Thursday, April 27, 2017

Meeting Your Fences

HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN:   Did you see the 60 Minutes story on the Maryland Cup? And the crazy devoted talented brilliant riders who gallop four miles over fencers and water hazards and who knows what else at breakneck (oops) speeds on gorgeous horses? 

Yeah, the fabulous Sasscer Hill does stuff like that, and I cannot wait to talk to her about it at Malice.

She’s got a brand new mystery set in horse racing world, FLAMINGO ROAD, just brand new from St. Martin’s. And, dear Reds, Sasscer is about to see that the course of a book tour is almost as hazardous as a cross country steeplechase. In fact, it may be exactly the same thing.


 THE UPTOWN BOOK SIGNING
                              By Sasscer Hill

It’s a cold March afternoon and pouring as my plane skids to a halt on LaGuardia’s runway. I have arrived for the first book signing for Flamingo Road, three weeks prior to its April 18 pub date.

I rush to the baggage area, relieved to see my bag circling toward me. It has the outfit for my event at the posh ladies’ club in Manhattan where I have miraculously landed this gig. I manhandle the bag off the carousel, grab the handle, extend it, and begin marching. Except, the bag is immobile on the floor, and I am holding an unattached handle in my hand.
  
Have I just said the F word? Was it loud enough to be heard? If you’ve ever suffered an experience like this, did a four-letter word escape your lips?

This won’t do, I admonish myself, remembering the perfect, hand-written letter I received from the club announcing cell phones may not be used inside, and absolutely no photos may be taken, ever. It advised that I must not reveal the name of the club when mentioning the event on social media. A whole new meaning for “private” club.
 

I arrive at my sister’s apartment a little wet and looking like I’ve just gone ten rounds with my suitcase. The next day, as we arrive at the club, it’s still raining. I remove my rubber boots and slip on my suede Sacha London three-inch pumps. Fortified with fashion and makeup, I meet the ladies. I have never seen so many Gucci shoes and Chanel Suits outside the September issue of Vogue.

The ladies are charming, educated, and talk of their latest travels and the jewelry they bought in South America the previous month. We are having English tea and beautifully arranged pastries. I tell the head lady that I would kill for a Diet Coke and she rustles one up. Soon I’m at the podium to speak.

I go inside myself, focusing like I used to do when I’d ride in a steeplechase race. I meet my fences––which today are bullet points on a sheet of paper––and I don’t falter. Women are leaning forward, listening to every word, no one is whispering, there is perfect silence, and I know I’m winning. At the book signing, I sell out.

Have any of you experienced a recalcitrant suitcase, or wealth intimidation? How do you find your inner strength?

HANK: Heck with inner strength. I want to hear about a club that is so private you can't even talk about it.  

But WHY does something always go wrong in  situations like that? At the worst possible time? How does it know?

At least we can't get last-second runs in our stockings anymore! 

Sasscer, you are fabulous!



Author Sasscer Hill was involved in horse racing as an amateur jockey and racehorse breeder for most of her life. She sets her novels against a background of big money, gambling, and horse racing, and her mystery and suspense thrillers have received multiple award nominations.



Sasscer provided the Kirkus Review, which, she says, provides the most accurate synopsis of Flamingo Road that’s been written.

“The dark and dirty underbelly of horse racing is exposed when a Baltimore cop goes to visit relatives in Florida. Internal Affairs has been very interested in Fia McKee ever since she shot and killed the man who was choking Shyra Darnell, a hot walker at Pimlico who's so afraid of someone that she refuses to answer any questions. 

When Fia's beloved father, a racehorse trainer, was murdered five years earlier, Fia joined the police and has never given up on his case, which has now turned very cold. Put on leave, she answers a call for help from her brother, Patrick, whose wife has walked out and left him with a horse-crazy teen. Someone's been slaughtering people's horses for meat, and when Cody, her niece Jilly's gelding, becomes a victim, Fia gets mad and plots to get even. 

