A Stroll Down Spyglass Lane

Milkcases, candy stores, little old ladies and murder? What could they possibly have in common? They’re all inhabitants of a street called Spyglass Lane in a town called Mystery.
I first moved to Mystery when I was about ten, and discovered a wonderful series of books about a girl name Nancy Drew. I loved the town of Mystery and as I grew older, I met many good friends. Agatha Christy, Arthur Conan Doyle, Dickson Carr and his alter ego, Carter Dixon. Sometimes I ventured to the outskirts of town and met strange, new friends such as Mary Stewart and Victoria Holt. At first I was a little unsure of whether or not they belonged in Mystery, but soon the whole town welcomed them.
One day a new street was constructed or whatever they do to make streets. The signpost said Spyglass Lane. Being of a curious nature, I checked it out and found just what I’d been looking for.
I’m Frances Devine and I’m an author who loves to write, among other genres, cozy mysteries. One day as I was having lunch at my local senior center, I had a call from my daughter. She gave me news that would change my life. A new cozy mystery line was being formed by a well known faith-based publishing house.
I was pre-published at the time, although I did have one historical romance proposal out there on a publisher’s desk. But the chance to write a mystery? I didn’t have to be told twice. I went home and wrote a chapter by chapter synopsis and three sample chapters over the weekend and sent it off, breathless with fear and hope. God is good. Soon, I received an email from the editor with an offer for a contract. This was the beginning of a couple of years of extreme joy as I wrote my three Miss Aggie mysteries with one of the best editors in the world.
Sadly, the joy didn’t last forever. The new line couldn’t withstand the sinking economy. Although the first two books of my series, The Misadventures of Miss Aggie had made it to print, book three didn’t. At least not in its original form. Some of the authors in the line didn’t see their contracted books published at all.
But you simply can’t keep a good mystery writer down. Last year, we had the opportunity to be part of a new e-book venture sponsored by MacGregory Literary Agency, and since the rights to our cozies had reverted back to us, many of us jumped at the chance to see a new home for our mysteries. So Spyglass Lane Mysteries was formed. Our books are thriving in their new home and can be found on Amazon, Smashwords, and Barnes and Noble. In fact, they’ve done well enough that our fearless leaders have given the go ahead for new books.
You can find out about the books and their authors at www.spyglasslanemysteries.com with links for purchasing depending upon your type of electronic reader.
If you love mysteries with humor and romance, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. I’ve read nearly all of them and intend to grab the ones I’ve missed. Fortunately for my insatiable appetite for more cozies, most of them are priced at 99 cents and occasionally a freebie is offered. My three titles are Miss Aggie’s Gone Missing, Miss Aggie Cries Murder, and Rest in Peace, Miss Aggie.
Oh yes, besides authors and readers, we also allow editors, publishers, designers and agents on Spyglass Lane. We all get along quite nicely.

Carol's Kitchen Update

The kitchen continues to bless folks here in Lebanon, MO. Tuesday is sandwich day. Carol and her granddaughter, Liz, make the sandwiches and other people contibute cookies, etc. There's always plenty of food. On soup day, one lady brings ham salad sandwiches, another bakes bread and there are always volunteers to help serve.

The Free Store's lease is up the end of this month, so they are scrambling around to find a place they can afford. There is a building available that would be perfect. Large, clean, lots of shelves and an extra room for Carol's kitchen. There would even be room for a food panty. We're hoping some of the churches in town will jump on board and pledge monthly donations to make the new building possible.

I don't know if I mentioned this before, but the Free Store is exactly what its name implies. Clothing, furniture, appliances and food are available to whoever needs them with no questions asked.

Please pray that God will provide His Best for this ministry.

Blessings and joy,

Frances

Too Many Blogs

I don't know how many different blog accounts I have. I keep forgetting them. I came across this one by accident. Maybe this time, I'll stay with it.

Carol's Soup Kitchen

Just wanted to let everyone know that the soup kitchen has officially opened. Carol has a corner in the Free Store here in Lebanon. She serves soup on Thursdays and soon will be adding Tuesdays and Saturdays. Many people have jumped on board. God is adding helpers daily. Some help with finances, others bake bread, etc. The free store is only open three days a week. She had already decided to add Saturday as a soup day. Then she was told that when the volunteers arrived at the store last Tuesday, 30 people were standing in line in the rain. And most were disappointed there was no soup that day. So my friend, who listens to God, decided to add Tuesdays.

Is God speaking to you about doing something specific. all you have to do is say "Yes, God". And he'll begin to open doors.

Blessings,
Frances

Why Am I Starting Another Blog?

Because I keep forgetting my url and blog name. That's why. Maybe I'll remember this one. The image on the left is the cover to my latest historical romance.

Katie O'Shannon arrives in Chicago hoping to join her father on the stage. He has other plans, but due to circumstances finally gives in to her plea. But Katie, who has led a fairly sheltered life, is faced with the poverty of the Irish immigrants. Suddenly, her desire to act seems frivilous and unimportant. In her spare time, she helps out in a free soup kitchen.

A handsome young lawyer woos her, but his views on the "shanty" Irish infuriate her. In spite of her attraction to him, she snubs him.

As flames of The Great Fire rage around the city, can Katie and Blake survive and will they find common ground? Or must they go their separate ways?

The first sequel, Once a Thief, will be released in October and the last in the series (which I'm working on now) is scheduled for February release.

I'm also working on a proposal for another historical romance and praying it will be contracted.

My friend Carol is planning to open a soup kitchen in the fall. There are hungry people in our community and with the planned closing of one of our largest factories, it will only get worse.

With God's help, I'll help in any way I can.

God is good and he's willing and able. Things are going to get better.

God Bless you.