Tag Archives: All That Glitters

Uncategorized

Annual Holiday Event: Make a Donation. Get A Friend for Christmas Free

Leave a comment

It’s time for the 11th Annual Windflower Holiday Book Event. For the last ten years I have been donating most of the profits from December book sales of Sgt. Windflower Mysteries to a worthy community cause. It’s a great way for me to give back a little to people and organizations who need so much, especially this time of year.

In the last ten years we have been able to donate over $7,500.00 to community groups who really need our support. We will be doing things a little different this year. You don’t have to buy any books to participate. In fact, we’ll give you a free book if you donate to our chosen cause which again this year is the Minwaashin Lodge in Ottawa. Minwaashin Lodge is a healing centre in Ottawa that provides a range of programs and services to First Nations, Inuit and Metis women and children who are survivors of domestic and other forms of violence, and who may also be suffering the effects of the residential school system.

The mission of Minwaashin Lodge is to provide wholistic programs and services for grandmothers, women, children and youth impacted by family violence and residential schooling. All programs and services are provided in the context of cultural beliefs and values as part of the healing journey.

Here’s how you can participate.

Make a Donation and Get a Free Book

If you make a donation, I will send you a copy of A Friend for Christmas. The new cozy Children’s Christmas story. Great for children of all ages as long as you believe in the magic of Christmas.

I am making an upfront donation of $1,000.00 to Minwaashin Lodge to get this process satrted. I know that this money will go to support First Nations, Inuit and Metis women and children to have a good meal and presents from Santa under the tree on Christmas morning. If you want to make a donation, please visit http://www.minlodge.com

Canadian donors can receive a tax receipt for their contribution.

Just send me an email at mike54martin@yahoo.ca and I’ll put A Friend for Christmas in the mail to you in time for Christmas.

Thank you for supporting the Annual Windflower Holiday Book Event and Minwaashin Lodge

Buy a Book

Of course, you can support Sgt. Windflower Mysteries by buying a book. This year the latest release is All That Glitters. Available in local bookstores in Ottawa like Perfect Books and Books on Beechwood and worldwide through Amazon.

Thank you again for supporting the Annual Windflower Holiday Book Event and Minwaashin Lodge

Follow Sgt. Windflower Mysteries

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheWalkerOnTheCapeReviewsAndMore?ref=hl

Twitter:

@mike54martin

Books, News

Order the new Sgt. Windflower Mystery All That Glitters

2 Comments

All That Glitters is available

All That Glitters, the new Sgt. Windflower Mystery is now available for from Ottawa Press and Publishing and Amazon. Simply follow the links below to order your copy today.

The Reviews are in!

We have some advance reviews of All That Glitters on Goodreads. Here’s the link and some excerpts:

“We learn more and more about Winston, Sheila, Eddie Tizzard, Sanjay and all of the other characters as we go along, and he also weaves in – seamlessly – Winston’s back story, family ties, spirituality and love of family. Even after receiving bad news, Winston prevails and grows. I highly recommend this 13th book in the series, which could be read as a standalone, but you really should read the series.”

“Windflower is also the proud owner of a B&B and does most of the food preparation. This is another brilliant aspect of the book, the loving descriptions of cooking, especially at mealtimes with family–– his wife, Sheila, and their daughters Amelia Louise and Stella. He is of Cree First Nations heritage and is also a Dream Weaver from a line of master Dream Weavers. This is another distinct and entertaining aspect to the book, the dreams Windflower has and the revelations they bring to his investigations.
While Mike Martin reveals his humorous side with many light-hearted moments, this unique and complex story shows a deep respect for Canadian heritage. All in all, a terrifically entertaining read. Highly recommended.”

Here’s a teaser from All That Glitters:

Sergeant Winston Windflower is moving on to a new chapter of his life, no longer an RCMP officer but now a Community Safety Officer in his home of Grand Bank, Newfoundland.

But when a body is found in the bed and breakfast he co-owns, diamonds are found in the body’s digestive system, and then Windflower’s friend Dr. Sanjay, who was given the diamonds for safekeeping, is kidnapped, it’s clear that crime has returned once more to Grand Bank.

