Thursday, April 5, 2012

Free copies of A GREEN PLACE FOR DYING!

My publisher is giving away 5 copies of my latest Meg Harris mystery at the 49th Shelf website. All you need to do is become a registered member and submit your name to win. If you aren't familiar with the 49th Shelf, it is the go-to place for finding everything you need to know about Canadian books and Canadian authors.

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Library week in Ottawa

Although my book tour is now over, and what a terrific tour it was, I will be busy with library events in Ottawa next week.

On Wed. April 11, from 1:30 pm to 3:00, I will be back at the Stittsville Public Library, one of my favourites, discussing and reading from my latest Meg Harris mystery, A Green Place for Dying. It's located at 1637 Stittsville Main St. in Stittsville.

The next day, April 12, the Deadly Duo at High Noon will be regaling readers at the Main Branch of the Ottawa Public Library, 120 Metcalfe St from noon until 1:30 pm. You are no doubt wondering who the Deadly Duo are. Me, of course, and my good friend, Vicki Delany, who will be speaking about her latest Klondike mystery, Gold Mountain.

By the way Vicki is launching Gold Mountain the following week on April 19, 7:00 pm at Library and Archives Canada.  She will be joined by Erika Chase, who is also launching A Killer Read, the first in the Ashton Book Club mystery series.

The following day, April 13, I will be speaking to a group of librarians about the latest happenings in the Mystery genre with an emphasis on Canadian mysteries. This is a co-ordinated event that is taking place at a number of libraries in Southern Ontario by various members of Crime Writers of Canada.

Before signing off, I want to thank all those who stopped by my signing table during my book tour to chat and to buy signed copies of my Meg Harris mysteries. It was wonderful to meet you and to be reassured that people are still reading.  Lots of them, if my sales numbers are anything to go by.

Below is a photo of me with fellow writer and fan Pamela Blance at the Queensway Chapter in Toronto.

Sunday, March 25, 2012

The reviews are rolling in

"Meg Harris...gets and education in evil in Harlick's absorbing fifth mystery"  Publishers Weekly


"Author R.J. Harlick's Meg Harris series shakes the boundaries with each successive novel and has reached a new plateau with A Green Place for Dying..." Hamilton Spectator


"R.J. Harlick has picked a tragically relevant focus for her latest Meg Harris crime novel..."  A Joan Barfoot review that has appeared in several Canadian papers including, London Free Press, The Whig Standard, The Examiner, The Nugget, Fort McMurray Today....


"...solid writing, strong characterization, a tight plot and a wonderful sense of place." Reviewingtheevidence.com


"Anyone who appreciates complex, realistic characters and a strong traditional mystery set in an unfamiliar environment should make an effort to look for A Green Place for Dying. You'll be shocked to discover what you've been missing." Lesa's Book Critiques


"All of the Meg Harris books are steeped in this rich culture that adds a deeper texture to the novels. The mysteries are solidly plotted and provide new challenges to Meg. And she in turn, works through her own demons and insecurities....This is a series you'll want to read from start to finish."  Mystery Mavens Canada


"Last night I opened 'A Green Place for Dying'...It's five a.m. and I'm still up. This is one seductive book." Jayne Barnard's blog



Friday, March 23, 2012

Upcoming signings

I'm heading off tomorrow, March 24, to Peterborough to sign my latest Meg Harris mystery, A Green Place for Dying. I'll be at Chapters Peterborough from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. On Sunday, March 25, I'm heading to Kingston, where I will do two store signings. In the morning from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm, I'm at Kingston Indigo and then I rush up Princess Street to Kingston Chapters for another signing from 1:30 pm to 4:00. If I'm a bit late you will know why. The crowds at the Indigo wouldn't let me leave until I had signed the last book.....:)

The following weekend I travel again. This time to Toronto, where I will be signing at the Queensway Chapters in Etobicoke from 7:00 pm to 9:00 on Friday March 30. Then on Saturday March 31 I scoot over to Waterloo to sign at the Waterloo Chapters from 1:00 to 4:00. I finish up my tour with a Sunday, April Fools Day signing at in St. Catharines at the Chapters. I'll be there from 1:00 pm to 4:00.

This ends my organized book tour, but I will be doing one more signing at the end of April on Monday April 30, at a very fun event, called the Festival of Mystery, in Oakmont PA. Put on by the Mystery Lovers Bookshop, it is a fabulous event. Throngs of avid mystery fans line up at the door waiting to get in and when the doors finally open, they pounce.

I hope to set up some more signings, possibly in Montreal. I will let you know the dates once confirmed.

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Upcoming Ottawa events

With the release of A Green Place for Dying fast approaching on Feb. 17, my event card is starting to fill up.

It kicks off with a bang and a wickedly fun celebration of the launch on Tues. Feb. 28 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the Heart and Crown in the Market. Be sure not to miss the Ottawa book event of the year....yeah, right. I wish. But I promise it will be lots of fun.



Then on Saturday Mar. 3, from 1:00 pm to 4:00, I will be at one of my favourite Chapters, Rideau Chapters on Rideau St., where else but next to the Rideau Centre. I always have great fun at this store meeting many fabulous readers and I usually manage to sell a book or two or three or more.....:) And the staff are super there.

If you miss me on Saturday, you can catch me at Chapters South Keys, in the South Keys Shopping Centre, another great signing store. I'll be there from 1:00 pm to 4:00

The following weekend I'll be in the west end of Ottawa. On Saturday, March 10 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 at Chapters Pinecrest in the Pinecrest Mall and then on Sunday, March 11, from 1:00 pm to 4:00 at Chapters Kanata in the Kanata Centrum Mall. And I tell you I love signing at these stores too. Terrific staff, terrific clientele.

On Saturday, March 17 from 12:00 to 2:00 pm, I will be at my favourite independent bookstore in Ottawa, Books on Beechwood, who is also handling my launch sales. The store is located on Beechwood a block north of the Vanier Parkway.

I am also looking at book signings at two more Ottawa stores. When I have these finalized, I will let you know.

And when I am finished with Ottawa, I am off to other book stores in southern and eastern Ontario and Quebec. It promises to be a very busy couple of months. But hey, I love doing these signings. Gives me a chance to get to know my readers.