Five on Friday - Zoë Sharp

It's Friday!! And I was up waaaaaaay too late last night finishing Dennis Lehane's LIVE BY NIGHT. Oh my, more on that later. Anyway, I'm getting a very late start to my blog today because of it, but I'd still like to take care of a little housekeeping:

I was flabbergasted to be invited to participate in Shotsblog's celebration of BOOKS TO DIE FOR's UK publication. They invited bloggers and reviewers and such to share their books to die for--the other contributors are high caliber crime fiction folks, not sure how I managed to luck into this, but you can read about my choice here. I don't think you'll be surprised!

The Criminal Element folks have two contests going on that you might be interested in: one for Louise Penny's new Armand Gamache novel, THE BEAUTIFUL MYSTERY, and one for Hank Phillippi Ryan's new book that kicks off her new series--THE OTHER WOMAN. Both have been receiving gads of praise, so if you'd like to try to win a copy, head on over to Criminal Element. (But be sure to come back!!)

Bouchercon is just about a month away now. I have confirmation of the panel I will be moderating, so I can share that info with you now. If you're going to be at Bouchercon, I hope you'll drop in. It should be a very entertaining panel!!

The panel is called OLD FRIENDS, NEW FRIENDS and it will feature Chris Grabenstein, Jeff Cohen, Parnell Hall, Mary Jane Maffini, and Libby Fischer Hellmann. We'll be performing...I mean presenting...at 9am on Friday. Hope you can make it.

Speaking of conferences. I just signed up for next year's Left Coast Crime in Colorado Springs. This will be the first time at this conference for me. Anyone else planning to attend?

Here's a fun article about categories of book readers. Although, I don't actually fit into any of them. I said I would need a new category...the OCD reader: I usually read one at a time, but I most definitely buy and have more than one at a time. My books are all over the place, but I don't damage them (except I write notes in the margins). I show signs of the delayed onset reader but only because I've already got 50 books ahead of the one I just bought. I get anxious if I'm not reading and I can't keep myself from buying more...so OCD sounds about right, doesn't it?

Whoever created THIS infographic didn't have all their info. See anything wrong with it?

O.k. that's enough housekeeping let's get on to the main event, right?

Zoë Sharp is another crime fiction author I've been wanting to profile here at the blog. She's absolutely fascinating. I was going to refer to her as Dirty Harriet until last night's performance from Dirty Harry. Oh my. So, let's just say she's a force to be reckoned with...and I wouldn't want to be the one reckoning. At last year's Bouchercon she contributed shooting lessons to the auction!

In all seriousness she's just an amazing woman; she has duel talents in this art world: she's a wonderful writer and an incredible photographer as well. Hmmmm, I wonder if she would consider giving me photography lessons. Every other Thursday you can find her blogging at the Murderati blog. And to top it all off, she's an incredible nice person.

Zoë's writing (both novels and short stories) features Charlotte "Charlie" Fox, a tough, no-nonsense gal. In Zoë's early books Charlie is a self-defense instructor, but as the series progresses she goes to work with a "close protection agency." She's a bodyguard.

It is my distinct pleasure to welcome the multi-talented Zoë Sharp:

The last movie I saw was Battleship. I know, I know, not very highbrow going to see a movie based on a Hasbro game, is it? But they actually have a good story going on behind the scenes, nice dialogue and some well thought-out characters. A thoroughly good yarn!

The most famous person I ever met was: Hmm, there have been quite a few, most of whom didn’t impress me much. The exception was probably Nick Mason from Pink Floyd. I spent a little time driving round Goodwood race circuit with him back when I was a photojournalist, and I found him an interesting and thoroughly down-to-earth guy. He even offered me the keys to his Aston Martin Zagato, but then it started sleeting and I chickened out … dammit!

If I had to be stranded on a desert island with only one other person it would be Ray Mears because he’s the most amazing survival expert and I’d rather not starve to death or eat something poisonous inside the first week. Hey, I may be foolish, but I’m not stoopid :)

My favorite kind of cookie is Mrs Fields’ Molasses cookies. Can’t get them over here so I have to either make my own or indulge myself when we’re over in the States. No good for dunking in a cup of tea, though ― they haven’t got the structural rigidity needed. For that I’d go for Café Noir biscuits, or a good old plain McVities’ Digestive.

The #1 item on my bucket list right now is going to Ankhor Wat in Cambodia. I’ve been fascinated with the place for years. And ideally I’d like to get there on one of the off-road motorcycle tours where you ride to it through the jungle.

O.k. now tell me this woman is not fascinating! And she'll be at this year's Bouchercon as well, so if you're going be sure to look her up!

Many thanks to Zoë for her time and super wonderful responses. I'm hoping we see more of Zoë around the blog in the near future.

Have a great holiday weekend everyone and happy reading!!