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Interview With Mary-Ann Tirone Smith and Jere Smith

I reviewed Dirty Water: A Red Sox Mystery by Mary-Ann Tirone Smith and Jere Smith earlier this month.

But the Smiths were kind enough to take time out of their busy schedules to answer a few questions by email.

1. What first spawned the idea to use real-life people as characters in your mystery novel, Dirty Water: A Red Sox Mystery?

Jere: We thought about using fictional Red Sox players, to avoid the book quickly becoming obsolete, since players change teams so often these days. But then we realized how lame that would sound. We decided to just make the book take place in the year we were writing it. The fact that they ended up winning that year’s World Series kind of justified our idea. Suddenly we had a book about a world champion team–one that had less written about it than the 2004 team, which broke the 86-year drought.

2. How difficult was it to include the Red Sox players in the novel? Was there a particular process you had to go through to use their names?

Mary-Ann: The Red Sox players are in the public domain. You may fictionalize people with name recognition as long as you don’t slander them. Something we’d never do, naturally, as the Red Sox are our heroes.

3. You co-wrote this novel with your son. Did you share the writing duties or did one of you play more of a role than the other in writing each draft?

Mary-Ann: First, we brain-stormed a plot. We wanted to write about a real crime that was connected with Major League Baseball and came upon the story of the Arocha Pipeline, the name for a route used to smuggle ballplayers out of Cuba and into the United States. This is called human trafficking for profit, a crime dangerous to the players which puts Coast Guardsmen and FBI agents in grave danger. Once we had that down, we worked on how to mesh that plot with the 2007 Red Sox season. I wrote a majority of the mystery section, Jere wrote most of the blog, and then we revised each other’s work, back and forth until we both agreed on every line of the final draft. (Same way we did this Q & A.)

4. Could you describe your experience writing a novel with writing memoir? How were they similar and how were they different?

Mary-Ann: In writing a novel, the writer makes up plot and fictional characters out of thin air even though the basis for either might be an actual event or an actual person. Our DIRTY WATER Red Sox discovered an infant in the clubhouse at Fenway. The actual players did not. A memoir is simply the writer’s memory of people and events in his/her life.

If you want to hear more from Jere and Mary-Ann Smith, check out my D.C. Literature Examiner page.

Check out Jere’s Blog A Red Sox Fan From Pinstripe Territory and the book’s blog, Dirty Water: A Red Sox Mystery.


Movie Review: Inglourious Basterds

You know what I was doing over weekend, don’t you?

Naturally, watching the latest QT, Inglourious Basterds, with Anna from Diary of an Eccentric.

Can I just Say…AWESOME!

Ok, you want a real review? Go ahead, check it out at War Through the Generations.

You know I gave it a great review, but what did Anna say?

Dog Days of Summer 2009–Photo Contest

As you know, this week kicks of the Dog Days of Summer 2009 reading challenge and giveaway at The Literate Housewife.

Your first task is to head on over to The Literate Housewife and vote on your favorite summer photo featuring dogs. Of course, you’re wondering why I’m talking about this. . . well, you shouldn’t be.

My hubby and Keeshond Charlee are up in the poll. Check them out and vote! I hope you will vote for them. It was a really hot day camping and hiking.

Meanwhile, I should be posting a great review of The Art of Racing in the Rain sometime this week.

Stay tuned for other announcements about the Dog Days of Summer 2009.

Also, I have a great international giveaway for the Rooftops of Tehran going on through August 24, 2009.

Mailbox Monday #44


Welcome to another Mailbox Monday, sponsored by Marcia at The Printed Page, where we share our books from the library, the bookstore, swap programs, and the publishers, etc.

The number of ARCs is tapering off for me, while I try to catch up on the books already in my piles.

1. Cleopatra’s Daughter by Michelle Moran from the author for review.

2. Shapeshifter: The Demo Tapes Year 2 by Susan Helene Gottfried from the author for review.

3. Let the Shadows Fall Behind You by Kathy-Diane Leveille from the author for review.

4. Girls of Tender Age by Mary-Ann Tirone Smith from the author for review.

5. The White Queen by Phillippa Gregory, which I won from A Girl Walks Into a Bookstore.

What books did you get in your mailbox?

Also, I have a great international giveaway for the Rooftops of Tehran going on through August 24, 2009.