Windflower finds himself back in the thick of it, helping his newly promoted friend, RCMP Corporal Eddie Tizzard, track down a ruthless diamond smuggler who will stop at nothing — kidnapping, even murder — to pull off his dirty business.

This is another finely spun Windflower mystery that contrasts suspense and tension with the joys of friendship, family, and gratitude.

All That Glitters will soon be available from Amazon all over the world or directly from Ottawa Press and Publishing. Signed copies will be available after May 22 at:

Sleuth of Baker Street bookstore, Toronto

Books on Beechwood, Ottawa

Perfect Books, Ottawa

Follow Sgt. Windflower Mysteries on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/TheWalkerOnTheCapeReviewsAndMore

Twitter

@mike54martin

Uncategorized

What Makes a Cozy Mystery?

4 Comments

This is a great question and I am happy to start off a discussion on this with my Cozy Crime Collective friends.

Cozy Mysteries used to have one standard template. Small town amateur sleuth, usually a woman and often featuring an animal, particularly on the cover. No overt sex or graphic violence and no bad language. Good clean fun. Traditionally, they were almost always written by women, which makes sense since the overwhelming audience for this genre is women.

But those traditions are changing. That’s good for me since I am currently a man… hey you never know, things can change, and I have been slotted into the cozy mystery category. By Amazon and by many readers who have found that yes, Virginia, men can write good, clean, cozy-like material. All That Glitters, the latest of 13 Sgt. Windflower Mysteries, was recently ranked #1 Best-Selling Cozy Mystery. It lasted about a week at that level. Enough to make me giddy, but far from rich.

I know why cozy mystery readers like this series. It has a kind and likeable protagonist who puts his family and community first. It is also set in a small town with colourful characters and great food. And yes, it has a cat and a dog. Both rescues who end up playing their own helpful roles in assisting Windflower solve a crime or just relax. I do adhere as well to the cire principles of keeping the violence and language subdued and appropriate for the gentle cozy readers.

So, yes, I am bending some of the conventions of the cozy mystery genre. In more ways than one. But I stay within the agreed upon boundaries, mostly. The murders in Sgt. Windflower Mysteries are generally off-scene and there is little blood to startle the squeamish. There are no ‘adult’ situations but a fabulous romance that have led from courtship to marriage and now two children. And the two pets.

My biggest cozy stretch might be that Sgt. Windflower is a Mountie, an RCMP officer. But leading a detachment in a small town. And he may or not stay a police officer. Stay tuned. That small town, Grand Bank, is a real and charming location. In many ways, the community and the weather are main characters in the story. It may not be the American south, but it is a cozy town, for sure.

If it sounds like I am making a case to stay in the cozy mystery milieu, you would be correct. And these views are mine and mine alone. I’m sure my fellow Cozy Crime Collective friends will have lots more to say. So can you, in the comment box below.

Mike Martin is the author of the Award-Winning Sgt. Windflower Mystery Series. The latest book All That Glitters is a #1 Best-Selling Cozy Mystery.

For more great Cozy Mystery Writers visit our Cozy Crime Collective Facebook Page

https://www.facebook.com/groups/849864953391956
Uncategorized

Why I’m Giving Books Away: The Sgt. Windflower Reading Equality Program

1 Comment

I have now published thirteen books in the Sgt. Windflower Mystery Series (plus Christmas in Newfoundland: Memories and Mysteries 1 +2) and each time I have chosen to give away a number of copies, absolutely free. Not only that, but I actively seek out strangers or near strangers on social media to give them away to. Now, I am not giving away all copies of my books. I am neither rich nor daft and I am not particularly altruistic, but I do believe in helping people to read my book.

And quite honestly not everyone can afford to buy a book, especially new books. Tons of people are living on a tight budget, on social assistance or on a fixed income because of disability or not being able to work anymore. It’s hard to comprehend in this world of plenty, but twenty bucks is a lot of money if you haven’t got it and one of the ‘luxuries’ that many people give up is purchasing new books. They wait until they are available from the library or get them from friends or from the second-hand bookstore. I support libraries, but why do some people have to wait?

