• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Peeking Between the Pages

Peeking Between the Pages

...escape into the pages of a good book

  • HOME
  • ARCHIVES
  • PAST READS
  • REVIEW POLICY
  • ABOUT ME
  • CONTACT ME

Guest Post with Robin Nolet, author of Framed & Giveaway (US/Canada)

June 28, 2012 by Darlene

I’m really pleased to welcome Robin Nolet, author of Framed, to Peeking Between the Pages today.  I read and reviewed her first novel The Shell Keeper (my review) a while back and I really enjoyed it. Robin also wrote a guest post for me at the time on her inspiration for her first book The Shell Keeper if you’d like to check that out as well. Rumor has it she is writing a sequel to it and while I can’t wait till it is published I’m happy she wrote another one in the meantime.  Framed sounds fantastic and as soon as things settle down at home I plan on delving in and reading.  Robin is a fantastic writer with a great knack for storytelling so I hope people give her novels a try.  In my opinion you won’t be sorry.  For now we’ll learn about the book and enjoy the guest post that Robin prepared for us where she discusses her inspiration for Framed…

 

I grew up with books. Summertime found me curled up with my latest literary love on the back porch swing or the crook of a large branch of the silver maple out front. I clearly remember my thirteenth summer when I was physically living in suburban Illinois but mentally inhabiting the Smokey Mountains alongside Catherine Marshall’s remarkable Christy. That may have been the year a little part of me started to feel the writer’s itch.

Fast forward to my adult years, when raising three extremely energetic boys left me with little free time to read but badly in need of some sort of escape! That’s when I discovered mysteries. I love all kinds, from the classic Agatha Christie to Robert Parker’s wise cracking tough but tender Spencer. I’ve devoured enough installments of Sue Grafton’s books to make alphabet soup! The most challenging mysteries came from the pen of P.D. James. That gal knows how to plot! But I also enjoyed the fun escape of the cozy-style mystery-though I hate that term, since murder is hardly something to cozy up to!

I’ve heard that the term comes from the tea cozy, a snug wrap of sorts designed to insulate a teapot. I suppose it implies you should be drinking a proper cup of tea while reading such a book, but since these are often devoured on beaches or at pools, in airplanes, or late at night after the kids are in bed, you might prefer anything from iced tea to a nice Pinot. I know I would!

In my mind, the genre’s traits include a non-professional sleuth; no private eyes or CIA operatives here. Our hero…or more often heroine is more likely to be carpooling kids or sorting mail in a post office or perhaps even a young woman whose aunt is a ghost! From Diane Mott Davidson’s Goldie Schultz culinary mysteries to Rita Mae Brown’s Mrs. Murphy mysteries to Nancy Atherton’s Aunt Dimity series, there is quite a variety of heroines and locales.

In general, the crime is a little less graphic than Patricia Cornwell’s Kay Scarpetta investigates. And the sex, while certainly implied, is nothing as graphic as some of the Harlequin romances! It’s the everyman-or woman-aspect of these mysteries that makes them so appealing. It could be your neighbor, your relative or even YOU that stumbled across that dead body or accidentally picked up that bloody knife. It could be YOU trying to prove your innocence before the law arrives to take you away…or the real murderer decides you’re too much trouble alive!

Of course, authors often weave aspects of their own lives into their writing, but finding my protagonist and crafting my plot took some thought. I didn’t have any ghostly relatives hanging around-not even a legend of a ghost! I could cook up a culinary murder…but then my relatives might hesitate to come for Thanksgiving dinner. I don’t deal in a profession that sees a lot of violent crime. Unfortunately.

However, I do have a background in construction and real estate and if ever there was an environment ripe with emotions that was it–a tale with deadly intentions wasn’t all that hard to imagine! Add in soccer moms (and dads), single parents, attractive sub-contractors, best friends, secret affairs, the PTA, a puppy with a sixth sense and a heroine with a tendency to daydream and Framed was born.

Of course, I had way too much fun writing this book…and I may have made my family a little nervous reading up on the finer points of murder, but in the end I think it’s a book anyone would love to tuck in their beach bag or pull out after the kids are in bed. My heroine, Kay Conroy, turns out to be a decent sleuth. However she couldn’t have done it without the help of her best friend and Supermom, Maddey.

