Happy One Year, from R2-D2 and C-3PO! (image taken from Google images)

This past Tuesday marked my one year anniversary at Dundurn. My, how time flies!

As trite as this sounds, it really feels like yesterday I was starting here. Remember my very first blog post? Wow, so much has changed since then. I thought I’d take my post this week to reflect on some of the most memorable moments I’ve had at my first year at Dundurn. Come along, won’t you?

Within my first three weeks here, I was diving head first into the world of author tours. Glenn Dixon, author of Pilgrim in the Palace of Words, was coming to Toronto to participate in the Ben McNally Travellers Series at the Harbourfront Centre. Karen, our publicity manager, was going to be away, so yours truly was responsible for making sure Glenn go to and from his scheduled appointments. From a Dundurn welcome dinner, to his presentation at the author event (I’m biased, but he was by farrr the best speaker of the night), to an early morning spot on Breakfast Television the next day, my newbie publicists’ skills were certainly tested. It was definitely a challenge, but a lot of fun too!

This summer I spearheaded Dundurn’s Summer of Murder and Mayhem on the blog. It was my baby from the outset; just a fun promotion to do on the blog to help our readers beat the heat. After all, who doesn’t dig a good murder case when they’re lounging on the beach or by the pool?

We featured authors like Lee Lamothe and his much-praised Free Form Jazz (tip: the sequel, Picasso Blues, is coming this fall!), Tom Henighan’s sly and sensitive detective Sam Montcalm in Nightshade, and Don Easton’s rough-and-tough Mountie with a heart of gold, Jack Taggart (whom I liken to Canada’s Jack Bauer, only wayyy cooler, and based on ACTUAL events. His next case, Dead Ends, is coming in July). It was gratifying to be the brains and action behind this campaign, and see tangible results and such positive feedback from our readers. And who knows? We may be gearing up for a second edition this summer.

The last memory I think I will share will be our 2010 Holiday Party which we held at our office here in Toronto. Having joined the team in January 2010, I missed the ‘09 party but was regaled with all the details from my new coworkers. It was certainly made out to be the event of the season, and this year’s party didn’t disappoint.

Although the entire Dundurn team was hard at work making sure the party ran smoothly, I got to carve out time to chat with some of the authors I’ve been working with, and some I’ll be working with in the future. Because of the nature of my job, I don’t always get to meet authors face to face and am more often than not relegated to email and phone for our interaction. To chat with them, get to know them on a more personal level, and put a face to the name, and show them that I, too, am a real person? Well, that’s just awesome. And while I didn’t get a chance to eat during the party, I hear the food was awesome too.

It’s been a jam-packed 12 months! Don’t believe me?
I’ve worked close to 50 titles, with over 50 authors.
Prepared submissions for 92 awards programs.
Cut 11 inches of hair to donate to cancer patients.
Eaten at Fran’s far too many times to count (mmm Eggs Benedict).
And blogged, now, for the 54th time.

Here’s to another busy year.

And it is with Labour Day that we bring “Dundurn’s Summer of Murder and Mayhem” to an official close. It’s been a great few weeks of reviews, giveaways, and inside info on your favourite Dundurn detectives. We’ve had great feedback from authors and readers alike, and must thank you all for your participation.

It’s back to regularly scheduled blogging next Tuesday, but keep checking back for more murderous tidbits. After all, crime doesn’t stop with daylight savings, and sometimes the Winter blues can take on a whole new meaning….

All you have to do is tweet/Facebook/Post the correct answer to the following question:

What is the name of the biker gang that Jack Taggart investigates in Loose Ends and Above Ground?

First correct answer wins!

How did you come up with the idea for this work?
I came up with the idea for this novel from personal experience. Like the protagonist, Jack Taggart, in my novel, I worked as an undercover RCMP operative over a span of twenty years, including seven years with an RCMP Intelligence Unit specializing on organized crime. I do not wish to disclose pertinent details to my fans who have not yet read Samurai Code, but I will say that the premise of the novel is based on personal experience when I was being tested by an organized crime family to ensure my loyalty to their organization.

