Hot Men of History

by Kate Carlisle

In Scotland and around the world, January 25th was Burns Night. Copious amounts of whiskey are required, but it’s not called “Burns Night” because of the way the whiskey burns your throat. No, it’s named for the man to whom the glasses are raised: the poet Robert Burns. Rabbie Burns was born on that day in 1759 and, in a short 37-year life, he became a Scottish icon. The ploughman’s poet.

We did Burns Night up big in the Carlisle household. We followed almost all of the traditions. We recited our favorite Burns poems, ate cock-a-leekie soup, and toasted the lassies (which would be me, as I’m the only lassie in our house.) One tradition, we neglected. Call me squeamish, but I just couldn’t bring myself to eat haggis. Sorry, Rabbie! I’m a bitter disappointment to my Scottish forebears.

I have always been intrigued by Robert Burns and the passion he inspires in the Scots. They are very protective of their Rabbie. He was a man of the people, an everyman who rose to esteem in the eyes of laborers and aristocrats because he could turn a phrase. He worked his father’s fields and then took the time to write an ode to a mouse whose nest he disturbed. Randy Rabbie wrote many a poem to the women he encountered. He even wrote a poem called ‘The Fornicator.’

You can see why I find him so fascinating.

I’m not alone. 250 years later, the Freemasons of the Robert Burns Society consider it their mission to uphold the poet’s good name.

Rich fodder for a fiction writer’s imagination. And I’m all about the fodder. My latest book, If Books Could Kill, is set in Edinburgh. Edinburgh is my favorite city in the world, in large part because of the colorful Scots. They do everything with great passion, so setting a murder mystery there felt like a natural fit. Plus, there’s the whole city-under-a-city mystique. I once visited a modern-day pub that was built right on top of an ancient pub, and the bartender gave us an underground tour. I still get chills when I think of that dark, spooky place.

At the center of my mystery is a rumor about Robert Burns, himself. An 18th Century sex scandal that 21st Century Scots are desperate to squelch, at any cost. This scandal is completely fictional, but is based on the character traits that I learned about Robert Burns during my extensive research. It was great fun to create a fictional history for a real-life character.

If I should go missing, please tell the police to question the members of the Robert Burns Society. I fully expect to be kidnapped as punishment for taking his name in vain.

In your opinion, who are the sexiest men of history? Why? Let's dish about those yummy historical figures! The photos here are Robert Craig Burns and George Craig Washington. Had to give you some eye candy!

If Booty Could Kill!!

A huge thank you to everyone who partied with me at my Book Launch Party at the castle on Tuesday!! I couldn't ask for a better party crowd than y'all!!

The winner of a signed copy of IF BOOKS COULD KILL is ...

Laurie!!!

Congratulations, Laurie! Please write me at katecarlisle99@yahoo.com and give me your snail mail address. I'll ship the book out to you right away.

Thanks again to everyone for a wonderful day!!

If Books Could Kill - Launch Party!!!!

By Kate

Welcome to the party!! I am so pleased and proud to celebrate the release of If Books Could Kill with my Banditas!!! There’s nowhere else I’d rather be today.

If Books Could Kill is the second book of my Bibliophile Mysteries series. Heroine Brooklyn Wainwright has come to Scotland for the Edinburgh Book Fair. When a friend asks her to authenticate a book that just may contain undiscovered poems of Robert Burns, Brooklyn’s heart races…almost as fast as it does after a kiss from hunky secret agent Derek Stone. When that friend shows up dead, Brooklyn must work with Derek to discover the murderer before Brooklyn becomes the next victim.

In honor of the setting of If Books Could Kill, I’ve rented the Great Hall of the Edinburgh Castle for the day. Please come right in!

See those streamers wayyyyyy up there, hanging from the ancient wooden beams? Those are for us. Our color scheme is blue and gold, the predominant colors on my book cover (doesn’t it look pretty?).

(If you want to really see the castle, check out this awesome 3D virtual tour: http://www.edinburghcastle.gov.uk/index/tour.htm)

The dress code is tartan, of course. So put on your plaid party dresses and let’s get it on!

