Grace Bowen Books

Tag: reading

  • Updates: What happened in May? + What’s coming up in June

    What’s New?

    I went to Toronto Indie Authors Conference (TIAC 2026) April 18 and 19. It was amazing. I learned so much and met some new people. It was my 2nd one, and I am already planning to go next year. There were so many fantastic presentations and workshops and came back home ready to apply all the new knowledge I had gained. I even won a fantastic price, which included an entire bag of books and a Kobo colour reader!

    I also got to see some friends I haven’t seen since last year and meet lots of new author friends too. Below, is a photo of my friend and amazing award winning author. If you like twisty, turny thrillers, you will love her books. I am currently reading my newly gifted Melissa Yi thriller, “Killing Me Slothly”. I have got to tell ya, it is definitely a page turner. I am loving it so far. So thanks Melissa.

    A Secret Writing Retreat

    It’s finally trailer season. I have a seasonal trailer in a lovely family oriented campground near my home on beautiful Lake Bernard. May is when trailer season begins so it’s not only an exciting time, where I look forward to seeing friends that I only see at the park, and also a busy time, with all that is involved in getting everything opened up after a long cold winter.

    One thing I love about my trailer site is that it is such a quiet place to be during the week (except for prime summer holiday time) and I often use it as a place to sit outside and get some early morning writing in, before the park wakes up. My site is quiet and it gives me an alternative setting to work, after the long winter months.

    For me, this season also means more visits from grandkids at the trailer, where they can run around with other kids, bike, swim, climb, play, swim, and sit around bonfires at night. So here’s to another season filled with fin, laughter and love.

    Grace Bowen Books has a whole new look!

    Check out our new logo 🙂 Hope you like it. I know I love it. Please let me know what you think.

    Designed by 6SGraphics in the Almaguin Highlands, Ontario, Canada.

    For anyone local to the Almaguin Highlands (Ontario, Canada) area, signed copies of all my books are now available to purchase at 89 Main in Sundridge, Ontario. Check them out! They have so many amazing things and online purchasing is available for their merchandise.

    This past week, I was visiting with my oldest daughter, husband and grandkids and absolutely loved it. Since they moved to Ohio I have not been able to see them for our weekly pizza nights or have them out at the trailer so I am relieved that I finally got to spend some quality time with them all.

    Book #3 in the Sydney Jones Mystery Series Update:

    I have been working hard at writing my Sydney Jones Mystery. The working title (originally Campers and Corpses) has been changed to Reunions and Revenge, which I think is much more suitable for the story. In this book, Sydney finds herself in the middle of yet, another murder investigation. Can you guess where this story location might be? I am having fun planning and writing this, however progress has been slower than I wanted, mainly because I have other things on my plate at the moment that are taking away some of my time and energy. And despite the fact that I am sitting fairly still most times that I am writing, I find that it can be a tiring endevour. It requires a lot of brain focused energy. I am not one that can just jot down chapters while sitting in my car waiting, or dictate chapters while hiking, although I really wish I could. I need to sit still and concentrate. Everyone has a different process. I was told by several people, that dictation is a skill that is learnable, but I need to have notes and written down ides at hand while I write, so I have not yet even attempted to try it. Maybe one day.

    Book #3 in the Sydney Jones Mystery Series info – Reunions & Revenge takes place at the Lake Bernard campground, on the outskirts of Blueberry Falls.

    The focus is on the annual Watt Family Reunion, which is usually an exciting kick off to summer and Canada Day celebration event, however everything does not go as planned. In fact, tragedy strikes, and Sydney finds herself investigating yet, another crime during what was supposed to be a relaxing week long vacation with her dog Beans.

    I have added a visual of the Watt Family Tree here because the whole thing gets a little complicated when everyone in the family seems to be on the suspect list.

    Perilous Pins Audiobook is Available!

    Perilous Pins audiobook is now available on Audible, iTunes, Kobo, Spotify and in libraries.

    Perilous Pins Audiobook is Available! Perilous Pins audiobook is now available on Audible, iTunes, Kobo, Spotify and in libraries.

    I will be at Bookapalooza 2026 in Minden, Ontario, on June 20th.

    https://www.haliburtonarts.on.ca/bookapalooza

  • What’s New?

    Perilous Pins Audiobook is Available!

    For audiobook fans, I am so excited that Perilous Pins audiobook is available on Audible, iTunes and Spotify and will soon be available on Kobo, and others.

    I know there are some people who have been patiently waiting for this audiobook and I am so happy to finally have got it all done. Please look for it on your favourite Audiobook store.

