New Year’s Eve was quiet this year. Rich was recovering from a nasty bug, so we didn’t visit with friends or family. We played some Dr. Mario, and I kicked him to the curb as I won nearly every game. I realize I should have gone easy on him as he wasn’t at his best, but my competitive nature 
wouldn’t allow it, and I gloated and taunted him, and I let him know definitively that I was the champion of 2012!
With all of that winning adrenaline coursing through my veins, I sat down at my desk and gave some thought to the next Susan Hunter book. I was surprised at how many ideas came to mind, so I started mapping out scenes.
With 26 seconds remaining until the ball dropped in Times Square, I dashed over to the den, stood behind Rich’s chair, and kissed him on the top of his head at midnight. I love him, but I didn’t want his germs. I told him I would see him later, and dashed back to my desk. Aren’t I romantic?
At 2:30 a.m., I had my notes finished, and I realized I could start writing the book. I had most of the pieces.
I promise I won’t torture you by babbling about this book all the time, but I need some help. The titles of the books have all had a theme. Sushine Hunter referenced the nickname of the state of Florida; all of the other titles had city nicknames.
This book will start in fictional Carbide City, Ohio, move to Niagara Falls, then to Toronto, farther north to a hunting/fishing lodge, and finally back to Niagara Falls.
I don’t have a title. There are no nicknames that work for Niagara Falls or Toronto. I don’t think I like Niagara Falls Hunter – or Niagara Hunter, or Falls Hunter, or Falling Hunter. Sheesh.
There may be treasure in this book. Treasure Hunter Hunter. Oh, yeah, that’s good. /sarcasm
Oooh! I think there will be a Bigfoot in this book. Bigfoot Hunter. Sasquatch Hunter. Cue the Fonzie music.
There may be a rare coin(s), mules (like drug mules, but no drugs), muskie, sturgeon, bear, and frogs.
Susan will be meeting with an editor in Toronto to publish a children’s picture book entitled, Stuck in the Bushes.
I think that’s all I have to share at this time. Any ideas for a title?
Disclaimer: If you offer an idea that I like and decide to use, by offering it, you agree there will be no payment to you other than a free book when it is finished. If you offer an idea, and it doesn’t quite do it for me, please don’t be offended. Silliness is always appreciated here, but no vulgarity please. Also, remember that Zombie Hunter, Rat Hunter, Gorilla Hunter, and Flushing Hunter have all been suggested at other times and rejected. Thanks again for those suggestions, guys.
Breezy Books 
Stuck in the bushes with Hunter? 😉 Book Hunter? Canada Hunter? Wet Hunter? I know, I know I’m not helping. haha!
Wet Hunter! LOL! I was thinking about something from Canada since 90% of the book takes place there, but I’m still stumped.
hmmm I will do some more thinking then. beware! haha!
Goose Hunter (Canada Goose) 😀
That conjures up a fairly interesting picture in my mind. Was “goosing” someone popular in NZ when you were a kid? 🙂
I grew up in the UK, I have been here about 8 years. I am not enetirely sure of your definition of ‘goosing’ so I will take the fifth 😀
“Goose: Poke (someone) between the buttocks.” I had three brothers. It was a curse for a time. 😉
Ah good, that would be my understanding too. 🙂
Haha she’s all like wheee im dying and the waterfall’s all like whoosh and all and stuff.
You are so prolific!
I’ll just let my brain go…
Horseshoe hunter, fronteir hunter, romance hunter, holiday hunter, adventure hunter, barrel hunter, hunting a hunter hunter, tourist hunter, oh! Hi! Oh… Hunter, prawn hunter, huntyMcHunter hunter, mario hunter, dead hunter, the 6th book with susan hunter hunter, the one where she has the baby hunter, untitled hunter. I give up…hunter.
That picture of Susan going over the Falls makes me laugh every time I look at it. I had to do this post just to use that picture.
And how crazy are you!! What a hoot – Prawn Hunter. 😉 Tourist Hunter isn’t all that bad. HuntyMcHunter – you are out of control!
Thanks for trying!! 🙂
Titles are tricky and not always easy to come up with. Other times they just fall into place. If I think of anything, I’ll let you know. 🙂
This title is going to be a departure from the others, I’m afraid. I should probably switch to verbs anyway just in case this isn’t the last book.
On the Hunt for a Deal (publishing deal, something about the rare coin deal)
Roll Over Hunter (over the falls in that barrel?)
ooh ooh Thundering Waters Hunter (a modern translation of Niagara apparently!!)
Publishing Hunter ran through my mind at one time. Hahaha on Roll Over Hunter. I don’t know why, but that made me laugh (like we tell our dogs to roll over). I forgot out Thundering Waters. All I could remember was The Honeymoon Capital. Thanks for ideas, Annie!
Any honeymoon references and we’ll all be expecting a ring !!
