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.
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
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:
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.”
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
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
RSS Feed
