Compelling Tale Publishing

People have asked for a taste of Pinot Mort, but since the book has just been released, I don't want to give out any spoilers. A Rottweiler I picked a sample from my scrap pile of deleted chapters, bits that didn't make it into the book for one reason or another. The plot may have gone in a different direction, or a character may have been changed, but something caused a piece of writing to get left behind like a literary oxbow lake. The Dog Chapter is one of those, a part th

October 21-25, 2026, Calgary, Alberta Attendees at the Bouchercon Convention in Calgary this week can get a special price on the Vinophile Mystery Pinot Mort of $20.00, which normally sells for $24.99. My book is available in the book room at the convention, or you can get it from me at my presentation on this amateur detective novel, set in the wineries of the Okanagan Valley, during Bouchercon. I'll be doing a book spotlight live in the MacLeod Alcove at 20 on the 20, on Fr

The new murder mystery set in the wineries of the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia, Pinot Mort, is available this weekend. It's for sale in bookstores and online as of 12:01 a.m. on October 18th, 2026. R.T. Wells, the author of SHIFT, says “Fantastic read! Thomas Moffatt creates a tapestry of characters as rich and as colourful as the landscape in which the story is set.” Here's the Amazon Canada link. Join us for a book launch at Analog Books in Lethbridge, 322 6th Street

Cover - Runaway Grannies The book launch event for Pinot Mort is about to happen on the publication release date, Sunday October 18th, 2026. As previously posted, the festivities commence at 3:00 p.m. at Analog Books in Lethbridge. Myself and Kevin Legg, the Weekend Sommelier, will be there. Some new information to announce, Rick Gillis, another local author, will join us to moderate a question and answer session. Rick Gillis has enjoyed a 40+ year career as a journalist and

Three local mystery authors met at Analog Books in Lethbridge to share a glass of Pinot Mort and celebrate Bonny Beswick's latest mystery novel release, What Love Made Us Do. Bonny was signing copies for fans on Saturday afternoon in Lethbridge's iconic independent bookstore. Scott Paul, Thomas Moffatt, and Bonny Beswick at Analog Books Scott Paul is the author of Murder on the Oldman, my new book is Pinot Mort and Bonny's second Janice Maidstone mystery is her latest. Pinot

I belong to a number of writing groups, including one called the Wednesday Writer's Club made up of Alberta authors. I'm pleased to introduce a new novel release by one of our members, Shift by R.T. Wells. The Navy veteran and myself started writing our latest novels at about the same time and it's wonderful that both our books are completed and coming out in the same month. Here's the description: Canadian submariner, Lieutenant Colt Daniels doesn’t believe in the supernatur

I'm sharing my Roots & Blues Playlist for 2026. These are some of the tunes I'm listening to, and as we face the fact we may have to hunker down for the winter soon, it's always good to plan to get some new, or new-to-you, music to play. These are perfect for those listening in the car during those fall road trips. You can find this public playlist on Qobuz, which is my streaming platform of choice.

WOTS Layout 2026 I'll be enjoying the Word On The Street Festival in Lethbridge this Saturday, September 19th, from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. Authors attending to do presentations at this book and magazine festival include Lorne Fitch, Barbara Reid, Robert J. Sawyer, and Natalie Zina Walschots. Come and check out the live music, food trucks, workshops, author signings and book marketplace. The weather is promising to be warm. You can see the workshop schedule at https://thewordont

In the light of the Prime Minister praising citizens for drinking Okanagan wine, you may be wondering if a wine from this premier wine region is an option for you in your quest to support Canada during the trade war with Donald Trump. Are these wines any good? Are they easy to get? Many people have yet to discover the wines of the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia and want to know more about them. Top 50 Wine List, Spring 2026 Luckily, there is a fun and entertaining way

The second book in the series of Vinophile Mysteries is officially underway. I've started writing the next one in the series with Jay and Marissa, this time set in the wine regions of France. The working title is Cabernet Fatal. Not fatale, since my initial research reveals that wines and grapes in the French language are masculine, i.e. le cabernet fatal, not la cabernet fatale. I look forward to doing some research in places like Bordeaux and the Rhone Valley.