9th Virtual Poetry Circle

Don’t forget about the Verse Reviewers link I’m creating here on Savvy Verse & Wit.

Send me an email with your blog information to savvyverseandwit AT gmail DOT com

And now, for the ninth edition of the Virtual Poetry Circle:

OK, Here’s a poem up for reactions, interaction, and–dare I say it–analysis:

Remember, this is just for fun and is not meant to be stressful.

Keep in mind what Molly Peacock’s books suggested. Look at a line, a stanza, sentences, and images; describe what you like or don’t like; and offer an opinion. If you missed my review of her book, check it out here.

Today’s poem is a return to the classics with William Shakespeare:

SONNET #21

      O is it not with me as with that Muse
      Stirred by a painted beauty to his verse,
      Who heaven itself for ornament doth use
      And every fair with his fair doth rehearse;
      Making a couplement of proud compare
      With sun and moon, with earth and sea’s rich gems,
      With April’s first-born flowers, and all things rare
      That heaven’s airs in this huge rondure hems.
      O let me, true in love, but truly write,
      And then believe me, my love is as fair
      As any mother’s child, though not so bright
      As those gold candles fixed in heaven’s air:
      Let them say more that like of hearsay well;
      I will not praise that purpose not to sell.

Let me know your thoughts, ideas, feelings, impressions. Let’s have a great discussion…pick a line, pick an image, pick a sentence.

I’ve you missed the other Virtual Poetry Circles, check them out here. It’s never too late to join the discussion.

Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris

“I’d been waiting for the vampire for years when he walked into the bar.” (Page 1, sentence 1; yes, that’s my hook, how about you?)

In Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris, readers are introduced to Sookie Stackhouse, a resident telepath, waitress, and spunky young woman, her brother Jason who has a revolving door in his bedroom, her boss Sam Merlotte, and of course, her vampire, Bill Compton. They all live in Bon Temps, Louisiana.

(If you haven’t watched the HBO series True Blood based upon this series of books you better get watching. But I digress.)

“His voice was quiet and rustling, like feet through dry grass.” (Page 166)

Sookie and Bill meet at Merlotte’s and they quickly fall into bed after some initial posturing. Readers should know where this relationship was headed from the way Sookie looks at Bill and the way Bill reacts to her presence. The plot is thick with sexual tension and drama, from the way Bill silently stares at Sookie to the way she feels at ease because she cannot hear Bill’s thoughts and from the entrance of outrageous vampires from nearby Monroe to the murders of two fang-bangers.

“I got a tight feeling in my chest, a bitterness, at another thing I was denied. And I thought, Why not?

I stopped him by pulling gently on his hand. I stretched up and lay my lips on his shining cheek. I inhaled the scent of him, ordinary by faintly salty. He was wearing a trace of cologne.

I felt him shudder. He turned his head so his lips touched mine.” (Page 58)

Dead Until Dark will suck readers into the swampy, wooded south populated with vampires, telepaths, and more. Sookie is strong, hot tempered, loyal, and eager to help those in need, while Bill is her polar opposite, struggling to regain his humanity against his vampiric qualities. Like any good vampire story, there is a “love” triangle of sorts, murder, mayhem, and triumph. A good start to the series, which vampire/fantasy readers will love and other readers can enjoy as well.

Also Reviewed By:
Melancholy Musings
Well-Read Reviews
1morechapter.com
Bermudaonion
Rhapsody in Books 


Charlaine Harris’ Dead Until Dark is the first book in the Sookie Stackhouse series and my first book for the Sookie Stackhouse Reading Challenge.

Savvy Recap . . .

I just wanted to take a moment to recap some goings on here at Savvy Verse & Wit and at D.C. Literature Examiner.

I started out pledging to read 5 books for the War Through the Generations: WWII Reading Challenge, and I met my goal. However, I think I’ll probably read some more books for the challenge throughout the year, but for now I’m officially saying I’ve finished this challenge.

Check out the books I reviewed for the challenge:

1. Reading by Lightning by Joan Thomas
2. Bloody Good by Georgia Evans
3. T4 by Ann Clare LeZotte
4. Now Silence by Tori Warner Shepard
5. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

I also recently signed up for the Everything Austen Challenge in which you could mix and match movies and book reviews. I just have to read or watch 6 books or movies through January 2010.

