Category:

Coffee Chat Interview with Thriller Writer Mark Rubinstein

8/24/2022

Good Morning, Booklovers!

This morning we are welcoming a newcomer to the blog, author Mark Rubinstein, featuring his latest thriller, Assassin’s Lullaby.

A pleasure to meet you, Mark. How do you take your coffee?

MR: I drink Crème Caramel Keurig pod coffee every morning; 2 cups followed by a cup of Hazelnut Mocha from a pod.

Ally: I think I’ll let the magic coffee pot choose one of those. In the meantime, please tell us something about yourself.

Bio:

After earning a degree in business administration at NYU, Mark Rubinstein served in the U.S. Army as a field medic tending to paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne Division.

After his discharge he returned to college, went to medical school and became a physician, then a psychiatrist.

Rubinstein's high-octane thrillers Mad Dog House (2012) and its sequel, Mad Dog Justice (2014), were both finalists for the ForeWord Book of the Year Award. His novella, The Foot Soldier won the Silver award in the 2014 Benjamin Franklin Awards competition, in the Popular Fiction category. His novella, Return to Sandara, (2014), won the gold IPPY Award for Suspense/Fiction. The Lovers' Tango, won the gold medal in popular fiction at the 2016 Benjamin Franklin Awards. Mad Dog Vengeance (2017), the last book in the Mad Dog trilogy. His most recent novel is Assassin’s Lullaby.

Something unique/unusual that isn't in your regular bio: “Apparently my thrillers are so realistic that I’ve been asked at author talks if I ever actually killed anyone.”

Author Contacts:

Website: http://www.markrubinstein-author.com
Twitter: @MrubinsteinCT
Email: author.mark.rubinstein@gmail.com

INTERVIEW:

Ally: Are you self-published or traditionally published? How did you make the decision?

MR: I’ve been self-published and traditionally published. With self-publishing I have far more control over formatting, cover design and other elements of publishing. Traditional publishing affords me greater readership and exposure.

Ally: Do you use critique groups or beta readers? Do you find them valuable?

MR: My First Reader is my wife who has a keen eye for dialogue and description. She often reins in some of my wilder excursions into literary pretense. I’ve always said that she’s rescued every novel I’ve written.

Ally: Do people you know sneak into your books as characters?

MR: Yes. People I know sneak into my books as character. I must say that they are all good characters. The evil ones are purely products of my imagination.

Ally: Do you write from an outline?

MR: I don’t use an outline. Rather, I begin by writing down a bunch of disparate ideas and eventually, they begin to form something of a plot, although it’s quite vague. As I write, the plot tends to unfold organically. I often know where the novel will begin and where it will end but have no idea how I’ll get there. That’s part of the creative fun of writing.

Ally: What's the best writing/marketing advice you’ve received?

MR: The best writing advice I’ve ever been given is to just write. You can’t wait for inspiration. If you wait for inspiration you’re a waiter, not a writer. Just write every single day, even if on any given day you only do it for 15 minutes.

Ally: How many books do you read in a month? Which genre(s)? Favorite authors?

MR: I read about 8 books a month. Mostly suspense thrillers although I do have a fondness for certain literary authors—Philip Roth, William Styron, Ian McEwan, and a few others.

Ally: What three books in your genre (other than your own) would you recommend to readers?

MR: I would recommend, above all, Savages by Don Winslow. Then would come Mystic River and The Drop by Dennis Lehane.

Ally: How do you react to reviews of your books?

MR: I do my best not to read reviews of my books; that includes the favorable and not-so-favorable.

Ally: Which of the trivia questions did you choose?

MR:

memorable book you’ve read: Mystic River by Dennis Lehane
book you're currently reading: Two Days in Lisbon by Chris Pavone
an author (living or dead) you'd love to chat with: Philip Roth
ebook or print? I read both. I even read the print on cereal boxes.
movie you’ll always remember: Deliverance.

Ally: Thank you for spending time with us, Mark. Before you go, please show us your featured book, Assassin’s Lullaby.

Assassin’s Lullaby
Genre: thriller/psychological thriller
Heat warning: Author reports a romantic scene rates 8 of 10 (without being graphic)

In every life, there lurks catastrophe. So believes Eli Dagan, a 39-year-old man whose traumatic past led to his service as an assassin for the Mossad. He now lives in New York City where, under various assumed names, he’s a contract killer.

Anton Gorlov, the head of the Brooklyn-based Odessa mafia, has a new and challenging assignment for Eli—he wants to leave the country permanently, so all loose ends must be eliminated, and he’s willing to pay $1 million for the task.

The job will involve extreme measures along with unprecedented danger for Eli, who has lived a ghostly existence over the last ten years. Is accepting Gorlov’s offer a subliminal death wish? Or is it a way to reclaim part of his damaged soul?

For the first time since his pregnant wife and parents were killed by a suicide bomber years earlier, Eli Dagan faces challenges that will reconnect him with his blighted past and may yet offer hope for a new and better life.

“With Assassin’s Lullaby, Rubinstein joins the ranks of Daniel Silva and John le Carré. It’s a riveting story, relentlessly paced." ~ James Rollins, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Last Odyssey

Buy Links:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3nWEa2y
B&N: https://bit.ly/3cWvdQI
IndieBound: https://bit.ly/2Zt560s
KOBO: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/assassin-s-lullaby

Mystery Author Lynn Slaughter Stops by the Blog!

7/20/2022

Good Morning, Booklovers!

It’s time for our weekly chat with a guest author regarding all things writing and reading. Today’s guest is mystery writer Lynn Slaughter with her featured YA romantic mystery, DEADLY SETUP.

Welcome, Lynn. How do you take your coffee?

LS: Black, dark roast.

Ally: You’re certainly making it easy on me. While I pour, please tell readers something about your background.

Bio:

After a long career as a professional dancer and dance educator, Lynn Slaughter earned her MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University. She writes coming- of- age romantic mysteries and is the author of the newly released Deadly Setup. She is also the author of: Leisha’s Song, a Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards bronze medalist, Agatha nominee, Silver Falchion finalist, and Imadjinn Award recipient; While I Danced, an EPIC finalist; and It Should Have Been You, a Silver Falchion finalist. She lives in Louisville, Kentucky, where she’s at work on her next novel and serves as the President of Derby Rotten Scoundrels, the Ohio River Valley chapter of Sisters in Crime.

Something unusual not in my regular bio: I used to sing vocals for a rock band. (Ally note: Sounds interesting. I’d like to hear more sometimes!)