Tell us a little about the overarching theme of your work, and why you felt compelled to explore it.
The driving force compelling me to write this novel, like my previous three novels in the series (Loose Ends, Above Ground and Angel in the Full Moon) is a combination of self-vindication, catharsis and a desire to educate the general public. Like the protagonist in my novels, I have often had to wrestle with my conscience over the actions I took and live with the sometimes-unexpected consequence of my actions. As an undercover operative I discovered, as I hope my readers do, that we do not live in a world of black and white. It is my intention to make people better informed of the world around them, cause them to question their own moral conscience and promote a better understanding of people who are often less fortunate.

Describe the most memorable response you’ve received from a reader.
The most memorable response I have ever received from a reader was when I was at a bookstore signing copies of my third novel, Angel in the Full Moon. For those unfamiliar with this novel, it included a story line about how pedophiles shame children into keeping the abuse secret, thereby allowing the pedophile to continue molesting other children, often throughout the entire life of the pedophile. Emotionally, I found it a difficult story to write. In my epilogue to this novel I wrote a plea to the victims and said, “… It is time to identify the monsters and put them away. Our children need protection. Please find the courage to do what is right.”

At this particular author signing, I was sought out by a reader who said that as a result of reading Angel in the Full Moon, she had now found the courage to return to another city from where she was originally from and disclose the identity of the perpetrator who still lived in that city. A week later, I had a similar encounter from another reader. The whole experience left me with a feeling that the work and emotional toll I went through to write the novel was justified and entirely worth while.

What is your next project?
My next project is to be the publication of my fifth novel in the series entitled Dead Ends. This novel is about criminal gangs and in particular, youth gangs. In part, the novel reflects actual criminal cases and demonstrates that something has gone terribly, terribly wrong when it comes to our judiciary, as well as our dismal response as a society in addressing the problem of young offenders.

Don Easton worked as an undercover Mountie for twenty years. He lived a life of false identities and with contracts on his life. He’s witnessed horrific crimes – and made decisions as to who should live or die. The Jack Taggart series depicts a realism that could be achieved only through real-life experiences.

But where does real life end and the imaginary begin? What situations are being painted from Easton’s own experiences and which are completely concocted for Taggart alone? It’s hard to tell, but you’ll be hooked trying to figure it out. (Trust me on this. I started Loose Ends this week and cannot put it down.)

Check out this exchange between two series characters as they themselves try to figure out what is fact and what is fiction in the tales of Jack Taggart.

******

JACK TAGGART: FACT OR FICTION?
As envisioned by Don Easton

“A Jack Taggart Mystery series!” roared Staff Sergeant Legg, slamming his fist on the desk, causing Constable Blumer to drop his arms straight to his sides to the attention mode. Had Blumer not been sitting it might have looked more appropriate.

Constable Blumer’s fear was perhaps understandable. He was fresh from the Academy and anyone with the rank of corporal and above seemed like a god to him. Blumer would normally not have been assigned to the RCMP Anti-Corruption Unit so soon, but having a degree in law had obviously impressed someone in Staffing. ACU handled the really bad boys who Internal Affairs thought could be a candidate for criminal prosecution. 

“Did you read them all?” Legg asked.

“Yes, sir,” replied Blumer. “Couldn’t put them down. Read them all within a few days.”

“What do you mean, you couldn’t put them down?” screamed Legg. “Are you telling me you liked them?”

“Uh … no, of course not,” replied Blumer. “It was just, uh, you know, to find out if he could be charged under the Official Secrets Act.”

“And can he? What do you think?”

“Sir, I don’t believe so. His series falls under the category of fiction. There is nothing identifiable enough to convince a court that—”

“Fiction my ass! I know at least half of it is true! I was on this job when he worked in the Intelligence Unit.”

“I know, sir. You were mentioned. I have to say, when reading the novels it caused me to wonder what parts were true and what parts weren’t. He’s changed people’s names, perhaps locations … it would be difficult to charge him under that Act.”

“His first novel, Loose Ends … he knew his partner was ordered to spy on him.”

“That was true, sir?”

“I didn’t know he knew until now. Then he corrupts the man to the point of helping him set up people to be murdered. What the hell is wrong with—”

“Those parts are true, too sir?” said Blumer, now with his mouth gaped open waiting for a reply.

“I can’t prove it, but I know it is. I can feel it. His second book, Above Ground, brought more murder and mayhem.”

“That’s the one where you interviewed him over his relationship with that biker kingpin.”

“That son-of-a-bitch … he’s mocking me!” seethed Legg. “But he might have screwed up. He hid a body in a cemetery. If we could get a court order to start digging … maybe we could get the evidence to nail the bastard. What do you think?”

