Mary Angela's Blog

If you follow my newsletter, you know I bought a camper this summer, and I couldn’t be happier with the decision! I’ve wanted one for years, and I plan on buying flamingos from now until the snow flies. I have learned so much this summer and conquered some fears too. Here are a few pictures from my Happy Camper Summer!

We’ve added a deck and lots of flamingo lights! Next time, I’ll get a picture at night so you can see them.

I love decorating my camper! My sister Penny, a fellow camper, thinks I’m crazy.

My daughters love making pizza bagels for lunch It’s such a handy camper snack! My brother gave me these flamingo glasses as a gift. I finally have a chance to use them!

Boating TERRIFIED me, but now I’m driving the boat. A lot can happen in a summer, friends! I hope to learn how to park the boat in the slip next year.

Another fear conquered! Thanks to my niece Izabel and daughter Maddie for pushing me. I still like putzing around the lake best of all. (The kids call it Mom Mode.)

Yep, I made this fire all on my own. Another happy camper moment!

There are two restaurants near our campground, and we love visiting them. They always have great food and entertainment.

This is the view from the second restaurant, Key Largo.

My family with my sister Penny and her family! We love making camping memories with them.

The post Happy Camper Summer appeared first on Mary Angela.

I’m a sucker for a good treasure hunt, and that’s what I got when I went searching for the Thoen Stone last spring. I can blame my wanderlust at the time on the pandemic. It was March of 2021, and I hadn’t traveled in over a year. The Black Hills sounded like the perfect place for a treasure hunt.

I wasn’t hunting treasure in the literal sense but in the research sense, which was almost as much fun. I’ve always loved history, and if I can incorporate it into a mystery, even better. It adds another avenue for my imagination and writing.

Original Thoen Stone, now in the Deadwood Museum

 

What is the Thoen Stone? It’s a piece of sandstone that was found at the base of Lookout Mountain, near Spearfish Canyon, SD, in 1887 by the Thoen brothers, who were ironically (coincidently?) stone masons. On one side of the stone are the following words (all errors and slurs original):

 

 

 

“came to these hills in 1833

seven of us

De Lacompt

Ezra Kind

GW Wood

T Brown

R Kent

Wm King

Indian Crow

all ded but me Ezra Kind

Killed by Ind beyond the high hill

got our gold June 1834“

 

The other side reads:

“got all of the gold we could carry

our ponies all got by the Indians

I hav lost my gun and nothing to

eat and Indians hunting me”

 

According to the legend, Ezra Kind carved these words on the stone before he was killed by Native Americans, who left the gold buried in the Black Hills. Did a band of prospectors really come to the area 40 years before General Custer, though, or is the Thoen Stone a hoax, a stone carved by the Thoen brothers themselves for notoriety?

For some reason, answers never entice me as much as questions. However, I found one book-length work on the legend, The Thoen Stone: The Saga of the Black Hills, that provides some ideas if not concrete answers. First, I must say it’s evident the author, Frank Thomson, felt strongly about the subject and dedicated much of his life to researching the Black Hills. While it’s impossible to summarize an entire book here, I believe its strongest piece of evidence comes from the descendants of the prospectors themselves, which proves the gang did come to the area even if it doesn’t prove they struck gold. According to Thomson, who found descendants near the Black Hills, the original gang might have relocated from Georgia and been skilled in placer mining, an expertise that would have made retrieving the gold possible.

If the men left behind family members who knew their story, they might have left behind friends, too, and this is one idea in Mining for Murder. I imagine what might have happened had the real Ezra Kind written to a friend, encouraging him to come and, if not join him, eventually find his lost gold. What a great adventure for his friend, and me, and hopefully readers, too!

The post Tracking the Thoen Stone appeared first on Mary Angela.

Mom always had a cup of coffee in her hand.

Many years ago, I read a memoir titled One Writer’s Beginnings by Eudora Welty. I loved the book. I loved the book so much that when a student failed to return it to me, I bought it again. I enjoyed the way Eudora Welty described her town, her clock, her books. That’s the way a writer should begin, I thought, cocooned in a blithe world that nurtured her later profession.

My favorite photo of Mom and me at Old Faithful Geyser. We loved this trip.