Okay, first things first. The bar is open! Step right up and request your favorite libation. Have you noticed that the bartenders look a lot like Daniel Craig and Hugh Jackman? That’s because—it’s really them! Put your tongues back in your mouths, ladies! Danny and Hugh were both so excited that you had nominated them to play Derek Stone last week that they fell all over themselves to serve us at this party. And oh yes, they are indeed wearing kilts. We have a nice single malt Scotch and some lovely IPA selections, but I’m going to have to stick with pina coladas. Not very Scottish, but verrrra delicious!

Now I need some help with the music. As much as I love a good Scottish folk tune, the bagpipes just don’t scream “par-tay” to me, so we’ve got a DJ for the duration. He’s taking requests. I’m kicking off the party with Celebration by Kool & The Gang because that always gets me in the partying mood. (For singing along: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvX_5ym_ajI)

Let’s get this party started!!! Shout out those song requests! Place your drink orders with Danny and Hugh. Did you bring a date with you? Is he wearing a kilt? And what are you wearing? It’s fabulous!

Oh, and I’m having a gift exchange! I brought an Aston Martin, which is Derek’s favorite car when he’s not driving the Bentley. Isn’t it pretty? What special goodies did you bring to exchange? This is going to be fun! Oh, and I’m giving away a signed copy of If Books Could Kill to one random commenter today.

Let’s party!!!!!!

Book Booty!!!

We have a winner from Monday's open letter to Amy Adams! But first, I wanted to thank everyone for making it such a fun day in the Lair. Just so you know, I'm sitting by the phone, waiting for Amy's people to call. I've got a really good feeling it'll happen any time now. I'll keep you posted! ;-)

Meanwhile, the winner of the ARC of IF BOOKS COULD KILL is . . .

Elyssa Papa!!!

Congratulations Elyssa, my darling! Write me at katecarlisle99@yahoo.com with your snail mail address and I'll send that ARC out to you, post haste!

P.S. Hey everyone, don't miss my book launch party this Tuesday! Fun! Games! Prizes! Cocktails! Men in kilts??? Oh, yeah!! Woohoo!!

An Open Letter to Amy Adams

By Kate

I’m taking this opportunity to write an open letter to actress Amy Adams. Besides being adorable, she strikes me as classy and discerning, so I have no doubt that she lurks here every day, just waiting for someone to say her name. So here goes …


Ames,

(See, I call her Ames because I know we’ll be best friends as soon as we meet, and I want to start off with the right, casual tone. She hates it when anyone else calls her Ames, but from me, she finds it endearing.)

Ames,

My name is Kate Carlisle. I write a series of books called the Bibliophile Mysteries, and you would be perfect in the role of heroine Brooklyn Wainwright. Now, I realize people probably send you scripts all the time these days, but I promise, this is even better. There is no script. Just two books so far – Homicide in Hardcover and If Books Could Kill – with more planned in the future, so this is something you and I could develop with our new production team, Best Friends Forever! I have a lot of experience in Hollywood already--and I’m not just talking about The Gong Show. Seriously, just read the bio on my website, and you’ll see what I mean.

What makes you so perfect for the role of Brooklyn Wainwright? Let me count the ways.

1. You like men with accents.

I’ve seen the previews for Leap Year, and those long, lingering looks that you throw at Matthew Goode, your Irish costar, heat up the screen. (I know I should go see the movie in the theater since we’re best friends and all, and I want to, really. But I’ve got a deadline bearing down on me and my editor has hidden the key to the shackles chaining me to my desk here in the cave. I promise, though, I will buy the DVD and make it an annual tradition to watch the movie on February 29. I’ll make it a whole Irish evening thing, with corned beef and cabbage and lots of beer. Fun!)

Brooklyn’s romantic foil is the oh-so-sexy Derek Stone. When creating the character of Scotsman Derek, I was inspired by Sean Connery, Pierce Brosnan, Daniel Craig … pretty much everyone who's ever played James Bond, except Roger Moore. (Sorry, Roger!) So you’ll get to kiss someone very sexy!

2. You don’t age.

I realize that you probably do age, but you certainly don’t look like it. In fact, like Leap Year, you look like you have one birthday for every mortal’s four. You’re 35? Seriously?! If I didn’t love you so much, I’d hate you.

Brooklyn’s going to be around for years, I hope. Just like you. And me! Together, we can create a cinema powerhouse, with each sequel getting better and better.

3. There’s no role for Meryl Streep.

It’s all you, baby. Top billing. Even your love interest is a secondary character. Eye candy for the women in the audience. Meryl stole your thunder in Julie & Julia and Doubt, but in the movie version of If Books Could Kill, you’re the star.

