Arkansas tales of mystery, love and adventure by Radine Trees Nehring

Dear Reader

I'm a reader, too. I think a love of words and of reading is at least part of what made me a writer, though I did get good grades in English and was editor of a college newspaper. After marriage I wrote a few short articles for publication, but I never thought of myself as a writer until I was nearly old enough for AARP.

The event that finally kicked me into a writing career was our move to the Arkansas Ozarks, a beautiful, exciting, inspiring place. At first I painted Ozarks pictures with words (who says writers aren't artists?) and shared my thoughts in poetry, in essays, in nature writing. Quite a bit of it was published, and all of it led to the publication of my first book, a non-fiction collection of essays forming a true Ozarks story, titled "DEAR EARTH: A Love Letter from Spring Hollow."

I've said I am a reader! What do I read for fun? Mysteries. So, wouldn't it be fun to try writing a mystery? Since only a handful of writers become wealthy practicing their art, it had better be fun. Oh yes, it's work, too. When others are tucked in bed, we writers can be awake, struggling with a turn of phrase, a tickling idea. When others take weekend vacations, we do research. When others "do lunch" we forget to eat while we edit yesterday's writing. And always--always--we hope others are finding as much pleasure in reading our stories as we had writing them!

When you're reading any of my stories, here are some questions you may want to ask yourself:

1. How about the setting?
I love the Arkansas Ozarks and that's where my novels are set, but how do you feel about the settings in my novels, or in the novel you just read? Did you "see" the places in your mind? Would you enjoy visiting there? Did you realize that the settings are actual places, and--if you wished--you could follow plot events while using each of my books as a tour guide?

2. The characters?
Did you like the people in my books? Could you identify with them, and, perhaps, understand them and their motives? Would you enjoy sitting down to chat with any or all of them? Did they, at times, seem real to you?

3. The plot--scary?
I assume, by choosing to read one or more of my novels, that you like mysteries, or, if not specifically mysteries, that you enjoy and understand the Ozarks. Did you enjoy following the puzzle and problems in each book? Were you intrigued by the plot and, perhaps, frightened for Carrie McCrite or other characters as you read? Did you approve of the way problems were worked on and solved? Were you satisfied with the ending?

And--finally--what would you like the author to know about your reaction to her novel or novels?
You can reach me through the Email link on this web site.

Radine