From the Desk of J.M. Poole

Am currently working on Calm the Water (formerly Clear the Water), the third Dragons of Andela book. Who would like to name a fictional character? I could use a few names.

Valthans (water dragons): Several male, several female, and a good name for their queen. Would love to hear what their coloring is, too!

Spark (lightning) dragons: Male and female. Include coloring.

Humans: Could use a few of each.

Human powers: Looking for basic, trivial abilities. Laughable at best.

If I use your suggestion, then your name will be included at the back of the book!

Thanks, everyone!

J.

I like ice cream, just like everyone else, but never once would I ever consider killing for it. And then, dumping the frozen treat in a dumpster aftward? Yet, that’s what’s happening to Zack in Pomme Valley. Someone broke into Cookbook Nook, stole Jillian’s ice cream, then promptly dumped it in a nearby dumpster. Then, compounding matters, the thief who pulled off the heist turns up dead!

Determined to prove they’re smarter than a pair of dogs, a nearby police department places a wager as to who can solve the crime first. As for the loser, there will be humiliations galore.

Everyone’s favorite crime-fighting duo, Sherlock and Watson, are on the case! In their usual fashion, the dogs pick out a number of unusual clues, and it’s up to Zack and his friends to decipher the meaning, catch the bad guys, and win the wager. May the best department win!

Case of the Ice Cream Crime. Available June 25th, 2023.

Just yesterday, I put the finishing touches on Case of the Hobbit Heist (CCF#19). This mystery takes place at a Comic-Con, namely the first southern Oregon has seen in a few years. Who’s the headliner at the convention? None other than a good friend of mine, actor Michael Biehn. I thought it might be fun to have Zack and the gang meet up with the celebrity and help solve a crime that has befallen Michael, namely the theft of the plasma rifle he used in Aliens. Well, after doing some research online, I realized that I had better reach out to Michael first, before I started writing. Clearly, since I just finished the story, he said yes. Actually, he really loved the idea of being in a book, and agreed to write a Foreword to the story. This title is the second Corgi Case Files adventure I’ve finished that hasn’t been published. The next, due out next month, I believe, is Case of the Ice Cream Crime. This one, the Hobbit Heist, will more than likely be scheduled for a Fall release.

What’s next? Well, currently on my plate is to finish the edits for ToL4, Thoughts for a Portal. My publisher is in the midst of going through all my fantasies and polishing them up for re-release. New covers, new editing, and new promos are in the works for all of them. The Bakkian Chronicles were first, and have been cleaned up and given new covers. The first five Tales of Lentari titles will be released this summer, so I’ve got to get going!

Next up for me is a return trip to the Tales of Lentari series. Blast from the Past (ToL10) is slated for a Fall/Winter release, and then it’ll be back to Andela for Nuri’s tale in Clear the Water (DoA3).

Busy, busy, busy! Hope everyone is having a great Spring! Be safe and happy reading!

J.

Just in time for the holidays! Myself, and four other talented authors, including USA Today bestselling author Connie Shelton, have written short stories featuring the characters from our ongoing series. With holidays ranging from Halloween to New Years, come with us to see what your favorite characters are up to, and perhaps you’ll meet some new ones!

If you’d like to know a little about my contribution, I’ll throw a few tidbits your way. Here’s the small blurb about my story, taken from Amazon:

The Case of the Secret Staircase from J.M. Poole, the bestselling author of The Corgi Case Files. A family celebration for Dia de los Muertos gets interrupted by a series of thefts, small items intended to honor the ancestors. Does it have something to do with Highland House, the venue that’s suspected of harboring a few of its own ghosts? At once, the smart and lovable corgis are on the case. Sherlock and Watson, along with their human helpers, Zack and Jillian Anderson, will unravel the mystery, clue by clue.

Available only in this special collection, Secret Staircase Holiday Mysteries will be available 10/17 with a price of $4.99, but if you pre-order now, you’ll be able to lock in the special rate of $0.99! You won’t want to miss this, so reserve your copy today!

Look what just popped up for pre-order?  Case of the Rusty Sword (CCF#16) can now be reserved at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and several other retailers.  Want to know why Zack’s old house was hiding a hidden compartment?  Have you been wondering why a construction crew discoverd a US cavalry saber inside?  Sherlock and Watson are on the case!  Reserve your copy today!  Available August 11th!!

I’ve officially returned to Lentari for a spell. Steve and Sarah have awoken on their world and discovered the Lentari they know and love has … changed. Portal keys are missing, friends are gone, and a strange king and queen are sitting on the thrones. Also, magic has been forbidden!

When a foe from the past threatens their future, husband and wife must find a way to return to the past and set things straight. Together, Steve, Sarah, and their griffin companion Emerion, must travel to a hostile past, where they will encounter feuding dwarves, attacking griffins, and deceitful dragons. Determined to restore the timeline and preserve their future, Steve and Sarah must face one of their most dangerous adversaries a second time, and this time, he knows their coming. 🙂

Blast from the Past (Tales of Lentari #10) is due to have a release date this fall. I’ll be showing a preview of the cover once I start getting updates. Stay tuned!