Arleen Alleman's Blog

Hi everyone, I'd be curious to know if any of you authors have experienced a sort of let down on completion of a series. My characters lives have flowed along for six adventures, becoming more complex and multi-dimensional along the way. Now that I am not writing about Darcy, Mick, Rachael, and the rest, their lives have ceased to exist . . . just as if they died.

Since I'm a pragmatist, I was a little surprised by my own reaction. I'm not suggesting that I'm grieving over fictional characters, but there has been a period of adjustment in turning away from the familiar relationships, personalities, and story threads, to begin a new writing endeavor. I don't think I'll begin another series at this point, but when I do, I'll be ready for the inevitable intimacy and emotional attachments with the characters.

With the latest Darcy Farthing mystery adventure novel, A Current Deception, out in ebook and print versions, the reviews are starting to come in. I'm gratified that so far, most are 4 or 5 stars. More importantly, the reviewers' comments are encouraging to me. When readers say they feel that they could picture the characters in their settings as if they were there, it's about as good as it gets. The other comment that always makes me want to sit down and work on the next novel, is that the pages turned and turned and the reader found it difficult to stop.

With so much competition in the mystery genre, it is difficult for authors to develop a following. I know, because I read mystery series myself and with limited time, I definitely lean towards my favorites. When looking for something new, I want a unique approach in addition to a traditional murder-mystery.

My greatest hope is that the Darcy Farthing adventures with the protagonist's gunless crime fighting, edgy humanist orientation, quirky extended family and friends, and science and exotic travel tidbits, add up to a fresh and appealing series.

I'm so pleased and honored that Foreword Reviews has named Alternate Currents as a finalist in the 2013 annual indie book awards. As Darcy readers will find, the story brings our familiar characters and intriguing new ones to Seattle, where Darcy finds herself in the world of domestic partnerships and surrogacy, with accompanying legal and social issues, as she tries to help her friends Don and Charlie through an abduction and family trauma.

I'm thrilled to announce the release of Alternate Currents, the fourth novel in the Darcy Farthing adventures. As Darcy and her fiance, Mick, are preparing for their wedding, their planning and their lives are interrupted when a good friend mysteriously disappears. Soon, Darcy finds herself in Seattle immersed in the world of domestic partners, alternative reproductive technology, and social bigotry. A shocking child abduction and two murders leave authorities with few clues, as Darcy tries to help and becomes a victim her self. Learn more at http://www.arleenalleman.com
Arleen Alleman

I now have two Darcy Farthing adventure novels published (Currents Deep and Deadly and Currents of Vengeance)and I'm working on the third in series. So far, they all deal with the subject of crimes committed on cruise ships, and contain losts of mystery, murder, intrigue, romance, and travel, with a little science and philosophy. Book trailers at http://www.youtube.com/user/ArleenAll...

The latest potentially good thing is that I recently attended a book to screen author pitch fest in NY and pitched my story concept to ten Hollywood studios. Just found that three of them requested copies of the book and suggested it might make a good TV series. What? It would be unbelievable if something were to come of this.

I've just posted a preview of the first two chapters of the upcoming sequel to my Darcy Farthing novel, Currents Deep and Deadly. Check it out at http://tinyurl.com/3jos6sl.

Hello Readers,
I'm hoping the new Darcy Farthing novel will be published in August. It is a sequel to Currents Deep and Deadly. You can read the first couple of pages on http://www.aallemanjewelry.com and a description on my blog http://tinyurl.com/44tbqg7 Help me pick a cover piture there.