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An Award, An Audiobook and New Books from Sgt. Windflower Mysteries

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An Award, An Audiobook and New Books from Sgt. Windflower Mysteries.  The big news is that on May 24 Darkest Before the Dawn won the Bony Blithe Award for the best light mystery of the year. There’s also a new audiobook and new Sgt. Windflower Mysteries on the way!!

Darkest Before the Dawn wins the Bony Blithe Award

We are still pretty pumped about Darkest Before the Dawn winning the Bony Blithe Award as the best light mystery as the best light mystery of the year. As I said before, I was more than a little surprised to win. Mostly because of the competition. Alan Bradley who writes the fabulous Flavia DeLuce series with a precocious and adorable 12-year-old female sleuth and fun-loving troublemaker. Vicki Delany who is uber-famous as the author of 34 books and is currently writing three mystery series. Elizabeth Duncan who is a two-time winner of this award and who writes the coziest of mysteries set in Wales. Plus, a brand-new crackerjack author in Auralee Wallace who is destined to win many awards before too long.

Here is a link to my previous blog post on this and a new picture of the Bony Blithe plaque that was presented along with a cheque for $1,000. The money is long gone, but this will live on forever.

https://elizabethspanncraig.com/uncategorized/it-takes-a-community-to-win-an-award/

bb Plaque

The Body on the T Audiobook

We are now in production for the audiobook version of The Body on the T. This is the second book in the Sgt. Windflower Mystery series and once again it is being narrated by Frank Kearney. Frank and I met through an audition he submitted to Audible when we were producing The Walker on the Cape audiobook. He nailed the accent first time. Maybe that shouldn’t be surprising since while he now lives in North Carolina he was born and raised in Newfoundland.

The Body on the T audiobook will be released in early July.

Memories and Mysteries, A Windflower Christmas

Memories and Mysteries, A Windflower Christmas is a collection of short stories that will be released in September of this year. It starts with stories that were told to me about Christmas in a long-ago Grand Bank, where gifts were few and love was plenty. Days when the snow and a home-made sled was the entertainment and nights were filled with kerosene lamps and laughter. And the 12 days of Christmas were a time for family, friends and roving bands of mummers.

There are also stories from the streets of St. John’s in the 1960’s when Water Street was the only place to shop and stores like Ayres and Bowrings and the Arcade held a young child in rapture with the toys in the windows and the Christmas music blaring everywhere. When a live turkey and a boy with a giant bell called shoppers to the Mount Cashel Raffle and nights were spent on a hot, sticky bus to see the wondrous lights all over town.

The mysteries came much later but just like me, all of the characters in the Sgt. Windflower Mysteries loved Christmas and the enduring traditions of caring and sharing that they found in Grand Bank. Windflower, Sheila and Eddie Tizzard all had new adventures across Christmas time each year and they found their way into trouble and back out again. Always in time to enjoy the most magical time of the year.

These stories started as a way to celebrate Christmas with my family and friends. Now I will be offering them to you and yours. Look for it this fall and especially for Christmas.

New Windflower book this fall

Yes, there will be another Sgt. Windflower mystery. Coming this October, Fire, Fog and Water (title may change) continues the adventures of Windflower and the Grand Bank gang. There are changes and challenges, especially for Corporal Eddie Tizzard, but there are also some great meals and good friends to help make life more enjoyable. While you are waiting here’s where you can still get Darkest Before the Dawn

Darkest Before the Dawn is available in many bookstores across Canada including Chapters/Indigo and many independent stores.

Amazon:

USA – UK – CA – AUS – IN

Chapters/Indigo

https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/darkest-before-the-dawn/9781988437132-item.html?ikwid=DARKEST+BEFORE+THE+dAWN&ikwsec=Home&ikwidx=0

 

Follow Sgt. Windflower Mysteries

 

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

 

Twitter:

@mike54martin

 

 

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Very Exciting News: Audiobook and More

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Lots of exciting things happening at Sgt. Windflower Mysteries including a new Audiobook version of The Walker on the Cape. Plus a new Windflower mystery is brewing, a special project is underway and more Book Events.

Audiobook The Walker on the Cape

In the final stages and soon to released is an audiobook version of the first book in the Sgt. Windflower Mystery Series, The Walker on the Cape. Narrated by Frank Kearney, here is a sample. Let us know what you think.