I began another way, and I suppose I’m writing about my beginning because of a very sad ending. As some of you know, my mom passed away in January. I hardly know what to do with myself, so I write because it’s always helped me understand the world when the world seems senseless.

I didn’t have a lot of books, or even a special book Mom read aloud each night, but I did have access to a bookmobile. I still remember the feel of its black rubber floormat on my bare feet and the cool nubs on my calloused summer skin. Luckily, our librarians weren’t sticklers for shoes because I browsed barefooted. Uninhibited. The books I found were secret lives I lived, and no one read or enjoyed them but me.

I also had a beautiful lavender bedroom with a scrolling wall border of cursive letters of the alphabet, which I followed around the room with my eyes when I couldn’t sleep. A single window faced a cornfield that was my backyard, allowing for the cheerful smells of fresh dirt and grass.

These might have inspired my love for reading and writing. Or they might be what I remember. I come from a large family, and having something of my own was rare. Though as for that, I owned neither the books nor the bedroom. I had to bring the books back to the library, and my sister and I shared the room.

Mom was my first reader, and when she discovered I liked writing, it was a welcome surprise. Like reading, it was something I did in secret. But she understood its personal nature, for she, too, was a writer, though she wouldn’t have considered herself one. She devoted most of her life to her five children and full-time job. Writing was a hobby and one that didn’t get much of her time.

Mom with me and my girls in 2015

It was nearly that for me except for a happy coincidence. After three years of marriage, my husband’s work moved us to a college town, and I quit my full-time job and enrolled as an English major. Mom was thrilled, for in many ways I was doing one thing she’d always wanted to do. Write.

Eventually, I also had children, two daughters, but college put me on a path from which I would not veer. I wrote for school, I wrote for fun, I wrote and never stopped. Mom read everything—published and unpublished. Romances, short stories, mysteries, essays, blog posts. The sad truth is, if she were here, she’d be reading this right now.

Every writer should be so lucky to have someone like Mom, who nurtured my craft more than any old book, or clock, or town. Someone who thinks you’re gifted. Talented. Smart. Perfect. Because chances are, people won’t think you’re perfect. They will critique your words, your plot, your characters, your setting, your covers. They will take the thing you love and discard it like a worn shoe. And at the end of the day, you’ll need someone to pick it back up again and convince you it’s precious.

Until one day that someone is gone. Then you’ll realize she was precious, more precious than any piece of writing. But because she believed in you, you’ll keep on, because writing is not just a beginning, but an ending also. And while her life has ended, her encouragement has not. You will hear it every time you summon the nerve to put the pen to page.

And that’s another kind of beginning, too.

 

Mom’s Poem, My Girl

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Anticipation always builds this time of year, but this year, especially. I’m looking forward to a new release in my Happy Camper series, traveling, warmer weather, more vaccines, gardening, and flowers. Waiting is really hard right now.

Last year, my neighbor and I found baby owls in her tree. They kept us busy during the first months of the pandemic. Two owlets were born, and we watched them grow, fly, and eventually leave the nest.

This year, cardinals have been keeping me company. I’ve read that cardinals mate for life, and I always wonder if the same cardinals return every year or if they’re new birds. Here are the male and female at my bird feeder.

After seeing one on the news, I thought this was a yellow cardinal, but it is actually a Cedar Waxwing. Isn’t it beautiful?

I also have a yellow Goldfinch that visits frequently. We call him “yellow bird,” and I always think of the song my mom used to sing: “Yellow bird, up high in banana tree. Yellow bird, you sit all alone like me.”

I never feel alone when birds are around. Unlike me, they can fly anywhere they want to, whenever they want to, and I think that’s cool. In the early morning, when I hear their song, it reminds me of the untold possibilities each day brings. For those few precious moments, the day is untouched, except by their sweet melody, and it is music to my ears.

April is full of anticipation. But for birds, change is already here. While I wait—not so patiently—for my changes to arrive, I enjoy their celebration vicariously.

What helps you pass the time while you’re waiting? What activities are you looking forward to resuming this summer?

The post April is for the Birds appeared first on Mary Angela.

