Murder by the Book with carrot cake and tea
Thank you to the mystery book club MURDER BY THE BOOK at the west branch of the Saint John Library for reading LET THE SHADOWS FALL BEHIND YOU. They invited me for tea and carrot cake. It was fun to talk to readers who live in the locale where the novel is set. While my writing wouldn’ t be considered traditional mystery, being character rather than plot driven, these ‘traditional’ enthusiasts enjoyed it and invited me back with my next unique contribution to the suspense genre. The novel I’ve just finished writing BLACK SECRET THAW was put together in a completely different way. I constructed the plot beforehand as I was attending a writing workshop by the legendary New York agent, Donald Maass, and wanted a ‘genre’ novel to apply his exercises to and learn from. While all the initial comments from my fellow members of Canadian Crime Writers are enthusiastic, I still feel odd about it…as if I’m wearing my clothes inside out or something. We shall see what becomes of it! Thanks MURDER BY THE BOOK for chosing LET THE SHADOWS FALL BEHIND YOU.
Me and My Slide Show
Rather than sing ‘Me and My Shadow,’ I’m singing ‘Me and my Slide Show’ these days. I’ve created 2 news ones on MySpace. One is of birds in flight, which I’ve always found inspires the poet in me. No suprise LET THE SHADOWS FALL BEHIND YOU opens on a bird count up north and, later, Brannagh is often gazing up at the sky trying to identify a bird from its wing markings or span.
The second slide show is simply a collage of SHADOWS which, given the title of my debut novel, is self-explanatory. I have to ask Santa for a new digital camera for Christmas!
Kathy-Diane’s MYSPACE SLIDE SHOWS
Congratulations to GoodReads winner!
Congratulations to Ramona Gault who won an autographed copy of the hardcover edition of LET THE SHADOWS FALL BEHIND YOU in the GoodReads contest. You can win an autographed copy of the new paperback edition. The contest runs until November 23, 2009 and is open to GoodRead members in Canada, the United States and the UK. If you love sharing the books you read with others, GoodReads is the place to be.
SHADOWS interview on THE BOOKWORM
I’ve had a great time being a guest this week on THE BOOKWORM. Naida Scrotchet asked: When did you start writing your new suspense novel LET THE SHADOWS FALL BEHIND YOU?
My answer: I started writing LET THE SHADOWS FALL BEHIND YOU on coffee breaks while I was at the hospital. I began working as a medical transcriptionist because it didn’t sap my creativity the way journalism did, and left room to pursue my dream of writing a novel. I can’t remember the initial spark for this story, but I do know I wanted to write about a woman whose lover disappears into thin air. I usually don’t do research in my initial draft too much. I start with the question or puzzle first, followed by the character, and exploring their journey as they try to solve it. I find if I start researching too soon, it can be a distraction, and an excuse not to write.
Thanks Naida!
Kathy-Diane Leveille
Author of LET THE SHADOWS FALL BEHIND YOU (Kunati Books)
ISBN:978-1601641670
“Let the Shadows Fall Behind You is a haunting story of disappearance and loss and, ultimately, of redemption. Weaving together a world of family loyalties and family lies, of broken bonds and of those that endure, it combines the nuance of poetry with all the suspense of a thriller.” Nino Ricci (Author of The Origin of Species)
LET THE SHADOWS FALL BEHIND YOU: Review on BOOKING MAMA
Thanks Julie P for reviewing my new suspense novel LET THE SHADOWS FALL BEHIND YOU today on BOOKING MAMA:
”When I started reading LET THE SHADOWS FALL BEHIND YOU by Kathy-Diane Leveille, I assumed it was going to be one of those part suspense/part mystery type of book. And there definitely was a suspense aspect to this novel, but I was a little surprised that there was so much more to this story. This book is actually much deeper than a just a typical mystery book. LET THE SHADOWS FALL BEHIND YOU is a deep, complex story that delves into a woman’s life and her attempts to resolve issues about her past.
What I most appreciate about this book was how Ms. Leveille developed all of the characters. In fact, I thought she did a wonderful job of bringing so many complicated characters to life. “
Kathy-Diane Leveille
Author of LET THE SHADOWS FALL BEHIND YOU (Kunati Books)
ISBN:978-1601641670
“It’s often said, but not usually with such eloquence, that the only one you can’t outrun is you. Kathy-Diane Leveille writes with passion and assurance of a woman who risks sacrificing far too much to try to erase the things she knows are true.” -Jacquelyn Mitchard, author of The Deep End of the Ocean
LET THE SHADOWS FALL: Book signing
I’ll be signing copies of my new suspense novel LET THE SHADOWS FALL BEHIND YOU at Coles at Brunswick Square in Saint John, New Brunswick on Friday May 15 at 12 noon. Drop by to say hello. You can enter a draw to win a gift certificate at Ambience Day Spa. Half the royalties from each book sold will be donated to Save the Children’s Aboriginal mother/baby bonding program.