The night of the gelding's death, she meets a man named Zanin who runs the Protect the Animals League and is trying to stop the carnage. Zanin is sure the guilty party is a Cuban-American who lives in the dangerous and lawless area known as the C-Nine Basin, but no one's been able to prove that he's involved. Meantime, 

Fia learns that her problems back home may go away if she agrees to go undercover for the Thoroughbred Racing Protective Bureau at Florida's Gulfstream Park, where horses that shouldn't be winning are suddenly showing amazing talent. Fia eases into a job as an exercise rider for an honest trainer while trying to discover what new, so far undetectable, drug is turning ordinary horses into superstars. Hill boasts knowledge of horses and the very real problems in horse racing that fill this sound mystery with thrills and hair-raising action from first to last.”—Kirkus

56 comments:

  1. Sasscer,”Flamingo Road” sounds quite exciting; I’m looking forward to reading it . . . .

    No wealth intimidation here, but, like Hank, I find myself intrigued by a club so private that one cannot even mention its name.
    As for suitcases, I firmly believe they have recalcitrance automatically built into them, ensuring their failures occur at the most inopportune times . . . .

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    1. Joan, you are absolutely correct! Suitcases are also stubborn and willful.

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    2. I have a suitcase that I love, but even it drives me crazy sometimes. They do have minds of their own…

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  2. Sasscer, this sounds terrific. Wealth intimidation? Yes, at school. Especially when I went home with friends for a weekend. One girl brought me to visit her grandmother for interrogation on the back lawn, before I was invited to dinner in the town house. After eating we went upstairs to girl talk in her room but were called back downstairs almost immediately, as we were not to do that. Although I got along well with my friend and her brother, I really did not fit in and was not invited back.

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    1. Reine, for me it was always the girls that had multiple horses, and expensive trucks and top of the line aluminum horse trailers that were at least $10,000 and up. Four or five pairs of beautiful leather hunting boots and on and on. But if you have the best horse . . .

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  3. Wealth intimidation? Sasscer, I bow to you. I would have been terrified. Give me a young, out-of-control horse any day of the week.

    I've not encountered luggage failure yet. But now I'll live in mortal fear of it!

    Can't wait to see you soon. And can't wait to snag a copy of Flamingo Road! P.S. The ultra secret private club simply MUST turn up (fictionalized of course) in one of your books so we call get a glimpse inside!

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    1. In DC, there's a sister Club, the Sulgrave. I have often thought of doing an Agatha short story titled, "The Unfortunate Incident at the Sulgrave Club." Annette, I loved your story on this blog yesterday. I can see why you hit the best seller list. You have a way with words!

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    2. I love the title! And that sounds like a perfect short story. I hope you are working on it!
      And yes, Annette, I bet you saved you some lives yesterday…

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  4. Ooh, Sasscer, what an invitation (and fabulous review)! When I'm nervous, I remind myself to breathe and slow down. I find one friendly face in the audience and talk to her. Because every single one of those fancy ladies at some point strips off her makeup and uses the bathroom just like every other human being. The great equalizer! Best of luck with the new book. And I expect I'll see you around the hotel this weekend.

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    1. Edith, you will definitely see me in Bethesda and, since I missed Malice last year, this will be very special for me to see so many people I admire and adore!

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    2. Cannot wait to see you both! I am on the train to New York right now… and then Friday to Malice.

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    3. Hank, the mysterious woman who never stops!

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  5. Nightmare! There's a reason they sell luggage at airports... some might even say, a conspiracy.

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    1. It takes three people to make a conspiracy, so that would be the manufacturer, the store that sells new suitcases, and of course, the poor traveler with the broken suitcase. Yes, definitely a conspiracy. I think we should call the Feds in.

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    2. Ah ha! I think you two are onto something…

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    3. I called the FBI, they referred my to psychological counseling.

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  6. Reading about any aspects of horse riding or racing is thrilling to me. I have adored horses all my life, mostly from afar, until ten years ago. Finally, after never once mounting one of those most magnificent of creatures, I learned to ride. Over the course of five or six years I did many trail rides in Ohio and Wyoming, riding Western, and then began learning Enlish dressage. After one, accidental, jump over a low bar on the practice arena, I decided I'd gone as far as I should at age sixty! But the idea of soaring over fences and water features still plays in my dreams. Sasscer, you are my hero!

    After realizing that many very wealthy people are as equally venal and insecure as everyone else, I got over wealth intimidation. Hearing one woman continually upgrading her actual life in conversation made me realize how futile it was to try to protect a loftier image of mine. (She corrected herself, replacing "babysitter" with "nanny", and "cleaning lady" with "housekeeper". It was so phony. And transparent.)

    The rich are different, but only because of their bank balances. They are also usually terrified they'll lose it and end up being a peon like everyone else. Not always, but very often.