🙂
Labatt’s Hunter… eh?
Had some really good fishing trips into Canada. You can really get out there.
Labatt’s. You want to know what’s funny? I haven’t had her drink a beer yet! Wine and alcohol, but no beer! I will rectify that in Canada. *I* don’t drink beer, and I never thought to have her grab one. I am way to close to this character. She needs to get her own life.
We had some wonderful fishing trips to Canada, too. Mostly to Rice Lake with family, but once I went deep into Canada and fished for muskie from a canoe. Quite an experience. I hated the portaging part.
Oh yeah… portaging. Makes you wish you hadn’t brought all that stuff, and gives you an appreciation for the term “busy as a beaver”. 🙂
No gorilla masks in this one?
2013 is a gorilla-free zone. 😉
Wilderness Hunter?
That’s actually a title to consider, Michelle. I thought about going with verbs; hence the Falling Hunter, but didn’t know which way to go. I’ll consider Wilderness Hunter. 🙂
Yay! I’m contributing!
Hope that hubby is feeling better! Red Maple Hunter, or Canadian Choke Cherry…..yes…I’m talking trees (or leaves…..) from my yard! 🙂 Cannot wait to see what you come up with!
He’s off to work; he’s doing better. 🙂 Choke Hunter. 🙂 I’m sure some people who have to bail her out of scrapes would like to choke her! Fun suggestions Paula!
Well frankly, my choke cherry CROAKED and was replaced by a weeping oak. 🙂 You’ll nail it….that I’m sure of!
“North of the Boarder”
Lotta, I like the idea of using something with border. Thanks for the suggestion! 🙂
🙂
Bush Hunter. Oh I kid!
🙂 … We will use that title when she goes on Safari to Africa!
Sweet!
Honey Moon Hunter.
I ❤ this suggestion! 🙂
Where are you going on your honeymoon, Kate?
I would have done it in a heartbeat if there were a honeymoon in the book. Two words as you put it could be a honey-colored moon.
That’s why I separated the words. Honey can refer to the man in her life, while the moon could refer to romance time while the mystery action unfolds, and the two words are a pun on the honeymoon attraction of the falls.
I should have know that’s what you meant when you wax so poetic in your stories. 😉 When you read my book one day, you will see that I would write: “They kissed on the balcony.” While you would write something exquisitely beautiful that captured the emotion, the smells, the sounds, as the kiss lingered …” Well, you know what I mean. 🙂
I am reading your book, and even though I have been remiss in devoting more time, I truly appreciated winning it, I like it, and I will comment. Nothing wrong with “They kissed on the balcony”; “We parted in Paris. She kissed me and recommended I take the train north out of the city.”
Hi Maddie and a very happy new year!
Love your ideas, but are you sure Susan will want to call the children’s book Stuck in the bushes??? Please, don’t !
All the best,
Ofglassandbooks
Happy New Year to you, too! The picture book was written over twenty years ago for our son, and all of the main characters are “stuck in the bushes,” with the words being a repeated cry in the book, so I’m sure of the title. 😉 Thanks for stopping by!
Aw, that’s a perrrrfect title then!
Happy blogging!
Happy New Year! I love the previous suggestion, by the way, from Mr Walsky. I was thinking ‘Hunter Falls’? 🙂
I’m loving your creative energy! 🙂
I can’t think of Canada without thinking of Dudley Do-Right so I guess i would try Do-Right Hunter or Mounty Hunter but they might not have the right ring to sell books. Saskatchewan Sasquatch Hunter mihght really catch attention but I don’t know what part of Canada Niagra Falls is near.
BTW-I am about half way through your book and I am really enjoying it. Very well written.
Thank you for the kind words about my book, Bo. I’m tickled pink you are enjoying it. 😉 I laughed out loud when you mentioned Dudley Do-Right. I love that character, and would you believe I based a character on him in my third book in Vegas – Sin City Hunter. 🙂
I still have the books on my Wish List and I’m looking forward to finally being able to purchase them, especially with another recommendation like yours! 🙂
Thanks, Kate! I like Honeymoon Hunter if there was a honeymoon in the book. I told Steven “Honey Moon” works with the color of the moon. I’m thinking the perfect title will show up somewhere in the writing process – and it just might lead back to one that’s been mentioned here. 🙂
Yes, you’re dead right. You’ll know when you’ve found the best title, it’ll just come to you and it’ll feel perfect! 🙂
Well… that’s a tough one. When someone mentions Canada I immediately think of snow, hockey and maple syrup. Will there be any of those three in your book? Snow Hunter sounds a bit cheesy…. I will continue thinking for more titles!
They will be going in August – the first week of bear hunting at the camp, although they will only be fishing. So – no snow or maple syrup right from the trees. 😉
What fun!
