Tuesday, December 2, 2008

This Tuesday At The Tiki Hut - Shirley Tallman

Even as a small child, Shirley Tallman, dreamed of being a writer. Now, this multi published, award-winning author dreams of having more time to write!

Shirley, who has ten contemporary romances published under the pseudonym Erin Ross and several television and movie scripts sold and in production with her screenwriting partner Nancy Hersage, is currently hard at work on her new historical mystery series for St. Martin's Press.

The Sarah Woolson Mysteries, which started with MURDER ON NOB HILL, have all the charm of a nineteenth-century Legally Blonde and have earned Shirley a good deal of acclaim. The second book in the series, THE RUSSIAN HILL MURDERS, sold out its first hardcover printing in just seven weeks and the third book, THE CLIFF HOUSE STRANGLER, has been chosen as a July 2007 selection by The Mystery Guild Book Club.


Welcome to the Tiki Hut, Shirley!


Hi Everyone!

What a thrill it is to join you here today in the Tiki Hut. Author Island is one of my favorite websites! DeNita does such a super job of taking care of her readers, as well as her authors. There are always fun things to do and exciting places to explore on the Author Island website.

Today, I have exciting news! The first two books in my Sarah Woolson historical mystery series – MURDER ON NOB HILL and THE RUSSIAN HILL MURDERS – have been released as Trade Paperbacks. For those of you who are still confused about the difference between mass paperbacks and trade paperbacks, mass paperbacks are small, pocket-size books, while trade paperbacks are the very popular soft-cover versions of standard-size hardcover books.

But before I go any further, maybe I should tell you a little bit about myself. I started writing over twenty-five years ago with a weekly newspaper column titled, PENNY PINCHERS. It featured articles on how to feed your family well – and nutritiously – on a budget. After that came a hardcover book – written with a good friend of mine, Nancy Hersage – titled, PLEASE STAND BY – YOUR MOTHER’S MISSING.

While Nancy went on to write stage plays, I wrote ten Harlequin/Silhouette contemporary “Desire” romances, set all over the world. Then came yet another change as Nancy and I once again teamed up to write TV movies. Blithely unaware of how difficult (read impossible) this was to achieve, we sold movies to NBC, CBS, ABC and HBO. Our movie, THE BABYSITTER’S SEDUCTION, starring Keri Russell, Stephen Collins and Phylicia Rashad, did extremely well at NBC, and still continues to play regularly on the Lifetime Network.

As I said earlier, I now write the Sarah Woolson historical murder mysteries set in 1880s San Francisco: MURDER ON NOB HILL, THE RUSSIAN HILL MURDERS and THE CLIFF HOUSE STRANGLER. My heroine is a lovely and intelligent young woman who has always dreamed of becoming a lawyer. The trouble is, everyone believes women belong in the home, that it is against God’s will for them to seek a career. But Sarah is undeterred by the all-male legal establishment and their blatant chauvinism.

In MURDER ON NOB HILL – the first book in the series – Sarah finagles her way into one of the most prestigious law firms in San Francisco, only to find herself embroiled in shady legal maneuvers, multiple murders, a daring Chinatown raid, and a secret and very scandalous sex club. In THE RUSSIAN HILL MURDERS, Sarah manages to become only the second woman in the city’s history to defend a man accused of murder in a court of law. No one, including the judge and prosecuting attorneys, are the least bit happy to see her there, and she ends up very nearly losing her life! THE CLIFF HOUSE STRANGER finds Sarah attending a séance at San Francisco’s famous Cliff House, only to discover at the end of the session that one of the participants has been strangled. Pressured into defending the accused murderer, Sarah becomes involved in a complicated murder plot involving ghosts, gypsies and City Hall.

All three books in the Sarah Woolson series have sold out their first two hardcover printings, and as I mentioned earlier, MURDER ON NOB HILL and THE RUSSIAN HILL MURDERS are now out in paperback. Yay!! To celebrate this great news, today I’ll be giving away a signed copy of MURDER ON NOB HILL or THE RUSSIAN HILL MURDERS. Your choice.