Author contact links:

https://lynnslaughter.com/
https://www.facebook.com/lynnslaughterWriter/
https://twitter.com/lslaughter2

INTERVIEW:

Ally: Do you use critique groups or beta readers? Do you find them valuable?
LS: I’ve been a member of several critique groups over the years, and I also have enlisted the services of beta readers. I think it’s helpful to have outside eyes look at our work. If more than one person points to a problem area, I definitely pay attention!

Ally: Why did you choose writing as a career? Is it your only career, or do you have a “day” job?
LS: I consider myself an “accidental” writer. When age and injury led to my retirement from dance, I grieved the loss of dance in my life. As a therapy project, I began writing a story about an aspiring ballet dancer. That became my first novel, While I Danced. Then I fell in love with writing fiction and ended up going back to school to earn my MFA from Seton Hill.
I currently write fulltime.

Ally: What’s the best writing advice you’ve been given?
LS: Don’t wait for inspiration. Place your “butt-in-chair” and write!

Ally: What three books in contemporary realistic YA would you recommend to readers:
LS: Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes by Chris Crutcher
If I Stay by Gayle Forman
The Rest of the Story by Sarah Dessen

Ally: What is your next writing project?
LS: I’m currently working on two projects. One is an adult mystery, Missed Cue, in which a homicide detective investigates the suspicious onstage death of a ballerina while dealing with her messy personal life. The other is a middle grade fantasy about a kid vampire who hates the taste of blood and is convinced he landed in the wrong body.

Ally: Which five trivia questions did you choose to answer?
LS:

Book I’m currently reading: Five People Die by Trace Conger
Ebook or print? Print
Favorite comfort food: Anything pasta!
Pie or cake? My husband’s chocolate peanut butter pie
Beach lover or snow skier? Huge beach lover

Ally: It’s been a pleasure chatting with you, Lynn. Before we finish, please show us your featured book, DEADLY SETUP.

Deadly Setup:
Genre: YA romantic mystery (contemporary realistic)

When her New England heiress mom announces she’s marrying Adam Holloway, Samantha (Sam) is horrified. She’s almost sure he’s after her mother’s money, but her mom is convinced she’s finally found her “happily ever after.”

And then Sam’s life implodes. Holloway has been shot to death, and Sam gets arrested for his murder. She fights to prove her innocence with the help of her boyfriend’s dad, an ex-homicide cop.

Buy the Book:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Kobo
Smashwords

Coffee Chat with Mystery Writer Mary Stojak

7/6/2022

Good Morning, Booklovers!

I hope all my fellow countrymen and women have recovered from the 4th of July celebrations! We had a fantastic day. But on to this week’s Coffee Chat, and a big welcome to our guest author, Mary Stojak, and her new release, Sissy Holmes and the Case of the Dead Hypnotist.

How do you take your coffee, Mary?

MS: I drink my coffee black! Thought I would never stray but a couple of trips to Ireland made me reconsider black and white. These days I sometimes have a latte in the evening.

Ally: I too have been to Ireland. Would that be a latte with Baileys? 😊 Never mind, it’s only morning, so black it is. While I pour, please tell readers something about yourself.

Bio:

I’ve had short stories published for quite a while and published a middle grade mystery called The Clan of the Crescent Moon. On June 22nd this year, my first adult mystery, Sissy Holmes and the Case of the Dead Hypnotist was published. Publishing short stories is lots of fun, but publishing a book is too! Every so often I run into one of my classmates from the Masters Fiction program at Johns Hopkins University and it energizes me knowing what I’ve done since I graduated. The workshops I attend do that too, as well as the conferences where I see my mystery writing buddies!

Something unique/unusual that isn't in your regular bio: “Usually, I remind people that I am a lifetime musician who is still playing! Flute and piccolo are where I started. For quite some time I’ve also been playing the bass flute although I had to switch to a vertical bass from the horizontal one on account of a bum shoulder. I’m playing in a bunch of concerts this summer. It’s great to be able to do that after the pandemic.”

Author Contacts:

FB: https://www.facebook.com/Writingsurvivor
Twitter: @Survivingwriter

INTERVIEW:

Ally: Let’s start by talking about what inspired you to write your featured book?

MS: I was just telling some of my writing friends at Hollins University last week about the inspiration for my Sissy Holmes book. All sorts of things kind of clump together for me. I’m a long-time Sherlockian and always wanted to write something inspired by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. But I wanted to write my own take like we’ve seen in recent years. I can’t remember why I thought of reincarnation, I think it just popped into my mind when I was researching how different authors had expressed their takes. No one, to my knowledge, had used it before. The government connection is me. I worked in the Federal government for many years, but not at the Food and Drug Administration or the National Institutes of Health that are mentioned in the book. Last but not least, my son quit smoking which gave me the idea of Sissy wanting to quit smoking and of course, how would she do that? That’s where we get the hypnotist!

Ally: Are you self-published or traditionally published? How did you make the decision?

MS: I’m both. There are books that are stuck in your head (at least for me) and don’t want to go away. Then maybe the market isn’t looking for books like the one you want to publish. I chose to publish my first complete book myself. My bucket list included having a book traditionally published so I ventured forth again with Sissy Holmes. I was happy that MX publishing had created a new imprint Orange Pip Books that was looking for books like mine! That doesn’t mean I won’t self-publish more books. I’ll probably make the decision on a book-by-book basis. I know many people who want their books published for all sorts of reasons and don’t want the hassle of getting an agent and all the hoopla. Even with MX who was great during the process, the latter part of getting the book out was challenging.

Ally: What is the easiest—or the hardest—part of writing for you? Explain.

MS: I think that drafting is sometimes more difficult. I used to think revision was the hardest but I love revision now. I’m always discovering more detail for my stories. Nanowrimo (where you try to write 50,000 during the month of November) can be lots of fun if you don’t have too many other demands on your time. I’ve drafted a half dozen books during Nano but didn’t participate last year because I wanted to concentrate on other projects.

Ally: Do you use critique groups or beta readers? Do you find them valuable?

MS: I am a member of two critique groups. I’ve also used beta readers. But taking too much advice from critique groups can be a mistake. Beta readers work well if they are available.

Ally: Do people you know sneak into your books as characters?

MS: Nope. That’s a no-no for me.

Ally: What's the best writing/marketing advice you’ve been given?

MS: One page at a time.

Ally: What is your next writing project? Anticipated release date?

MS: Sissy Holmes and the Case of the Dead Egyptians will most likely be out in about a year.

Ally: Which of the trivia questions did you pick to answer?