“Uh, sir, I’ve checked. There are dozens of cemeteries. Even pinning it down to a given date leaves us with too many possibilities to ever consider getting a court order based on a novel.”

“What about his third novel in the series?”

“Angel in the Full Moon. Yes, sir. What about it?”

“What about it! Christ, he should be locked away for the rest of his life!”

“Sir, with all due respect, you never caught him when he was on the job. Now that he’s retired … well … it will be even more difficult. It is supposed to be fiction.”

“That son-of-a-bitch”

“At least the novels reflect that his heart was in the right place. Must be tough living with the consequences of his actions.”

“Did you say his heart was in the right place? Consequences? One of his consequences was leaving a permanent burr up my ass!”

Constable Blumer nodded politely.

Legg stared long enough at Blumer for him to drop his head in submission. “Get the hell out,” snapped Legg. “I’ve got work to do.”

Constable Blumer was at the doorway when Legg interjected, “Do you think he will write anymore novels?”

“He’s written three, sir. I think a lot of writers stop at a trilogy.”

Legg grunted his feeling of relief.

Ten minutes later, Constable Blumer called his wife.

“Hi, Honey,” she replied. “How is work going?”

“I don’t see myself staying here long. I’m going to ask Staffing what my chances are of being transferred to the Intelligence Unit. I just called to see if it is there yet?”

“Is what there?”

“The fourth book in the Jack Taggart Series. Samurai Code. I ordered it two weeks ago.”

***

Don Easton, author of the Jack Taggart Mystery series, worked as an undercover RCMP officer over a span of twenty years. He worked in foreign countries and assumed numerous false identities and witnessed horrific crimes. He survived several contracts on his life and was often targeted by both sides of the law. Past reviews by the media note that Easton is clearly writing from experience. He takes us into a world that few would dare to enter.

Some of my favourite reviews come from kids. I love it how they whole-heartedly embrace a book and the characters within it.  This Saturday sees the release of Chris Rutkowski’s new UFO book and first children’s book  I Saw it Too! Chris received an early thumbs up from 10 year-old who lives in his neighbourhood. Here’s what she had to say:

Ben Guyatt, the author of Billy Green Saves the Day, received a very interesting email which happened to be from a descendant of Billy Green.  Here’s the lovely email.

Dear Ben,
I just finished reading “Billy Green Saves the Day” and enjoyed it very much; I felt like I was there.  I have a particular interest because I recently got involved in my family’s genealogy and the Samuel Green family from New Jersey is part of my family tree.  Both Adam and William, his brother, were Loyalists and moved away; Adam to Stoney Creek, ON and William to western Pennsylvania.  Billy was named after his Uncle William.  My great grandmother on my father’s side is descended from William Green.  I was born in Warren, PA but for the past 30+ yrs. have lived in Oshawa, ON.  Earlier this year I stopped in Stoney Creek and found the Adam Green homestead, however, no one was home at the time.  I plan to go back soon and visit some of the historic sites.
Thank you very much for that little bit of history.
Jeanne Searle

And finally over a year ago we published Don Easton’s third mystery novel featuring the rule-bending Jack Taggart. Due to unfortunate circumstances, a review for Angel in the Full Moon that was to run in the RCMP Quarterly never ran. Well, we now have it here for you.

“RCMP Cpl. Jack Taggart and the Organized Crime Unit are back in Don Easton’s latest Jack Taggart Mystery, Angel in the Full Moon.  In his first two novels Easton challenged his readers to resolve whether being on the “right” side of the law made a character “good” and likewise, if being on the “wrong” side of the law made a character “bad”; there was little room for black and white distinctions.  Unlike those first two novels, in Angel in the Full Moon there is black and white.  The bad guys are out-and-out bad and the good guys are venerable.

Partners Jack Taggart and Laura Secord set out to investigate an unknown crime based on a tip.  While they don’t know what they’re getting into, they know it is big.  The crime is human trafficking and the story heart-wrenching.  Easton sets the tone of the novel early by introducing the readers to the victims first, humanizing them and making it difficult for the reader not to be drawn in and filled with compassion.