    My next audiobook project will be Airwaves & Alibis. I hope to have that completed by fall 2026.

    Question ????

    I am considering direct sales from my website, and would love to be able to have some special offers for you all.

    If a paperback + audiobook combo purchase was offered on this website, would you be interested? Please comment here or send me an email to books@gracebowenbooks.ca and let me know your thoughts.

    Other Stuff I’ve Been Up To This Month:

    I have been working on Act II of Book #3 in the Sydney Jones Mystery Series, however it has been slower going for a couple reasons. First, because I was stuck on a few scenes as they determined how the rest of the book would evolve. I ended up making a new whiteboard plan to help me better visualize the plot, clues, and red herrings.

    Second, I had been focused on getting the first audiobook completed, and it took up a lot of my time. Now that it is behind me, I hope to have more time to devote to completing the draft and not have to spend as much time on other writing business things.

    Used Bookstores

    Last weekend, I went to another local used bookstore that I had never been to before. It is located in the basement of a church and run by volunteers. I must say that I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of books that were available in the space. And it was really well organized. I came out with an entire bag of books. Most of which I will take up to my trailer to add to my summer reading collection. Some I will have read long before then, as I am really looking forward to start them soon. This coming week shows a forecast full of rain every day, so it will be a great excuse to sit and get some reading done.

    Toronto Indie Authors Conference

    I am leaving Friday morning to head down to the conference and I am so excited. Last year, I learned so much and met so many great, like-minded people. This year, I will even get to spend the weekend with my dear writing partner from London, England, as she too will be at the conference. I can’t wait!

    Horsing Around

    I think my horses have spring fever now. They have been running around and playing lots in the milder weather, especially Olive the mule. Olive is not yet two years old and lately has been full of beans and bugging all the horses. She’s so sweet and friendly and it won’t be long before she is as big as some of the other horses.

    Olive the Mule

    I will be at Bookapalooza 2026 in Minden, Ontario, on June 20th.

    Between The Lines Podcast

    Latest Episode link below: with guest Lauren McLaren

  • I can’t believe how cold March was! Luckily, that kept me inside writing. Yeah for April to finally arrive!

    What I’ve Been Up To:

    Drafting book #3 in The Sydney Jones Mystery Series is going well. I am ready to start ACT II (I am using a 4 act structure)

    My hope is to release book #3 by the beginning of June 2026 but that may be a stretch, as life keeps getting in the way. I will keep you posted.

    My working title for the third book had originally started as “Campers & Corpses, but it will be changed to something else. I don’t want to tell anyone quite yet what that title will be. Once it has been properly decided, I will let you all know.

    I have also been working on a temporary cover which I use as a place holder while I am drafting. It helps keep me focused somehow. I will take whatever I can get, as a way to stay fully engaged in the drafting process because it can be hard sometimes when I am staring at a blank page and know I must write a scene before I am done for the day.

    Another thing I have been working on is the initial research for a new mystery series. I find it so much fun to develop a brand new character set in a brand new setting. This one will be quite different from the Sydney Jones Mystery Series in many ways.

    I will be at Bookapalooza 2026 in Minden, Ontario, on June 20th.

    ​BookapaloozaArts Council Haliburton Highlands​

    I was a guest on “Carrie’d Away, which is a great new podcast on The Bay 88.7 It was such a fun interview. Link below:

    ​CARRIE’D AWAY LYNN REMMELGAS MARCH 21 2026​

    Between The Lines Podcast – Latest Episode link below:

    ​BETWEEN THE LINES BEV BREWER MARCH 7 2026​

    The paperback copies of Airwaves and Alibis are available at Hunter’s Bay Radio in Huntsville, Ontario.

  • New Coffee Shops, New Inspiration

    What I’ve Been Up To:

    A couple of weeks ago, I started my first draft of book 3 in The Sydney Jones Cozy Mystery Series this week while I was away. I found a cool little coffee shop and finished chapter 1. I have not moved much further ahead because I have had too many other things on the go lately, but I will soon be back on schedule.

    I like to change up my environment when I am drafting. It fuels my creativity and keeps me motivated. Plus, I have found some really cool little coffee shops along the way.

    I found The Coffee Lodge in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada. The employees at the coffee shop were warm and welcoming, and the whole atmosphere was relaxing and inspirational. If you have never been to Sarnia, it is a great place to visit. Sarnia is a border city in Southwestern Ontario. The city sits on the shores of Lake Huron and the St. Clair River, directly across from Port Huron, Michigan, and is known for having one of the warmest climates in Ontario.