While I’m here in the Tiki Hut, I’d love to hear from as many readers – and would-be writers – as possible. My interests are varied – novels, mysteries, movies, newspaper journalism, publicity, and tips on how to get your writing career up and going. So please log on and let’s get a good discussion going!

Best wishes,

Shirley

PS Don’t forget to visit my website for more fun contests, and an opportunity to purchase SIGNED copies of my new trade paperback books at a great discount! You’ll also find special sale prices for the award-winning hardcover third book in the Sarah Woolson series, THE CLIFF HOUSE STRANGLER.

78 comments:

  1. Hi Shirley - thanks so much for being our guest today at the Tiki Hut!!!

    I love Sarah Woolson, she's such a great character, how did she happen into your brain?

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  2. Hi Shirley - It is great to have you as a guest today!

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  3. Hi Shirley~ Your Sarah Woolson series sounds great, I'm very intrigued by the historical mystery plots, and mostly about the main character being a woman. Do you have decided how many books will be in the series? Or are you writing them one at a time without planing ahead?

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  4. Hey Shirley!
    I LOVE DeNita too! The Sarah Woolson series sounds like a ton of fun to write! Thanks for being with us today!

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  5. I am a huge fan of the Sarah Woolson series. She is a fabulous heroine, the plots are excellent, and I spent several childhood summers with my grandparents in San Francisco, so I have a special place in my heart for any book set there. I also love that you address chauvinism so well.

    It's funny. I was looking through my bookshelves the other day and yours are missing! I loaned out a while ago, but now I can't remember which alleged friend is holding them hostage. Hmmph.

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  6. Hi Shirley,
    I just got your email & came right over! The Sarah Woolson books are a definite must for me.
    Keep up the good work and good luck with them.

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  7. Hi and welcome Shirley,
    the Russian Hill Murders book seems right up my alley and I'd love to read it.

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  8. Hi Shirley,

    Nice to see you here! I love your Sarah Woolson books! I was born and raised in the Bay Area and love how you use the history of San Francisco. The Cliff House was always one of my favoite places to visit as a child and I learned to appreciate it more as an adult.
    Debbie

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  9. Hi, Shirley,
    I am so glad you are hard at work on a 4th Sarah Woolson, because I love San Francisco historical mysteries, and especially yours. Thanks for explaining trade and mass paperbacks.

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  10. Hi there everyone.

    Hope you're having lots of fun at the Tiki Hut today - Shirley's having a little trouble posting a message - anyone else having trouble?

    I hope to have it squared away before too long - thanks for your comments and keep 'em coming - she can't wait to stop by and say hi!

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  11. HAPPY HOLIDAYS, Shirley!
    I can't wait to get to your Sarah Woolson series; she sounds absolutely delightful.

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  12. Shirley,
    What is your favorite place in San Francisco? Do you remember when Playland was down by the beach?
    Debbie

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  13. Shirley,

    Do you have an email list? I love to know when your books are being released

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  14. Hi Shirley,
    I've also enjoyed reading the first 3 Sarah Woolsen mysteries, and am eagerly awaiting the next installment! Hope it's out soon. I especially find the stories colorful, the characters engaging and the plot full of real-life twists and turns.
    Sue, Incline Village

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  15. Hello Shirley,

    I also love the Sarah Woolson books. I have all three in my collection. The first two you signed for me when I saw you at the County Fair in Eugene. It was wonderful seeing you in your period costume. I keep bring The Cliff House Strangler with me, when I visit my son and family in Eugene, hoping to find you around and signing books some place.

    I prefer the size of the mass market paperback to the size of the trade paperbacks. They fit my hands, and bookshelves, better. I hope your books come out in mass market also. I'm looking forward to the fourth book coming out.

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  16. Hi--I received the email and wanted to pop in to tell you that I loved The Cliff House Strangler. I really like reading books with strong female characters and particularly like Sarah (maybe becuase I wanted to become a lawyer as well...).

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  17. Hi Grammy09, thanks so much for joining me here today. Wouldn’t it be great if we could sit back in our beach chairs, feel the warm tropical breeze on our faces and maybe sip something exotic with lots of umbrellas and fruit in it? Sounds good to me.