Book 8 in Progress

Book 8 in the Sgt. Windflower Mystery Series is well underway. Up to Chapter 42 right now. Should have a first draft ready for beta readers in the Spring. It will be published in the early Fall by Ottawa Press and Publishing.

Special Project Coming Soon

We also wanted to tell you about another project that will soon be moving into production.  For the last number of years I have been writing Christmas stories for family and friends. We’ve put those into a special collection that is tentatively titled Christmas in Newfoundland: Stories, Scenes and Memories. It features stories from my childhood in St, John’s as well as a series of new stories based on Windflower, Tizzard and the crowd in Grand Bank. More info coming soon…

Book Events

Kingston April 13

I will be in Kingston, Ontario at the brand-new Indigo store on Saturday April 13 from 12-2 p.m. More details to follow.

Belleville May 4

I will be in Belleville Chapters too, From 2-4 pm Saturday May 4

Don’t forget to pick up your copy of the latest Sgt. Windflower Mystery. Darkest Before the Dawn.

Darkest Before the Dawn is available in many bookstores across Canada including Chapters/Indigo and many independent stores.

 

Amazon:

USA – UK – CA – AUS – IN

 

Chapters/Indigo

https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/darkest-before-the-dawn/9781988437132-item.html?ikwid=DARKEST+BEFORE+THE+dAWN&ikwsec=Home&ikwidx=0

 

Follow Sgt. Windflower Mysteries

 

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

 

Twitter:

@mike54martin

 

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3 Reviews of Darkest Before the Dawn and a Holiday Sale Update

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dav

Three new great reviews came in for Darkest Before the Dawn, the new Sgt. Windflower Mystery. Links are below.

Linda Grant in The Crafty Gardener

http://www.craftygardener.ca/darkest-before-dawn/

“The series is about Winston Windflower, an RCMP officer, who is stationed in Grand Banks, Newfoundland.  It is not just a mystery book centered in the police office but a book that shares the quiet side of Winston.   You will love reading about his family, his pets, his friends, his co-workers, and the people he encounters in his life away from his job.”

Harold Walters in The Clarenville Packet

(reprinted in Western Star, Southern Gazette and other Newfoundland and Labrador newspapers)

https://www.thepacket.ca/living/book-remarks-darkest-before-the-dawn-261810/

“Mike Martin pens a cracker-jack image of capelin rolling: a silver tsunami … swimming near the top of the water as tens of thousands of capelin tried to get in to spawn on the beach.”

Jim Fisher in The Miramichi Reader

http://miramichireader.ca/2018/12/darkest-before-dawn-windflower-7/

“When it comes to writing about police work, Mr. Martin excels, particularly at demonstrating Windflower’s keen skills when he interrogates the murder suspects in addition to handling the various day-to-day duties of running the Grand Bank RCMP detachment.”

Update on the 6th Annual Windflower Holiday Book Sale.

Our initial $500 donation is on its way to the Minwaashin Lodge in Ottawa. See below for how you can participate.

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.

Make Your Own  Donation

If you want to make a donation please visit http://www.minlodge.com

Canadian donors can receive a tax receipt for their contribution.

Enter the Contest to Win a Full Set of Sgt. Windflower Mysteries

If you like or share this post, your name will be automatically entered into a contest for a full set of all 7 Sgt. Windflower Mysteries. Sent to you or anyone you would like anywhere in the world. Contest runs until December 15, 2018.

Buy a Book

I will also be donating $5.00 for every copy of Darkest Before the Dawn that is sold in December either in print or online. Final tally will not be available until after Christmas, but that will be another contribution that you can help support to Minwaashin Lodge.

For more information about Minwaashin Lodge and to make your own donation please visit:

http://www.minlodge.com

Here’s where you can get Darkest Before the Dawn

Darkest Before the Dawn is available in many bookstores across Canada including Chapters/Indigo and many independent stores.

 

Amazon

USA – UK – CA – AUS – IN

 

Chapters/Indigo

https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/darkest-before-the-dawn/9781988437132-item.html?ikwid=DARKEST+BEFORE+THE+dAWN&ikwsec=Home&ikwidx=0

 

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

Follow Sgt. Windflower Mysteries

 

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

 

Twitter:

@mike54martin

 

 

 

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Annual Windflower Holiday Book Sale

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Christmas 2018.jpg

It’s time for the 6th Annual Windflower Holiday Book Sale. For the last five years I have been donating most of the profits from the December book sales 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 five years we have been able to donate over $3,000.00 to community groups who really need our support. We will be doing things a little different this year, so check out the information below as to how you can participate and help this great cause.