11th Hour Gultch, mentioned in Open for Murder

Amateur sleuths are fearless, and luckily so. Authors put them in positions that a regular person might run away from. A crash in an empty basement? Easy peasy. A dead body in a dark alley? No problem. A mountain lion in the middle of the forest? Uh. . . . It’s a situation my sleuth, Zo Jones, faces in the third book of my Happy Camper series, Mining for Murder. So imagine my surprise when a mountain lion crossed my path last week on a trip to the Black Hills.

I wish I could say I channeled my inner Zo, that I was calm and at peace with my surroundings. Reader, I was not. I picked up my dog and hoofed it up the hill!

Plaque on big cats. Of course, I read it AND took a picture.

Having written about a mountain lion, I had done some research on the animal. There are about 300 big cats in the Black Hills, and when I say big, I mean between six and seven feet long and 150-200 pounds. They shy away from people, and while they can attack humans, they rarely do. All of these facts didn’t ease the terror in my heart when I saw the enormous, tan cat with its muscular body and thick tail. Ironically, I had just read a plaque about the cat—out loud to my husband—because teachers do things like that, especially when we’re on a hike and see a plaque. Luckily, my kids were back at the cabin, watching a movie. Otherwise, I might have grabbed them too, and my dog is heavy enough.

A Mountain Lion! Which is to say, RUN.

My husband, who happened to be taking a photo of me on a bridge at the time, kindly snapped another as I pointed to the mountain lion, which had just darted behind him. In my defense, I wasn’t as scared as I look. I was, ahem, following the advice I had read about in my research. I learned if you see a mountain lion, you should make yourself as big as possible (never crouch down), keep eye contact, make noise, and don’t run or mimic prey. I did keep eye contact—right up until I ran up the hill!

In the mountain lion’s defense, he didn’t chase us or even look at us. He simply slunk back into the woods. The fear I felt stayed with me long after he left, however, and I’m sort of glad it did. Every time I write a scene, it will help me realize the dangers my sleuth faces and the courage it takes her to overcome them.  Yes, cozy mysteries are light and relaxing, but amateur sleuths are fierce and courageous. I might not be up to the task of facing a mountain lion, but Zo certainly is, and that’s another reason I admire her and the genre.

Homestake Mine, Lead SD. Zo faces danger here in Open for Murder.

What do you admire about cozy mysteries? What do you like about amateur sleuths?

 

The post Basements, Bodies, and Mountain Lions, Oh My! appeared first on Mary Angela.

Over the years, reading has brought me much enjoyment. When I was young, it was a way to escape the awkward teenage years. Reading about the Wakefield sisters in the Sweet Valley High series, I could almost imagine I was one of them, a popular girl at their high school. Nothing could have been further from the truth. I was also introduced to shockingly real books, like Go Ask Alice, which would haunt me for years to come, and To Kill A Mockingbird. I was equally captivated by them.

In college, my reading would become more varied and eclectic. By day, I devoured the classics, and by night, genre fiction. I’ll never forget reading Mrs. Dalloway in one sitting, not because it was due, but because I was fascinated with the characters. I loved books so much, it’s no wonder I went on to receive a Master’s Degree in literature, then teach English and Humanities. My own students weren’t as zealous as I was, but that was okay. I loved hearing their fresh perspectives on old books. Every time I taught The Great Gatsby, I learned something new.

Now I find myself talking about my own books, but reading still takes up the best part of my day. I love relaxing at night with a good book and a glass of wine. In tumultuous times, I find it is the only activity that soothes my soul.

George R. R. Martin once wrote, “A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one.” It’s so true. Classics, cozies, suspense, romances, biographies: each imparts something new, introducing me to new words and worlds.  I don’t even have to like a book to enjoy it, if that makes sense, although I would say I like 99% of everything I read. It’s the experience of reading that appeals to me, an opportunity to explore a different world.

Why does reading appeal to you? What brings you back page after page? I’d love to hear your thoughts about books and reading.

 

The post The Love of Reading appeared first on Mary Angela.

Last year I walked, a lot. After walking my dog, I would walk some more. Quarantine made me stir-crazy, and it felt good to be outdoors. Walking is the only form of exercise that I really enjoy, and I like listening to books or short stories while I do it. Some days I just like blaring music. Then winter hit, and I stopped walking.

