Traci Hall Blog

Happy fall!

What better way to celebrate the release of book 7 in the Scottish Shire series, Murder at the Scottish Games, than to have book 1, Murder in a Scottish Shire, on sale? Only 1.99, but for a limited time only!

I can’t believe that it’s been five years since the first book came out. It was during Covid, and the world was a scary space between the riots and fear of being sick. Masks, lack of toilet paper, and gallon jugs of hand sanitizer…Christopher and I went on a road trip (staying two weeks at each family member’s house–starting with Patrice, who is like family, then Sheryl, also like family lol) thinking if it was End Times, we wanted to see those we loved. 

A lot of bookstores were closed but the occasional Barnes & Noble had Murder in a Scottish Shire in stock. We wore masks and took pictures, appreciating that it was on shelves, even though we couldn’t do a traditional book signing.

Books were an escape–both writing them and reading–much like today. 

How do you escape?

I’d love to know if you like to read, or maybe paint, or do puzzles…I used to enjoy singing, until I realized it wasn’t a joyful outlet for those in listening range, lol.

If you’re local, I’ll be at the Pompano Beach Library on Saturday, November 22, being interviewed by Patrick Kenrick. The event will be from 2-4.

Then Sunday, November 23, I’ll be at Barnes & Noble in Fort Lauderdale, again from 2-4.

I love connecting readers over story, so come on by, and let’s chat.

Happy reading!

Traci

If you are not caught up with the Scottish Shire series yet, then now is the time, as Murder at the Scottish Games comes out on Nov. 25^th.  I am so excited, and my narrator for the series, Beverley A. Crick has also let me know that she’s recorded it, and loved it, so it will also be available for preorder.

If you enjoy the Scottish Shire series, or the Salem B&B series, or the Irish Castle series, and you like to know super-secret behind the scenes stuff about my books, well I would love it if you’d join my review team on Facebook. I give away monthly prizes, and this month, because Murder at the Scottish Games comes out on 11.25, I am giving away a Grand Prize in addition to the others. I am thankful for the buzz you all get going by sharing your thoughts and creating excitement. Each review you do gets one entry on the prize wheel. How can you read it before it comes out?

I have a special code on NetGalley, that’s how 😊 Here it is : https://www.netgalley.com/catalog/book/657799

The next drawing will be Nov 14^th, so head on over my review team page!

Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/652326112672533

Thank you!

Traci

I have been enjoying the fall season—in a Florida way. The breezes change perception as it is warm—81 at nine in the morning, but the cloudy skies and wind make it “seem” cooler. Christopher and I like to walk at Snyder Park, which is loaded with trees for shade, so we even get the leaves to crunch.

I was in Oakmont, PA in September, and it was the real deal. Oaks and pine trees. Falling leaves. The tradeoff is they have actual cold winters with snow, while I just need to watch out for falling lizards if we get temps below 50. I like being in the subtropics and prefer the heat to the cold. My hubby (a Florida native) doesn’t so much, so we have compromised on moving up the coast, eventually, toward Amelia Island. I’ve been in Florida for over 25 years, which practically makes me a native. My goal? To be a snowbird with a home part-time in the Pacific Northwest.

I will be hanging out on the Cozy Mystery Lovers page tomorrow from 4-5, and offering two separate giveaways for books—Mrs. Morris and the Day of the Dead AND an ARC of Murder at the Scottish Games.

I hope to see you there!

Traci

Last weekend my husband and I decided to take an impromptu trip, and drove to Amelia Island, six hours away. It is as north in Florida as you can get before hitting Georgia. Between life and family and work, we were feeling burned out, so we just…hopped in the car. The deal was to be in the moment—no business, or drama, just us, as a couple. It was a blast!

I love road trips. When Covid happened five years ago, there was so much fear everywhere. Stay home, stay healthy, the virus was in the air, wash your hands, wear a mask. There were riots, and political unrest. It felt like something from a dystopian movie. Christopher and I decided to heck with it and hopped into our SUV. The rules were that you had to remain in one place for two weeks so if you had the virus, you didn’t spread it. We were careful, and ended up staying with friends and family from here to North Carolina, to Chicago, to San Diego, to Washington. Instead of letting that fear trap us, we chose to let it empower us instead.

