Welcome to my tour stop for Slayed on the Slopes by Kate Dyer-Seeley! This is the second book in the Pacific Northwest Mystery series. Slayed on the Slopes released March 31st by Kensington Publishing. The tour runs April 6- 17 with reviews, interviews, guest posts and excerpts. Check out the tour page for more information.
After talking her way into a job writing for Portland’s Northwest Extreme magazine, Meg Reed may now really be in over her head. Actually, about 8,000 feet over her head. . .
She’s at Mount Hood’s remote Silcox Hut, covering the seriously hardcore Ridge Rangers—Oregon’s elite high-altitude rescue team–during their four-day winter training. Sure, Meg beefed up her outdoor skills over the summer . . . but she’s still hoping to cover the event with some hot chocolate by the cheery fireplace. Then, during a sudden blizzard, she swears she hears gunshots. No one stranded in the hut believes her . . . until self-absorbed Ridge Ranger Ben Rogers is found outside in a pool of frozen blood. Meg’s now got to find this killer quickly . . . before cabin fever does them all in!
Praise For Scene Of The Climb
“A splendid overview of the greater Portland and Columbia River Gorge region, perfect for travel buffs. Her protagonist shows promise with her determined attitude and moxie.” –Library Journal
Includes Adventure Guides!
Don't miss out on the first book, Scene of the Climb, available now!
Kate Dyer-Seeley writes the Pacific Northwest Mystery Series for Kensington Publishing. The first
book in the series, Scene of the Climb, features the rugged landscapes of the Columbia River Gorge and a young journalist who bills herself as an intrepid adventurer in order to land a gig writing for Northwest Extreme.
Her work has appeared in a variety of regional and international publications including: The Columbian, The Vancouver Voice, Seattle Backpacker, Portland Family Magazine, and Climbing Magazine.
Kate lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and son, where you can find her hitting the trail, at an artisan coffee shop, or at her favorite pub. Better yet—at all three.
What gave you the inspiration to write this book?
I live in the Pacific Northwest and spend every minute I can outside. The idea for the series came one sunny afternoon when my family and I were out hiking in the Columbia River Gorge. We bumped into a group of burly Oregon hiking men and one young woman wearing pink hiking boots. Her bright pink boots totally cracked me up. She definitely stood out on the trail! I wanted to know who she was and how she ended up with a group of seasoned hikers—none of whom were wearing pink. From there the idea of Meg Reed, a young journalist who bills herself as an adventure lover to get a job writing for an outdoor magazine, came together.
In Slayed on the Slopes Meg is on assignment at the top of Mt. Hood, Oregon’s highest peak. We spend the holidays at Timberline Lodge. The lodge is truly a work of art. It’s built into the slope of the mountain with stunning views of the Cascade Mountain Range from one side and the summit of Mt. Hood from the other. Spending time at Timberline Lodge is like stepping back in time and onto the set of a 1950’s movie. Meg is a bit of a modern day throwback. She loves vintage dress and big band music. I thought it was the perfect setting for her next adventure. She’s spent some time beefing up her outdoor skills, but skiing is not her sport. She’s going to be in over her head again and stuck on the summit in the middle of an unrelenting blizzard. Not only is she going to have to challenge herself physically, but she’s also going to have to find her way off the slope.
Who is your favorite character in the book?
I love writing Meg. She’s very young. She’s in her early twenties and this is her first real job. Let’s just say that she makes a lot of mistakes, but that’s okay. She’s going to learn from her mistakes. I like writing her as a character because she has so much potential for growth. And I really like exploring the idea of trying to be someone you’re not. Meg has depth and insight for someone her age, but she also chooses to ignore her inner voice sometimes. That’s when she ends up getting herself in trouble. I think we can all relate to that. She was desperate for a job so she fudged her qualifications, and now is trying to navigate how she moves forward.
I also like writing someone in her early twenties because it’s such a time of firsts—first job, first love, striking out in the world as your own person for the first time. I’m excited to watch as Meg finds her way through all those firsts.
Which came first, the title or the novel?
The story came first. I had a vision from the very first book of places here in the Pacific Northwest where I wanted to send Meg, and Mt. Hood was on top of that list. I watched a lot of snowboarding and skiing movies and documentaries while I was working on the manuscript. I also interviewed mountain guides and professional skiers and boarders. Their lingo is so distinct, and I wanted to make sure I got it right. One snowboarder was watching a friend on a run and said, “He’s slaying it out there.” I was like, “That’s it! That’s the title!”
What scene in the book are you most proud of, and why?
I don’t know if there’s one particular scene, but I feel like the scenes between Meg and Gam (her grandmother) are really rich. I love their relationship. Gam is older, wiser, and a grounding spiritual force in Meg’s life. But Gam is also young at heart. They have a deep and unique connection, and something to teach each other.
Thinking way back to the beginning, what’s the most important thing you've learned as a writer from then to now?
Read, read, read! I think the most important thing you can do to improve your own writing is read as much as you can. I read everything—not just mysteries, non-fiction, historical fiction, sci-fi, you name it. I read it.
The other thing is to write daily and make it habitual. I have a specific word count that I hit every day, and I don’t leave my office until I hit that number. I think sometimes new writers get wrapped up in waiting for inspiration to strike. What I’ve learned is that inspiration only strikes when you’re actually writing.
What do you like most about the cover of the book?
The dangling ski! Why is dangling? Whose ski is it? The cover otherwise is picture-perfect. Who wouldn’t want to curl up with a mug of steaming cocoa in front of a roaring fireplace with all that snow? But that dangling ski gives us a clue that something sinister is going on.
What new release book are you looking most forward to in 2015?
Tough question. The best thing about professionally writing has been meeting and connecting with other authors. I have so many friends with books coming out this year! Um, for the sake of time and space I’ll stick to a few of my fellow PNW writers. Angela Sanders has a great vintage clothing mystery series. The third book in that series Slain in Schiaparelli just came out. The third book in YA author Melissa Eskue Ousley’s Solas Beir Trilogy comes out this summer. Christine Finlayson has a new Portland-based suspense novel, Rivers of Broken Glass coming in June.
What was your favorite book in 2014?
Do I have to pick one?! How about this? I’ll go with the book I read the fastest. The Martian by Andy Weir. I think I read it in about three hours, in one sitting. It was a page turner. And for the record, I do NOT want to go to Mars. Bad stuff happens.
What’s up next for you?
Meg’s third adventure Silenced in the Surf is coming in 2016. She’s going to Hood River, Oregon to cover a windsurfing competition. I’m working on her fourth adventure right now which is going to involve a mud marathon. The poor girl can’t catch a break!
Is there anything that you would like to add?
Thanks so much for having me! It’s always so much fun to get to introduce Meg to new readers.
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Winter warmer package- signed copy of Slayed on the Slopes, Signed copy of Scene of the Climb, Ghirardelli Double Chocolate Hot Chocolate Mix, Oregon Chai Tea, 1 Pound of Coffee and Collectable Mt. Hood art coaster (US)
Ends April 27, 2015
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This event was organized by CBB Book Promotions.
Excellent interview! I agree with Kate, I like the scenes with Gam a lot!
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting a tour stop!