This year our chosen organization will again be 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.

Min lodge

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

I am be making an upfront donation of $500.00 to Minwaashin Lodge. 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.

Enter the Contest to Win a Full Set of Sgt. Windflower Mysteries

If you like or share this post, your name will be automatically entered into a contest for a full set of all 7 Sgt. Windflower Mysteries. Sent to you or anyone you would like anywhere in the world. Contest runs until December 15, 2018.

Buy a Book

I will also be donating $5.00 for every copy of Darkest Before the Dawn that is sold in December either in print or online. Final tally will not be available until after Christmas, but that will be another contribution that you can help support to Minwaashin Lodge.

For more information about Minwaashin Lodge and to make your own donation please visit:

http://www.minlodge.com

Here’s where you can get Darkest Before the Dawn

Darkest Before the Dawn is available in many bookstores across Canada including Chapters/Indigo and many independent stores.

 

Amazon:

USA – UK – CA – AUS – IN

 

Chapters/Indigo

https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/darkest-before-the-dawn/9781988437132-item.html?ikwid=DARKEST+BEFORE+THE+dAWN&ikwsec=Home&ikwidx=0

 

 

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

Follow Sgt. Windflower Mysteries

 

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

 

Twitter:

@mike54martin

 

 

 

 

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Why I’m Giving Books Away

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dbtd cake

The Sgt. Windflower Reading Equality Program

I have now published seven books in the Sgt. Windflower Mystery Series 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 lent 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 Darkest Before the Dawn 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. The links are at the bottom of this post.

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.

Here’s where you can get Darkest Before the Dawn

Darkest Before the Dawn is available in many bookstores across Canada including Chapters/Indigo and many independent stores.

 

Amazon:

USA – UK – CA – AUS – IN

 

Chapters/Indigo

https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/darkest-before-the-dawn/9781988437132-item.html?ikwid=DARKEST+BEFORE+THE+dAWN&ikwsec=Home&ikwidx=0

 

Facebook

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

 

Twitter

@mike54martin

 

Goodreads

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41718388-darkest-before-the-dawn

 

 

Books, News, Reviews

Reviews of Darkest Before the Dawn are Coming In: And People Love It!!

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Online Book Review 4 out of 4 Stars

“Really, what’s not to love? Style, check. Grammar, check. Plot, check. Character development, double check. I rate Darkest Before the Dawn 4 out of 4 stars. If you enjoy good murder mysteries and thrillers, you should read this book”

https://forums.onlinebookclub.org/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=85417#p1015787

Continue reading Reviews of Darkest Before the Dawn are Coming In: And People Love It!! →

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I Love Indies!! (Independent Book Stores)

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Front Cover

 

I love Indies!!

One of the joys of being a writer is to see your books on the bookshelves of a book store. It’s even better when it’s in one of your favourite bookstores. Here are 3 of my favourite independent bookstores where you can find the new Sgt. Windflower Mystery: Darkest Before the Dawn

Books on Beechwood

35 Beechwood Avenue

Ottawa, Ontario

bob

Books on Beechwood is an independent, locally owned, bookstore that reflects the interests of the surrounding neighbourhoods. The selections on literary fiction, biography, and history are particularly strong. They also have a good selection of mysteries, of children’s books and of cookbooks. The collection of several thousand books in the store is backed by the ability to order from a suppliers list of millions of volumes. They are very involved in the community and host special events such as book signings. They also have their own two book clubs which you are welcome to join.

http://www.booksonbeechwood.ca

 

Sleuth of Baker Street

907 Millwood Road

Toronto, Ontario

 sleuth

Sleuth of Baker Street is a bookstore that specializes in mysteries, crime novels, detective fiction, Sherlockiana, spy and thriller novels…lots and lots of mysteries…British, American, Canadian…new, used, out of print. If they haven’t got it, they’ll find it. A newsletter worth paying for, and if you want something other than a mystery, they do lots of special orders.