Time away doing something new was a huge refresh for our mental health. We had never been to Amelia Island before, and were so surprised by all of the green, and parks, in addition to the lovely coast. Well, we didn’t realize that there was a big storm, so some of our outdoor activities were curtailed, but we still had fun.

We stayed at the cutest Airbnb called the Sea Cottages.  We had wonderful meals from beach food at Sliders, to breakfast at the Beach Diner.  I would love to have done a ghost tour, but they only offer them on Thursdays LOL. Right? It was a little strange, and not your typical tourist hours. We stopped at the Book Loft (of course we did!) and gathered ghost stories at the oldest bar in Florida, the Palace Saloon.

I can’t wait to go back again 😊

Do you have somewhere near you that you can drive to that is a vacation close to home?

This Friday, we are back to the grind, but it was really a wonderful getaway.

<3

Traci

I love Halloween, and fall, and the sound of crunching leaves when you walk down the sidewalk, which I experienced while in Oakmont PA last weekend. What a beautiful little town with all of these Victorian/brick homes, oak trees, and wraparound porches. Sunday morning, there was legit fog and this mom and baby deer coming through it like a Disney movie. I saw blue jays, cardinals, and fat, sassy squirrels. It was the perfect fall-vibe reset for this Florida girl. We sold lots of books and met amazing readers during the library event hosted by Mystery Lovers Bookshop—and they have signed stock, if you are interested in autographed copies.

While doing my newsletter this morning, I realized that Mrs. Morris and the Day of the Dead, as well as Death at an Irish Village, both take place in the fall. I love Halloween and all things spooky, and we have a month-long array of horror movies at our house. We started off light, with Tucker & Dale VS Evil—a hilarious spoof on the college-kids camping trope. Things will get darker as the month progresses. And after that, is Thanksgiving, near to my heart because it’s about sharing food with friends and family.

Which feels most fall to you? Let me know in the comments!

A) 👉 Cider / Sweater / Book B) 👉 Pumpkin / Socks / Walk C)👉 Give me your favorite fall thing!

I’m an A 🙂

I’ve included a photo from the Mystery Lovers Bookshop event.

Happy fall!

Traci

I’m giving myself kudos for following through with my marketing lessons, even though it’s hard and I wonder if it matters because there is so much behind the scenes that you have to take on faith lol. Do the posts I create really reach readers? I just don’t know. I do know that my website and social media pages look more professional, so no matter what, that is a win.

What I love about the way Shelby teaches is that this is another way to connect with readers, which is what my writing journey is about. I have promised to post consistently through December and then study the statistics. In the meantime, I’ve learned so much.

I got wonderful news this month about another Scottish Shire book in the series—I think it will be titled Murder at a Scottish Book Club, and then my other publisher is interested in a haunted bookshop cozy. I’ve just finished edits for my new Cider Falls Orchard book, Apple Pies and Poisoned Lies—I hope to be able to share the cover before Thanksgiving. It’s so cute!

I’ve been blown away by the continued fabulous reviews for Mrs. Morris and the Day of the Dead, as well as Death at an Irish Village. I am truly humbled by them—and yes, I’ve cried a few tears myself over the final book in the Salem B&B series.

Let me know your thoughts—I will be in PA next week at the Mystery Lovers Bookshop for a mini cozy con event, and I would love to meet up if you’re around! Sept. 27th, from 10-1 <3

In my 20-plus years of attending writer’s conferences, I have to say that Bouchercon 2025 really tops them all. Not only because it was in a place I love, New Orleans–though San Diego was also gorgeous—it was a combination of participation on my part as well as having my mom be my plus-one, (she’s the best travel partner!) the hotel being easy to navigate (last year at the Gaylord was very confusing) and lots of selections for food from expensive to less so. There was plenty of coffee, and everyone was just so friendly.

I was in the Almost a Murder dinner play with Heather Graham, Lisa Black, Terry Rodgers, Jon Land, Clay Stafford, Kelli Stanley, and Jeff Ayres, which was really a lot of fun despite my lack of acting skill. I met people in the audience, who remembered me later in the elevator. I was on four panels, and I got to meet one of my favorite authors, (besides Heather!) Charlaine Harris. We commiserated over the fact that her series wasn’t continued, and it was one we both loved, Gunnie Rose. Just goes to show that it doesn’t matter how high you are on the ladder, publishers are on the top. It is all about the sales numbers.