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    1. Yes, Karen, you are absolutely right. For a short time, I had a little money and it was glorious. I had three race horses in training and lived the high life. Then came the crash of 2008 in both the stock market and the Maryland racehorse breeding market. Can you say humbled? But I love my life, I love writing, and I love my sisters in crime!

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    2. Oh, Sasscer, you are fabulous. And yes Karen you are so wise. We have to walk a mile in each other's shoes. And they don't have to be expensive shoes.

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  7. Sasscer, congratulations! Can you please tell us more about "meeting your fences"--how you do this while riding and how it gets translated to life!

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    1. One thing that helps in racing over fences is to image winning ahead of time. You also have to walk the course before the race to totally familiarize yourself with each obstacle, that would equate to reading your notes over and over until you know them cold. If something goes wrong--another rider pushes you into a wing, or you forget your line, it's incredibly important that you make a split second decision and make a recovery. When I was on a panel once, something nasty decided to glue itself to my voice box. There was nothing for it, but to clear my throat, say excuse me, smile, and keep going!

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    2. It's so funny about visualization… Before I do a big interview, I do it in my head, over and over, playing both of our parts. It really helps you exactly as you say, to prepare for the surprises.

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  8. Sasscer, I admire your outlook on life! 'Meeting your fences', indeed! When I was in junior high, I devoured all the mysteries I could find at the library--and discovered Dick Francis. And of course, all of Walter Farley long before. There's something about the tie between human and horse that is fascinating.

    As for being intimidated by wealth--I have often given talks at local schools--a highly enjoyable experience as a rule. Enter extremely wealthy girls' school. "Have you ever excavated a temple in Greece?" "No?" Pause. "Oh." "Egypt?" "No?" Rinse, repeat. Contrasted with a class in a well-to-do suburb--the kids were thrilled to have a speaker, fascinated by the slides, reverently passed around every single artifact I brought, shushed their classmates, and sent the best set of thank-you notes ever written!

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    1. Flora, I think what goes on in upscale private schools is everyone is competing for who has the "best stuff." In many cases, they are simply mimicking what they have learned from their parents. I went to a school like that, Holton Aarms, in the DC area. My father died when I was sixteen, and I became a scholarship student. Needless to say, I had the least "stuff." But I'll never forget a gal named Debbie Day who loaned me her wool riding coat so I could go foxhunting.I ended up using it for almost two years. There are good people everywhere!

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    2. That is completely the example of being well brought up… Hand written thank you notes. Totally agree!

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    3. Today, even wedding invitations are done by email. Instant society.

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  9. I have worked in fundraising in and around the arts scene in Dallas, and I always remind myself of what a wonderful mentor once told me about the very wealthy: "If you are not already one of them, be a character they are entertained by. They will welcome you in." With your writing career and riding background, I'm sure they loved every minute of your speech. I'm the sort of "character" who would have spent the whole event trying to figure out how the police would investigate a murder in a club so secret no one can talk about it. Or if, perhaps, that kind of murder would be best investigated by someone from within?

    Your book sounds fascinating. I will definitely look for it. Good luck on your book tour!

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    1. Gigi, thank you so much. Like you, I find myself looking around a club like that and wondering if a murderer could escape using the dumbwaiter? As far s the club goes, they didn't want me to mention the name ahead of time so that non members would show up at their door trying to gain entrance. Imagine such and atrocity! But seriously, the Colony Club is a gorgeous building and the members, like groups everywhere, are filled with the the proverbial good, bad, and ugly. Except even the ugly look pretty good in a Chanel suit!

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  10. Sasscer, I am so intrigued by this super secret club! If that's it in the picture, I think I've walked by it. More details at Malice, please! It's so cool the places your writing adventure is taking you.

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    1. Shari, as I told Gigi, I think they didn't want me to mention the name ahead of time so that non members would show up at their door trying to gain entrance. They probably try to avoid that sort of thing . . . but the club is the Colony Club, a ladies club in Manhattan and you probably have walked past it!

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  11. Sasscer, is this the start of a new series? Very exciting!

    As for rubbing shoulders with the wealthy, I got my share with my late father-in-law, Victor Hugo-Vidal, who was a major force in the hunter-jumper world. I discovered there are basically two types of people: those for whom money is the be-all and end-all, and those for whom money is a useful tool to enable them to do the things they're passionate about. I have nothing in common with the former, no matter where they fit on the economic scale. I've never felt uncomfortable or lacked for conversation among the latter.

