My cozy mystery book, Dog Gone, revolves around a series of missing pedigreed dogs. The first dog disappears from the Pampered Pooch Kennel and Day Spa in Trennan, Tennessee, owned by Ginnie, Belle Blevins’ best friend. Belle is extremely worried, because the kennel sits on land she owns. And taxes are due on that land. When other dogs vanish, Belle begins tracking clues and praying the Lord will get her out of one more jam.I’ve read and enjoyed the mystery genre since the days of Trixie Belden and Cherry Ames(ummm, aging myself there!). When the opportunity to write a mystery arose, I decided to try it—and a love affair was born. I’d written a number of other manuscripts, but Dog Gone was the first to sell. Barbour took a chance on an unknown fiction writer, and for that, I’m truly grateful.
The journey to publication began in earnest seven years ago. I wrote numerous unpaid articles and devotionals for an online magazine. My first sale was a series of prayers in Prayers and Promises: Armed Forces published by Barbour in 2004. What a blessing for the Lord to have me write words to Him that might be read by someone in uniform. In the next few years, I was published with God Allows U-Turns, Soul Matters, God’s Way and other anthologies. In the meantime, I pegged away at the fiction craft, learning and practicing and hoping and dreaming.
One rainy, dreary Thursday, in July 2006, my daughter Rachel took me to eat lunch. We were about to climb out of her truck in the parking lot when my cell rang. It was Tamela Hancock Murray—agent extraordinaire—with “The Call.” Susan Downs wanted my manuscript. I cried! God allowed a desire of my heart to be fulfilled in an unbelievable manner. He is so faithful!
Our new mystery line from Heartsong Presents is fun and filled with unusual characters and unique storylines. Can’t wait for my next set of books to arrive in the mail. I hope yours comes soon, too. This fall it will contain Dog Gone. Please let me know what you think!
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To learn more about Eileen visit http://www.eileenkey.com/
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21 comments:
Hi Eileen, i grew up with cherry ames too. she was a nurse right.
and Sally Baxter a reporter.
your book sounds good also. I am a member so it should come after i go to Canada.
Thanks for sharing your 'call' story. Such a great event in a writer's life.
Cherry Ames was a nurse on the lookout for the next crime. I loved those books. Found one recently on e-bay and snapped it up. So glad you're a book member. Aren't they great?
Yeah, Mary, the call is one of those "moment-in-time" deals you never forget!
I can't wait!!
Hi Eileen, wonderful blog site!
As for Cherry Ames . . . I have a collectors' copy of "Cherry Ames Cruise Nurse" on a shelf right above my computer. :-)
I love mysteries, both reading and writing them, and I'm thrilled that you are so happy with your "Call" and your calling.
Candace
Sounds very exciting - I can't wait! Congrats on a dream come true!
I can't wait to read this book, Eileen. From the premise to the title, it's awesome! :D
Kathleen Y'Barbo
Woohoo! Can't wait to hold that puppy in my hands. :o)
I am sooo proud to know you Mama Key, if anyone deserves to be blessed by God with the gift of success it is you!!! I love you :)
Your "other" daughter,
Staci
This has been a long time coming! I'm so excited - where do I get my "signed" copy?
Jo Ann
Hi Eileen! I got a new box of books today. I opened it, hoping/thinking yours would be in there, but, alas, it was not! I have to wait? I've waited long enough! I'll bet you're SO excited and I'm thrilled for you. Sounds great, honey!
Eileen, i still have a couple of Cherry Ames books (I think) in the shed. I also loved donna parker i think she helped in a summer camp.
they were great books but the kids today wouldn't appreciate them like we did.
Mama Key - Way to go! I love hearing about the journey God has you on. There is such hard work taking an idea, putting it on paper and getting it into a readers hand! Long suffering pays off...however, it doesn't sound like you did much "suffering" along the way. I get the impression that you are having the time of your life!
Plan on some copies heading to Virginia, it looks great!
Thanks for all the kudos, kiddos. Yes, it has been a "journey." An unexpected one at that. I serve a wonderful God who knew the desires of my heart before I ever contemplated them. I was a content reader. Now I'm a writer: who sees "what if" in everything. I mean everything!
Hey Eileen,
I'm truly excited for you. Hope your book does well and I can't wait to read it! Love, Jo Ann
Hey Eileen,
Wish I could have been there to see the expression on your face when the 'call' came in! Thanks for sharing your story.
This is the best news of the day! I can't wait to read it. Let me know where to buy. I have piles of Trixie Belden. Vintage vibe...
I am so excited to read your book and so thrilled for you and how Our Savior has paved the way for the desires of your heart to become a reality. He provides before we even know what to ask for! Amen!
Hey Eileen! I have Cherry Ames books too, Trixie Beldon, Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys. What can I say--I loved mysteries as a child. I got "The Call" just like you--on a rainy day. Isn't that the best rainy day of your life?
Your book sounds really cute. Love the premise! And the title too!
Eileen, I'm not much surprised at "your story" of how you came to be a published writer. As one of God's beloved children, you are a mystery, so why shouldn't you write them?
I can't wait to get your book in my hands!
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