Here are my loopy ideas:
Hunter Falls (as previously suggested)
Buffalo Hunter (because Niagara Falls is so near Buffalo)
Hunter, Eh? (Canada. 🙂
The book sounds like a lot of fun. I can’t believe you stayed up and write after midnight. I’m impressed. What a way to start the new year!
I think “Hunter, Eh?” is really funny. 🙂 I remember being excited by the “big city” of Buffalo when I was a kid. Once we passed through there, I knew Niagara Falls wasn’t too much farther. … I’m always up after midnight, and when the ideas come, I have to write them down!
You’ve got me stumped, Maddie! I can only think of Big River Hunter, Falls Hunter, Cascade Hunter (cascade being the french name for waterfall – I think).
You’re very good for working on NYE – hope hubby is feeling better 😀
Hubby is feeling better, thank you. It was fun working on New Year’s Eve. I tend to smile and even laugh out loud at times as I think of things I can do to these characters. 🙂 Thanks for the suggestions. Falls Hunter is definitely an option.
Moosehead Hunter…Sasquatch Hunter…Legend Hunter (the husband’s suggestion)…we like that last one best!
Good luck!
Hahaha … I don’t know why, but Moosehead Hunter made me laugh. I could see Susan in a tangle with a moose. 🙂 Legend Hunter could work on a couple of levels. Thanks for the ideas!
Maddie,
What about this:
“Butt Hunter”
I won’t be expecting any commissions, as I am a generous man.
Maddie,
Or this:
“Hunter Hunter”
It plays tricks on the mind. Again, commission free.
Only if we’re talking cigarettes or butting heads with the moose, because Susan is rated PG. 😉 And Hunter Hunter is actually very cool. I thought of Hunted Hunter before, but it won’t work for this new book.
How about this:
“Hunter Hunter Bo Bunter Banana Fana Fo Funter Me Mi Mo Munter, Hunter”
(it’s kind of long)
I’m not helping am I…
Ahhhhh, a blast from the past!! And we made my sister mad – her name is Patty and we relished the Fo Fatty part. … Kids can be so mean. 🙂
Niagara Falls Over the Barrel…because we know Susan will be “over a barrel” at some point in the story!!
She certainly will! How that girl gets into so many scrapes, I’ll never know. 🙂 I couldn’t resist putting her in a barrel for the picture.
…or Over the Barrel in Niagara Falls.
Maybe I should just send her over the falls – and she lives. That would shake things up a bit and make the title easier. 🙂
That’s true! And, people have actually done that.
Barb, I was there once when someone went over. I didn’t see him go over, but I saw his barrel being put into the river. https://breezybooksblog.wordpress.com/2012/10/03/slowly-i-turned/ 🙂
One of the three falls that make up Niagara Falls, or so Wikipedia tells me, is called Bridal Veil Falls. Could the title be something to do with honeymoons? Or bridal veils?
I forgot about all of the other names in the area – Three Sisters Islands and Goat Island. I could have the climax on Goat Island and call it Goat Island Hunter. (That sounds like the title of a Boxcar Children book. :-)) Thanks for the suggestions, Mary!
Pleasure, Maddie.
PS. Another prolific (Aussie) writer is Kerry Greenwood. Her most popular books are the Phryne Fisher mysteries , set in Melbourne, 1928. Phryne (pronounced Frynie) is a detective.
As a real, live, in-the-flesh Canadian I have to laugh at some peoples’ perceptions of my country! I grew up in and around Toronto and it’s as metropolitan as it comes. 🙂
I’m genuinely terrible with titles and headlines, but here are a few more Canadian stereotypes/icons for your amusement:
Canuck Hunter
Poutine Hunter
Beaver Hunter (not so PG)
Loonie Hunter (the loonie is the one-dollar coin)
That’s about all I got. Tower Hunter? The CN Tower, in Toronto, is kind of a major landmark.
Good luck!
Hi Nicole! Thanks for stopping by. I love Toronto and have been in the CN Tower, traipsed through Casa Loma, and climbed Scarborough Bluffs even though the signs told me not to. 😉 Some of the wilderness-type titles may have been proffered from the hunting/fishing camp much farther north that I referenced. … You made me google poutine. 🙂 LOL on beaver. They are such amazing creatures, and when our son was young, we searched for articles and pictures online. I yanked him away from the comptuer fast!!
Forest Hunter?
Okay, I got nothin’.
Good luck! 🙂
Thanks for stopping by and giving it the old college try, Richard! 🙂
Ah, you’re a poet.
Did you know it?
😉
I didn’t until you told me! I completely missed that. 🙂 (So are you!)
I’m lousy at poetry most of the time,
Ages it takes to make two lines rhyme,
Easier to start with something stolen,
And twist it and shape it with a bit of moldin’.
