The holidays are all about traditions. How we decorate, what we serve for meals, even what sorts of gifts we give...so much of it is based on how we were raised and the traditions we've established with our own families. Slippers for Christmas? I love 'em, and look forward to getting my new pair every year.
This year, I'd like to suggest a new tradition: books for New Year's. OK, I admit it, I have an ulterior motive. On December 31, New Year's Eve, my latest adventure will hit the shelves. It's called "Panic Button," and it isn't about Christmas at all. In fact, it's about a button charm string, and now that I come to think about it, charm strings are all about tradition.
Back in the late 1800s and the early 1900s, young girls made charm strings. They were strings of buttons and tradition said your charm string couldn't have two of the same button on it. Consequently, girls traded buttons and buttons were given as gifts and brought back as vacation souveniers. Legend said you needed 1000 buttons on your charm string, and when you got that last one, you'd find your Prince Charming.
Fast forward to today and my shop, the Button Box, where a customer brought me a charm string to appraise. Appraise? Those of you who know me know I love buttons. I wanted to buy the charm string, but my customer refused. Why? She insisted the charm string was cursed.
I'm ever practical, and didn't believe it for a minute--that is until the customer ended up dead, strangled with the charm string.
OK, so it's not exactly Christmasy, but there's plenty of tradition in the story! And that New Year's Eve custom of giving books...I think it's worth starting a new tradition!
Leave a comment to win a copy of "Panic Button" or any of the other Button Box mysteries. Last week, I heard from a few readers that they were having trouble commenting here on Killer Characters. If you have a problem, send your comment to me at: kylielogan@rocketmail.com and I'll include those comments in the drawing, too. Merry Christmas!
Posts
I would love to read this..Please enter me in the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteKimberlee
http://girllostinabook.blogspot.com
girllostinabook@hotmail.com
I like the tradition of giving books on New Year's Eve. This series especially appeals to me since I have always been fascinated by buttons.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to read this one. I think books for New Year's Eve as well as every holiday on the calendar is a wonderful tradition to start. Congratulations on the upcoming release!
ReplyDeleteHappy Holidays!
A friend and I watch bad movies on New Year's Eve. (We can watch good movies anytime). "Plan 9 from Outer Space" is our favourite.
ReplyDeletePlease enter me in the draw.
Thanks!
I love mysteries with a theme and the idea of a "cursed button string" is appealing. Look forward to reading this one.
ReplyDeleteLol, I give myself books everyday ;)
ReplyDeleteMy grandmother had a big tin full of every kind of button. When a shirt or something was eventually thrown out, or used as cleaning rags, she cut the buttons of and saved those. Which came in handy when I had lost a button on something. And as children, we played with them, sorting them on color or size.
Thanks for the chance to win your book.
auriansbooks at gmail dot com
This series has been on my to read list. Maybe New Year's Eve sitting by the fire with a cup of hot chocolate would be a good time to start...
ReplyDeleteEvery day should be a Book Given day, I highly approve and buttons! I can remember my mother, aunts and grandmother's all having jars, boxes full of buttons. They were so much fun rumaging though looking for a replacement or a set of 4 or 6 to put on a new outfit! Good luck with your book, even if I don't win a copy I'll have to put on my wish list!
ReplyDeleteI always give books for birthdays and Christmas, but I like the idea of giving books for New Years - what better way to start the new year than with a new book?
ReplyDeleteBeverly aka Booklady
Looking forward to it! Sounds great
ReplyDeleteCan't wait for the release!! Love these books!
ReplyDeleteEvery time I talk about buttons, I hear stories from readers about mothers'/grandmothers' button boxes and button jars. How cool! I was recently given my aunt's button stash and it's great fun. Buttons can be cute, or they can be tiny works of art. Of course, the more beautiful they are, the more collectible they are.
ReplyDeleteAnd just so that last comment doesn't confuse anyone . . . I'm Casey Daniels and Kylie Logan! No wonder I never have enough buttons--there are two of me!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a great tradition to start. And I LOVE this series!
ReplyDeletenlb1050(at)yahoo(dot)com
When my grandmother died, I found a very large plastic bag filled with buttons. It was fun to go through and see some of the unique ones she collected over the years. kuzlin(at)aol(dot)com
ReplyDeleteWe had a button box for "spare" buttons. There were many odd-shaped and unusual buttons in there. Wish I still had it. Thanks for the post.
