?
In the case of A Deadly Dissolution, I took a recent event that thrilled me: I had the opportunity to go to Guernsey, Wyoming in October 2017 to see the total solar eclipse. The area was busy but not packed, because most people went to larger metropolitan areas in Wyoming and Nebraska to view the event. However—and isn’t there always a ‘however’—those other places clouded over and where we were was the perfect viewing location.
I figured—and I say this a lot—“that has to go into a book”.
I did some research, and unfortunately, there were no solar eclipses—total or otherwise—in 2004 or even early 2005 on the east coast. I wanted this story set in Bear Cove, Carly’s hometown, because the last two books were set elsewhere, and I felt I needed to bring readers back to Bear Cove. But I did find out there was a lunar eclipse, and that everything west of New York was clouded over. Which fit perfectly into my story.
What a story!
Leeann Betts writes contemporary suspense, while her real-life persona, Donna Schlachter, pens historical suspense. She has released seven titles in her cozy mystery series, By the Numbers, with number 8, A Deadly Dissolution, releasing in June.
In addition, Leeann has written a devotional for accountants, bookkeepers, and financial folk, Counting the Days, and with her real-life persona, Donna Schlachter, has published two books on writing, Nuggets of Writing Gold and More Nuggets of Writing Gold, a compilation of essays, articles, and exercises on the craft.
She publishes a free quarterly newsletter that includes a book review and articles on writing and books of interest to readers and writers.
You can subscribe at www.LeeannBetts.com or follow Leeann at www.AllBettsAreOff.wordpress.com All books are available on Amazon.com in digital and print, and at Smashwords.com in digital format.
Follow Leeann on social media:
Website – www.LeeannBetts.com Receive a free ebook just for signing up for our quarterly newsletter.
Blog – www.AllBettsAreOff.wordpress.com
Facebook – http://bit.ly/1pQSOqV
Twitter – https://twitter.com/LeeannBetts
Buy her book on Amazon http://amzn.to/2dHfgCE and Smashwords – http://bit.ly/2z5ecP8
Leeann is giving away a copy of A Deadly Dissolution. Follow the directions below to enter.
I don’t prefer one over the other. In the church library, the series books are marked so that our readers know which book to read next.
Most of the series books I’ve read must be read in order.
BTW
I’ve read Leeann’s books and I did not put them down until I finished it.
They were that good!
Thank you, Janet, for posting. I’m happy you have enjoyed my books.
I like both, but I like to be able to read a book in a series out of order & not have it ruin a previous book’s plot
Hi Barb! Thanks for posting and good luck with the giveaway.
I prefer a series and I must read them in order! Of course I won’t turn down a great stand alone either😎
Hello, Shamekka! Thanks for posting and have a blessed day.
Thank you, Liz, for having me on your blog. =)
I like stand alone most of the time since I do not have as much time to read as I would like. But when a serious I like to read in order. I did win a book once and just loved it the figured out it was second in a serious so bought first one. ANd keep reading as they came out. Waiting for book 5 now LOL
I enjoy series and standalones! If I read series I have to read them in order.