MS:

An item on your bucket list: Going to Yellowstone
If you were a color, what would it be and why? Green. I always want to grow.
Your pets: cats, Callie and Bela
If you had to evacuate your house (your family, pets, and laptop are already out safe), what one thing would you try to take with you? flute
Do you re-read books? Any book in particular? Great Expectations

Ally: It has been a pleasure to meet you, Mary. Good luck with your books. Before we finish, please show us your featured book.

Sissy Holmes and the Case of the Dead Hypnotist
Genre: mystery
Rating: PG

What is reincarnation? Sissy Holmes doesn’t have a clue until a hypnotist (soon to be dead) delves too deeply into her psyche. The voice inside her head says he’s Sherlock Holmes and wants to investigate the murder. Sissy thinks she must be crazy.

As events unfold, she’s convinced she has no choice but to investigate with the help of Sherlock Holmes and her best friend El.

Buy Links:
MX Publishing: https://mxpublishing.com/products/sissy-holmes-and-the-case-of-the-dead-hypnotist
Also available from: Amazon USA Barnes and Noble Amazon UK

Goldstein's #5 is in the Bookstores! Chat with the Author...

6/29/2022

Good Morning, Booklovers!

Now that it’s officially summer, we’ll be holding the chat on the deck depending, of course, on storms choosing other paths or other times. So, pull up your deck chairs, grab your favorite beverage, and help me welcome author Debra Goldstein with her latest cozy, Five Belles Too Many.

Nice to see you, Debra. How would you like your coffee?

DG: If I’m making it, I drink it black, but I tend to buy flavored coffees like Kahlua. If I’m purchasing it from Starbucks, it will be something iced, preferably with whipped cream. If I want a hot drink, my go to is a skinny white chocolate mocha, but don’t hold the whipped cream.

Ally: Since it’s a hot morning, how about something iced with whipped cream? While I’m fixing our drinks, please tell readers about yourself.

Bio:

Judge Debra H. Goldstein writes Kensington’s Sarah Blair mystery series (Five Belles Too Many, Four Cuts Too Many, Three Treats Too Many, Two Bites Too Many, and One Taste Too Many). Her short stories, which have been named Agatha, Anthony, and Derringer finalists, have appeared in numerous periodicals and anthologies including Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, Black Cat Mystery Magazine, Mystery Weekly, Malice Domestic Murder Most Edible, Masthead, Murder by the Glass, and Jukes & Tonks. Debra served on the national boards of Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America and was president of the Guppy and SEMWA chapters. Find out more about Debra at https://www.DebraHGoldstein.com .

Something unique/unusual that isn't in your regular bio: “I took eleven years of piano lessons and occasionally relax by playing the piano that my parents bought for me when I was six years old.”

Contacts:
Website – www.DebraHGoldstein.com
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/DebraHGoldsteinAuthor/
Twitter - @DebraHGoldstein
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/debrahgoldstein/
Bookbub – https://www.bookbub.com/profile/debra-h-goldstein

INTERVIEW:

Ally: Are you self-published or traditionally published? How did you make the decision?

DG: I am a hybrid writer, but that isn’t by choice. My first publisher went out of business and returned my files to me so that I could put the book, which was still in demand, back up on Amazon through what was then Createspace. In that instance, I had the files and cover art, so I didn’t have to go through the various steps of self-publishing. My choice, and what I have done in all other instances, is to seek traditional publishing house contracts. Although self-publishing would give me more control of all aspects of a work, I don’t want nor do I have time to write, promote, volunteer, and juggle my everyday activities with handling formatting, cover art, and all the other logistics necessary to be a successfully self-published author. Early on, I realized my limitations and immediately sought a traditional publisher.

Ally: What do you consider to be the hardest part of writing?

DG: To be disciplined enough to do it. When an idea or phrase is triggered, I write with a total abandonment of time. My focus is directed, and I am in the zone. Sadly, which has been more noticeable this past year, is that when I’m not motivated, anything can be a distraction. Ironically, I thought when I walked away from my day job, I’d treat writing like I had my job instead of as that thing I did between two and four a.m. It didn’t happen. Instead, I am a sprint writer, who does best when faced with a deadline.

Ally: Why did you choose writing as a career?

DG: I walked away from my day job as a judge a few years ago to follow my passion to write. At the time, I had had one book published and had just sold a second book. Although I had no idea if my writing career would take off, I knew it was something I wanted to give my full attention to no matter what happened. I haven’t looked back since.

Ally: Are people you know models for your book characters?

DG: Yes and no. For me to copy a friend or someone I know isn’t possible because I could never capture them in their entirety. Instead, I steal bits and pieces of people I know to create complex new characters.

Ally: What's the best writing/marketing advice you’ve been given?

DG: The best writing/marketing advice I was given was to “invest in yourself.” As the person explained, sometimes you have to put out money and effort to succeed. This may mean underwriting something, giving out free or discounted books, or being willing to have something function as a loss leader for others to be introduced to your work. Investing in myself also meant taking classes, reading books, and putting in the time to improve my writing and skills. Finally, it meant taking what I’ve learned or succeeded with and paying it forward because the return is an investment in “yourself” that can’t be measured.

Which of the trivia questions did you choose to answer?

DG:

an author (living or dead) you'd love to take to lunch: Leonard Elmore, Jr.
most watched tv show: Perry Mason
f you were a color, what would it be? Blue
What type of music do you prefer? Show Music
favorite quote: “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try. and try again.”

Ally: A pleasure to chat with you, Debra. Before we finish up for today, please show us your featured book.

Five Belles Too Many (A Sarah Blair Mystery)
Genre: Cozy Mystery

Whoever thought a sixty plus year old bride-to-be competing for the perfect Southern wedding would need a chaperone? But no, the television show’s rules require all five of the Southern Belle finalists to be chaperoned at night. Because Sarah Blair’s twin works nights at her restaurant and Mother Maybelle doesn’t want to inconvenience any of her friends, Sarah is “stuck” with the task.

It's bad enough juggling her day job and taking care of her own furry pets, RahRah and Fluffy, while on chaperone duty, but the show contracted for rooms for the Belles and their chaperones at her all-time nemesis, Jane Clark’s, bed and breakfast. Mother Maybelle assured Sarah that she could survive the few hours a night she’d have to be at Jane’s Place, especially since she’d be sleeping, but Maybelle didn’t take into account she and Sarah finding the show’s producer lying dead in the front hall with Jane, blood on her hands, bending over his body on the first night of their stay.