    Yes, I do have an email list. Just go to my website: www.shirleytallman.com and sign up. I try not to wear out my welcome with too many emails, but at least 2 or 3 times I mail everyone with the latest news. I also have a great contest going on at my website. So join me there, too.

    Thanks again for dropping by!

    Shirley

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  18. Thanks, DeNita. I don't know what magic you used to fix the problem, but I'm finally able to post comments.

    Lots of them coming!

    Hey, thank all of you who've taken the time to visit and chat with me today!

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  19. Hi Juliet,

    I tried answering you about an hour ago, but couldn’t manage to post the comment. So, here goes again.

    Sarah Woolson is a character very dear to my heart. I love the way she has the will and the determination to succeed in such a male-oriented world. Best of all, she manages to remain a lady even while she gives as good as she gets! I think I live vicariously through her – which isn’t such a bad thing, at least in my opinion.

    Right now I’m hard at work on book 4 in the series, tentatively titled: DEATH ON RINCON HILL. I’ve been a bit delayed because of our dear son Chris’s death this year. One of our daughters is very ill, as well, so it’s been a very rough 2008!

    The nice thing about writing is that I get to escape into a different world. I hope to continue writing the Sarah Woolson mysteries as long as wonderful readers like you will call for more. I’ve already done a brief outline for book #5 in the series, so you see I’m hopeful that I’ll be able to create more fun for Sarah and her family and friends. Besides, I love making up these puzzles, which is why I write whodunits.

    Thanks again for writing. Sorry it took me so long to answer!

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  20. have read your first book and enjoyed it very much! An looking forward to reading more.

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  21. I'm new to your series but they sound wonderful! I'm dying to start reading them. Thanks for introducing me to them!

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  22. Hi RW1010.

    I’m so happy to hear that you love Author Island and DeNita as much as I do. She is one of the most creative, giving and hard working women I know. She has been unbelievably good to me!

    I hope you try out the Sarah Woolson mysteries. As I said in my blog, the first two books in the series, MURDER ON NOB HILL and THE RUSSIAN HILL MURDERS are finally out in paperback. Hurray! If you visit my website at: www.shirleytallman.com, you can take advantage of a special holiday sale I’m conducting. There you can buy all 3 books in the series at really good prices. So, take a look. You can also enter my FREE HOLIDAY GIVEAWAY while you’re there. I’m giving away free books as well as a copy of my NBC movie, THE BABYSITTER’S SEDUCTION, which aired twice on NBC and still plays regularly on the LIFETIME CHANNEL.

    Thanks again for visiting and chatting with me today!

    Shirley

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  23. Shirley

    Hi Michstjame,

    How great to hear from you! I love what you had to say about the Sarah Woolson books. I think Sarah makes a pretty fabulous heroine, too. (One of my great virtues is modesty, as you can see). I grew up mostly living with my grandparents in San Francisco, too. We lived on Clement Street, then moved later on to the Sunset District. I have so many wonderful memories of my childhood, and San Francisco remains my favorite city to this day.

    Now who do you suppose has your Sarah Woolson books?? Hmmm, maybe you’d better visit my website www.shirleytallman.com and pick up a few more while they’re on sale. All personally signed, of course. Actually, I’ve had a number of people tell me they’ve loaned out to books never to see them again. I guess that’s a compliment?

    Thanks again for chatting with me here in the Tiki Hut!

    Shirley

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  24. Hi Shirley. I have read your book Murder on Nob Hill and I loved it. Hope you have Happy Holidays!!!!

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  25. I also just received your e-mail. I read the first book and see that I now have some catching up to do. I write the books and authors that I want to read on little slips of paper and carry them in my purse. However, I now have so many little slips of paper that I need to use another little slip of paper to write a directory! :>)

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  26. Hello Herblady,

    So, are you an herb expert? I’ve tried to get my herbs straight, but it’s very confusing. Very good for us, though.