Author of LET THE SHADOWS FALL BEHIND YOU (Kunati Books)
ISBN:978-1601641670
“How each character responds to what has happened in the past, and how that shapes their life as an adult is part of the draw of this intense character study. Leveille swiftly moves between past and present… and does not disappoint.”
-Bella On-Line: The Voice of Women… Mystery Book Reviews
Shadows Interview on NOVEL JOURNEY
I’m an avid follower of NOVEL JOURNEY, one of Writers’ Digest 101 most valuable web site for writers. So it was great fun being interviewed there today. Weekly columnist, Kelly Klepfer, asked: How has your experience as a broadcast journalist prepared or hindered you as a novelist?
It’s definitely prepared me. There’s a reason why old journalists never die, they just go on to second careers as fiction writers! Working in the field of journalism offers valuable training in discipline. You’re working to a deadline to produce stories whether you like it or not. There were many times I sat down at the computer with absolutely no idea of where to go. You learn in journalism to have faith in the process, that you can start with nothing and eventually something will take shape and grow. It was a tremendous mentorship in the art of research, fact checking and honing the 5 W’s.
Kathy-Diane Leveille
Author of LET THE SHADOWS FALL BEHIND YOU (Kunati Books)
ISBN:978-1601641670
“It’s the quality of the writing that makes the read worthwhile…a very promising debut.” www.reviewingtheevidence.com
LET THE SHADOWS FALL BEHIND YOU: Chapter One, Scene 5
I’m not sure about other writers, but I never come up with a theme for a novel until after the first draft is written. Theme is organic in nature, and rises to the surface of the narrative as the story takes shape. What is the theme of LET THE SHADOWS FALL BEHIND YOU?
If had to put it in one sentence it would be this: SHADOWS is about the redeeming power of love and friendship. None of us escapes pain. Our human connections are our saving grace. Brannagh learns acceptance and letting go. There comes a time in everyone’s life when they are drawn towards revisiting the past and laying it to rest. This is part of Brannagh’s journey. She’s kind of stuck, I think, because she really just wants to avoid it all and get on with life. But, as is often the case, it won’t let her go. We are often drawn back, again and again, to the very thing we want to shy away from. Luckily, Brannagh has three loyal childhood friends who won’t let her drift away. They pull her back.
As promised, I’m posting consecutive scenes from Chapter One weekly, leading up to the official launch on May 10th. Hope you enjoy the next instalment. Just click EXCERPT on the menu above. Each scene is separated by a *.
Kathy-Diane Leveille
Author of LET THE SHADOWS FALL BEHIND YOU
ISBN:978-1601641670
“Leveille’s writing sings of heartbreak and redemption, and the wicked dancing moments in-between.” Carol Bruneau author of Purple for Sky
SHADOWS VBT: Handbags and Books
I’m talking about my new suspense novel LET THE SHADOWS FALL BEHIND YOU today on Vicki Batman’s blog “Handbags and Books.” I’m a member of International Thrill Writers, Canadian Crime Writers, Sisters in Crime and RWA’s Kiss of Death Chapter. I met Vicki through RWA which has over 10,000 members. Kiss of Death is the romantic suspense chapter and allows me to rub elbows with some of my favourite authors. I’ve met hundreds of writers over the years. and have to say that romance writers are the friendliest, most generous members of our craft, whose talents run the gamut from penning light and steamy HQ series to heart-pounding paranormal and mystery to timeless and rich multi-layered epics. Oh, and did I mention sense of humour? Vicki’s Timely Tips crack me up: The price of wearing cute shoes is 5 Band-Aids. One can never carry too many handbags. And my favourite: Donuts should never be wasted!
Drop by and say hello.
Shadows called Rich and Beautiful!
I’ve always enjoyed reading journalist Don Graves’ column CANADIAN MYSTERIES in The Hamilton Spectator. So I was thrilled when he gave LET THE SHADOWS FALL BEHIND YOU a nod last week. Here’s an excerpt:
Let the Shadows Fall Behind You by Kathy-Diane Leveille peels away the layers behind a murder, the need to deceive, to hide the past and cover it up with a pattern of respectability despite a trail of ruined lives and festering questions that could destroy the future.
A young woman returns to a small East Coast town to attend a reunion. Her instincts warn her against it as her lover has disappeared without a trace…
A gentle pace with compassionately descriptive writing is the right vehicle for author, Leveille, to tell a story of relationships that unravel as old, uncertain conflicts surface and begin to agonizingly make sense to the young woman.
A murder, a past still preying upon the souls of those involved, is always an unwelcome and intrusive guest. Let the Shadows Fall Behind You tells that chronicle with poignancy, wistful descriptions of small town life and punchy characterizations that expose hard truths.
Sadly rich and beautiful writing.