In all Easton’s books it is difficult to determine what of his story line is based on his life experiences as an undercover RCMP, and what is fictional creation.  Angel in the Full Moon feels from the beginning too real to be a work of fiction.  Easton wrote with emotion the reader can feel emanate off the pages.  The knowledge that the story is closer to reality than fiction makes parts of it a tough story to swallow.

As with Above Ground Easton does a splendid job of intensifying his characters without taking away from the story.  His primary characters are dynamic throughout the Jack Taggart Mystery series and throughout each individual novel.  And as he did in Above Ground, Easton has escaladed some of his secondary characters to a level that makes one wonder what role they will play in the fourth novel.

Above Ground did not offer as much shock value as Loose Ends did but Angel in the Full Moon arguably offered more.  The news stories on human trafficking seem to be swept under the rug as though they are not society’s concern.  Don Easton lifts the rug and airs it out for all to see.  He reminds us that human trafficking often involves young girls, sex crimes, and crimes against human rights.  It is sickening to think that members of society support such crimes.

I commend Mr. Easton for the personal experiences he brought to this latest book.  I admire his honesty and offer my sympathy for what he has had to endure both on the job and in his personal life.  I’d like to thank Mr. Easton for sharing a part of himself with the reader as it truly made the novel meaningful for me.  As for those out there who have yet to read the novel, even if it isn’t your style or genre, read it to remind yourself of what a portion of society goes through every day.”
- Erin Chatwell

And thus ends my last blog posting. I’m saying farewell to Dundurn today.  I’ve had a lot of fun keeping you updated on our activities.  Thanks for reading about my adventures as a publicist here at Dundurn. Best wishes to you all! And make sure you keep tuning in for more updates and publishing stories from Ashleigh and Jeffrey.

Happy Reading!

From Tim Hortons to Old Navy, gift cards for retailers remained a popular present this year. If you’re still debating on how to use that Chapters gift card you received over the Holidays how about one or two of Dundurn’s many titles that made it on the media’s many top ten year end lists.

Caribou the North by Monte Hummel, President Emeritus of WWF- Canada and Justina C. Ray, Executive Director of Wildlife Conservation Society, received a nod from NOW Magazine  who described the book as “a gorgeous, thoroughly researched and, more important, passionate book”. It was also featured in Animal Literature’s “Top Animal Books of 2008“, the Times-Colonist, and the Winnipeg Free Press, which called it “a fascinating and often troubling look at a resilient animal and its importance to far northern cultures and the increasing threats it faces.”

Bookgasm.com included two of our fiction titles on their list of “10 That Were Great in 2008″.  Twelve Trees by J.D. Carpenter was ranked number 6 on their list and Don Easton’s latest Jack Taggart mystery Angel in the Full Moon rounded up the list at number 10.

Dundurn’s mysteries were also well represented in print media with Dundurn’s newest addition to its CastleStreet Mysteries, Still Waters,  included in mystery critic Don Graves of the Hamilton Spectator top 10 Canadian mysteries.  Click here to view Don’s list. And Maureen Jennings’  second Christine Morris mystery The K Handshape was featured in the Packet & Times Best Books of 2008 to Warm Your Winter’s Eve.

Happy Shopping!

“Easton has taught his readers that Jack Taggart is a master of manipulation and creative problem solving. In fact, Jack’s trademark ’sting’ plot twist is a much anticipated part of the books. Easton’s prose is straight up and undecorated, which may not appeal to some readers, but his stories are interesting and well told. His skill in interweaving the investigation plot and personal lives of his characters has become more polished in this novel, and Easton subtly uses this story to exorcise some personal demons as well.” – Merrill Young

To read the full review click here.

“This is the third and best Jack Taggart novel by Easton, a former undercover operative for the RCMP. The subject is human trafficking, a loathsome practice, and Easton’s knowledge gives the plot plenty of realism as the action moves from Cuba to Hanoi. We also learn more about Jack Taggart the characters, but it all fits into the plotline. This one could have been taken right out of the daily news.”

Bookgasm.com’s

“This novel will definitely thrill anyone who dares to enter this dark world. Just be forewarned that it’s always darkest before Taggart finishes his vendetta. In Angel in the Full Moon, Easton has delivered his third and most personal story yet, and one that hopefully will give him greater exposure to the masses, since it blows all expectations that his first two books promised.” Click here to read the full review.

And to read what Bruce had to say about the first two Jack Taggart mysteries – Loose Ends and Above Ground click here and here.