In the last year, Sarah unraveled several murders in Wheaton, Alabama, but she has a dilemma. Sarah hates Jane. Jane is the bimbo who broke up Sarah’s marriage, forced her to go from a life of luxury to an efficiency apartment, tried to steal RahRah, the Siamese cat that was the only thing she got out of her marriage, and has been a consistent thorn in her side, but Sarah doesn’t think Jane is a murderer. One part of Sarah wants to ignore Jane’s plea for help, but her loyalty and fears for her mother’s well-being prompt her to get involved before Mother Maybelle or any of the other contestants are permanently eliminated from the competition.

Buy Links:

https://www.amazon.com/Five-Belles-Sarah-Blair-Mystery-ebook/dp/B09HRCV4TN
https://www.amazon.com/Five-Belles-Sarah-Blair-Mystery/dp/1496732235
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/five-belles-too-many-debra-h-goldstein/1140225124

Join the Coffee Chat with Cozy Mystery Writer Kassandra Lamb

6/15/2022

Good Morning, Booklovers!

It is a hot and humid day in the Midwest! As soon as our chat is over, I'll be retreating into the AC. Before it gets to hot on the deck, please join me in welcoming guest author Kassandra Lamb and her featured cozy mystery, TO BARK OR NOT TO BARK.

So glad you could be with us, Kassandra. What may I get you to drink?

KL: Sadly, I can’t drink coffee. It doesn’t agree with my stomach. I drink tea instead, no milk, half teaspoon of sugar.

Ally: I'll have that tea ready in a jiffy. Meanwhile, please tell readers something about yourself.

BIO:

In her youth, Kassandra Lamb had two great passions—psychology and writing. Advised that writers need day jobs—and being partial to eating—she studied psychology. Her career as a psychotherapist and college professor taught her much about the dark side of human nature, but also much about resilience, perseverance, and the healing power of laughter.

Now retired, she spends most of her time in an alternate universe populated by her fictional characters. The portal to this universe (aka her computer) is located in North Central Florida where her husband and dog catch occasional glimpses of her.

Something unique/unusual that isn't in your regular bio: "I owned a small horse farm in Maryland, before we retired to Florida. I loved that place—but the promise of palm trees and mild winters lured me away."

Author Links:

WEBSITE: https://kassandralamb.com
FACEBOOK:  https://www.facebook.com/kassandralambauthor
PINTEREST:  https://www.pinterest.com/kassandralamb/
INSTAGRAM:  https://www.instagram.com/kasslamb/
TWITTER:  https://twitter.com/KassandraLamb
BOOKBUB PROFILE:  https://www.bookbub.com/profile/kassandra-lamb
AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE: http://www.amazon.com/Kassandra-Lamb/e/B006NB5WAI/

INTERVIEW:

Ally: Who or what inspired your featured book?

KL: To Bark or Not to Bark is the last full-length novel (Book 12) in my Marcia Banks and Buddy cozy mysteries. Marcia trains service dogs for military veterans with psychological issues, and sometimes the veterans get into some kind of trouble and she gets sucked into trying to help them.
I try to highlight different dog breeds with each story. I’ve always been fond of Border Collies, so I figured it was now or never to feature one in the series.
I also like to show different tasks that these service dogs do for their veteran owners. Just before I started this current book, I was reading an article about dogs that “cleared rooms” for veterans who were phobic about being ambushed (after having been ambushed in combat). The dog would go into a room first and signal if there was anyone in the space. Since dogs have a great sense of smell, even if someone is hiding, they will locate them. This allowed these vets to slowly overcome their phobia.
I decided that task would be the focal point of this story. And just to make my fictional veteran’s life more complicated, I threw in a locked-room mystery and made his house haunted.
Border Collies are considered the smartest dog breed, which was a good thing, because clearing rooms is a hard task for these dogs to learn. I show how the task is broken down into smaller tasks for training purposes in the previous book in the series, One Flew Over the Chow-Chow’s Nest.

Ally: Are you self-published or traditionally published? How did you make the decision?

KL: I am indie published. I co-own a small indie press, misterio press, that operates as an author cooperative. The authors share their talents—editing, proofreading, etc.—and help each other polish their stories to make them the best they can be.
When I was considering which route to take to publication, my age was the biggest factor. I was 59 when I finally finished editing my first book (it took me 15 years to complete the first draft), and I felt it was ready for the world to see. It takes several years to get published if you follow the traditional route: time to find an agent, for them to sell it to a publisher, for the publisher’s editors to look it over, etc. I didn’t want to wait that long. Now I’m 69 and I have 33 stories published.

Ally: Do you write from an outline?

KL: Not exactly. Mostly I write “by the seat of my pants.” I have a story idea, I mull it over for a while, and then I sit down and start writing.
But recently I’ve been brainstorming a list of plot points before I start writing. I try to come up with at least 20 events that will happen in the story. Then as I write, I can refer back to that list if I get stuck.

Ally: Are you a speed reader or do you settle in and savor a book?

KL: I’ve always been a slow reader. In grade school, it confused my teachers because it took me twice as long to finish reading a story, but I have a very high retention rate. They could ask me any question about what happened, and I’d know the answer. I am still very much a savor-the-story person.

Ally: What is your next writing project? Anticipated release date?

KL: The story I’m currently drafting is the 2nd book in a new series about a female chief of police in a small city who likes to be hands-on with the bigger cases that come up. It’s called the C.o.P. on the Scene Mysteries. I’m really enjoying the new challenge of writing police procedurals. I hope to have that book, Fatal Escape, out by early fall.
Then I’ll be focusing on the very last book in the Marcia Banks and Buddy series, a novella called Auld Lang Mayfair, which will be a what-are-they-up-to now kind of story (with a mystery in there as well, of course). I hope to have that out by December, but no later than January 1st, since it is set during the week leading up to New Year’s Eve.

Ally: Which of the trivia questions did you choose to answer?

KL:

memorable book you’ve read: Your Blues Ain’t Like Mine by Bebe Moore Campbell
an item on your bucket list: Visit Australia and New Zealand
If you were a color, what would it be and why? Peach; vibrant, yet soft.
If you couldn't write anymore, what would you do? Travel more.
How long does it take you to write a book? First book, 15 years. Fifth book, 1 week (on a writers’ retreat). All the rest, 2-4 months. ;-)

Ally: It has been a pleasure, Kassandra. As we wind up the interview, please show us your featured book.

To Bark or Not to Bark (A Marcia Banks and Buddy Mystery #12)
Genre: cozy mystery

Just because you’re paranoid...

Service dog trainer Marcia Banks-Haines tackles a locked room mystery in a haunted house, while training the recipient of her latest dog.