I realize that I can’t give anybody a raise in their monthly stipend to help them with their book budget, but I can help at least a few of them enjoy my new books, fresh out of the printer’s box. I believe in an idea called Reading Equality, a radically new concept that everyone should have access to quality, new release books. That’s why I am making 25 copies of All That Glitters available to people on a low or fixed income. I am advertising this offer on Facebook and Twitter and as the time of writing there are still a few copies left.

If you want one or know of someone who could use one but can’t afford it, just message me with the mailing address and I will send a copy in the mail. And yes, I will even sign them. No questions asked. You can send me a message thru Sgt. Windflower Mysteries or Facebook.

Of course, if you have the money, I hope you will consider buying a copy for yourself. Maybe even one for somebody you know doesn’t have the cash. Pay it forward. It works for me.

And if you want to help get this book into even more hands, ask your local library to order a copy. They’re looking for your suggestions. And if they don’t have the budget, tell them to contact me and we’ll make them an offer they can’t refuse.

You can get All That Glitters from Chapters/Indigo/Coles bookstores in Ottawa and Atlantic Canada and from these fine independent bookstores:

Ottawa

Books on Beechwood (Signed copies available)

Perfect Books (Signed copies available)

Toronto

Sleuth of Baker Street (Signed copies available)

St. John’s Newfoundland and Labrador

Downhome Shoppe and Gallery

All That Glitters is available in fine bookstores all over Canada and around the world on Amazon.

Amazon CA | Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon AU

https://www.facebook.com/TheWalkerOnTheCapeReviewsAndMore/inbox/?mailbox_id=401832063230933&selected_item_id=100000399124047

Twitter

@mike54martin

Uncategorized

Every Picture Has a Story

Leave a comment

The picture on the cover of All That Glitters is from Newfoundland. But I have to confess that I didn’t know where it was from in Newfoundland. My excellent cover designer, Patti Moran found it online, added her magical touches and the ATG cover was born. I loved it then, and still do. But there’s a story behind this picture. And thanks to social media I just found out what that is.

I’m doing a Virtual Book Launch in Newfoundland and doing some promotion for that. (May 23… check it out. https://fb.me/e/2HzbMBdMG

And I get a Facebook message from a woman who says that this is a picture of her grandfather’s property in Newfoundland. I ask her where it is from. Turns out that this is from a small community called Change Islands. A small town of 300 people on the northeast coast of Newfoundland. 

The woman said that she was surprised but very happy to see it pop up in her FB feed and that it was close to the anniversary of her grandmother’s passing. She took that as a message or a sign of something. I just think that it’s pretty neat. That we are able to make a connection over thousands of miles and years of memories.

All That Glitters is available for Pre-Order and Will be on Sale May 19

Upcoming Events

Virtual Book Launch A.C. Hunter Library St. John’s NL

https://fb.me/e/2HzbMBdMG

Tuesday May 23 6:30 pm NL time (5 pm EST)

Pizza Party Official Book Launch In-Person Colonnade Pizza 280 Metcalfe Street Ottawa

https://fb.me/e/1h4sT8vkG

Wednesday June 7  6:30-8 pm

Books, Pizza, Cake

It’s A Party

Did we mention Free Pizza??

Library Double Book Event with Brenda Chapman NGPL

Kemptville Public Library Saturday June 17 2 pm

Readings, Author Interviews, Prizes

Here’s a teaser from All That Glitters:

Sergeant Winston Windflower is moving on to a new chapter of his life, no longer an RCMP officer but now a Community Safety Officer in his home of Grand Bank, Newfoundland.

But when a body is found in the bed and breakfast he co-owns, diamonds are found in the body’s digestive system, and then Windflower’s friend Dr. Sanjay, who was given the diamonds for safekeeping, is kidnapped, it’s clear that crime has returned once more to Grand Bank.