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    1. Exactly, Julia. The man who took me under his wing after my father's death, was extremely wealthy, but the first time I met him, he was in dirty old farm clothes driving a team of Belgium draft horses pulling a manure spreader. He was the most down to earth man I've ever known and I still miss him terribly. He gave me away when I married Daniel, and he gave me Thoroughbred steeplechase horses to ride. I dedicated my first mystery novel to his memory.

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  12. Stoked to see Sasscer filing her report here at Jungle Reds on her adventure with the 1 percent. :) I have too many travel mishaps to list, most of them involving rental cars. A park employee had to help me hunt for my rental car keys which I'd dropped in the grass. The Wynn casino valet guys had to tell me how to turn off my just-rented, new-fangled Nissan with a push button instead of an ignition key. Anyway, people don't realize the life skills riders learn in the saddle that are applicable to daily life. Sasscer, good wishes for an excellent journey with Flamingo Road. And, everyone, have a splendid time at Malice!

    Rhonda Lane

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    1. Oh, Rhonda, how I wish you were going to be up in DC when I arrive! We have had some good times together in the world of mystery writers.

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    2. We sure do! I wish I could be there, too. "There in spirit" isn't quite the same. :) Still, have fun!

      R

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  13. Hi, Sasscer! Love this post and having the opportunity to get to know your work better. Congratulations on the book.

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  14. Sasser, the suitcase collapse happened to me on the London Underground once. Nightmare moment. And I'm flying to Phoenix tomorrow to give a speech at a fundraising dinner that will be full of uber rich. Always a little intimidating, especially worrying that I've chosen the right dress. It's black tie.... At least I won't have to worry that I'm wearing the same dress as someone in the audience!

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    1. Well, Rhys, there is that! Black is always safe. I wore a black dress with a black and white patterned jacket and I felt quite safe. Maybe not spectacular, but safe.

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  15. Sasscer, I love your name! Where did it come from and have you ever met another Sasscer? Your book sounds terrific, and praise from Kirkus is not easy to come by!

    In terms of wealth, I like to think of the saying, "Don't compare your life to someone else's highlight reel." This is especially useful when navigating Facebook and other social media. You never know what's happening in the outtakes!

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    1. Your last comment is too true! As for Sasscer, it's an old family name. My full name is Lynda Sasscer Hill. My father was William Henry Sasscer Hill Jr. and his father was the same without the jr. My great grandmother was Henrietta Sasscer, affectionately known as Henny.

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  16. Sasser, what a great story. And a perfect spot for a murder! I've been invited to a couple of quite exclusive London clubs, so I can imagine the atmosphere. It's interesting to observe, but not something I've ever aspired to.

    Horse racing (or at least reading about horse racing,) on the other hand, has been a passion since I was a kid. I am a HUGE Dick Francis fan, and I adore your books. Can't wait to read this one!!

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    1. Deborah, how sweet of you to say you adore my books! What a shot in the arm!!

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  17. Having been a fan of Author Sasscer Hill since her first book. I am so looking forward to reading Flamingo Road. And the Sequel! Sasscer can give luggage a personality! As for wealth intimidation, lol, I just be me. If anyone seems to have a problem, I find someone else to talk to. I love Julia's answer. I was an E-Nothing in the Navy, briefing pilots, some of them came with lots of "Brass" on them, I was waiting to start until the whole crew was there, and a voice came out of the group, saying "go ahead and start", so I peeked around to see who it was, spotted a large amount of "Brass" on his shoulder, and despite blushing, I said: "I see all that gold; Yes Sir!" and started the brief. LOL,,, sometimes humor helps. At least it did that time.

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    1. I cannot survive without humor, Jean. Good for you handling that situation so adroitly!

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  18. What a story, Sasscer! I love the club with no name. I would say only in NY, but I suspect others exist as well. All the best with the book, sounds like a winner. Can't wait to read it.

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    1. Thank you, Kait. You've been a good friend over the years we've "known" each other!

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  19. Sasscer - My imagination is in overdrive about the club. How fabulous! I took riding lessons for years as a kid/teen. There is nothing like taking a jump with a horse - pure magic! Thanks so much for visiting us. I am delighted to have discovered you here (thanks, Hank!) and can not wait to read your books - they sound wonderful.

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  20. Sorry, no way any suitcase would misbehave for me. Honestly!

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