The border collie, Dolly has been trained to clear rooms for an agoraphobic Marine who was ambushed in a bombed-out building in Syria. But the phantom attackers in his psyche turn out to be the least of his troubles when Marcia finds his ex-wife’s corpse in his master bedroom, with the door bolted from the inside.

Was it suicide or murder? Marcia can’t see her client as a killer, but the local sheriff can.

Then the Marine reports hearing his ex calling for him to join her on the other side of the grave. Is his house really haunted, or is he hallucinating?

Marcia has lost a client to suicide before. She’s not going to lose another!

Buy Links:

AMAZON: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B3WNQY1Z
NOOK: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/to-bark-or-not-to-bark-a-marcia-banks-and-buddy-mystery-kassandra-lamb/1141653124
APPLE: https://books.apple.com/us/book/id6442979080
KOBO: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/to-bark-or-not-to-bark-a-marcia-banks-and-buddy-mystery
Landing page link on misterio press website: https://misteriopress.com/bookstore/to-bark-or-not-to-bark-a-marcia-banks-and-buddy-mystery/

Harini Nagendra's New Historical Mystery is Set in 1920s India

6/1/2022

Good Morning, Booklovers!

It’s finally June, and the perfect time to move back to the deck for our weekly chats. While we enjoy a nice morning breeze, join me in welcoming author Harini Nagendra with her historical mystery set in 1920s India.

I’m so pleased to meet you, Harini. What can I get you to drink?

HN: My favourite cup of choice is tea made Indian style, with milk and sugar, and often ginger as well. My husband makes it for me every morning - he makes the best tea! I’m usually grumpy in the mornings, but I cheer up once I drink my first cuppa.

Ally: We’ll see if my magic pot can compete with that husband of yours! 😊 In the meantime, please tell readers something about yourself.

Bio:

Harini Nagendra is a professor of ecology at Azim Premji University, and is internationally recognized for her scholarship and speaking on issues of nature and sustainability. The Bangalore Detectives Club is her first crime fiction novel.
Her nonfiction books include Nature in the City: Bengaluru in the Past, Present and Future, and two books coauthored with Seema Mundoli: So Many Leaves, and Cities and Canopies: Trees in Indian Cities, which received the 2020 Publishing Next Awards for best English nonfiction book in India and was featured on the 2021 Green Literature Festival’s honor list.
Harini lives in Bangalore with her family, in a home filled with maps. She loves trees, mysteries, and traditional recipes.

Something unique/unusual that isn't in your regular bio: “I wanted to be an archeologist when I was younger! I guess I’ve now found a different way to indulge my fascination with the past, through fiction.”

Author Contacts:

Personal website: www.harininagendra.com
University website: https://azimpremjiuniversity.edu.in/people/harini-nagendra
Twitter: @HariniNagendra
Instagram: @harini.nagendra
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100008345929330
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harini-nagendra-22a95686/

INTERVIEW:

Ally: Who or what inspired your featured book?

HN: My main protagonist, Kaveri – a young bride in 1920s colonial Bangalore, navigating the societal strictures imposed on women of those times while striving to pursue her interests in mathematics, swimming and detection – quite literally parachuted into my head one day in 2007 and demanded I write a book about her. Kaveri’s quiet but assured feminist voice is uniquely hers and formed the core voice around which my book was architected.

Ally: What is the easiest—or the hardest—part of writing for you? Explain.

HN: The hardest part is the beginning. I get nervous when I think of how improbable a thing it is that I am attempting – to create an entire narrative out of thin air, so to speak. I’m very comfortable with non-fiction writing, especially since so much of it is based on my own research and covers ground that I know well. But once I hush my inner voice of doubt and start to write, and imagination takes over, when my fingers start to type almost as if of their own volition, and a story begins to emerge - that’s the part I love the best.

Ally: Do you use critique groups or beta readers? Do you find them valuable?

HN: My husband and daughter are my best beta readers. I rely a lot on their feedback – they know my characters and their personalities like no one else does. I also depend on my fabulous agent who is also a close friend from school days – Priya Doraswamy of Lotus Lane Literary. Between inputs from her and my family, I’m well set! I don’t think I could handle reading chapters to a critique group as many writers do – my first writing is very raw and rough. I need to get the whole book done and a few rounds of edits complete before I’m comfortable showing it to anyone else.

Ally: Why did you choose writing as a career? Is it your only career, or do you have a “day” job?

HN: I have a very full “day” job as a university professor, research administrator, teacher and academic. My day job also involves a great deal of writing, but on ecology and climate change, which are my core areas of research. I wouldn’t say I chose writing as a career – writing chose me, and I’m very grateful that I can spend time doing something I love so much.

Ally: Do you read reviews of your books? Do you respond to them? Are you affected by them?

HN: Feedback from readers is invaluable! I do read reviews, but I never respond to them. As a career academic, and someone who writes regularly for newspapers and other public outlets, I’m very used to review feedback from peers and readers. While I love positive feedback (who doesn’t!) the tone of negative feedback doesn’t really bother me too much. I do pay close attention to plot points or characters that especially resonated with readers – and I make note of what I could improve on for next time.

Ally: What is your next writing project? Anticipated release date?

HN: My next book is the second in the Kaveri and Ramu series: Murder Under the Red Moon, forthcoming in March 2023. Will Kaveri be able to repair her fractured relationship with her opinionated mother-in-law, or will it get worse as she dives deeper into crime detection? Read and find out J

Ally: Which of the trivia questions did you choose to answer?

HN:

an author (living or dead) you'd love to chat with: Robin Hobb, my all-time favourite author
favorite accessory (jewelry, scarves, shoes, etc.): large sparkly earrings
favorite comfort food: my husband’s egg biriyani
If you were a color, what would it be and why? Sunset orange – it’s such a happy colour!
have you written a book during NaNo? I wrote a draft of a cosy mystery set in contemporary Bangalore in 2020 during NaNo. I hope to edit and publish that – some day!

Ally: Thanks for being on the blog, Harini. Before we finish the interview, please show us your featured book.

The Bangalore Detectives Club
Genre: historical mystery
PG-13

The first in a charming, joyful crime series set in 1920s Bangalore, featuring sari-wearing detective Kaveri and her husband Ramu. Perfect for fans of Alexander McCall Smith’s The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency.

When clever, headstrong Kaveri moves to Bangalore to marry handsome young doctor Ramu, she’s resigned herself to a quiet life.

