Tuesday, June 19, 2012

A Cozy Mystery for Pool Side or the Beach


Whether it’s beside a pool in summer or in front of a crackling fire in the winter, there is nothing better than relaxing with a cozy mystery. When you add great food and wonderful gardens to the plot, you have a novel that’s bound to please. ‘Nice murder’ as my best friend calls it.

“The Azalea Assault” is the first of a new series set in Roanoke, Virginia and written by Alyse Carlson under the banner of the Garden Society Mysteries. Camellia Harris or Cam as she prefers to be called is the public relations manager for the Roanoke Garden Society. She scores big time when she manages to get renowned photographer, Jean-Jacques Georges to agree to shoot a spread for a national gardening magazine story featuring some of the city’s most renowned gardens.

Jean-Jacques turns out to be a total jerk-face, so no one is surprised when he gets himself killed, but it becomes a tragedy for Cam when the police arrest her sister’s husband for the murder. Being in public relations, Cam has a nose for news, but when she starts asking too many questions and her main suspect is also murdered, she begins to wonder if she could be next in line.

There’s lots of smart, saucy dialogue to pique the interest, and enough red herrings to distract the most observant wanabee detective from guessing, right up to last few pages. This is a fun read for gardeners, foodies, or cozy fans in general.

Personally, I can hardly wait for the next flower in the alphabet, “The Begonia Bribe.” 

Monday, June 4, 2012

Some Reviews for "The Daughter"









Happy to say that my book is receiving some very nice  reviews on Amazon.com. Here are the two latest:


Ms. Kales reached back in time and used some history to write a wonderful story. The Silk Weaver's Daughter, a tale for adults of all ages, allows the reader to feel the joy and anguish of the Huguenots during the difficult days of their upheaval. Religious coercion forces many to leave their beloved country and find a new life. Although the characters are driven to action by their beliefs, this book is really a love story; a story of people under duress; a story of how their strength and fortitude allow them to survive. Okay Ms Kales we're hooked, where's the sequel.

One of the nicest things about the book was the care the author put in to researching it. It kept it believable and interesting, and a bit educational. Enjoyable characters who grow through the story. The conflicts are not long and drawn out, but it adds a bit of refreshment from the current need to have one major crisis after another. It was a pleasurable read, something that leaves the reader satisfied -- there is some interesting history that allows for a little enlightenment of the time period and good, realistic characters that you can feel for. A good way to relax and enjoy.


It's very satisfying to write a book and realize that at least a portion of the public like your story. Of course, one always realizes that not everyone will and that is a chance you take as an author. You rather put yourself out there for criticism and you definitely have to develop a thick skin.
But so far, I'm very happy for the response I've had. My target audience is history lovers and I will keep writing for them.