Deathbed & Breakfast (Pookotz Sisters Bed & Breakfast Mysteries) by Bart J. Gilbertson guest post,review & Givaway

Deathbed & Breakfast (Pookotz Sisters Bed & Breakfast Mysteries)
Cozy Mystery

· File Size: 372 KB

· Print Length: 217 pages

· Publisher: Cozy Cat Press (June 30, 2013)

· ASIN: B00DUGZHYK



Synopsis:

"Richard Forester, a retired CEO for a major software company, and his granddaughter Penny show up at the Pookotz Bed & Breakfast one evening and find themselves in some rather unpleasant company. All the guests somehow seem to be connected to Richard’s past and when he is found dead the next morning, everyone is suspect. However, there are a few wrinkles that the inn’s owners Edna and Mildred Pookotz need to iron out as the investigation unfolds. Not only was Richard deathly ill, but he was also accused of embezzling $750,000 which is still unaccounted for. The local Sheriff suspects that this victim’s death is not a natural one, so he--and the sisters--set forth to discover who the murderer is."

Bart J. Gilbertson is the author of the Pookotz Sisters Mystery Series. Although he was born in Wisconsin, he spent most of his youth and later years in the rocky mountain state of Idaho. He has been all over the northwest and it is his love for the lush green state of Oregon that inspired the setting for Pleasant Lake and its inhabitants. He attended ITT Technical Institute in Boise, ID and received an Associate in Applied Science Degree for Computer Networking Systems and graduated with honors. Bart has worn many hats over his lifetime career, but the one he is most proud of is that of being a writer. He currently resides in O’Neill, NE. He has two children.



Author Links

My Website: http://bjgilbertson2.wix.com/bartjgilbertson

My Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/BartJGilbertsonAuthor

My Blog Page: http://bjgilbertson2.wix.com/bartjgilbertson#!blog/c29d

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BartJGilbertson

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7172645.Bart_J_Gilbertson

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Bart-J.-Gilbertson/e/B00DV4JMO2/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

Cozy Cat Press, my publisher: http://cozycatpress.com/

Book Trailer Vid on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FuvPpkc1os (Preview)




My Review: Deathbed & Breakfast

4 STARS

Deathbed & Breakfast reminds me of long ago stories that have plenty of suspects and motives and bumbling characters. You were never sure who the real killer was till the end. It kept your interest the whole way through. I like the different characters and think that most of them should be in jail for some reason or other.

I would love to see how another mystery would fair at the bed and breakfast. The setting sounds nice. We love all the trees in Oregon and to be on a pond sounds good. I would love to go stay their without all the would be killers though.

The pacing was good & fast. Things start unfolding right away and was surprising how many different people were gathered together with motives. All that missing money gets peoples greed flowing.

Edna and Mildred Pookotz run a bed & breakfast. They are sisters and older women. They are not major sleuths like Jessica Fletcher.
But do put together some clues and facts that the others missed. I had one of the clues but missed others.

This is a entertaining book. I wish though somehow to know who was arrested for what or some other information.
Their was plenty of humor especially with the cook Felix. He carried food to the table with his walker. Their were some scenes with him that had me rolling with laughter.

I hope to read more of Bart's work in the future.

I was given this ebook to read for purpose of reviewing and being part of this book tour.


Guest Post by Bart J. Gilbertson

Plotting or Spontaneity?



Famed author, Elmore Leonard once said, “If it sounds like writing, I rewrite it”. Every writer wants their work to flow smoothly, coherently, without any wrinkles. It should not feel forced or contrived. So does that mean being spontaneous in your writing is advantageous to something that is plotted out? Is it more important to concentrate on the characters, the natural flow of events instead of the plot?



Then again, the ‘Queen of Crime’, Agatha Christie, was a superb plotter. Her stories endure even today. Every writer wants their work to make sense at the end. Nobody wants to leave any loose ends (unless, of course, this is done purposely to lead their reader to the next book). So, that begs the question then, is plotting more important? Should the writer be more concerned about putting out a good story as opposed to allowing their writing style move to the forefront?



This has been a cause for debate among writers and readers for years. So on which side of the issue do I stand? How do I write my stories?



Being a mystery writer, I do want my books to make sense after the last sentence is read. I also want them to have a natural flow to them. I start out with a general idea and a set of characters. I will write, allowing the story to shape itself. It is very spontaneous at first. You get to meet each character and find out what drives and motivates them. I allow subplots to develop on their own to the point where I’m even wondering what is going to happen. Finally, I reach a point where the killer is revealed within my mind.



Then, the plotting begins. Once I’ve established the identity of my killer, I have to set it all up. In fact, rewriting some of what I’ve already gotten down is usually a requisite. It is important to me as a writer to make sure that everything is accounted for by story’s end. As the reader discovers who the killer is at the end, I don’t want it to be so unexpected that it comes out of left field with no viable explanation. The clues have to fit, the red herrings have to make sense, and the killer must fit the crime.



I personally feel that with a mystery, especially a ‘whodunit’, a measure of plotting is required. If I can balance the two together, a well plotted story with a spontaneous feel to it, then this is a win.



To answer my questions above, I think both can be an important part to the writing process. I don’t feel that one is necessarily better than the other. When you write, write for yourself. It is your story, your expression. Make it your own. Writing style included.



My first novel, “Deathbed & Breakfast” is a prime example of how I wrote both spontaneously while plotting it out. I hope this story brings a smile to your face as you read as it did to mine while writing it.

Giveaway: 1 ecopy of Deathbed & Breakfast
To enter leave comment with name and email address. The winner will be emailed and have two days to respond before new name drawn. Contests starts Nov.11, 2013 and ends Nov.30, 2013. Good Luck.

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

November 12 – Mochas, Mysteries and More – Guest Post
November 13 - readalot – Review, Guest Post, Giveaway
November 14 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – Review
November 15 – Books-n-Kisses – Review, Guest Post
November 17 – Shelley’s Book Case – Review
November 19 – Books Are Life – Vita Libri – Review
November 20 – Christa Reads and Writes – Review, Interview
November 21 – Queen of All She Reads – Review, Guest Post, Giveaway
November 24 – Kaisy Daisy’s Corner – Review
November 25 – Brooke Blogs – Review
November 27 – Musings and Ramblings – Guest Post, Giveaway
November 28 – Thanksgiving (U.S.)
November 29 – My Devotional Thoughts – Review
November 30 – Dalene’s Book Reviews – Review, Interview, Giveaway
November 30 – THE SELF-TAUGHT COOK – Review