But that all changes the night of the party at the Century Club, where she escapes to the garden for some peace and quiet—and instead spots an uninvited guest in the shadows. Half an hour later, the party turns into a murder scene.

When a vulnerable woman is connected to the crime, Kaveri becomes determined to save her and launches a private investigation to find the killer, tracing his steps from an illustrious brothel to an Englishman’s mansion. She soon finds that sleuthing in a sari isn’t as hard as it seems when you have a talent for mathematics, a head for logic, and a doctor for a husband . . .

And she’s going to need them all as the case leads her deeper into a hotbed of danger, sedition, and intrigue in Bangalore’s darkest alleyways.

Buy links:
https://bookshop.org/books/the-bangalore-detectives-club/9781639361595
https://www.amazon.com/Bangalore-Detectives-Club-Novel/dp/1639361596/

Author Donna Schlachter Interview and Short Story Anthology

5/18/2022

Good Morning, Booklovers!

Join me in welcoming back women’s fiction writer Donna Schlachter, bringing us a new anthology release in women's fiction/romance, Sweet Sprinkles, including her short story, "Zero Guilt Calories."

Nice to see you, Donna. Remind me how you take your coffee.

DS: I like it strong (not bitter) with half-and-half or whipping cream.

Ally: Of course, now I recall. While I grab our drinks, tell readers a little about yourself.

Bio:

A hybrid author, Donna writes squeaky clean historical and contemporary suspense. She has been published more than 50 times in books; is a member of several writers’ groups; facilitates a critique group; teaches writing classes; ghostwrites; edits; and judges in writing contests. She loves history and research, traveling extensively for both.

Something unique/unusual that isn't in your regular bio. “I started writing children’s stories, greeting cards, magazine articles, and poems because I thought shorter would be easier. Wrong.” 😊

Author Contacts:
www.DonnaSchlachter.com Receive a free ebook simply for signing up for our free newsletter!
www.DonnaSchlachter.com/blog
Check out previous blog posts at www.HiStoryThruTheAges.wordpress.com and www.AllBettsAreOff.wordpress.com
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/DonnaschlachterAuthor
Twitter: www.Twitter.com/DonnaSchlachter
Books: Amazon: http://amzn.to/2ci5Xqq
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/donna-schlachter
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&query=donna+schlachter

INTERVIEW:

Ally: Who or what inspired your short story in the anthology?

DS: I was intrigued by the concept of a clean and sweet romance for moms. I’d never written such a book before, and wanted to know if I could. I could, and I did. I love my characters. Watch for a couple of more stories featuring this same couple coming up soon.

Ally: Are you self-published or traditionally published? How did you make the decision?

DS: I am a hybrid author, in that I am both indie and traditionally published. I fell into that because while waiting for a traditional publisher to come along and fulfill all my publishing dreams (snicker snicker), I had so many stories clamoring to be written. Rather than wait, I wrote and published these stories on my own.

Ally: Do people you know sneak into your books as characters?

DS: Yes, and even people I don’t know sometimes sneak in. One time, I met two couples on a cruise who I knew had to be in a book. We’d traded contact information, so I emailed them and asked if they’d be willing to be suspects in a mystery. They were thrilled! And sometimes I overhear a conversation that I must include, even though I don’t know the person.

Ally: Have you done any ghostwriting? Tell us about your experience.

DS: I have ghostwritten several books, memoirs mostly, including my father’s life story. That was a joy to present to him before he passed. I’ve had mostly good experiences. Funny, though, the one bad experience was writing a novel for an author. He didn’t like the fact that my initial draft had too many commas, so he complained and I gave him a full refund. Another less than stellar experience involved a difference in opinion as to what the story should be about. The author wanted a police-bashing story, and I wanted to show how God had worked in the lives of him and his siblings. I don’t think either author has published their book yet. I’m always willing to look at a ghostwriting project, but I have to be passionate about the message to take it on.

Ally: What is your next writing project? Anticipated release date?

DS: My next project is in the “Reclusive Man” series, release date September 2022. I have several more coming out between then and the end of this year and even into early 2023.

Ally: Which of the trivia questions did you answer today?

DS:

book you're currently reading: The Cat Who Talked To Ghosts by Lilian Jackson Braun
most watched tv show: Murdoch Mysteries. Or Midsomer Murders. Or maybe NCIS
most beloved comic book character: Charlie Brown. Especially the Christmas show.

Ally: Thanks for visiting again, Donna. Since our time is almost up for today, please show us your featured book, Sweet Sprinkles, including your own short story, “Zero Guilt Calories.”

Sweet Sprinkles (A Limited Collection of Short Stories)
Genre: Anthology: Contemporary romance/women’s fiction/Mom lit
Rating: G

This anthology includes short stories from several authors. Donna’s Schlachter’s story is entitled, “Zero Guilt Calories.”

How far would you go if you thought you were losing the love of your life?

Christina MacAulay is certain her husband is having an affair on her and their three children. How could he? What was wrong with her?
James MacAulay has noticed a change in his wife lately. And she’s been hanging around that chemist from two doors down. Was something going on between them?

Buy Link:

Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/Sweet-Sprinkles-Collection-Jennifer-Miller-ebook/dp/B09KTB32B3

BJ Magnani’s Fourth Career is a Winner for Mystery Readers

5/11/2022

Good Morning, Booklovers!

We are hot, hot, hot in the Midwest, going from late winter temps to the 90s overnight. But I’m happy to say, we’re on the deck for the first time this year. Draw up a chair, and meet this week’s guest author, BJ Magnani, with her featured medical thriller/suspense novel, A Message in Poison.

Welcome, BJ. How do you take your coffee?

BJM: French vanilla roast, light with no sugar

Ally: While I fix our drinks, please tell readers something about your background.

Bio:

Dr. BJ Magnani is on her 4th career. After college, she became a high school and college teacher, obtained an M.S. & Ph.D., worked as a scientist, and then returned to medical school to become a pathologist. Now, writing fiction is her primary passion.

The former Chair of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Tufts Medical Center in Boston, MA, Dr. Magnani, is currently Professor of Anatomic and Clinical Pathology/Professor of Medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine and uses her knowledge of toxicology to create medical fiction.

Something unique/unusual that isn’t in your regular bio: “I have two Martin guitars. I bought one when I was in college and then bought another five years ago—the one I couldn’t afford as a student. I thought it would be sweeter, but the one I scrimped and saved for when I was young is still my favorite.”

Author Contacts:
Website: Home | BJ Magnani
@bjmagnani / Twitter
info@encirclepub.com
BJ Magnani | Facebook
Barbarajean Magnani PhD, MD | LinkedIn
BJ Magnani Books - BookBub

INTERVIEW:

Ally: Who or what inspired your featured book?