    Here’s a few random pics from my visit. It was a beautiful, bright, sunny day. But it was also very cold and windy that day, and being on the shores of Lake Huron probably made it feel even colder. FYI: Back at my house, the temperatures were way colder, but I figured traveling south would give me a reprieve from the cold. I was wrong. Sarnia had little to no snow though, whereas my house still has tons and will be a long while before I see any grass.

  • January 2026 Inner Circle News

    What I’ve Been Up To

    Happy New Year!

    I hope everyone had a great Christmas and New Years, or whatever other things one might celebrate during the December holiday season. I still cannot believe it is the first day of 2026. Now I will likely write the incorrect date for the next 2-3 months.

    I got to spend lots of time with family and friends, but did not get down to Ohio to visit my one daughter and her family, so I am missing everyone there tons. I am hoping to go in the spring.

    I was also able to get a lot of editing time in for my book, Airwaves & Alibis, which will be launched by the end of January. Fingers crossed. 😃 However, I always do expect some delays so it may be February instead. Booo 😟

    I have also been busy planning out the year’s book writing goals, which can be exciting. I already have Book #3 of the Sydney Jones Mystery Series, in the very initial planning stages. Basically, I have the basic plotline and location, but I am mulling around the details in my mind while I am still editing Book #2. Once the edits are complete, I will start a more detailed planning process, then move on to making a proper outline. This process usually takes a month or two, before I am ready to actually sit down and write a first draft. Sometimes I get lucky though, and the ideas form quickly and clearly, and I am ready fairly quickly.

    Between The Lines Podcast

    Back in November 2025, Hunter’s Bay Radio launched my new podcast!

    “Between the Lines” is aired on every 4th Saturday morning at 7am on Hunter’s Bay Radio (Muskoka – The Bay 88.7).

    Between the Lines is a podcast that brings inspirational interviews, interesting insights and insider information into the cultural practice of storytelling.

    [Please note that the podcast does not use my Grace Bowen pen name. but instead uses my real name, yes I use a pen name for my mystery books]

    Check out the link to my latest episode on Hunter’s Bay Radio – The Bay 88.7 in Muskoka

    https://www.muskokaradio.com/news/local-podcasts/between-the-lines-alan-wade-december-13-2025/

    🎯 Please Leave a Review

    I cannot stress enough, the importance of leaving a book review. If you have read Perilous Pins and have not yet left a review, please, please, help me out, and leave one. It would mean the world to me.

    On Amazon, I think that if you have purchased $50+ in the last year, you are able to leave a review. I will add the direct link to the review below.

    If you don’t use Amazon, a personal email with a review is also extremely helpful. I truly do want your input.

    Amazon Review Link for Perilous Pins

    Thanks so much 😊

    Perilous Pins Universal eBook Link

    https://books2read.com/u/3Rp95j

    Paperback copies of Perilous Pins are available on Amazon, Lobo, Barns & Noble, Smashwords (and other online retailers) or you can find locally at Riverbowl in Burk’s Falls, and Smokin’ Hot BBQ in Huntsville, Ontario, Canada

  • December 2025 Inner Circle News

    What I’ve Been Up To This Month

    I find it hard to believe that we are half way through the final month of 2025. I don’t know about you but it went by in a flash.

    In summary: Personally, I have had both personal challenges and achievements. Health wise took a big turn in this fall for me and I have just had to learn to go with the flow. My family continues to thrive and flourish, with their own challenges and achievements. I published the first book in the new Sydney Jones Mystery Series (Perilous Pins) and completed my draft of the second book. I got to spend lots of time at my trailer on the lake, where I spent my days near the water and my nights around the fire. I met some wonderful new friends who have become permanent fixtures in my life. I am heading into 2026 with hope and a tiny bit of trepidation. That’s life, I think.

    Some details: I finished writing my draft for Book #2 in the Sydney Jones Mystery Series, and I am now working on the editing. This is a time consuming process, however, I love the feeling of finally being able to see my vision come to life.

    Book #2 is called Airwaves and Alibis. It features another real local business(Central and Northern Ontario, Canada) . Just like Book #1.

    The story is still set in the fictional town of Blueberry Falls, and the characters are all fictional. They are not based on any real people, however, they are inspired by many of the real people that I have interacted with while researching this novel.

    I have a tentative cover design ready to go, however that is not yet finalized. I am hoping Airwaves and Alibis will be released by the end of January. I will keep you all posted.