ReplyDeleteI love a good mystery. his sounds so good, can't wait to read it. Thanks for the chance.
ReplyDeleteI still have a large box of spare buttons - use them as needed. Still look through it at the pretty buttons. Thanks for having this contest.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a great series - I'd love to win a copy of one of the books!
ReplyDeleteI have a stash of spare buttons too. All of us must be alike. Thanks for the contest. I love to read cozies.
ReplyDeleteSandy 2012
Hi Kylie: I loved the first book and just bought Hot Button and now a third installment to look forward to! That's great news! I'd love to add the Panic Button (great title) to my collection.
ReplyDeleteKylie (and Casey), I just love your books! I come from a family full of readers so we love to give and receive books for Christmas. I love your books! Can't get enough! And I would love to win this book.
ReplyDeletePanic Button sounds like a great story! Thanks for a chance to win it!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea for a New Year tradition! :) I think I'll have to start doing that here :) The book sounds wonderful, and I can't wait to read it!
ReplyDeleteMarie
songbird1613 at yahoo dot com
I enjoy this series - I have thought of collecting buttons as it sounds like a fun hobby. Thank you for the chance to win
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a great book. This is also a new author for me. I love to read and always looking for new authors to check out. Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeletechristinebails at yahoo dot com
I do love holiday crafts. My son is 25, but I still put out those first Christmas projects every year!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed the first book in the series... Looking forward to reading more!
ReplyDeleteI have fun buttons that I need to use in projects. I save the extra buttons off of shirts. My boys get books for all the holidays! Please enter me!
ReplyDeletekrista.braaten@ gmail.com
Let's be honest - books for gifts every day!
ReplyDeleteButtons make for some great games. Would like to be a winner of a book in your series.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I'm with you, cttiger, books for every holiday! I just attended a baby shower and on every table, they had balloons tied to one of those heavy cardboard baby books. So cute, and a great way to start a little one on a lifetime of reading!
ReplyDeleteThis story sounds very intriguing. I will make sure to read it when it comes out! I love giving books as presents.
ReplyDeleteI think buttons are neat and I use them in my crafts as well. Thanks for the opportunity to win a book!
ReplyDeleteLove your button Christmas tree!
ReplyDeletelmyost@roadrunner.com
My grandmother thrilled me one time with a collection of mixed buttons she bought at a church sale. They were fascinating to me. Wish I still had them.
ReplyDeleteI, too, have a button jar somewhere! Loved Hot Button and looking forward to a long running series. I find it difficult to pick out books for gifts but everyone knows they can pick through my stash whenever they visit and take a few home with them.
ReplyDeletekpbarnett1941[at]aol.com
Wow - even though I won yesterday, I hope I can still be eligible for the rest of the month (I'm not being greedy - really!). I love giving books anytime (and receiving them)!!
ReplyDeleteLove buttons and your books about buttons. Tink I could make the tree. Have some buttons left over from my childhood and I'm 77. My mother made all my clothes and I longed for store bought but as an adult I remember all my handmade clothes even my dolls. My mother only had one hand and was a gifted with many talents. Even if I don't win will buy the book to go with my others. Ruth Nixon
ReplyDeletePeople can give me books anytime. We used to have a big jar of buttons in the house when I was little
ReplyDeleteWould love to enter.
ReplyDeleteAnother great book to add to my TBR list!
ReplyDeleteIsn't that button tree adorable? It was given to me by the nice folks at Joseph Beth Books at the Cleveland Clinic. It was one of the Christmas decorations they were selling and since it went so well with the Button Box mysteries, they presented it to me.
ReplyDeletei found some buttons at a yard sale not too long ago. i have nothing to put them on so i am going to make jewerly from them. i love books. i wish someone would give me books no matter what time of year.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteKatie J.
johnsonk133[at]yahoo[dot]com
can't wait for this one to come out! Love all her books!
ReplyDeleteI think giving books as gifts is a great thing to do. I love giving books and getting them! Thanks for this nice giveaway.
ReplyDeletePatti Smith
i haven't gotten a chance to read any of this series yet, but i would love to start!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to find out more about the charm string so I can find my prince charming. :)
ReplyDeleteNancy R.
brantsmommy@sbcglobal.net
I love the button Christmas tree picture - what a very clever idea.
ReplyDeleteI loved the first Button Box mystery but haven't read the next one yet!