BJM: All my stories are inspired by events I find in the news that could create catastrophic problems for the world if set into motion—mass poisonings, threatening missile launches, and control of geopolitical resources. I find these scenarios much scarier than traditional horror stories. My stories are in the realm of global possibilities.

A Message in Poison is the third novel in the Dr. Lily Robinson series about a Boston physician who doubles as an assassin for the U.S. Government and completes Lily’s personal arc, while taking on a new geopolitical mission.

The first book in the series, The Queen of All Poisons, provided the background to the characters who were first introduced in the short story collection, Lily Robinson and the Art of Secret Poisoning (initially, I was asked to write flash fiction for a scientific journal to educate readers on poisons, and I created Dr. Lily Robinson who has an encyclopedic knowledge of poisons.) The second novel, The Power of Poison, continued the story from the first book but with a new mission for Lily.

Ally: Are you self-published or traditionally published? How did you make the decision?

BJM: I am published by a small indie press, Encircle Publications, located in Farmington, Maine. I enjoy working directly with the publisher. Working with a company that knows the business helps new authors, and as an author, I get to provide input into my book covers and marketing, making it fun.

Ally: Do you use critique groups or beta readers? Do you find them valuable?

BJM: I’m lucky to have several beta readers. I ask these people for honest feedback—what works, what doesn’t work, what captures their emotions, and what they love about the new book. I take the feedback to heart. I see if it makes sense and then find ways to clarify and make the story richer.

Ally: Why did you choose writing as a career? Is it your only career, or do you have a “day” job?

BJM: I was a full-time academic pathologist when I started writing fiction seriously. I loved my job, but after chairing an outstanding department at Tufts Medical Center and Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston for many years, I decided to step down and focus on writing fiction full-time. Life is short, and you should do what makes you happy. I’m happy.

Ally: What is your next writing project? Anticipated release date?

BJM: I am currently working on several projects: Book 4 in the Dr. Lily Robinson series, a stand-alone medical romance, and I’m enjoying writing The Poison Blog, which is posted on my website, The Poison Blog | BJ Magnani
There’s also a Lily Robinson story in an anthology, Eccentric Circles, that was released in February 2022. Eccentric Circles: Short Stories: Volume 1: Brackett-Vincent, Cynthia: 9781645993469: Amazon.com: Books

Ally: Which of the trivia questions did you choose to answer?

BJM:

an item on your bucket list: Before the pandemic, I had a ticket to Iceland to see the aurora borealis, the Skogafoss waterfall, and Vatnajokull National Park. I hope to get there soon.
favorite accessory (jewelry, scarves, shoes, etc.): Stiletto heels or any fashionable high heels. I love shoes.
favorite comfort food: chocolate (what’s not to love)
favorite quote: “When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.” Sherlock Holmes (Sir Arthur Conan Doyle).
best place you’ve ever visited: the island of Bora Bora

Ally: I see our time is up for today. Thank you very much for visiting the blog, BJ. Before we finish, please show us you featured novel.

A Message in Poison (A Dr. Lily Robinson novel)
Genre: mystery/medical thriller/romantic suspense

Sparks fly as Dr. Lily Robinson, the brilliant academic pathologist and covert assassin for the U.S. Government, investigates two seemingly unrelated deaths alongside her lover, Agent Jean Paul Marchand, and D.C. Medical Examiner Dr. Logan Pelletier.

A U.S. Senator and the president of a developing nation are found dead in their beds. As governments thousands of miles apart react to the fallout and begin their investigations, no one claims responsibility, and no motives are clear.

Yet, the cause of death implies a link between the two—one that only a mind versed in poisons and politics can decipher. With her personal relationships teetering on the brink and her loved ones facing foreign threats, Lily must unravel the mystery and uncover a plot more calculating than anyone could imagine—but it may be too late.

A Message in Poison, the third part of the Art of Secret Poisoning trilogy (The Queen of All Poisons and The Power of Poison), continues with twists and turns as Dr. Lily Robinson travels the globe, stares down death, and finds herself at “another crossroad, another choice between life real or imagined…”

Buy Link:
Amazon.com: A Message in Poison: A Dr. Lily Robinson Novel: 9781645993254: Magnani, Bj: Books

Women's Fiction Author Valerie G Miller Writes Stories of Hope

5/4/2022

Good Morning, Booklovers!

Gather round with your coffee or tea or other choice of drink and join me in welcoming Valerie G Miller with her featured short story anthology of women’s fiction, Everything in Between.
It’s nice to meet you, Valerie. How do you take your coffee?

VGM: I make my coffee ground from beans and black or a Latte with almond milk.

Ally: Why don’t we get you that latte this morning? While I fix our drinks, please introduce yourself to readers.

Bio:

Valerie is an Australian author and English Teacher. Originally from Sydney, she now lives in Brisbane, Australia with her husband and daughter. Valerie completed a Master of Letters in Creative Writing in 2021. She writes women’s fiction, contemporary romance, magical realism stories and short stories. You will always find a novel and notebook filled with ideas and observations, tucked away in her handbag.

Something unique that isn’t in your regular bio: “I used to teach aerobics.”
Author Contacts:

Website: https://www.valeriegmiller.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/valeriegmillerwriter @valeriegmiller-writer
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/valerieg.writer/ @valerieg.writer
Twitter: https://twitter.com/valeriegmiller @valeriegmiller
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com.au/valeriegisellemiller @valeriegmiller
Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3rlYD2g
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Valerie-Miller/e/B09DQ7MSDJ
https://www.amazon.com/Valerie-Miller

INTERVIEW:

Ally: Who or what inspired your featured book?

VGM: The stories are inspired by my Italian heritage and the Australian/Italian culture that formed my life. Most of the stories have a female point of view. I wanted to write stories that deal with the multitude of experiences we all face. I also wanted to show that hope shines bright too. These are stories about the resilience of the female spirit.

Ally: Are you self-published or traditionally published? How did you make the decision?

VGM: At the moment I’m self-published and will self-publish the romance series and novella I’m currently working on. I’m planning a 2023 launch. I also write standalone dual narrative women’s fiction with a love story and historical setting. My goal is to find a traditional publisher for these books. Therefore, I’m hoping to be a hybrid author.

VGM: Do you use critique groups or beta readers? Do you find them valuable?

VGM: I use beta readers. I find these are my ideal readers and give me a reader’s perspective. They have proven to be very valuable in my writing process.