See You There on  October 20

http://www.sleuthofbakerstreet.ca/

 

Novel Idea Bookstore

156 Princess Street

Kingston Ontario

 novel

 

Novel Idea is a fabulous locally owned and operated independent book store located in the heart of downtown Kingston, Ontario. It has a great selection of national best sellers and local authors and it’s is both a fan and friend of local authors. Definitely worth a visit if you are in the Kingston area.

https://www.facebook.com/NovelIdeaBookstoreKingston

 

You can also order Darkest Before the Dawn online

Amazon:

USA – UK – CA – AUS – IN

 

Chapters/Indigo

https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/darkest-before-the-dawn/9781988437132-item.html?ikwid=DARKEST+BEFORE+THE+dAWN&ikwsec=Home&ikwidx=0

 

Follow Sgt. Windflower on social media

Facebook

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

 

Twitter

@mike54martin

 

Goodreads

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41718388-darkest-before-the-dawn

 

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Darkest Before the Dawn is Ready for Take-Off

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Front Cover

 

Darkest Before the Dawn, the new Sgt. Windflower Mystery is ready for take-off. It will be formally released on all platforms on October 1, 2018. Look for it online through Amazon worldwide and through Indigo. Chapters and Coles stores across Canada.

And we have our first review….

First Review of Darkest Before the Dawn from Supergirl1 on the Online Book Club site

“Really, what’s not to love? Style, check. Grammar, check. Plot, check. Character development, double check. I rate Darkest Before the Dawn 4 out of 4 stars. If you enjoy good murder mysteries and thrillers, you should read this book”

https://forums.onlinebookclub.org/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=85417#p1015787

 

We’re Having a Party: Book Launch on October 4, 2018

Come Celebrate the Launch of the latest Sgt. Windflower Mystery

Darkest Before the Dawn

6:30-8:00 pm Thursday October 4, 2018

Books on Beechwood

35 Beechwood Ave

There will be Cake!!

 

More Events in October and November. Details to Follow. Stay Tuned

 

October

Toronto October 20, 2018 2-4 pm

Sleuth of Baker Street

Book Signing with Ann Shortell and Lynn McPherson

 

Ottawa October 27, 2018

Chapters South Keys 1:30-4 pm

Book Signing with Linda Wiken

 

November

Ottawa November 15 Ottawa Public Library Alta Vista Branch 6:30-8 pm

Sleuth Hounds Mystery Club

 

Ottawa November 25 Indigo Barrhaven 1-4 pm

Book Signing with CWC Authors

 

You can order Darkest Before the Dawn from

Chapters/Indigo

https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/darkest-before-the-dawn/9781988437132-item.html?ikwid=DARKEST+BEFORE+THE+dAWN&ikwsec=Home&ikwidx=0&s_campaign=aff-001-2617611-Skimlinks-Ongoing_Site_Indigo+Redirect_Text-10437934-3662453&cjevent=730c4693ad2411e8832700910a24060d

 

Ottawa Press and Publishing

https://www.ottawapressandpublishing.com/

 

Follow Sgt. Windflower Mysteries

 

Facebook

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

 

Twitter

@mike54martin

 

Goodreads

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41718388-darkest-before-the-dawn

 

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New Sgt. Windflower Mystery is Ready for Pre-Order from Chapters/Indigo

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Darkest Before the Dawn is Now Available for Pre-Order from Chapters Indigo

https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/darkest-before-the-dawn/9781988437132-item.html?ikwid=DARKEST+BEFORE+THE+dAWN&ikwsec=Home&ikwidx=0

Darkest Before the Dawn is the latest adventure of Sgt. Winston Windflower, a Mountie who finds himself surrounded by a new family and a new life in tiny Grand Bank, Newfoundland. There are signs of trouble that may disturb his pleasant life, including a series of unsolved break-ins and the lack of supports for young people in the most trying time of their lives. But there are always good friends, good food and the sense that if we all pull together, we can find a way to get through even the darkest days.

Ghosts, mysterious deaths, and a new character enliven the pages as Windflower and Tizzard and the other police officers awaken the secrets that have been lying dormant in this sleepy little town. The deeper they dig the more they find as the criminals they seek dive deeper behind the curtains of anonymity and technology. But more than anything, this is a story of love and loss, of growing up and learning how to grow old gracefully. It is also about family and community and looking after each other. Of not giving up hope just before the dawn.

 

Book Launch in Ottawa Oct 4, 2018

Come join us at the best little bookstore in Ottawa, Books on Beechwood (Beechwood and McKay) from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday October 4, 2018 for the launch of the latest Sgt. Windflower Mystery, Darkest Before the Dawn.

There will be cake!!!