We’re celebrating the upcoming release of my third Food Lovers’ Village mystery, BUTTER OFF DEAD (July 7—save the suspense and pre-order it now!), with a glimpse of some of your favorite authors’ prized collections.
Today, we’re celebrating with Cathy Ace. If you go to a mystery convention, you’ll know her right away—she’s the Welsh woman who’s always laughing! THE CORPSE WITH THE SAPPHIRE EYES is the new book, released May 5th 2015.
“When Leslie invited me to take part in this observation of authors’ collections, I really didn’t think I could contribute because I don’t collect anything. At least, not knowingly. Then it occurred to me – I do. I suppose I can be forgiven for not having thought of this immediately, because my collection of champagne corks is a by-product of drinking champagne, and the only place that collects is around my hips!
Here are a few photos of my collection – in situ, atop my late grandmother’s lovely art deco sideboard, and a couple of close-ups. As you can see I write on each cork. That means I can put my hand into the vase and pull out a cork at any time to relive the place, date and reason for imbibing. It’s great fun to do, especially since I only succumb to my love of champagne on special occasions, whereas revisiting past indulgences can be an everyday treat.
The way this collection has grown it looks as though a) I need another container, and b) maybe I celebrate the small things in life, as well as the bigger ones. Not a bad thing. Cait Morgan would be proud of me (she likes her bubbles too!) and as for the women of the WISE Enquiries Agency? I suspect they could be swayed. Thanks for having me along, Leslie, and Cheers, folks!”
Cathy Ace is the BC Bestselling author of the Bony Blithe Award shortlisted Cait Morgan Mysteries and the WISE Enquiries Agency Mysteries. She lives on five acres of Beautiful British Columbia with her husband and two chocolate Labradors…all three of whom help her out with the gardening. Website: http://cathyace.com/; Facebook: Cathy Ace – Author; Twitter: @AceCathy
Leave a comment on my Facebook page or blog, for a chance to win a signed copy of THE CORPSE WITH THE PLATINUM HAIR. Ruff the Cat will choose a winner at random—check back in the morning to find out!
(Hint: if you subscribe to the blog, you’ll receive the posts by email and you won’t have to hunt for them on FB.)
(This contest is not sponsored or endorsed by Facebook.)
#butteroffdead
I don’t collect anything myself. I live in a small house and don’t have the room. Signed up for your newsletter. Thanks for the chance!
Maybe I should have admitted I also collect dust and dog fur?! Happy reading 🙂
Hmm. By that logic, I also collect bits of pine and spruce cones, and the occasional shed cat nail…
Love the cork collection – what a brilliant idea to write on each one. I feel a new collection coming on! I’m a huge fan of the Cait Morgan mysteries and would love to win a copy of The Corpse With the Sapphire Eyes.
Hi Cheryl – so pleased you like the Cait Morgan Mysteries. Thanks for dropping in here – and happy reading 🙂
what an interesting collection, I never would have thought to save the corks and write the occasion on them. A great way to keep your memories of fun times. Thanks for the fun giveaways 🙂
Thanks Darlene – I’m on the hunt for another container now! 🙂
I guess I never thought of collecting wine corks—I always thought of them as something to use in a craft project. Thanks for the contest, I’d love to win The Corpse With Sapphire Eyes.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
And what do you make with them? Writer pal Tiger Weisman used some of mine to make a bird house!
I know people who collect wine bottle corks and make them up into trivets, or place glass over them to use as cheese boards. Wouldn’t work for bubbly bottle corks, but it does with others. Happy crafting, suekey12 🙂
I collect too many things! My husband has saved a few corks and written the date on them.
Clever idea, isn’t it? And never too late to start!
As Leslie said, Kathy P, it’s never too late to start…;-)
Cathy is a new author for me.
Nice to meet you, Sandyg265. Here’s hoping I creep onto your TBR pile 😉
I did collect Beanie Babies when they first came out years ago, and I have a small collection of Precious Moments figurines. At this point in my life I’m trying to downsize and not add too much to what I already have. Of course, I love to read and I can’t turn down a chance to win a new book. Thank you for the chance to win this giveaway.
Thanks for stopping by to comment, Ruth, and here’s hoping your collection of books continues to grow. 🙂
I collect small boxes which are perfect for little objects, pretty stones, and I will give them to my granddaughters. This feature and giveaway is lovely. Thanks.
Oh, that sounds delightful. Boxes are excellent gifts for young girls. And not-so-young!
I too love little boxes, Anne…opening them is such a delight. What a lovely idea 🙂
I have a very small collection of colored glass. Most of them are vases but I also have a few candy dishes and ashtrays. I’d love to read THE CORPSE WITH THE PLATINUM HAIR . Thank you for the giveaway!
Thanks for telling us about your collections, Carol. I’m sure they send rainbows around your living space when the light plays through them 🙂
I’ve collected several things over the years, including sea shells & sea glass, boxes & tins, rabbit ephemera, old colored bottles, blue Ball jars, miniatures, Pink Depression glass, vintage kitchenware & tablecloths, cookbooks …and the list goes on. But my largest collection is salt & pepper shakers, from the beautiful to the whimsical. I used to save champagne corks too, but never got around to writing on them as Cathy does! Love your collection and look forward to digging into your books, Cathy. Thank you both for the nice giveaway.
What wonderful collections, Lynn! I admit, I am still mourning the blue Ball jar the cat knocked off the laundry room shelf this past winter…
Oh, I know I’m sort of a packrat, lol. It’s nice to know another blue Ball jar lover, Leslie! My sympathies for the kitty accident!
Thanks! When this draft is done, I may go on the hunt for a replacement. Not the same, but…he’s too cute for me to hold a grudge!
My goodness me, Lynn, that’s a LOT of collections. Makes me feel like I’m not making enough of an effort. Does having 300 rhododendron bushes count as a collection too??? 🙂
Actually, we’re getting ready to downsize now, so I haven’t been adding more clutter to the house in a few years, except for books! (Green)Thumbs up for 300 rhodies. Wow, Cathy, I’m impressed!
For a time I collected tea pots, then it was Mary Englebreit items. I don’t think I would say I collect books. A collection you can live without, books I cannot. Looking forward to reading the new book. Thank you for the giveaway.
Love that distinction, Debbie — between things you can live without and things you can let go. Thinking….
I agree with Leslie, Debbie – a very nice distinction. Books = essentials, not collectibles! 🙂
Champagne Corks sounds like a wonderful collection. I may have to start one of those myself. I shall add it to my red wine cork collection.
I collect Teapots and books particularly old ones with charming covers…
Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com
I’ve collected so many things in my life. I usually enjoy them for a few years, then let them go and move on to another interest. (I’m not like that in relationships with living beings!) The only constant collection in my life has been books. Nowadays, most of my book collection is on my kindles, (notice the plural; yes, I have a lot of books.) lol Thanks for the giveaway! 🙂
I collect books and other things, in that order 🙂 Judy D.