    I’m delighted to hear that you’re a Sarah Woolson fan! As a writer, I just can’t hear that enough. Loyal fans are what keep us going, otherwise it can be a pretty lonely life stuck at a computer for hours and living vicariously through the characters we create. Not that I’m complaining. I LOVE my work! How lucky am I that I get to do what I’m passionate about every day for a living – or at least I’m trying to make it a living. You can help by passing along the good word about the series. Tell your family and friends that they can buy my books online at my website now at very special holiday prices. www.shirleytallman.com. I’ve priced the new paperbacks (MURDER ON NOB HILL and THE RUSSIAN HILL MURDERS) at only $1 more than I pay for them myself. And naturally they’re all personally signed.

    Okay enough with the sales pitch. I’m actually giving away some FREE books on my website as well, so you might as well sign up.

    Hope you have a great Christmas, and thanks again for stopping by.

    Shirley

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  27. I love your Sarah Woolson books, Shirley! I only own the third one so I have to look for the first two in paperback.

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  28. Hi Robynl,

    Thanks for the nice welcome. It’s fun being here in the Tiki Hut today. Lots of people are dropping by for a visit, which makes it a great time for me.

    I’m giving away a copy of THE RUSSIAN HILL MURDERS today to a lucky winner. You know, I think I’ll offer a free copy of MURDER ON NOB HILL as well. So, I’ll be giving away 2 books today instead of one. I’m just having so much fun here!

    Have a great day!

    Shirley

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  29. Hey, everyone. I hope you caught that last message. Instead of just giving away ONE book today, I'm going to give away TWO. Either MURDER ON NOB HILL or THE RUSSIAN HILL MURDERS. Your choice.

    So, let's keep on chatting! I'm having a great time!

    Shirley

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  30. Oh pick me.....pleeeease....I love murder mysteries!!!

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  31. AuthorIsland.com did we get it fixed yet?

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  32. Saw that message. Now I only have to look for one book :>)

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  33. Shirley,

    Glad to see you are here now! DeNita is once again the wizard! Thanks for getting it fixed DeNita, would have hated to miss chatting with Shirley!

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  34. Shirley,
    Not sure if you saw my earlier question, so I am going to repeat just in case.
    What is your favorite place in San Francisco? Do you have a special fondness for anywhere in particular either now or from when you were younger. Did it give you inspiration to write these books?

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  35. I would love to be sipping a hot toddy right now. Unfortunately I have a sore throat, but that would make it feel so much better. A nice tropical location with a frozen drink would make it feel better too!! lol

    I visited your website and I just want to say that I really like it. Your books sound like they are right up my alley, so I really do hope I win. If not, I may have to quit being so cheap and go buy one...lol

    Have a great afternoon.

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  36. Grammy,

    Just to save some money, not because these books are not worth every dime! But have you checked out "Half Price Books" You can sometimes find a used book there, enjoy a wonderful book and save a little money! What more could you ask for, except for maybe that tropical location to read it in.

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  37. Hi Debbie (Boops_Girl5)

    How great to hear from another native San Franciscan! Of course I was born in Los Angeles, but I spent most of my childhood years in the City By The Bay.

    My grandmother used to take me to the Cliff House for yummy cups of hot chocolate – with whipped cream, of course – and we’d watch the seals play on the rocks below. She took me there for my very first Irish Coffee (after I turned 21), too, even though she cluck-clucked when I ordered it. I still remember how great it tasted! And all the hot chocolates, as well. What wonderful memories.

    My husband and I have been back to the Cliff House many times, occasionally for Christmas Eve dinner, hosting out of town family and friends, and even for breakfast. You still can’t beat the view!

    Just about the best buy you’re going to get on MURDER ON NOB HILL and THE RUSSIAN HILL MURDERS (the new paperbacks) is on my website: www.shirleytallman.com. I’m selling them for only $1 more than I pay for them, plus shipping and handling (read mailers, gas, PayPal charges, etc.) Still, at a total of $16.50 each, that’s a lot better than Amazon is charging ($19.95). And mine are signed! So pay me a visit there and enter the FREE HOLIDAY GIVEAWAY while you’re there.

    Thanks for dropping in!

    Shirley

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  38. Shirley,
    I definately went to your website and entered the holiday drawing! I am living vicariously through your wonderful books and memories of the city by the bay!

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  39. Shirley,
    I also just got your email and thought I'd stop by. After seeing the descriptions of the Sarah Woolson books, I can't wait to get the new paperbacks and start reading!

