BOOK CLUB FRIDAY -- GUEST AUTHOR MARILYN MEREDITH

Today we welcome back mystery author Marilyn Meredith who has published over thirty novels, including the award-winning Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery series, the latest Bears With Us from Mundania Press. To learn more about Marilyn, visit her at her website and her blog.

Marilyn will be giving away one copy of Bears With Us to one of our readers who posts a comment to the blog this week. -- AP

What would you do if you found a bear in your kitchen?

In my latest Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery, Bears With Us, bears turn up everywhere in and around Bear Creek where Tempe is the resident deputy, including someone’s kitchen.

A family enjoying their Thanksgiving dinner not too far from where I live in the Southern Sierra spotted a huge brown bear lolling on a branch of an old oak tree a few feet beyond the back porch. Of course the children were delighted, the grownups not so much, as they all watched him through a picture window. That episode started me thinking about bears and how much fun it would be to included them one of Tempe Crabtree’s adventures.

When my grandson, a police officer in another mountain community, wrote to me about chasing bears out of people’s houses that same fall, that cinched it. I emailed him with a long list of questions. What did the bears look like? What did they eat when they invaded someone’s kitchen? The answer was ice cream and Rocky Road was their preference. Of course I asked other questions like how did you chase them out? What did they smell like?

I did more research on California black bears which can be black, many shades of brown including a light cinnamon shade. And yes, they do roam the California mountains and foothills and sometimes make appearances in strange places like people’s swimming pools and hot tubs.

From there a plot began to form that included other facets besides bears such as a woman suffering an unusual form of dementia, a secret from the past, the suicide of a teen with odd acting parents, and a mother who didn’t like her daughter’s choice of boyfriend mainly because of his race.

Readers often ask authors where their ideas come from and that will give you a taste of what happened with me when it was time for me to come up with another dilemma to complicate the life of my Native American heroine, Tempe, one that might happen in a mountain community, like Bear Creek.

Here are some snippets of a few of Bears With Us reviews:

“…For those readers who may not live in bear-y areas, it accurately depicts what life with those creatures can be like.  (Just check out some of our National Park's pages like Yellowstone and Yosemite and see the real damage bears can do!)  Far from the cuddle teddy bear image we've grown accustomed to, we are treated not only to a well-crafted tale, but also it's topped off with the unpredictability of 'nature.'  And isn't that what really happens in our lives?  Unpredictability.”

Victoria Heckman, author of Hawaii Mysteries and "Burn Out." Sisters in Crime-Central Coast Chapter President

“…Bears With Us didn't disappoint. Marilyn's writing is as usual, crisp and sharp--and her story interesting, touching timely issues in a lot of folks lives, and connected to Native American traditions…” M.M. Gornell

…A strong female lead, Native American mysticism, and well-drawn characters fill Bears With Us. It can definitely be read as a stand-alone novel, but I suggest you read all the Deputy Tempe Crabtree novels. They're a bit like Lay’s® potato chips, "you can't have just one." –Cheryl Malandrinos, The Book Connection

“…There are bits of Native American customs, tips for protecting against bears, and issues families dealing with dementia face sprinkled throughout the story. In addition, there are moments of humor that will have you smiling…” Patricia Reed on GoodReads

Bears With Us is the 11th installment in the Tempe Crabtree Mystery series, but is a stand alone read. This is an intriguing tale of murder, mystery and mayhem you shouldn’t miss. –Mason Canyon, Thoughts in Progress

Blurb: Deputy Tempe Crabtree has her hands full when bears turn up in and around Bear Creek, a young teen commits suicide and his parents’ actions are suspicious, a prominent woman files a complaint against Tempe and her preacher husband Hutch, a love affair from long ago comes to light, and a woman suffering from dementia disappears.

Bears With Us is available in paper and all the electronic formats direction from the Mundania Press and from all the usual places.

Thanks you for joining us today, Marilyn. Readers, what would you do if you discovered a bear in your kitchen? I certainly know what I’d do! Post a comment to enter the drawing for a copy of Bears With Us. -- AP