Although … she is Meryl Streep. If she asks for a role, whattaya say we toss her a bone? She can play your kooky mother. But her name goes below the title. My loyalty is with you, Ames. Always.

Please have your people call my people. Er … my person. Er … me. (Note to self: Get some people.) They can email me via my website. I will be delighted to send you a free copy of If Books Could Kill … even though I never understood why people want to give free stuff to wealthy celebrities who can afford to buy anything they want. But for you, I’ll do it. Because, after all, we’re best friends.

Love, hugs, and laughter,
Kate



So what do you think? Will she call? And who do you think should play Derek Stone to her Brooklyn Wainwright? The easy answer is Daniel Craig. And after seeing him in swimming trunks, I think we can all agree he’s always the right answer. But let’s think of some other actors in case Danny (who insists I call him Danny!) is unavailable.

Today I'm giving away an ARC of If Books Could Kill to one random commenter! And be sure to stop by the Lair next Tuesday for the fabulous If Books Could Kill launch party! Fun, prizes, cocktails, cabana boys, woohoo!!

If Books Could Kill - Sneak Preview!

I'm thrilled to reveal--to my close personal friends in the Lair only!--my new cover for book two of the Bibliophile Mystery series, IF BOOKS COULD KILL!

Isn’t it fun? There’s a cat, of course. And there are books and various bookbinder's tools and instruments of destruction. There's a book fair going on outside the window. And there's blood on the bookbinder's hammer.

And yeah, that's a really BIG cat. Uhh ... don't look now, but I think it got bigger when I wasn't looking.

Hmm. Anyway, here's the back cover blurb ………..

A haunted city, a forbidden masterpiece, and a deadly threat are all in a day’s work in the life of this brilliant bookbinder….

Book restoration expert Brooklyn Wainwright is happy to be attending the world-renowned Edinburgh Book Fair. But then her ex, Kyle McVee, shows up with a bombshell. He has an original copy of a scandalous text that could change history—and humiliate the beloved British monarchy.

Trying to get Kyle’s story out of her mind, Brooklyn takes a nighttime ghost tour of the city. Unfortunately, the first landmark contains a real dead body…Kyle’s. The police are convinced Brooklyn’s the culprit, but with an entire convention of suspects, Brooklyn begins conducting her own investigation. Before she can crack the case, she’ll have to find out if the motive for murder was a 200-year-old secret—or something much more personal…

Cool, huh? IF BOOKS COULD KILL won't be out until February, 2010, but I couldn't resist sharing it with y'all now. Let me know what you think!

So if it wasn't obvious to everyone, I love mysteries! My favorites are the traditional series featuring an amateur sleuth and a hunky hero type who tangles with her as she tries to solve the crime. After all, who doesn't like a little romance with their mystery? Here are two of my newest favorites ...

SECONDHAND SPIRITS, a witchcraft mystery, by Juliet Blackwell. I love Juliet Blackwell! (She also writes as Hailey Lind and her Art Lover's mysteries are not to be missed.) This series features a witch who's recently moved to San Francisco and must deal with murder and child kidnapping as well as a gorgeous and powerful male witch named Aiden and a hunky "myth buster" named Max. The blend of mystery, romance and a touch of paranormal is awesome and her witchy details are fantastic.

Judi McCoy, a name that should be familiar to romance readers, has a new mystery series featuring a New York City dog walker who can actually hear what her canine clientele are saying. The first book in the series is HOUNDING THE PAYMENT and protagonist Ellie and her doggy clients must solve the crime before another dog is stolen and Ellie becomes the victim of a ruthless killer. Oh, and never fear, there's a very hot detective watching Ellie's every move. Yum!

There are so many other great series out there, I wish I had enough room to talk about all of them. But I can highly recommend Kate Collins's Flower Shop mysteries, Victoria Laurie's Psychic Eye mysteries, Lorna Barrett's Booktown mysteries, and Rosemary Harris's Gardening mysteries. And I'm really looking forward to Wendy Lyn Watson's first book in her new Mystery a la Mode series (something tells me she'll be stopping by the Lair sometime soon!).

Have you read any good mysteries lately? Do you like them with a touch of romance? Yup, me, too! I have a special mystery basket to give away to one lucky commenter today that includes goodies and books from all the above authors!