Windflower finds himself back in the thick of it, helping his newly promoted friend, RCMP Corporal Eddie Tizzard, track down a ruthless diamond smuggler who will stop at nothing — kidnapping, even murder — to pull off his dirty business.

This is another finely spun Windflower mystery that contrasts suspense and tension with the joys of friendship, family, and gratitude.

All That Glitters will soon be available from Amazon all over the world or directly from Ottawa Press and Publishing. Signed copies are available at:

Sleuth of Baker Street bookstore, Toronto

Books on Beechwood, Ottawa

Perfect Books, Ottawa

Follow Sgt. Windflower Mysteries on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/TheWalkerOnTheCapeReviewsAndMore

Twitter

@mike54martin

Amazon.ca

Amazon.com

Uncategorized

All That Glitters is available for Pre-Order

Leave a comment

All That Glitters is available for Pre-Order

All That Glitters, the new Sgt. Windflower Mystery is now available for Pre-Order from Ottawa Press and Publishing. And it’s on sale at $19.95. Simply follow the link below to order your copy today. Full release date May 22, 2023. E-books coming soon.

All That Glitters by Mike Martin

Early Reviews are Great

We have some advance reviews of All That Glitters on Goodreads. Here’s the link and some excerpts:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/136278862-all-that-glitters

“We learn more and more about Winston, Sheila, Eddie Tizzard, Sanjay and all of the other characters as we go along, and he also weaves in – seamlessly – Winston’s back story, family ties, spirituality and love of family. Even after receiving bad news, Winston prevails and grows. I highly recommend this 13th book in the series, which could be read as a standalone, but you really should read the series.”

“Windflower is also the proud owner of a B&B and does most of the food preparation. This is another brilliant aspect of the book, the loving descriptions of cooking, especially at mealtimes with family–– his wife, Sheila, and their daughters Amelia Louise and Stella. He is of Cree First Nations heritage and is also a Dream Weaver from a line of master Dream Weavers. This is another distinct and entertaining aspect to the book, the dreams Windflower has and the revelations they bring to his investigations.
While Mike Martin reveals his humorous side with many light-hearted moments, this unique and complex story shows a deep respect for Canadian heritage. All in all, a terrifically entertaining read. Highly recommended.”

Upcoming Events

All That Glitters is at the printers and will be released on May 22, 2023. To celebrate Book 13 in the Sgt. Windflower Mystery series we will be holding several events.

Virtual Book Launch A.C. Hunter Library St. John’s NL

Tuesday May 23 6:30 pm NL time (5 pm EST)

Pizza Party Official Book Launch In-Person Colonnade Pizza 280 Metcalfe Street Ottawa

Wednesday June 7  6:30-8 pm

Books, Pizza, Cake

It’s A Party

Did we mention Free Pizza??

Library Double Book Event with Brenda Chapman NGPL

Kemptville Public Library Saturday June 17 2 pm

Readings, Author Interviews, Prizes

Here’s a teaser from All That Glitters:

Sergeant Winston Windflower is moving on to a new chapter of his life, no longer an RCMP officer but now a Community Safety Officer in his home of Grand Bank, Newfoundland.

But when a body is found in the bed and breakfast he co-owns, diamonds are found in the body’s digestive system, and then Windflower’s friend Dr. Sanjay, who was given the diamonds for safekeeping, is kidnapped, it’s clear that crime has returned once more to Grand Bank.

Windflower finds himself back in the thick of it, helping his newly promoted friend, RCMP Corporal Eddie Tizzard, track down a ruthless diamond smuggler who will stop at nothing — kidnapping, even murder — to pull off his dirty business.

This is another finely spun Windflower mystery that contrasts suspense and tension with the joys of friendship, family, and gratitude.

All That Glitters will soon be available from Amazon all over the world or directly from Ottawa Press and Publishing. Signed copies will be available after May 22 at:

Sleuth of Baker Street bookstore, Toronto

Books on Beechwood, Ottawa

Perfect Books, Ottawa

Follow Sgt. Windflower Mysteries on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/TheWalkerOnTheCapeReviewsAndMore

Twitter

@mike54martin