My friend and fellow author Carol Stephenson was photographer extraordinaire, and the panels were all terrific. The audience participation was great—even the Sunday morning at 8 was full of bright-eyed folks wanting to talk cozies.

It felt like an incredible way to celebrate the release of Mrs. Morris and the Day of the Dead—which is hanging in at #44 on the Barnes & Noble mass market list, and Death at an Irish Village. I was able to meet with my publisher at Crooked Lane, and he is hopeful that there will be books 4 and 5. It all comes down to numbers!

I am grateful to all of you who have bought and reviewed the books. I love, love, love what I do in creating worlds via stories. Word of mouth is key in this crazy biz.

Thank you!

Traci

Tuesday was my book birthday, and I had twins–the fraternal kind that are completely different. Someday I might just do a book about that! Until then, here’s recap on the latest:
Mrs. Morris and the Day of the Dead is about Charlene Morris, and her ghostly roomie Jack, who is also her best friend, and Detective Sam, who has been in love with Charlene for some time. His patience is rewarded in the finale–there are lots of twists and turns as they help a guest discover whether or not her missing sister is actually deceased. November 1st, the Day of the Dead, is when the veil is thinnest. Charlene (and Jack) agree to help through paranormal channels, while Sam, who is shocked that Charlene truly believes in ghosts, and Avery does too, promises to find the truth in the real world. I had a blast writing this story, and did a lot of research on Santa Muerte and ofrenda altars. I believe there is something more. Do you?

In Death at an Irish Village, Rayne and Ciara are halfway through the 12 month deadline set in Nevin McGrath’s will to save the village, or lose it all. They have learned to work together but the villagers are not on the same page. When one is found murdered in the cemetery, things go sideways for the cousins, who refuse to give up. When I was researching for this story, I was fascinated by the fact that the Irish Crown Jewels were stolen a hundred years ago and never found…well, I came up with a fictional solution to the crime that I hope you find entertaining.
Blarney, Rayne’s first ever pup, is a doll and has some psychic powers. Amos, our hunky grounds manager, has his eye on Rayne to make her forget about her rotten ex.
Have you ever had to deal with a bad breakup?

I’d love it if you gave these books a shot–the Salem series is written as Traci Wilton, and the Irish Castle Mystery series as Ellie Brannigan.

You can reach me at traciella@aol.com

Death at an Irish Village

Mrs. Morris and the Day of the Dead

I am not a web designer at all. My brain doesn’t work that way. A lot of authors are loaded with other skills, like making those cute mini dollhouses, or knitting, or crocheting. I am not a whiz in the kitchen, despite many episodes of watching Chopped.

I feel incredibly grateful that I have this one thing I can do–and that is write a story. Notice, I say WRITE…Heather Graham is a true bard and can TELL a story and have us all hanging on her every word. I need the act of putting pen to paper for the story to come, or fingers to keyboard.

My husband is a talented author who has mad technical IT skills–so, he created my website, many many years ago, and then we have been so busy with CommunityAuthors.com and writing that it was never really updated. I mean, I switched to mainly mystery five years ago. I know how hard Christopher works and he has been taxed with life stuff, so, I was like…teach me. How hard could it be?

Famous last words…I should be able to figure it out. We use WordPress–and I used to blog with the ABB group, and so I had the basic concept–or so I thought. Updating took time, and I really wanted to not be the problem child, but the truth is that he talked SEO and my eyes crossed. So, we decided that I could add the content once he gave me four pages of notes lol, from the product page. We chose a design that looks nice while being not so complicated that I can’t work on it–and if there is a big problem, he is in the room next to mine. We live in a one-bedroom apartment and his office is the bedroom, and mine is the living room. It’s a testament to us I think that we normally get along, lol. We work together and live together in a small space, so disagreements happen…perhaps when I am clicking on things too fast 😉

I am very happy with the look and layout, and it is empowering to know that I had a hand (and many too-fast fingers) in the end product. Now, I know I have about thirty of the By the Sea romances to add individually but I will get it done–I promised by the end of the year. I am also learning how to use social media in a way that isn’t trendy but allows me to interact with people. Connection is what matters. So, this updated site is a work in progress, like I am. The colors make me smile. What do you think?