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  40. Hi again, Debbie,

    Yup, I did forget your question. And gee, it's a hard one. Let's see, I love the beach, of course, and the Cliff House. And I used to really, really love Playland at the Beach! Lordy, that old wooden roller coaster was so much fun! My friends and I would ride on that thing for hours, if we'd saved up enough money. And I love Chinatown!! My grandparents used to take me there to see parades! Wow! I loved that long, long dragon.

    And I used to love visiting Maiden Lane at Christmas time. My grandmother and I would go Christmas shopping, then we'd always make time for a treat there. It was so beautiful all decorated for the holidays. There are a lot of other places I still love to visit, but I have to say that the Cliff House and Chinatown are two of my all-time favorites!

    Oh, and I love your tip about "Half Price Books". I'm going to try it out!

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  41. Hi Sue,

    How about that? My husband and I have a place at Incline Village, too. Who knows, we might even be neighbors.

    So glad you like the Sarah Woolson mysteries! I just can’t hear that enough. It makes everything so worthwhile. I spend a lot of time researching those books. Even though I grew up in San Francisco, I have to picture how it looked in the 1880s. Good thing I love research, isn’t it?

    Thanks for dropping by to say hi!

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  42. Shirley,
    Sometimes, especially if it is an older book, I can find it there and get to save a dollar or two! I also love to share my books with friends, but recently I bought the new Sony E-reader. I have to say I LOVE it! Instead of packing 6-7 books with me everywhere I go, the e-reader fits in my purse and it holds up to 160 books at a time and you can put in a smart card to hold even more. Now I have a bigger reason to buy more books LOL.

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  43. Hi Anonymous,

    How great to hear from you! So, we met at the Lane County Fair in Eugene. And I was in my costume. I’m going to be back at the Fairgrounds this coming Saturday, once again wearing my costume. It’s the annual Artists and Authors Fair helping the Eugene Libraries. We’ll be in the same room we’re in for the County Fair. If you’re around, please come in and I’ll sign your copy of THE CLIFF HOUSE STRANGLER!

    I hope to see you again soon!

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  44. Hi Laura,

    I’m glad you received my email about today’s Tiki Hut chat, and that you took a moment to drop in. Naturally, I’m thrilled you like my books. Can’t tell me that often enough.

    That’s what first appealed to me when I created the Sarah Woolson character – her strength and determination. She would have to have been very strong to make it as an attorney in that very male dominated period in history.

    I’ll let you know when the next book comes out!

    Merry Christmas!

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  45. Hi cke123,

    Do you mean the message about giving away 2 books instead of one?

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  46. Boops_Girl5,

    Yes, absolutely! Growing up in San Francisco really did inspire me to set my mystery series there. When I was about 10, I used to pretend I was a private investigator named, Terry Bronson, and follow my neighbors around. I carried a small bag that held talcum powder (to dust for fingerprints), a brush, of course, matches that my parents didn’t know about, a flashlight, a small notebook and pencil, and a small assortment of candles in case a sudden tornado carried me off to OZ, my favorite book at that time, along with Nancy Drew. Eventually, my neighbors complained to my grandparents saying that I was a very strange child. I can’t remember what my grandmother told them, but I know I didn’t stop playing detective. I just got a lot sneakier about it.

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  47. Hi LoriP,

    I’m so happy you decided to drop by! It really is neat that the first two books in the series are now in paperback. That makes it a lot easier for me to get the novels out there at a much more reasonable price.

    I’m glad you entered the GIVEAWAY CONTEST I’m running through mid-December. In addition to free books, I’m also giving away a copy of my NBC movie, THE BABYSITTER’S SEDUCTION, starring Keri Russell, Stephen Collins and Phylicia Rashad. I wish you the best of luck!

    Happy Holidays!

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  48. Hi Shirley! I got your email so I came on over.

    Have you got any new books that you're working on that you could give us sneak peeks on?

    Deidre

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  49. Hi again, Grammy09,

    Yes, wouldn’t it be great to be lounging in our beach chairs, sipping a drink and taking in the palm trees and the blue sea? Paradise!

