Tony Hillerman Archives

Jul 8th #L&SR’s #Wednesday’s Blog Challenge – A project or hobby inspired by a book!

Welcome to #L&SR’s July 8, 2020 – A project of hobby of mine inspired by a book! This was tough but finally I prevailed. Please have a seat, grab an iced tea or lemonade out of the cooler. Be sure and try a chocolate chip or peanut butter cookie.

So here we go.

Years ago I read all of Tony Hillerman Navajo Series set in the Southwest in Arizona and New Mexico. There were eighteen in all. I still re-read them occasionally. Tony passed away in October 26, 2008, a sad day. The realization that there would be no more tales of Officer Jim Chee, Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn and their friends or family was disheartening. Until, Tony’s eldest daughter, Anne Hillerman, took up the writing torch and continued the tales of Chee and Leaphorn novels. She has written four more books continuing his Navajo Series. Yippee. Anyway you are probably wondering what this has to do with this week’s topic. Well, I’ll tell you…. My husband and I have planned a vacation this fall in our RV inspired by these books. We will visit the sights where Tony set his books. The desert landscape came alive under this pen or keyboard. The descriptions, traditions and adventures of the two Navajo detectives and their people in his mystery stories including the ones written by Anne are extraordinary!

Locations we plan to visit and photograph this fall: Window Rock, Arizona; Ship Rock, New Mexico; Tuba City, and many places in between.

So there you have it, the last place I traveled to & why. How about you? What was a project of hobby of yours inspired by a book?

Alas, I must return to my writing cave where deadlines loom with final galley on my upcoming release HIDDEN GYPSY MAGIC, and Chocolate Raspberry Magic is in edits, and on a new WIP sixth book in A Demon’s Witch Series(very exciting and coming along very well) so let’s see what other authors list a project or hobby of theirs inspired by a book. L&SR

Pssst… While you’re here, don’t forget to check out my paranormal romance/mysteries click here.

School’s out. Looking an exciting read to whisk you away from your ordinary world into a magical, fantasy adventure ? Got just the thing lets celebrate Christmas in July with A WITCH’S HOLIDAY WEDDING, second in A Witch’s Journey Series.

Click the cover to read more or purchase!

A little about A Witch’s Holiday Wedding:

Elemental witch, Pepper McKay and former Navy SEAL, Lathen Quartz built Lobster Cove Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center on enchanted McKay land. Wedding planning goes awry when the couple spends Thanksgiving with family in Colorado, a Maine snowstorm fills the center with injured wildlife, Lathen finds himself drawn into a covert military mission, and Pepper wants to cancel the wedding. Is she having second thoughts? Will the nosy McKay ghosts, Lathen’s werewolf pack, Pepper’s parents, and her best friend help or hinder the wedding and holiday plans?

Thanks for popping in. I really appreciate it. Next week, July 15, can you believe it? Anyway the topic is Things I Collect! Oh that should be fun.

Posted in My Say What Blog and tagged #L&SR's #Wednesday's Blog Challenge, Anne Hillerman, Jim Chee, Joe Leaphorn, Navajo Series, Ship Rock, Tena Stetler, Tony Hillerman, Window Rock by Tena Stetler with 18 comments.

Apr 26th 10th Anniversary – Mountain of Authors

Saturday, April 23, 2016, I had the pleasure of being part of the Pikes Peak Library 12376634_954175368023532_4984978655902082006_n District Mountain of Authors. It was a blast. Thirty-four local Colorado authors were on hand to showcase their work. A panel of three mystery authors and a panel of two authors and an agent each presented stories and their experiences in the publishing industry.

The keynote speaker was Anne Hillerman, daughter of award winning author, Tony Hillerman who penned eighteen Navajo mysteries. I loved his books and was deeply saddened at his passing in October of 2008. I own every one of his books and have enjoyed the adventures of characters, Joe Leaphorn, Jim Chee and Bernadette Manuelito.

I was excited to learn that Anne has followed in her father’s footsteps breathing life into his beloved characters once again. Giving Bernadette a fresh, strong woman view point in Spider Woman’s Daughter and Rock With Wings. She also researched and wrote Tony Hillerman’s Landscape: On the Road with Chee and Leaphorn. A stunning collection of original documentary photographs of the New Mexico and Arizona landscapes that were integral to Tony’s detective novels. Pictures by photographer, Don Strel, Anne’s husband. This is a timely showcase of a hauntingly beautiful region that captured one man’s imagination for a lifetime, and is a daughter’s loving tribute to her father. Yep, you guessed it, the book enjoys a place in the center of my coffee table.

Okay one more fangirl observation. Nancy Atherton, author of over twenty Aunt Dimity mysteries, including many bestsellers. These cozy mysteries whisk you away to a small village in England filled with quirky characters. Again, I have all of her books. Nancy’s participation in the Mountain of Authors – It’s A Mystery Panel was very entertaining along side her cohorts in crime, Robert Greer and Manuel Ramos.

It was thrilling to visit with the above authors as well as many other talented local authors. I look forward to next year’s Mountain of Authors. I’d love to see you there.

Thanks for putting up with my fangirl musing. Oh did I mention I sold a few of my books too. Exciting adventure for a new author. Warning shameless promotion! June 15th my third book, A Witch’s Journey will be released. You’ll love it!

I enjoy hearing from readers and other authors. So please feel free to leave a comment. Until next time, take time out of your hectic schedule to read a good book. Its a great stress reducer, if only for a few hours.