Ally: What's the best writing/marketing advice you’ve been given?
VGM: Read. Read in the genre you want to write in and read widely—all genres that interest you. I believe reading is an author’s professional development and it should have a significant place in an author’s process.

Ally: What is your next writing project? Anticipated release date?

VGM: I’m working on a romance series set in south-west Tasmania, Australia. The first book is an enemies-to-lovers romance. The plan is to release it in early 2023. I’m also currently working on a women’s fiction standalone novel set in Sydney in 1989 and 1964. It’s a novel that focuses on the need to belong and to find your place in the world. I don’t have a concrete release date yet.

Ally: Which of the trivia questions did you choose to answer?

VGM: See below.

a. book you're currently reading: The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas
b. an author (living or dead) you'd love to chat with: Jane Austen
c. a movie you’ll always remember: The Lake House with Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves
d. best place you’ve ever visited: Notting Hill in London
e. beer at the bar or a book on the deck? A book on the deck (with a beer) can I sneak that in?

Ally: It has been a pleasure to meet you, Valerie. Good luck with your books! Before we finish for today, please show us your featured anthology.

Everything in Between (A Short Story Anthology)
Genre: General Literature/Women’s Fiction
Rating: PG-13

Because life doesn’t always go to plan--
A heartfelt collection of short stories about family, loss and love, and those special moments in between . . .

Love
Sometimes the path to love requires learning to trust yourself. Other times, giving your heart to another demands that you risk everything. Then there’s an everlasting love that can only be truly appreciated by the memories left behind.

Family
A mother is missing and the secrets she’s been hiding have the power to change her family forever. A woman desperate to carry her own child finds solace in a visit with her grandmother, whose memory is fading.

Loss
A sad family occasion presents an opportunity for a reunion. And a woman must make a difficult choice after her father’s death to honour him—and herself.

From joy to loss and the discovery of hope that can be found in resilience, this exciting debut from women’s fiction author Valerie G Miller will touch your heart.

Book Trailer is on my website: valeriegmiller.com

Buy Links:
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3jwixDg
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/ebook/everything-in-between-7
Barnes and Nobel: https://bit.ly/3LZYVDJ

Cozy Up to Author Rose Kerr's New Mystery Series

4/6/2022

Good Morning, Booklovers!

Pull up a chair and join me in welcoming Rose Kerr, the author of the Brenna Flynn cozy mystery series.
Please set with us, Rose. What may I get you to drink?

RK: I can’t drink coffee anymore, so I’ve switched to black tea. I drink it with a big splash of Silk Vanilla Almond creamer.

Ally: Sounds delicious. While I pour, please introduce yourself to readers.

Author Bio:

Rose Kerr lived most of her adult life in small towns. She and her husband raised their family in a small town on the shores of Lake Superior, in Northern Ontario, Canada. The town and surrounding communities provided the scenic setting for Rose’s Brenna Flynn Mystery series. Rose is a member of Sisters in Crime, the Guppy Online Chapter of Sisters in Crime, and Crime Writers of Canada.

Something unique/unusual that isn’t in your regular bio: “In my last year of high school, I took a cake decorating class from one of the bakers in my village. I learned decorating techniques that I still use today.”

Author contact links:
Website: www.rosekerr.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RoseKerrAuthor
Instagram: @r.m.kerr
Twitter: @rkerrwriter
Pinterest: @rosekerrauthor
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/rosekerr

INTERVIEW:

Ally: Do you write from an outline?

RK: Well, I start with an outline. I like to know who the victim is and who the suspects are. I use my outline like a roadmap, I know where I want to go, but I can take different ways to get there. I may start out thinking I know who the killer is, but along the way, that can change.

Ally: With your writing, do you still find time to read?

RK: I read between ten and twelve books a month. I stick to mystery and thrillers most of the time. I like discovering new to me authors in the cozy mystery world. This last month, I’ve been reading cozy authors Sarah E Burr, Michelle Hillen Klump, J.C.Kenney, and Essie Lang.

Ally: What are your most frequently used research sources for your writing?

RK: Google for general information. I narrow the focus of my search, or it gets overwhelming.
Google Earth has been helpful in scouting out locations as during the recent lockdowns it was impossible to travel.
YouTube to figure out how to do things. Let’s just say, there’s a lot of things you can learn on YouTube.

Ally: Do you use critique groups or beta readers? Do you find them valuable?

RK: I have two critique partners who have different skill sets. Between the two of them, they provide me with great feedback. They are invaluable to me.

Ally: What is your next writing project? Anticipated release date?

RK: Book 2 in the Brenna Flynn series (Death in Academia) has been turned in and the tentative release is March 2023.
I’m writing book three now, due for submission to my editor in September 2022.

Ally: Which of the trivia questions did you select to answer?

RK: Short answer below:

Memorable book: And Then There Were None, Agatha Christie.
Have you written a book in NaNo? Yes, Death on the Set, A Brenna Flynn Mystery’s first draft was done in NaNo. It’s changed a lot since that first draft, but that’s what first drafts are for.
Your pets: Jake, our female dog who is a Golden Retriever/Husky mix. She was a rescue from our local Humane Society. She’s featured in my books.
Best place ever visited: South Korea. We were there for three weeks when our son and daughter-in-law got married. We travelled throughout the country, met some great people, and took home beautiful memories.
Do you re-read books? Yes, I do. I’ve read most of Agatha Christie’s books several times and The Pelican Brief by John Grisham has been read at least eight times.

Ally: I’m afraid we’ve come to the end of our chat. It’s been a pleasure, Rose. Before you go, please show us your featured novel.

Death on the Set, A Brenna Flynn Mystery
Genre: cozy mystery

Former high school guidance counselor, Brenna Flynn, returns home to Bayview City after the sudden death of her husband. Unable to find work in her field, she signs up with a temp agency to find employment. Sent on an interview for a cooking reality show, she aces it and gets the job of a production assistant.

On her second day at work, Brenna discovers a body in the studio. She soon learns she’s the police’s primary suspect. Determined to clear her name, she uses some skills she’s honed as a guidance counselor to learn more about the victim. Drawing people out comes naturally to Brenna, and she becomes a confidante to cast and crew on the show.

The stakes are raised with threatening notes, poisonings, and blackmail. Can Brenna uncover who the killer is before someone else dies?

PURCHASE LINKS:
Amazon: https://amzn.to/36VF6yn
Amazon.ca: https://amzn.to/35kSlIp
Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/3NvdsZS
Kobo: https://bit.ly/38471wp

<<Previous

Forward>>