    If you do decide to buy one of my books, check out my website first to compare prices. I think I have the lowest prices on all the books, at least I try to price them as low as possible! Sorry the shipping is $3.50, but you can’t believe all the hidden costs in doing this sort of thing. First the mailers, then the post office charges, then the PayPal fees and the costs to run the whole affair, then the gas to mail them (I’m going to try printing out my own shipping labels from home and see if I can’t save a bit there). But all in all it’s still $3.50 less than Amazon, and mine are personally signed.

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  50. Boops_Girl5,

    How does your new Sony E-reader compare to Amazon’s Kindle? My books are on Kindle, but I don’t know about the Sony E-reader. How and where do you download your books?

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  51. Yes - the message about giving away two books. But, aren't there three in the series??? You know, we are never satisfied! :>)

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  52. Shirley,

    That cracks me up how our Grandparents are always the one to help us be "creative" I think it is a payback to our parents for when they were growin up! I too had that wonderful imagination when I was young and San Francisco is such a wonderful place to put it to use.

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  53. Hi Ddurance,

    Yes, I’m working on book #4 in the Sarah Woolson series, titled: DEATH ON RINCON HILL. It’s set mainly in the Rincon Hill area of San Francisco, just after the infamous Second Street Cut was completed. Now, of course, you can hardly find any sign of Rincon Hill, since it’s been mostly changed to bridge and highway on and off ramps, etc. But it still affords a great view. And it’s where Sarah and her family live throughout the series – so far, at least. Sarah’s father isn’t at all happy about the idiotic “big wigs” who grew so greedy that they cut apart the nicest area in the entire city, in his words.

    It’s here that a mysterious series of murders are being committed, with no obvious connection to one another. And naturally, Sarah gets drawn into the whole affair. Also, handsome Pierce Godfrey makes his second appearance in the series. He’s still in love with Sarah, but can he make her change her vow of never getting married?

    This book should be out sometime next year.

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  54. Shirley,

    I actually prefer the e-reader. The Kindle is wonderful and a friend of mine has one, but with the e-reader I can share books with friends, the Kindle is proprietary. We have a reading group and we register our E-readers under it and when we purchase our books it goes to one place where we can all download it. Plus Sony has a website for the bookstore and you go there and purchase and download to you e-reader. It is wonderful!

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  55. Hi cke123,

    Of course we’re never satisfied, me included.

    Yes, there are three books in the series. I was primarily celebrating the fact that the first two books are now in paperback. That was my thinking about the books I’m giving away today. But now that you’ve brought it to my attention, why don’t I just go ahead and add yet a third book to today's booty -- a free, signed copy of THE CLIFF HOUSE STRANGLER? It’s in hardcover, but that’s okay. Might as well go whole hog here!

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  56. Okay, everyone,

    If you didn’t catch my last post here in the Tiki Hut, cke123 has talked me into giving THREE books away today. Your choice of MURDER ON NOB HILL, THE RUSSIAN HILL MURDERS or THE CLIFF HOUSE STRANGLER.

    So log on and join the fun! You’ll automatically be in the drawing for one of the three books I’m giving away today.

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  57. Seriously, you know we appreciate it. I carry books with me every where I go. It certainly helps while waiting in the doctor's office and other places.

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  58. Hi again, Boops_Girl5,

    I’m so glad you mentioned the e-reader. I am definitely going to look into it. I download a lot of audio books onto my iPod for when I’m traveling, but I’ve resisted buying a Kindle. Now I can compare it to the e-reader. Thanks a lot for the tip!

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  59. Cke123,

    Of course I know you appreciate it. I love getting a free book, too. A free ANYTHING for that matter. And it’s a nice way of paying all of you back for visiting me in the Tiki Hut today.

    Did I mention earlier that I was trying to make a living at this? Oh, well, I love to give things away to my friends.

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  60. Hi Shirley! The Sarah Woolson series is great! I grew up in the Bay Area and my parents still live there, so I'm really hoping I can introduce them to the books! I bet they'll like them!

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  61. Shirley,

    I have to go, but it was a pleasure talking with you. Hope I win! But if not I will still be reading and buying your wonderful books. Happy Holidays!

