Three Feet under by Christee Atwood

Welcome to my book tour for Christee Atwood’s book “Three Feet Under”.

Dee asked:
1) Christee What was the most positive experience of writing your novel in one month in the window of Waldenbooks?
Christee Answered:

Getting to visit with people when my attention to the book began to wane. With the attention span of a gnat who missed her dose of Ritalin, it was nice to have shiny objects to look at and people to talk to.

I also created some of my characters from the people who walked by. You’d be amazed at the characters in my book who resemble elderly mall walkers.
2) What was the most negative experience?
The negative part was the fact that the chicken suit I wore did not “breathe” well. I sweated so much that I actually lost weight. I wouldn’t recommend this diet, however. You can never really get that smell out of a fuzzy chicken suit.
3) Would you ever want that experience again?
Absolutely. I need to lose the weight. Also, it was a great way to write and promote at the same time. People just seem more willing to stop and visit with a giant fuzzy chicken.

So, in the course of writing a new novel, my earlier book, Three Feet Under: Journal of a Midlife Crisis, became a best seller at that Waldenbooks.

It’s also really fun to be able to take the experience of writing, which can be a lonely activity, and combining it with the commotion of a mall and the curiosity of passers-by at seeing a chicken in a bookstore window for no apparent reason.
4) Could you give one example of a really bad day and a really good day that you experienced during your 'midlife crisis'?
They’d probably be the same day. The bad day was when that cute boy on campus called me “ma’am”. The good day was later that same day when I wrote about that in my journal and realized how hilarious it was. It was the beginning of the theme for the book.

However, an even funnier day was when my husband went back to college and had the same experience. He realized that he was totally invisible to 19 year old girls. And one girl actually thought he was the teacher in their class. I think that experience might have encouraged him to buy his Harley.
5) What are a few things that you regret saying or doing on one of your bad days?
My biggest regrets would probably be more in line with the things I wore.

A person in midlife crisis who has had a margarita should not be allowed in the clothing section of any department store. It’s amazing how things that you think made you look young at a time like that actually make you look like a king-sized pillow that’s been stuffed into a twin-size pillow case.

6) Did you not want to travel with David to the places in the world he wanted to see?
Honestly, in my business as a speaker and author, I do so much traveling that staying at home by myself seems like a vacation to me. I mean, all my toys are here!

David wanted to go to Africa because it’s an area of special interest for him. I think he enjoyed having a vacation where he didn’t have to worry about what things I would like to do and could instead focus on the things he really wanted to experience while he was there.

There are some places we want to go see together and we’re making it a goal to get to some of those soon. Now, if we can just find a pet-sitter who won’t be scared of our “demon-cat” Poe.

7) Or did you stay at home as you were writing a novel?

I wrote Three Feet Under as I was recuperating from surgery. I got spayed. Or had my luggage unpacked, as David said. It gave me the first good vacation I’d had in years. That tells you I’ve been a little stressed…

Besides, the painkillers made my writing seem funnier.

I did get a lot of writing done while David was in Africa. In fact, I finished a romance book in 14 days. It was accepted by a publisher, but then they had me rewrite it three times for three different lines and finally we gave up on each other. From this experience I learned to get a signed commitment before you do rewrites, so it wasn’t a total loss.
8) You talk about goals and how kids are impatient, were you like that in your twenties?
Heck, I’m like that now!

· I stand at the microwave saying, “Why is 90 seconds so long?”
· I refuse to use a fax machine because it takes too long for the paper to go through.
· I have never once let brownies cool for the recommended fifteen minutes.

Isn’t it funny though? In my twenties, I knew everything. In my thirties, I was amazed at how little I’d known in my twenties. In my forties I’ve finally realized that I know nothing. But at least I’ve accepted that I’m a work in progress. A confusing work. Something like the Winchester Mansion.
9) How is your relationship with your Mom now?

Mom has memory issues now. I’m threatening to get her a shirt that says, “I have Alzheimer’s. What’s your excuse?”

We’re realizing that a lot of things that we thought we needed to remember aren’t all that important. It’s teaching both of us Zen.

We focus on the moment. We repeat things to each other a lot. And I tell her this is a handy time of life because I can keep telling her the same jokes and she can enjoy them all over again.

She tells me that she doesn’t really enjoy them. She’s just humoring me.

So, to answer your question, our relationship is just as interesting, unusual, and wonderful as ever. I love the woman and respect her more than any other person I’ve ever known.

10) Do you have many 'meetings' with your cat? What’s the name of your cat?
Gee – this is taking a depressing-sounding turn because I have to admit that Mama Cat has passed away. She was nearly 18 years old. She deserved the rest after listening to me talk nonstop for that many years.

However, other strays showed up at my house and so Poe (the demon cat I mentioned earlier) and Maddux (named after Greg Maddux, the pitcher) are now my partners in crime. The meetings with these two differ a lot from my meetings with Mama Cat.

Poe is the one who chases me from room to room to attack me. She also enjoys the game of “shred the toilet paper so it looks like snow” whenever I have displeased her by ignoring her for too long.

Maddux is sweet, gentle, and likes to sit in my lap and play with my mouse as I try to type. (I guess he knows what it’s called.) He’s wonderful, although he has sent a few emails on their way before I was finished with them.

And so, my confusing, messy, sad, and happy life goes on. And I wouldn’t have it any other way…

To view excerpts of the book or to order it
online, Atwood suggests a visit to the website,
JournalofaMidlifeCrisis.com.

Book Tour on Monday

Watch out for Christee's Tour for Three Feet Under on Monday November 19th

Book Reviews by Crystal

Have a look at Crystal's blog and the latest books she has reviewed.

