Sunday, January 24, 2016

I MURDER AND I MOURN by Brenda Whiteside

I killed someone I liked yesterday. I'm still grieving. Hold up there...no need to dial 911. I'm a romantic suspense writer don't forget, so it's my job man! Until now, my murder victims have been characters that walked through the story so quickly I didn't have time to bond with them. This is the first time one of my characters who hung around, cracked jokes, did good deeds, and became a friend has fallen by my pen.

My hope is this is an indication that my writing capabilities are expanding...not that I'm crossing over to the dark side. I've thrown myself a real challenge here: my other two main characters have to deal with the loss. And, and, well, it's very complicated.

So, while I mourn for this person, I have to mourn in triple for me and my two characters. I may need a great deal of chocolate and coffee for the next few weeks. Sniff!

I'm writing book four of my Love and Murder Series. Books one and two are out there. Look for book three to be released worldwide on March 30. You can pre-order right now from The Wild Rose Press.



Inheriting an Austrian Castle is an Alpine fairytale for August, until someone begins killing the heirs. 


In Austria to meet her great-grandfather and explore his castle estate filled with priceless art, August Myer arrives to find he’s died suspiciously. As one of the heirs, her life is in danger, turning this fairytale Alpine adventure into a nightmare of unexplained accidents, neo-Nazi threats, and murder.

Inspector Tobias Wolf splits his time between his profession and fighting the spread of neo-Nazism. But when the beautiful, intriguing American crosses his path during a murder investigation, ensuring her safety challenges his priorities…and his heart.

When August learns the handsome inspector’s involvement with a major female Nazi is more than he’s admitted, and the death of her great-grandfather is somehow connected, she takes the investigation into her own hands. The outcome could be the death of both of them.

Find all the Love and Murder novels here: The Wild Rose Press
And here: Amazon Author Page 

16 comments:

Mary Gillgannon said...

I've only killed off bad people "on the screen" so far. Although I did kill my first heroine between books. Yikes! I don't recommend it. And a few good guys have died, but not on the pages. I'm sure it's hard if you have to go through all your characters' grieving.

Diane Burton said...

What a challenge, Brenda. I haven't killed off a character I liked . . . yet. Killing off the villain is quite satisfying. :) Best wishes on the series.

Margo Hoornstra said...

Go you for having the courage, Brenda. I've had wips stop me dead in my tracks (pardon the pun) when the time came to do in a character I'd become fond of. Hope this series brings you much satisfaction and many sales.

Ashantay said...

I haven't had the courage to kill off a favorite character, so kudos to you! Don't think I'll get to that point any time soon, either. Best wishes for success with this series.

Leah St. James said...

I've killed off secondary characters, but none that I really liked. You are brave! Sounds like a fantastic story/series. Wishing you much success!

Brenda Whiteside said...

Well gosh, Leah, Ashantay, Margo, Diane and Mary...you don't give me much courage if you haven't gone down this path yet! LOL

Alicia Dean said...

Never fear, Brenda! I have gone down this path. I killed a beloved character in one of my books, the sister of the heroine, who was more lovable than the heroine. I caught hell from my editor, fans, and especially from my sister (who acted as though I'd killed HER). I hate to say it, but it was kind of fun. (I'm sadistic, sorry!). I think it's good that you stretched like that. You know, if an author isn't willing to kill a beloved character, then readers will not worry as much as they would if they've seen us do it before, you know? Sounds like a great book!

Alicia Dean said...

Oh yes, and I actually 'showed' the murder. Poor girl, thought she could help the killer, right up to the end...

Rolynn Anderson said...

I did kill off a likable secondary character and it felt mean. Alas, in this world, bad things happen to good people...and we do offset with HEA's...still, the kill-off doesn't feel good. Good luck with the series!

Jannine Gallant said...

The very first book I ever started (note I said started since I never finished it) was a wagon train story. There was a cholera epidemic. The heroine's little sister died an agonizing death. I cried like a baby. I killed off a CHILD. There may be a reason why I couldn't finish that book... Since then I've killed off bad guys and a few random victims of a serial killer that I didn't get to know well, but they did meet a bloody death, which was kind of freaky to write. In my current WIP, the hero's old girlfriend, who's been a vegetable since an accident when they were young, is going to die. He's going to have to deal with the emotional trauma. I'll take a page from your book and stock up on coffee and chocolate! Probably way more than you wanted to know, but your post inspired memories. Best of luck with the grieving process!

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

I tried it once and bawled like a baby. I cried to hard, I couldn't see the words I was putting on the screen. I couldn't handle it. I went to bed and cried. Calvin came in and told me it was part of writing. He always kills off the woman. I'm such an emotional ninny, I deleted everything leading up to it. Yet I love reading it and plan on buying this book. Yeah, I a mass of confusion that way. One day I know I'll do it, but I'll need to buy stock in Kleen-x first.

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

Forgive the typos...my eyes are about shot for the day. I need a nap to rejuvenate them. I had a shot in the retina on Wednesday and my vision in that eye has not cleared yet.

Brenda Whiteside said...

Bravo, Alicia. Love your creepy side! LOL

Brenda Whiteside said...

You are right, Rolynn. Good people bad things...eek!

Brenda Whiteside said...

That's some heavy stuff, Jannine!

Brenda Whiteside said...

You ol softy, Vonnie. Hey take care of those eyes.