Hmm. (Ironically, that was original!) I’m on holidays at the moment. I’m just going to call my boss to make sure I’ve still got a job to come back to, otherwise I’m stuffed! 😉
This link might help ya out: http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Name_of_Toronto! Hog Hunter? Haha.
Hog Hunter! So funny!
I did look up nicknames for Toronto, but didn’t find anything that seemed to be universally known. I think we’re narrowing it down though. Thanks for the link!
How about dropping the Hunter line – come up with a title that sums up the book and have a Hunter sub-deck/tagline instead.
This may be the last book in the series, so I would like to carry on the continuity, if possible. All of the book are subtitled “A Susan Hunter Mystery.” However, it is something to think about. Thanks for the suggestion! 🙂
I wish I had your creative energy, Maddie!!
I’m sending Susan to Niagara Falls! I would have her walk up Clifton Hill with you, but I don’t think she will be there long enough. 😉 You are plenty creative, Robert, and I am now reading that you are famous, too. I’ll be over to your place in a few minutes! 😉
Maid of the Hunt!
Have you ever been on the Maid of the Mist? For all the times I’ve been to Niagara Falls, that is the one attraction I avoided. I’m afraid of heights, but I rode the cable car over the whirlpool. For some reason, I couldn’t ever make myself get on that boat. … Thanks for the suggestion!
The boat was unimpressive.
The deck next to/beneath the falls is brilliant though!
I agree! Other than the falls themselves, one of my very favorite things to do was take the elevator down to the rapids. I think it was some type of “Gorge Adventure.” I could spend hours down there watching the water.
How about “Niagara Hunter”
Perfect with the falling picture, right?
You could decide the best title that suit perfect with the content inside the book..
Niagara Hunter would be perfect with the picture, Kenny! 🙂 Once I start writing, and the content becomes more clear, I will surely find the perfect title in there, I think. Thank you for stopping by, Kenny.
Hunting Hunter?
Bewilderness Hunter?
Bewilderness?
Hunter gone wild?
Hunter and him
T. Hunter?
Thundering Falls?
Treasuring Niagara?
Happy New years and good luck.
John! It’s just after 3 a.m. and I’m punchy. I must drag myself to bed. I’m trying not to laugh out loud and wake my husband. Hunter Gone Wild! “Hunter and Him” cracks me up! … If I step away from what I usually do, Treasuring Niagara – or Treasure Niagara – is a possibility.
Happy New Year to you, too, and thanks for stopping by. You’ll be happy to know I’ve been driving sanely lately. Too much snow on the roads to do any drafting off the semis.
Glad ya got a laugh.
Ps. I just drove over 3000 kms over the holidays. I think I got some new rules…. Stay safe.
I finished “Windy City Hunter” last night and thouroughly enjoyed it. It was a great read and knowing that you wrote it in a month made it that much more fascinating. Thanks for the copy.
I appreciate that you read my book, Bo, and I’m especially happy that you enjoyed it. Thank you so much for letting me know, and you are welcome for the copy. 🙂
“Kissing Under the Falls Hunter”, well what do you think ? !!!!! I love it !!! But then again you would have to add lots of kissing in the book, Susan would love that ! I just finished your first book “Sunshine Hunter” what a great book Maddie. I tried to do a review but for some reason it published way to much info, so I will try to do it again tomorrow. I’m going to start reading “Big Apple Hunter” tomorrow. “Kissing Under the Falls Hunter” hmmmmm……. or just “Kissing the Falls Hunter” hmmmm… ok, ok …… I’ll keep thinking !!!!
Rita Kay, you are so much fun! The kissing theme is mighty tempting! I’m so glad you enjoyed Sunshine Hunter. That means so much to me, and thank you for letting me know! 🙂 xoxoxooxoxo
Barrel Hunter
Hunter Over a Barrel
Barrel Hunter
Over the Falls Hunter
Over a Barrel Hunter
Hunter Falls
Hahaha! You’ve got the barrel and the falls covered! 🙂 Here’s a little secret … Ninety percent of the book takes place in Canada. I think the title I’m going to use is on the paper, on the ground, next to the lady holding the drink at the top of my post, “Drink Up!” No one noticed it. 😉
Incredible! You just sat down and knocked out the plot of your next thriller on New Year’s Eve?? Man, that Doc Mario must really get the creative juices flowing!!
Hm. High North Hunter? High Country Hunter? Is the heroine going to walk across the falls?– High Wire Hunter might work… : P
Of course they have that little vocal schtick up in Canada where they turn statements into questions, so maybe you could call it Hunter, Eh??
Good luck, Title Hunter, I know it’s gonna be great no matter what you call it! : )
I just saw Mischief Hunter go flying by in my notifications. 😉 I love Hunter, Eh??, because I love saying, “eh?” … The title has been determined, and I’m starting to write today! Maple Leaf Hunter. Wilderness setting on cover with Canadian Flag/maple leaf somewhere in setting.