    On another note, the cover of Book #1 has been changed. Please let me know what you think. I realize it is not quite the same cozy mystery book theme, however, it is still, definitely a “whodunit” themed cover. The photo of Riverbowl on the back cover is still the same.

    On a more personal note, I was under the weather for a good portion of November, which slowed down my writing process, however, I still packed out over 37,000 words towards my draft and completed it the first week of December.

    Below is the tentative cover for Airwaves and Alibis. Let me know what you think.

    Upcoming Events

    While I do not have any upcoming public events scheduled for December, I do have lots of things scheduled with family and friends. And I think the rest of the winter will be filled with new book launch type events. I will let you know as they are scheduled.

    Oops, almost forgot. One really fun event that is in the very beginning stages of planning, is a potential live murder mystery event, based on Perilous Pins. Let me know your thoughts on this please.

    🎯 Please Leave a Review

    I cannot stress enough, the importance of leaving a book review. If you have read Perilous Pins and have not yet left a review, please, please, help me out, and leave one. It would mean the world to me.

    On Amazon, I think that if you have purchased $50+ in the last year, you are able to leave a review. I will add the direct link to the review below.

    If you don’t use Amazon, a personal email with a review is also extremely helpful. I truly do want your input.

    Amazon Review Link for Perilous Pins

    Thanks so much 😊

    Book of the month

    I completed “A Court of Mist and Fury” while I was under the weather and I really enjoyed it.

    I also read “Fourth Wing” by Rebecca Yarros” which I also really enjoyed.

    Check it out if you like these types of books. For me, these 2 series are a nice change from my typical cozy mystery reads.

    Perilous Pins Universal eBook Link

    https://books2read.com/u/3Rp95j

    Paperback copies of Perilous Pins are available on Amazon, Lobo, Barns & Noble, Smashwords (and other online retailers) or you can find locally at Riverbowl in Burk’s Falls, and Smokin’ Hot BBQ in Huntsville, Ontario, Canada

    **Riverbowl:  https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Fe3mH37GY/**

    **Smokin’ Hot BBQ:  https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1EtCQKXsuL/**

  • Small Town Secrets, Big Mystery Fun October 2025

    Grace Bowen’s Cozy Mystery Inner Circle Newsletter

    A wedding bouquet rests on newspapers.

    Grace Bowen’s Inner Circle Newsletter

    What I’ve Been Up To This Month

    This month, I’ve officially started writing Book #2 in the Sydney Jones Mystery Series! It’s always an exciting (and slightly nerve-wracking) feeling when the blank page turns into the start of a brand new adventure. Sydney is back with her curious mind and knack for stumbling into mysteries; and yes, there’s plenty of intrigue brewing in Blueberry Falls again.

    I’ve also signed up for ProWritingAid’s Novel November event, which is a month-long challenge encouraging writers to set goals, connect with others, and stay motivated through November. It’s a wonderful way to keep myself accountable while drafting the new book, and I’m looking forward to sharing my progress with you along the way.

    As for this weekend, it’s Thanksgiving here in Canada, and I’ll be spending it with family and friends; taking some time to rest, enjoy great food, and soak in the fall colours. I’ll also be closing up my trailer for the season at Lake Bernard Campground, which is always bittersweet. It’s been such a peaceful place to relax and gather inspiration for Sydney’s next case.

    How about you? What are your Thanksgiving plans or autumn traditions? I’d love to hear about them!

    Upcoming Events

    On October 16th, 2025, I’ll be reading an excerpt from Perilous Pins at the Huntsville Public Library. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. and is presented by the Muskoka Authors Association.

    If you’re in the area, I’d love to see you there!

    Book of the month

    I’ve been balancing writing and Thanksgiving prep this month, so my reading has been slower than usual! I finally finished A Court of Mist and Fury and have just started reading Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarrows.

    Hopefully, I’ll have more to report next month!

    🎯 Please Leave a Review

    If you’ve read Perilous Pins, it would mean so much if you’d take a moment to leave a review on Amazon or Goodreads; or even just send me your thoughts by email if you prefer. Your feedback helps others discover Sydney’s adventures and keeps me inspired to keep writing.

    Perilous Pins Universal eBook Link

    ​​Available now at your favorite digital store!​​

    Paperback copies of Perilous Pins are available on Amazon (and other online retailers) or you can find locally at Riverbowl in Burk’s Falls, and Smokin’ Hot BBQ in Huntsville, Ontario, Canada

    Riverbowl: ​https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Fe3mH37GY/​​

    Smokin’ Hot BBQ: ​https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1EtCQKXsuL/