Fantastic news! Pinot Mort, my new murder mystery novel, will be released on Sunday, October 18th, 2026. There is a book launch happening at Analog Books in Lethbridge, starting at 3:00 p.m., where I'll give an author talk on this Vinophile Mystery and books will be available for sale. Kevin Legg, writer of the Weekend Sommelier wine column in the Lethbridge Herald, will start things off with a presentation of fun wine facts. The E-Book version is available on Amazon for pre-

An excerpt from the Appendix of my vinophile mystery novel, Pinot Mort. Inniskillin Icewine Icewine (or ice wine; German: Eiswein) is a type of dessert wine produced from grapes that have been frozen while still on the vine. The sugars and other dissolved solids do not freeze, but the water does, allowing for a more concentrated grape juice to develop. The grapes' must is then pressed from the frozen grapes, resulting in a smaller amount of more concentrated, very sweet

The cover for the E-Book version is out! E-Book publication is imminent, and the cover has been finalized. Here's how the cover art turned out. I contracted a cover design artist, Tufan, to create a cover for the wine region murder mystery, and I'm very pleased with the result.

Grape-treading or grape-stomping is part of the method of maceration used in Grape Treading traditional wine making. Rather than being crushed in a wine press or by another mechanized method, grapes are repeatedly trampled in vats by barefoot participants to release their juices and begin fermentation. Grape-treading was widespread in the history of winemaking, but with the introduction of industrial methods, it now survives mostly as a recreational or competitive activity at

BC Wine Harvest Fast Facts For those vineyards that survive the wildfires, the time to harvest grapes is approaching. Painted Rock Vineyard · BC’s most planted grapes are Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Merlot and Pinot Noir. · A grapevine might have seven pounds of fruit (more or less), so with 2.6 pounds of fruit per bottle, one vine can produce between two and three bottles of wine. · BC terroir is unique – not as cool as

The history of the Dirty Laundry Winery, in Summerland B.C., begins with the desire of Chinese railway workers for better working conditions. A family started the laundry as an alternative to railway work, serving the needs of the labourers in the area. Men who were perhaps getting their only set of clothes cleaned, were invited to take a trip up to the second floor of the establishment, to avail themselves of additional services the women of the business offered. This establ

A bottle of Gamay Noir Gamay (pronounced ‘Gam-may’), also known as Gamay Noir, is a light-bodied red wine varietal related to Pinot Noir. It grows in the region of Beaujolais, France and is also grown in other areas like the Loire Valley and Canada. Gamay wines are enjoyed for their floral aromas, fruity flavours, high acidity and soft tannins. Gamay pairs well with food, especially fish, and is often served slightly chilled to bring out the wine’s signature fruity note

Matching foods with the right wine can enhance the experience of both the wine and the meal. Here are some recommendations for a variety of British Columbia wines. Wine and Food Can Compliment Each Other Red Wines Cabernet Franc BC versions are outstanding and very versatile food wines. Try it with roast chicken, pork, roasted or grilled, beef, duck, sausage, lamb, veal, hearty fish dishes and even hard or soft cheese. Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Sauvignon stands up beautiful

A Glass Decanter What Is Decanting Wine? Decanting wine means slowly pouring the wine from its bottle into a different container, without disturbing the sediment at the bottom. Wine is often decanted into a glass vessel with an easy-pour neck. Examples include the swan, cornett, duck, and standard decanters, which come in small, medium, and large sizes. What Are the Benefits of Decanting Wine? 1. Decanting separates sediment from liquid. Decanting is first and foremost about

Wildfire season is here again and vineyards face the danger of smoke taint ruining the year's crop of grapes. Grapes that absorb too much CO2 from exposure to smoke will have their flavour profile altered and no longer be capable of producing wine that doesn't taste like ash. A number of different approaches have been undertaken to try and preserve grapes in a high-smoke environment. One is carbon hoods, installed over the grape clusters, which can block up to 97% of smoke pe