Friendship–that’s one of the other things that cozy style mysteries are so well known for. Kay wouldn’t have gotten near so far without Maddey’s tenacious friendship, not to mention a very handy gym membership, to spur her on. Likewise, a love interest might come in handy when your life’s on the line. And yes, I do admit that a certain landscaper was modeled after actor Sam Shepard. He fits the laid back, effortless masculinity of Sam Barnett to a tee!

Ultimately, I think it’s the relationships that make the book. When you reach the last page and close the cover I hope you’ll miss the world that Kay, her friends and family inhabit. I hope you’ll come back for the next Kay Conroy mystery–beverage optional!

 

About Framed

When housing contractor Kay Conroy finds her son’s soccer coach dead on his kitchen floor, her well known dislike for the man soon turns into a motive for murder.

Now, anxious to aim the finger of guilt elsewhere, the quick-witted but daydreaming single mom must squeeze her own investigation in between car-pooling her son and overseeing the construction of a home for a local socialite. The evidence she discovers puts her at the top of the suspect list even though she knows she’s being framed. Meanwhile, there’s an attractive landscaper she’d like to know better and an amorous CEO she’d like to lose.

With the aide of her salty-tongued best friend and the sixth sense of her puppy, Kay digs for dirt. What she finds are broken hearts and bottom lines…not to mention danger!

Framed is a fun read with entertaining characters and a mystery that will keep readers guessing to the end. Plus it has a wonderful friendship between the protagonist (Kay) and her best friend (Maddey).

Framed is the first novel in the Kay Conroy Mystery Series.

 

Buy at: Amazon.com, as well as for your Kindle and Nook

 

About Robin Nolet

Robin, a refugee from the humidity of the midwest, lives in Colorado where she writes with the assistance of her faithful Golden Retriever, Maddie, and a large supply of Twizzlers. Robin’s writer’s resume includes honors from the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers (Colorado Gold Contest), Pikes Peak Writers (Paul Gillette Memorial Contest), and the Denver Women’s Press Club. Being the gabby and opinionated sort(but in a good way!), she has written hundreds of humor/commentary columns for local newspapers, and a regularly featured blog/column for the Denver Post HUB section. In addition, for many years, she helped with the intake and judging of manuscripts for the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers’ Colorado Gold contest.

Robin’s blog
Follow Robin on Twitter

 

GIVEAWAY DETAILS (US/Canada)

I have one copy of Framed by Robin Nolet (eBook or Paperback – your choice) up for grabs to my readers.  To enter…

  • For 1 entry leave me a comment entering the giveaway.
  • For 2 entries, follow my blog.  If you already do please let me know so I can pass the extra entry on to you as well.
  • For 3 entries, blog or tweet this giveaway and spread the word.

This giveaway is open to US & Canadian residents only (no PO boxes) and I will draw for the winner on Saturday, July 14/12.  Good luck!

Share this post!
Share

Filed Under: Guest Posts

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. kimbacaffeinate says

    June 28, 2012 at 12:31 am

    I love a good mystery and this sounds like a fun read..great post

  2. Harvee@BookDilettante says

    June 28, 2012 at 5:45 am

    Sounds like another cozy writer to add to my list!

  3. Lisa Palmer says

    June 28, 2012 at 5:52 am

    I would love to enter. Thank you!

  4. anne says

    June 28, 2012 at 7:01 am

    Many thanks for this lovely giveaway. I am an e-mail subscriber.

  5. DarcyO says

    June 28, 2012 at 7:39 am

    Sounds like a good read. Thanks for the chance. Follow in Google Reader.

  6. Bethie says

    June 28, 2012 at 9:58 am

    Thanks for the giveaway.

    I follow on GFC

  7. nan says

    June 28, 2012 at 10:08 am

    Sounds like a fun read. Thanks. I’m a follower.

  8. rhonda says

    June 28, 2012 at 10:33 am

    I am follower gfc and twitter at rhondareads will tweet.

  9. Serena says

    June 28, 2012 at 10:35 am

    No need to enter me, but I wanted to say that the book cover is fantastic!

  10. Susan says

    June 28, 2012 at 11:25 am

    Terrific guest post! I’d love to read this book. Please enter me in this giveaway. I’ll post it in my blog’s sidebar. Thanks for hosting this, Darlene! I’m a follower.

    suko95(at)gmail(dot)com

  11. Karen B says

    June 28, 2012 at 11:33 am

    A cozy about a woman contractor sounds so intriguing!

