On a recent visit to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science http://bit.ly/19YhpPJ I spent time in the Gems and Minerals exhibit. An incredible display of gold and silver dazzles visitors, but the gemstones are what held my attention.

In my novel, Barton Potts is an amateur prospector who mines topaz on a small claim. I searched the exhibit for topaz, so I could show readers what the “raw” gem looks like, and why my protagonist Morgan was baffled by their value.

I had competition in my search. A group of young teens fascinated by the museum gemstone displays exclaimed over the beauty of the cut stones, pointing and claiming, “That one’s mine!”

Entering one alcove, I was stunned by a huge red rhodochrosite crystal. I tried to imagine the excitement of the miner who made the discovery. 

Then I watched a continuously scrolling video about aquamarine, the Colorado state gemstone. Steve Brancato from the television program Prospectors http://wxch.nl/1fYex65  was featured. He discovered the best aquamarine pocket ever found in North America. The museum displays the actual find, worth possibly two million dollars.

Colorado has at least thirty varieties of gemstones. While the state was known for gold and silver in times past, gemstones are drawing more attention today. 

Lisa Haselton reviews Stone Cold Dead - A Rock Shop Mystery on her award winning blog Reviews and Interviews December 27. You can read the review here:
http://lisahaseltonsreviewsandinterviews.blogspot.com/2013/12/review-of-stone-cold-dead-by-catherine.html

The two winners of my Goodreads Giveaway of an advanced reading copy of Stone Cold Dead are Patricia and Mae. I recently learned about this popular program on Goodreads. Imagine - writers giving books away to avid readers! It doesn't get much better than that.

Inspirational author Pamela Thibodeux features Stone Cold Dead on her Saturday Spotlight. Check out her blog December 21. 
 http://pamswildroseblog.blogspot.com/

On my next Blog Tour stop for Stone Cold Dead - A Rock Shop Mystery, award-winning author Beth Groundwater interviews me. Learn something about me that you won't hear anywhere else. http://bethgroundwater.blogspot.com/

I appear today on author Patricia Stoltey's blog with a post titled "The Velveteen Rabbit and Me" - my journey to becoming a "real" writer. Drop by Patricia's blog and leave a comment for a chance to win an advance reading copy (ARC) of my debut amateur sleuth murder mystery Stone Cold Dead - A Rock Shop Mystery.http://patriciastoltey.blogspot.com/
 
Stone Cold Dead is available for Kindle this Wednesday, December 18, and in hardcover January 8.

Please join me as I take my amateur sleuth murder mystery Stone Cold Dead – A Rock Shop Mystery on tour! You don't have to brave the icy winter streets to go on this book tour. Stay warm and dry as you check out blog stops at your convenience. Feel free to make comments on the host blogs.

My Blog Tour officially began on November 18 with a review by Mark Baker at his website Carstairs Considers. My “tour” kicks into high gear Monday, December 16. I will be making appearances with guest posts, reviews, and interviews. Some may offer give-aways of my novel. Below is a schedule including the addresses and dates of my tour stops.

Tour Schedule:

November 18 - First Stop at Carstairs Considers
Mark Baker reviews everything from cozy murder mysteries to candy, movies, TV programs, and kids’ books and movies. His website is just plain fun. I sent Mark an ARC with a request for an honest review. He did that, and also mentioned my book two more times in his blogs.
http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/11/book-review-stone-cold-dead-by.html
http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/12/novembers-reading-summary.html
http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/11/november-15ths-book-beginning-and.html

My Blog Tour continues with the following appearances:

Monday, December 16: http://patriciastoltey.blogspot.com/
I appear on author Patricia Stoltey's blog with a post titled "The Velveteen Rabbit and Me" - my journey to becoming a "real" writer.

Wednesday, December 18: http://bethgroundwater.blogspot.com/
Award-winning author Beth Groundwater interviews me. Learn something about me that you won't hear anywhere else.

Saturday, December 21: http://pamswildroseblog.blogspot.com/
Inspirational author Pamela Thibodeux features Stone Cold Dead on her Saturday Spotlight. 


December 23: Ariel Heart - http://mysterysuspence.blogspot.com/
December 27: Lisa Haselton - http://lisahaseltonsreviewsandinterviews.blogspot.com/
January 14: Ann Parker - http://www.theladykillers.typepad.com/
January 17: Jacqueline Seewald - http://authorexpressions.blogspot.com/
January 21: Dalene Higgins - http://datesbooks.blogspot.com/
January 25: Jim Jackson - http://writerswhokill.blogspot.com/

I am offering two Advanced Reading Copies (ARCs) of Stone Cold Dead – A Rock Shop Mystery from now through midnight on Sunday, December 22, in a Goodreads Giveaway. The drawing is open to readers with USA and Canadian addresses.  

Goodreads will determine the winners of the two ARCs. 

If you don’t know about Goodreads, it is a free website devoted to readers and books. Check it out here: http://www.goodreads.com/