ReplyDeleteSounds like an interesting idea. I'd never heard of the button string thing before. Also, I love your idea of giving books for New Year's...especially if I get to be on the receiving end. :)
ReplyDeletePen
pmettert @ yahoo dot com
That button Christmas tree is just darling---I think I'll try to make one something like it.
ReplyDeletePlease enter me in the drawing -- I'd really like to read the book.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
I love cozy mysteries. This book looks good!
ReplyDeleteI love the new Button Cozy Mysteries...I have a huge jar of my Grandmother's buttons that I go through now and then. =)
ReplyDeleteI haven't read any of these books but I would love to. They sound good!
ReplyDeletebuttons!! how innocent they are, yet they are such a comfort!!!!
ReplyDeletei remember i had bought a shirt which was decorated w/buttons......it was one of my favorites for a long time!!!
Now, that is my kind of tree.
ReplyDeleteKaren Keaton and Jan Curtis, you're entered!
ReplyDeleteMy daughter is always in a panic, lol, and she loves cozy mystery's.
ReplyDeletewfnren(at)aol(dot)com
Panic Button sounds like a must read. And I have a drawer full of buttons, but I hate sewing them on.
ReplyDeleteSo, that's why I haven't found prince charming. I'll have to get my button box out and count them again . . .
ReplyDeleteSounds like a lovely read.
I always give my granddaughter and niece books for birthdays and find books for the sifferent holidays or seasons for them.
ReplyDeleteI have been wanting to read this series for a while now. Thanks for the opportunity.
ReplyDeletejcalvert719(at)yahoo(dot)com
Cute tree
ReplyDeletebn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com
I love buttons! I think I need to read this cuz I'm sure I will love it, too!
ReplyDeleteMy Mother gives me a pretty nightie every Christmas. One year she thought I would be sick of nighties, so she gave me something else. I was devastated, so back to the nighties. Hurrah!!
ReplyDeleteLoving the buttons.
Looking forward to reading this series, my Mom had a button box of button collections from her Grandma dating back to the 1800's. I love the theme of this book and look forward to the rest of the series.
ReplyDeleteI always give books with bookmarks for gifts, my best friend and I exchange our favorite current read for New Years and report back the next day.
My mom had a button box and there were some of the coolest buttons in it! Great colors and great patterns. Northern Reflections clothing also made great buttons to match their clothes. Too bad they went out of business because they were trying to cater to the teens...
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to reading the series. Love the author.
ReplyDeleteLooks like an interesting book. Blessings, Susan Fryman susanngarrylee@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteI look forward to reading your button mystery series! I remember playing with my mother's button box when I was little and being told that before the buttons belonged to my mother they had belonged to my grandmother. Even as a little girl, I loved thinking that I was part of a family chain of button lovers!
ReplyDeleteTo this day I own most of those same buttons, some of which are antiques. Every once in awhile I haul them out of their Cherokee basket (which was also my mother's) and look at them. Each button tells its own story.
This summer our daughter and son-in-law presented us with our first grandchild, a baby girl, who is three and a half months old. When she's old enough and it's safe to do so, I want to teach her about these buttons and carry my grandmother's tradition on into a new generation.
Merry Christmas!
Giving books on New Years sounds like a wonderful tradition to start! My entire family are avid book readers (grandmother, aunts, uncles, cousins) so this could be very fun! Thanks for the opportunity to win!
ReplyDeleterayptc(at)gmail(dot)com
Giving books on New Years sounds like a wonderful tradition to start! My entire family are avid book readers (grandmother, aunts, uncles, cousins) so this could be very fun! We always try to give books or gift cards for books (Amazon or Barnes & Noble) at Christmas so this would definitely be a double blessing! Happy Holidays to all of you! Thanks for the opportunity to win!
ReplyDeleterayptc(at)gmail(dot)com
Love your blog and love this contest!
ReplyDeleteLove your blog and love your books!
ReplyDeleteI Love to win books. That way I can find a new author. Have a merry Christmas
ReplyDeleteLike your button tree, and I had never heard of the charm string. I have used some buttons on a tree that's on one of my sweatshirts. I put them like ornaments and I have shaped a heart with buttons on another shirt. Would love to read this book. Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed the first book in this series. The button tree is such a cool idea I am going to have to try it.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of giving books every day of the week, and I thank you for this giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI love the story of the buttons and the New Year's books. I like anything that would get me some more books. Great idea to have a book for the depth of winter!
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of books on New Year's. The buttons are cute too.
ReplyDeleteLove these ideas!
ReplyDelete