    +2 – follow by email, FB.

    kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com

  12. Lisa Garrett says

    June 28, 2012 at 2:23 pm

    I love a good mystery too!

  13. Lisa Garrett says

    June 28, 2012 at 2:25 pm

    I follow via email and gfc.

  14. Linda Kish says

    June 28, 2012 at 2:25 pm

    I would love to win/read this book. It sounds terrific.

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

  15. Linda Kish says

    June 28, 2012 at 2:26 pm

    I am a GFC follower

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

  16. Lisa Garrett says

    June 28, 2012 at 2:27 pm

    Tweeted: https://mobile.twitter.com/lag32583/status/218440296084680705

  17. Margie says

    June 28, 2012 at 4:11 pm

    Sounds like an exciting book. Thanks for the giveaway.
    (email subscriber)
    (Facebook follower)

  18. ellie says

    June 29, 2012 at 7:19 am

    Great choice for this summer. I am an e-mail subscriber.

  19. susanbright says

    June 29, 2012 at 6:13 pm

    Sounds like a good read! Sammy is adorable!

  20. Renee G says

    June 29, 2012 at 9:39 pm

    Would love to read this.
    FOllow as Renee G on GFc
    rsgrandinetti@yahoo(DOT)com

  21. Staci says

    July 1, 2012 at 5:13 pm

    Oh yeah! This one does sound good!!!

  22. holdenj says

    July 2, 2012 at 5:56 am

    Thanks for the intro to this new to me author! I love mysteries and grew up reading a lot of those same ones.

  23. holdenj says

    July 2, 2012 at 5:56 am

    I am a GFC follower.
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

  24. Lana Williams says

    July 2, 2012 at 11:14 am

    Have already had the opportunity to read it and highly recommend it! Can’t wait for the next in the series!

  25. mamabunny13 says

    July 2, 2012 at 12:40 pm

    Sounds like a good mystery!
    mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

  26. mamabunny13 says

    July 2, 2012 at 12:41 pm

    tweet
    https://twitter.com/mamabunny13/status/219862968421199872
    mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

  27. mamabunny13 says

    July 2, 2012 at 12:41 pm

    I follow via gfc – mamabunny13
    mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

  28. Jane Squires says

    July 5, 2012 at 9:03 pm

    Please enter me to win – I am a subscriber to your blog

  29. Maureen says

    July 6, 2012 at 2:15 pm

    It looks like a great mystery.
    I follow on GFC
    tweet: https://twitter.com/MaureenCE/status/221336413319331840

  30. pamela james says

    July 9, 2012 at 12:43 pm

    Love a good mystery! And a dead soccer coach to boot!

    pjames330 at aol dot com

  31. pamela james says

    July 9, 2012 at 12:44 pm

    email subscriber
    pjames330 at aol dot com

  32. pamela james says

    July 9, 2012 at 12:45 pm

    https://twitter.com/pj436/status/222401007118856192

  33. Anita Yancey says

    July 10, 2012 at 10:28 am

    This book sounds like a wonderful mystery. Robin is a new author to me, but I’m very interested in reading her book. Please enter me. Thanks!
    ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

  34. Anita Yancey says

    July 10, 2012 at 10:28 am

    Follow on GFC as Anita Yancey.
    ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

  35. Anita Yancey says

    July 10, 2012 at 10:30 am

    Tweeted the giveaway.
    Twitter Name:@Anita Yancey
    ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

Primary Sidebar

Follow Me!

 

Enter your email address to get my latest reviews sent to your inbox!

Recently Shared

  • These Fleeting Shadows by Kate Alice Marshall (Audiobook)
  • The Last to Vanish by Megan Miranda (Audiobook)
  • All Good People Here by Ashley Flowers (Audiobook)
  • Local Gone Missing by Fiona Barton (Audiobook)
  • Upgrade by Blake Crouch (Audiobook)

Archives

Categories

Currently Reading

Orhan's Inheritance
Dear Carolina
The Mapmaker's Children
   

My Reading Pal Sammy

Remembering Buddy

Buddy
• May 25, 2002 - Oct 22, 2010 •
Forever in my heart