Wednesday, September 5, 2012

My Guest Today - Marilyn Meredith


Instead of Hump Day sillies, I have a speacial guest today - author Marilyn Meredith.

I've had the pleasure of meeting Marilyn at last year's Public Safety Writers Association conference and at Killer Nashville.  She's here today as part of her blog tour for her newest Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery, RAGING WATER.





Tell us, Marilyn, WHO IS DEPUTY TEMPE CRABTREE?


To be perfectly honest, I know more about Deputy Tempe Crabtree than I do most of my friends and relatives. The biggest difference with Tempe is I know how she thinks—something I don’t have the privilege of knowing with any of the others. The reason I know how she thinks is because I climb right inside her and go along with her on every adventure.

For some background of Tempe, I should begin by telling you that she is an eighth Native American of the Yanduchi tribe. (I made up the name of the tribe but I’ve borrowed a lot from the Yokuts, many of whom reside on the Tule River Indian Reservation near where I live.) Though in the first few books Tempe doesn’t know much about Indian traditions, she does remember stories her grandmother told her.

Tempe was widowed when her son, Blair, was only two and she had to figure out a way to support herself and her son. (Blair grows up through the series.) She became a deputy and in the series she is the resident of the small mountain community of Bear Creek located in the Southern Sierra and the surrounding area.

She’s married to a Protestant minister, Hutch Hutchinson, though most folks calls him Pastor Hutch. Hutch isn’t happy when Tempe dabbles in the spiritual side of her Indian heritage—but fortunately his love for her is strong enough to overcome his fears.

Of course in every book there is a murder, and the latest, Raging Water, is no exception.

I know there are some people who like to read a series in order, but let me reassure you that every book is complete. Though the characters grow through each book, the crime is always solved. Here is the order of the books for anyone who wants to know: Deadly Trail, Deadly Omen, Unequally Yoked, Wing Beat, Intervention, Calling the Dead, Judgment Fire, Kindred Spirits, Dispel the Mist, Invisible Path, Bears With Us, Raging Water.

About Raging Water: Deputy Tempe Crabtree’s investigation of the murder of two close friends is complicated when relentless rain turns Bear Creek into a raging river. Homes are inundated and a mud slide blocks the only road out of Bear Creek stranding many—including the murderer.

And here's that Contest I promised: The person who leaves comments on the most blogs in Marilyn's blogtour will have his/her name used for a character in her next book—you can choose if you want it in a Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery or a Rocky Bluff P.D. crime novel.

Marilyn at the Springville library

Bio: Marilyn Meredith is the author of over thirty published novels, including the award winning Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery series, the latest Raging Water from Mundania Press. Writing as F. M. Meredith, her latest Rocky Bluff P.D. crime novel is No Bells, the forth from Oak Tree Press. Marilyn is a member of EPIC, three chapters of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and on the board of the Public Safety Writers of America. Visit her at http://fictionforyou.com and follow her blog at http://marilynmeredith.blogspot.com/

Marilyn borrows a lot from where she lives in the Southern Sierra for the town of Bear Creek and the surrounding area.


Thank you, Marilyn, for being here today.



35 comments:

momto8 said...

thanks for the review....sounds great of our book club!

Linda G. said...

Oh, Tempe sounds like an intriguing character. I'm always on the lookout for a new (to me) mystery series. Thanks for highlighting this one.

LD Masterson said...

Annmarie - Thanks for coming by.

LD Masterson said...

Linda G. - You're welcome. Hope you like it.

Marilyn Meredith a.k.a. F. M. Meredith said...

I am so happy to be here today. Thank you for having me, Linda. Annemarie, I'd love it if you book club close to read Raging Water. I'd be glad to answer any questions too. And Linda G, I hope you do try Raging Water.

Cate Masters said...

Yep, most of us know our characters better than anyone, lol. Wonderful post, Marilyn. Good luck with your book.

Jessica R. Patch said...

Looks awesome!

Maria Zannini said...

Welcome, Marilyn and congrats!