Book Tour - November 19th

Look out for Christee's book "Three Feet under" on her tour with me Monday November 19th.

Another Review of LOC by Kerri Smith

Review by Kerrie Smith

Ladies of Class
Members: 2. Reviews: 2. Popularity: #948,697. Rating: (4) Conversations: None
Recently added by: smik (see more)
Member review
Author website: http://marjo-mumswritings.blogspot.com/ http://pangirl.tripod.com The fact that Laura Clayton is about to die comes as no surprise – in fact we are told that it will happen right from the beginning of LADIES OF CLASS. The reason for her death however is not clear. Laura has lived in the English village of Burshill for thirty years. Widowed for five years, she is a pillar of the community, highly regarded by the vicar and his wife, and an old friend of the Chief Constable. She shouldn’t have had an enemy in the world, but her death proves that she did. When two more women die, both of whom knew Laura, then the police need to look for more links.Newly promoted Detective Chief Inspector Richard Hayward broke his leg, not in the course of his duties, but by slipping on a patch of ice. So his mother Ella is helping him move into his new house at Burshill. The Chief Constable requests that Richard make an early return to work to take on the Laura Clayton case. Richard’s New Zealand born wife Kate has gone home to visit her sick father and Ella becomes his sounding board in an increasingly complex and tricky case.LADIES OF CLASS is written very much in the style of the village cosy, with many of the hallmarks of Golden Age writing. Despite the fact that three deaths occur in quick succession, they are presented in that peculiarly flat, almost bloodless, style characteristic of the period. Dialogue dominates the structure of the novel, and the author tends to underline the importance of certain events and statements, presumably to ensure that we don’t miss their significance.For me there were things that didn’t quite work given the period of the setting, which I thought was the late 1960s. Long distance telephone calls have to be booked, in keeping with the times, while long distance aeroplane journeys seem to be accomplished in very short time. The author’s attempt to render cockney speech verbatim was just a little irritating too, but she attempted it, thankfully, with just one character.Despite these minor annoyances, the plot is well woven, the characters carefully drawn, and there was just enough to trouble “the little grey cells.” There are plenty of readers who will find this a satisfying read. The first chapter of LADIES OF CLASS can be read online at http://startatbeginning.blogspot.com/2007/10/ladies-of-class.html Marjorie Owen died at the age of 93, leaving four handwritten books, and over fifty short stories. She wrote for her own pleasure and never had any of her work published. Her daughter Dee Owen is attempting to transcribe all her works and attempting to get them published. ( )
smik Nov 2, 2007
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Review of "Ladies of Class" by Krista at Coffee Time Romance

Look for Ladies of Class under Reviews - Suspense

LADIES OF CLASS MAJORIE OWENS ISBN: 0-9793327
Early 2008 Vintage Romance Publishing107 Clearview Circle Goose Creek, SC 29445 Hard cover 227 pages Murder Mystery Rating: 4 cups Laura Clayton is a woman settling into being a widow. Her life is filled with her son and spending time with her friends in town. She has no idea that someone has a vendetta against her. At Christmas, she thought she saw an old friend, but decided it was only her imagination. After all, she had lost contact with many of people in her life and does not expect to ever see this person again. She sees no reason to take precautions, but it will all be over before she knows it. Richard Hayward is known for the unconventional methods he uses to solve cases. It seems to him that he is always being lectured that he should be more careful, but that does not keep him from doing things the way he feels they need to be done. He is at loose ends since his wife went to New Zealand to take care of her father. Richard loves her and misses her terribly. He has no idea how busy he will become very soon. Murder in Burshill is very rare and becomes a puzzle when the victim is
a sweet old lady who has not harmed anyone. There is no evidence of robbery robbery as a motive because her purse is left intact. Richard is determined to solve the murder even especially since the Chief Constable, Sir John Bury is onto him to solve the case quickly. It does not help that Sir John was a close friend of the deceased. Richard feels there is more than meets the eye on this one. If only he can solve it and quickly before anyone else is killed.Ms. Owens weaves a tale of suspense that keeps you hanging. Richard will pull out all the stops to find the truth and suspecting a trusted official will be the least of his problems. The connection between Mrs. Clayton and the murderer is one that is very surprising. I had no idea who committed the crime. This one will leave you guessing until the very end. Krista Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance Reviewer for Karen Find Out About New Books

Review Ladies of Class

Check out this great review by Anne Edwards of Mystery Fiction

Review by Anne Edwards Mystery Fiction www.mysteryfiction.net
Title: Ladies of Class
Author: Marjorie Grace Patricia Bridget Owen
Publisher: Vintage Romance
ISBN: 0-9783327-53
Genre: Mystery
This is a tale that will appeal to the English detective mystery fan. A well-liked local woman is murdered and no one can understand why. She didn't have any enemies, did she?
Detective Chief Inspector Richard Hayward, recently assigned to the district find himself charged with solving the case and much is expected of him due to his "reputation", something he sometimes regrets. As his investigation goes forth, he discovers this murder case is complicated by events from the past and present. How far back must he go?
Talented author Marjorie Grace Patricia Bridget Owen offers an original plot with an interesting cast of characters you will enjoy meeting. Their private agendas may get in the road of the investigation, but they certainly add a flavor to the story which is a comfortable blend of mystery and romance as lived by very likable ordinary people.
Recommended as a pleasant read for any mystery buff who doesn't like car chases or shoot 'em ups. I think Agatha C. would like this one. I did.
Anne K. Edwards

Cindy Cody Author in Panama

Panama has many treasures and one of them is Cindy. We recently heard of Cindy's book "Hubba Hubba" and were able to speak to Cindy and learn more about the 'book world' here in Panama. Check out Cindy's great website and all her books.