So far, I’ve read one book and watched one movie, check out my reviews:

1. Mr. Darcy, Vampyre by Amanda Grange
2. Focus Features’ Pride & Prejudice (2005)

I joined the Sookie Stackhouse Reading Challenge as well; you might be thinking I’ve lost my mind.

I have to read the entire series, including the new book that just came out. I haven’t fared as well on this challenge, but I will have a review forthcoming for:

1. Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris

Ok, now for D.C. Literature Examiner news, I’ve been busy posting interviews and reviews:

1. Susan Helene Gottfried here and here.
2. Review of Shapeshifter: The Demo Tapes Year 1
3. Kyle Semmel here and here.
4. Review of The Woodstock Story Book
5. Joseph Sohm here, here, and here.

I hope you will take the time to check out some of these great interviews and reviews and leave a comment or two.

Also, I have a great international giveaway for the Rooftops of Tehran going on through August 24, 2009.

Come on Down. . .

This is the first time I’ve received the Heartfelt Award; Thank you Lost in Books‘ Rebecca.

Who meets these qualifications:

Do you reach for a cup of cocoa or tea when your relaxing, seeking comfort, sharing a plate of cookies with family and freinds? You know the feeling you get when you drink a yummy cup of cocoa, tea, or a hot toddy? That is what the Hearthfelt Award is all about, feeling warm inside. Rules: Put the logo on your blog/post. Nominate up to to 9 blogs which make you feel comfy or warm inside. Be sure to link your nominees within your post. Let them know that they have been nominated by commenting on their blog. Remember to link to the person from whom you received your award.

Here are my 9 winners:

1. Diary of an Eccentric
2. Dreadlock Girl
3. The Burton Review
4. A Novel Menagerie
5. S. Krishna’s Books
6. My Friend Amy
7. Drey’s Library
8. Book Chick City
9. Well Read Reviews

Meanwhile, I’ve also received the Queen of all Things Awe-Summm Award from Jo-Jo Loves to Read!!!

Now I have to share 7 Awe-Summm things about me:

1. I’m fiercely loyal to friends and family.
2. I love to read.
3. I love to write.
4. I love to debate politics. (which could be good or bad depending on who you are talking to)
5. I’m open-minded, most of the time.
6. I love my online book blogging buddies
7. I adore my dog, Charlee

Ok, here are my 7 winners:

1. Jenn’s Bookshelf
2. Booking Mama
3. Beth Fish Reads
4. GalleySmith
5. Bermudaonion
6. West of Mars
7. Fizzy Thoughts

Have you visited these blogs? Well if not, you better get started because you are missing out on great content.

Dog Days of Summer 2009

Have you heard about the Dog Days of Summer celebration put together by The Literate Housewife?

All you have to do is read and review one of the books she’s reviewing that week and post your review between August 24 and August 28.

Here are the books she’s reading: (I’ll be reading the one in BOLD)

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
Secrets of Happiness by Sarah Dunn
The Dogs of Babel by Carolyn Parkhurst
Travels with Charley by John Steinbeck

Part 2 of the celebration is to submit a photo of you, your family, and your pets (not just dogs), and encourage friends and family to vote for you. All pictures are due by August 24 (which means I need to get a move on!)

Part 3 is to comment on The Literate Housewife‘s reviews for additional entries into the bookmarks giveaway.

I hope you will all join in the fun.


8th Confession by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro

James Patterson and Maxine Paetro’s 8th Confession is the latest installment of the Women’s Murder Club series.

Today’s review is from my mom, Pat. Let’s give her a warm welcome.

The Women’s Murder Club mystery continues in 8th Confession and is a suspenseful, fast moving story. In the beginning, a homeless man is found brutally murdered. Meanwhile, wealthy residents of San Francisco continue to have lavish parties, including Isa and Ethan Baily. Someone close to them watches their every move until they are murdered. However, it is unclear how they were killed and there is no apparent evidence of a crime.

Murders continue to happen throughout many locations in California and the Women’s Murder Club must solve these murders. The 8th Confession is not revealed until near the end of the book. Patterson has created another action-filled, five-star read.

Thanks, Mom, for another great review.

***Remember my Rooftops of Tehran giveaway***