PS LOVE the cover. Great job.

Lorna Collins - said...

I love Tempe and I'm so glad you write (as we all should) a series that can be read in any order. It's hard to do when you get further along in the series because you have to keep finding new ways to set the scene and define the characters. Fortunately, you do it exceptionally well.

LD Masterson said...

Marilyn - My pleasure.

Mason Canyon said...

Linda, thanks so much for hosting Marilyn.

Marilyn, it's fun learning more about Tempe's background. It's also been enjoyable seeing her change and grow with the series. Wishing you much success.

Mason
Thoughts in Progress

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Native American? Sounds intriguing.

M.M. Gornell said...

Always love hearing about Tempe. Her family is unique and interesting! Great series...

Madeline

Maryannwrites said...

Love the cover of this latest book, Marilyn. And I'm jealous that LD has seen you recently. I remember the fun times we had in Omaha. That was a long time ago. LOL

Good luck with this latest book.

LD Masterson said...

Cate, Jessica, and Maria - Thanks so much for stopping by.

LD Masterson said...

Lorna - Tempe fans especially welcome today.

LD Masterson said...

Mason, Diane, and Madeline - Thank you for coming by and commenting today. I wanted Marilyn to feel very welcome.

LD Masterson said...

Maryann - Don't be jealous. I was referring to last year's conferences. I didn't make to either one this summer.

Morgan Mandel said...

It's good to know your characters so well.

Morgan Mandel
@MorganMandel

Arlee Bird said...

Marilyn is one prolific author! I wish her well with her new release.


Lee
Wrote By Rote

Isis Rushdan said...

Nice to meet Marilyn. I like the sound of Tempe. I'll have to dive into a novel.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Hey Marilyn! The book sounds cool.

Jemi Fraser said...

Sounds like a fun series. I've read quite a few series out of order in my time and if the stories are complete within themselves, I don't mind :)

Marilyn Meredith a.k.a. F. M. Meredith said...

I've been gone celebrating my husband's birthday, what a surprised finding so many of you visited while I was gone.

Many names I recognize like Lorna, Mason, Madeline, Maryann, and Morgan. But there are a lot of folks I don't know. Thanks Cate, Jessica, Maria,L.Diane, Arlee, Lee, Isis, Alex and Jerri.

Thank you everyone for coming by and taking the time or read this post and comment.

LD Masterson said...

And I'm just going to jump back in here and thank all my friends for making Marilyn welcome. You guys are great.

Joan Hall Hovey said...

Great blog, Marilyn. Wishing you continued success. Love the cover.

Joan

Cheryl said...

I've enjoyed watching Tempe, Hutch, Blair and others grow and change through this series. I haven't read all the books, but I've read many of them and hope to go back and read the earlier ones.

Loved this new one.

Best of luck, Marilyn.

Jake said...

Thank you for giving us more insight to your character. Deputy Crabtree is one of my favorites among your sterling characters. Raging Water is on my TBR list.

Marilyn Meredith a.k.a. F. M. Meredith said...

Joan, I love my cover too. The cover designer at Mundania has done a great job with all my covers.

Cheryl, you are so great about following me on my blog tours and both my series, thank you!

Hi, Jake, when you get around to reading Raging Waters, let me know how you like it.

And once again, Linda, thanks for having me--you do have wonderful friends!

Marja said...

I thoroughly enjoy Tempe and Pastor Hutch. This is a terrific series, and I'm looking forward to this entry.

Heidiwriter said...

Marilyn, this series sounds awesome. I'll have to add it to my TBR list! Best to you on your blog tour.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

I was looking for a few mystery or suspense series. Thanks.

LD Masterson said...

My thanks again to everyone who came by and left Marilyn a comment.

Marilyn Meredith a.k.a. F. M. Meredith said...

Heidi, thanks so much for you good wishes. Susan, I hope you do try my series.

Linda, this was a great day--so far the most comments I've gotten on any blog.

LD Masterson said...

Marilyn - Best of luck with the rest of your tour.