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  62. Bye for now. Wish I lived near Eugene. Have a good time next week.

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  63. Just a quick note while I am at work to tell you how much I enjoyed the first Sarah book and I look forward to getting the rest and some extras for prezzies for friends. I have to go check out your sale, Shirley! I have only been to San Francisco twice (I live on the Middle Coast) but I love the way your writing evokes the history of the area.


    kaisquared

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  64. It's great to hear more about you and your books today. I'm looking forward to getting the paperbacks now out for Christmas. I'm sure they'll do very well - for many of us can't buy much in hardcover. You've certainly had a varied career.
    Elaine C.

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  65. Hi Shirley,

    You said that your Sara Woolson mysteries "have all the charm of a nineteenth-century Legally Blonde". Did you set out to write it that way or is that just a good analogy?

    I'm excited about reading THE CLIFF HOUSE STRANGLER, it has a ghost! :-)

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  66. "Death On Rincon Hill" sounds great. I'm glad Pierce is coming back, but I hope Sara holds strong to her vow--at least for now. :)

    On another note--I had no idea you wrote "The Babysitter's Seduction." I remember that movie fondly.

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  67. I love your Sara Woolson series. Thank you for sharing with us.

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  68. Hi Shirley,
    I love the Sarah Woolson series! I will be awaiting your next book.

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  69. Hope I'm not too late, just saw this. I too love mysteries and would love to be entered :)

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  70. I am actually new to this gentry of reading but this series sounds like a wonderful one one to start with.
    Lori Barnes
    photoquest(at)bellsouth(dot)net

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  71. I love your books and would love to read the
    Murder on Nobb Hill.I think it's fascinating
    these books are set in San Francisco.Thanks
    for the great work!

    CharlieGurl57@aol.com

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  72. Welcome Shirley,

    I love these chances to find out about different authors I have never heard of or read before. Your books sound wonderful. Living in the San Francisco Bay Area all my life makes these stories all the more enjoyable. I can not wait to read them. I am sure I will not be able to put them down until I have devoured them cover to cover. Thanks for this opportunity.

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  73. I just wrapped your hardback book I won this year to send to my neice for Christmas. I have been saving it. I know she will appreciate it. I sure did. God Bless your holidays.
    Jane Squires - jrs362@hotmail.com

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  74. I can't wait to read these books. I will eventually. Have a Happy Holiday season.

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  75. Your books sound wonderful and they are on my Must Read list.Have a Wonderful Holiday!!!

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  76. Thanks for answering, Shirley! The more I read about your series, the more fascinating it sounds. I hope you'll continue writing them for long.
    I'm sorry to read about your son and the illness of your daughter. My thoughts and prayers are with you. 2008 really was a rough year everywhere. I lost two dear friends to cancer this year and have several family members and friends that are going through bad illnesses and heavy treatments. I sure hope that 2009 arrives soon and be much better than this one.
    I love reading and besides the pleasure I got from books, it also has helped me through difficult times. I find it fascinating that for you writing is the same. I never thought about it this way.
    Best,
    Julia

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  77. TUESDAY'S BOOK WINNERS!!!

    Hi everyone,

    Sorry I'm so late posting Tuesday's Tiki Hut winners, but to be frank, I wasn't sure for a while where to list them. I hope this is the right place!

    Okay, here are the THREE winners from our chat last Tuesday.

    1. Kimberly B
    2. Grammy09
    3. cke123

    Winners, please email me with the following information:

    1. Your email address
    2. Which book you would like to receive:
    MURDER ON NOB HILL
    THE RUSSIAN HILL MURDERS
    THE CLIFF HOUSE STRANGLER
    3. How you would like your book signed:
    1) To you
    2) To someone else (Christmas gift??)
    3) Just my signature
    4. Your complete name and mailing address

    Thanks again everyone, for joining me in the Tiki Hut on Tuesday. I had a wonderful time!!!

    Be sure to visit my website: www.shirleytallman.com for more contests and to purchase the new Sarah Woolson paperbacks at special holiday prices!

    HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

    Shirley

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  78. Whoops, sorry but I forgot to include my email address.

    shirleytallman@comcast.net

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