THE NEXT BIG THING BLOG HOP

Hey, Y'all! Usually I'm on the road looking for great junk. However, today I'm at that other place I spend a lot of quality time...at my desk writing. I've been tagged by a fellow mystery writer,     Diane Vallere, to answer ten questions in a Blog Hop called The Next Big Thing. Diane has several new exciting books available and one novella coming out next month. Her book Pillow Stalk A Mad for Mod Mystery has a great vintage vibe with all things mid-century modern and a fun Doris Day twist. Please check her out!

So here goes...ten questions on my "next big thing."

Q. What is the working title for your next book?

A. VINTAGE MURDER A Jimmie Rae Flea Market Mystery.

Q. Where did the idea come from for the book? 
A. It is the second book in the Jimmie Rae Flea Market Mystery series. It's a continuation of the adventures of JR and her best friend, Maxine Bea Humphries.

Q. What genre does your book fall under? 
A. Cozy mystery.

Q. Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition? 
A. Sandra Bullock, as Jimmie Rae Murphy, Toby Keith, as Billy Jack Mitchell, Drew Barrymore as Maxine Humphries, and Matthew McConaughey as Thomas Williams.

Q. What is the one sentence synopsis of the book? 

A. With the wedding planner found dead in their vintage market booth, Jimmie Rae and Maxine must solve the murder so Max can put her past behind her and begin a new life with the man of her dreams.

Q. Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency? 
A. Self-published.

Q. How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript? 
A. The initial VERY rough draft was composed during Nation Novel Writing Month (NaNo--November) a few years ago.

Q. What other books would you compare this story to within your genre? 
A. Blue Christmas by Mary Kay Andrews.

Q. Who or what inspired you to write this book?
A.  It is the follow-up to First Monday Murder A Jimmie Rae Flea Market Mystery released earlier this year. 

As an antique dealer I’m seeing a lot of interest in vintage weddings these days. It seemed a natural direction for Maxine to be planning one too. Only hers comes with murder and a dark secret.

Q. What else about your book might pique the reader's interest? 
A. Anyone interested in vintage markets, vintage travel trailers, regional wineries, vintage weddings, or who enjoys a good mystery with romantic overtones may enjoy VINTAGE MURDER A Jimmie Rae Flea Market Mystery due out early 2013. 

Thanks again to Diane Vallere for tagging me. 

Until next time, 

PEACE, LOVE, and ALL THE GOOD STUFF, Y'ALL!

SHOPPIN' AT RUSTED GINGHAM'S BARN SALE

Love this old rusty truck Rusted Gingham use for their BARN SHOW.

Hey Y'all! Sometimes the blacktop throws ya a curve or two and ya just have to hang on to the steering wheel and take the change of directions a little slower. That's what recently happened to me. 

Since before last summer I was on board to attend the awesome Rusted Gingham BARN SALE as a vendor setting up my Garden Cat treasures. However, whenever it came down to it, that was just not to be this time. Instead, I was able to make my way to the BARN SALE as a customer and happy JUNK supporter! 

I've a thing for old Ford trucks (so does my
 protag, Jimmie Rae Murphy!) This one is gorgeous!

I couldn't wait to see what all the wonderful buzz was about and to see my dear friends the masterminds of the BARN SALE, Suzanne and Tracy. 

Left to right-Rusted Gingham's,Tracy, Sweet Girl, Moi, and
Rusted Gingham's Suzanne at the Blog Party a few years ago.

I met these sisters-in-law and awesome vintage sale organizers at Sweet T's Blog Party a few years ago at Round Top Antiques Week. It was the beginning of a beautiful friendship. Suzanne and Tracy are women with kind hearts the size of Texas!

At Petticoats on the Prairie in Waxahachie this
past spring. Janie, Tracy, Tracy's auntie, and myself.

Fortunately we've been able to catch up with each other many times down the blacktop.

Amy of Amy  Boland Photography, Suzanne of Rusted Gingham, Kristi of
Checkered Past and moi catching up in San Antonio.

This was the fifth year of the Rusted Gingham Barn Sale, and the first time Suzanne and Tracy have filled the big old show barn FULL of incredible vendors with stacks of great JUNK, vintage treasures, handmade wonderfulness, and tasty treats. There were more than 70 vendors which means lots of GREAT finds!

Lisa of Lisa's Adornments with her beautiful 
 hand-crafted  keepsakes, journals, totes and  smile!

Pretty clutches by Lisa of Lisa's Adornments.

Fun finds!

Some of the treasures from sisters,
 Elaine and Betsy of Sister's Treasures.

Lovely sisters, Elaine and Betsy of Sister's Treasures.

More fun stuff!

Here's a few of the fantastic things I found at the BARN SALE. (I can't show y'all everything because I bought lots of Christmas gifts too!) ;)

Love this cool turquoise Victorian door from Lucky 1300. 

I bought this fantastic primitive cupboard from Suzanne's
booth at the BARN SALE!  It's perfect for my
Victorian  Cowgirl inspired bedroom! 

Until next time, dear friends, take the road less traveled, be thankful, and fill your life with 

PEACE, LOVE, and 

ALL THE GOOD STUFF!