I didn’t realize it at first because I still walked my dog. But she’s a small dog, and I only take her a mile. The notion didn’t occur to me until a sunny day last week, unseasonably warm for January, around 40 degrees. I needed to walk, and not just around the neighborhood. I put on my boots, drove to the Outdoor Campus, and took to the trails.

The sky was a bright blue, the color of summer, and the wind a mere breeze. So many winter days are dull gray, thick with clouds and bluster. I’m sure it was the sun that reminded me of my previous walks. The tree branches were bare but lined with beautiful strokes of white snow, as if a painter passed his brush there just for me. The lake was half frozen, and I followed the little animal tracks as far as I could with my eye, wondering what walked there and how it knew the ice thinned, for the tracks only went so far before returning to the shore. Soon, the hour was spent, and I too, returned home, feeling good.

Habits might not feel good while you’re forming them. They might even feel like work—or in the case of quarantine, the lesser of two evils. But once walking became a habit, it was no longer a chore but a way to feel good. To expend something inside with energy.

If your New Year’s resolutions include change, they include creating new habits. It will take doing them over and over again to feel routine and even longer to feel good. But if you really desire change, it will be worth it.

What changes are you making this year? What habits will help you meet your new goals?

 

 

The post Walking, Habits, and Resolutions appeared first on Mary Angela.

I received a happy New Year’s wish from a friend, and as I responded, I wrote, “It will be nice to put 2020 behind us.” I paused, then deleted that sentence. In some ways, it wasn’t untrue. I am looking forward to the New Year like no other. But to put it behind me, like it didn’t happen. That was impossible.

First of all, this year has changed me and probably you as well. 2020 taught me how much I took for granted in my daily life. With time, I’m sure I will again, but for now, I’m very appreciative of the small things, like sledding with my daughter and nephew recently. Visiting my neighbor at the mailbox. Facetiming with my mom, who has learned how to use a new Kindle and even navigate Zoom.

Second, good things did happen this year. My first novel in a new series was published by Kensington. I also had my first short story appear in Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine. I read many good books that will eventually define this year for me. I don’t know if you do that, but often I remember time by the books I read. For instance, David Copperfield by Charles Dickens defined my insomniac years. The Book Thief will probably define 2020.

Which is appropriate. In some ways, 2020 felt like a thief, stealing away precious time with our loved ones. But it left something behind as well, and I hope I can take that knowledge with me into the New Year.

Thank you for joining me on this journey. I couldn’t do what I love without readers. I wish you all the best, especially health, happiness, and hope for a bright 2021.

The post Happy New Year appeared first on Mary Angela.

 

It’s back to school time! Happy to be collaborating with four wonderful authors to bring you a giveaway opportunity: entries qualify you to win one book or even the grand prize of all five!

And if you like academic mysteries, among the five of us, there are more than twenty books in our series:

Braxton Campus Mysteries by James. J. Cudney
Cassandra Sato Mysteries by Kelly Brakenhoff
Lila Maclean Academic Mysteries by Cynthia Kuhn
Professor Molly Mysteries by Frankie Bow
Professor Prather Mysteries by Mary Angela

You’ll have over thirty entry options between Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Newsletter Sign-Ups and More. The giveaway opens today on September 15th and will close at 11:59 PM EST on September 20th. We will randomly choose the winners shortly afterward and announce the winners on our websites and social media; you can also see the winners from the giveaway link once we select them.

Good Luck to Everyone!!!

Click here to enter: Rafflecopter Academic Mystery Giveaway

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First, a disclaimer: my new Happy Camper series has nothing to do with camping! Happy Camper is an eclectic gift shop that promotes a happy state of mind. Which is why I think these Happy Camper stickers from Life is Good are so neat. They can be used on laptops, water bottles, campers, or cars, and I’m giving them away to readers who preorder Open for Murder. Snap a picture of your receipt, and send it with your address to maryangelabooks@gmail.com. In return, I’ll send you the sticker. When the stickers are gone, I’ll revise this post to let you know.

U.S. only, please. Thank you!

Preorder at:

Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple, Kobo

The post Free Happy Camper Sticker with Preorder! appeared first on Mary Angela.