Welcome to the Coffee Chat!
Reading is always a wonderful way to transport into another world or another reality. What better way to get out minds off the frequently alarming news feeds than to meet another fiction author? I’d like to introduce you to this week's guest, Kelly Brakenhoff, and her featured cozy mystery, DEAD WEEK.
Nice to have you here, Kelly. What may I get you to drink?
KB: I love the smell of coffee but cannot stand the taste of it no matter how much sugar and cream you add. My morning beverage of choice is Irish Breakfast Tea. Which actually does taste different than English Breakfast Tea. It’s kind of dark and bitter, so I add sweetener and a splash of cream. So good! https://amzn.to/2TrG4Jk
Ally: Since my magic pot can brew anything, please introduce yourself to readers while I pour my coffee and your Irish tea.
Ally: Since my magic pot can brew anything, please introduce yourself to readers while I pour my coffee and your Irish tea.
Bio:
Kelly Brakenhoff is an American Sign Language Interpreter whose motivation for learning ASL began in high school when she wanted to converse with her deaf friends. Her first novel, DEATH BY DISSERTATION, kicked off the Cassandra Sato Mystery Series, followed by DEAD WEEK. She also wrote NEVER MIND, first in a children’s picture book series featuring Duke the Deaf Dog. She serves on the Board of Editors for the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf publication, VIEWs. The mother of four young adults and two dogs, Kelly and her husband call Nebraska home.
Something that isn't in your regular bio: “I finished my first 5K run about 9 years ago. I got started because my 11-year-old son challenged me to race him around the city block where we live, and I couldn’t even jog halfway without stopping to walk. Since then, I’ve run in 8 half-marathons and countless 5K & 10K events. My personal best was finishing a half marathon in 2 hours, 1 second when I was 50 years old! That one second made me cry because I tried to make it under two hours.”
Author Contacts:
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/kellybrakenhoffauthor
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49204376-dead-week
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/dead-week-a-cassandra-sato-mystery-book-2-by-kelly-brakenhoff
Twitter: https://twitter.com/inBrakenVille
Kelly Brakenhoff is an American Sign Language Interpreter whose motivation for learning ASL began in high school when she wanted to converse with her deaf friends. Her first novel, DEATH BY DISSERTATION, kicked off the Cassandra Sato Mystery Series, followed by DEAD WEEK. She also wrote NEVER MIND, first in a children’s picture book series featuring Duke the Deaf Dog. She serves on the Board of Editors for the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf publication, VIEWs. The mother of four young adults and two dogs, Kelly and her husband call Nebraska home.
Something that isn't in your regular bio: “I finished my first 5K run about 9 years ago. I got started because my 11-year-old son challenged me to race him around the city block where we live, and I couldn’t even jog halfway without stopping to walk. Since then, I’ve run in 8 half-marathons and countless 5K & 10K events. My personal best was finishing a half marathon in 2 hours, 1 second when I was 50 years old! That one second made me cry because I tried to make it under two hours.”
Author Contacts:
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/kellybrakenhoffauthor
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49204376-dead-week
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/dead-week-a-cassandra-sato-mystery-book-2-by-kelly-brakenhoff
Twitter: https://twitter.com/inBrakenVille
INTERVIEW:
Ally: Do you write your novels with a theme or message in mind?
KB: The best part about reading is learning about history, new places, or other cultures. In my day job as an American Sign Language Interpreter, I often see the world through the lens of the deaf and hard of hearing people I’m with every day. Most people who can hear have rare contact with people who are deaf. All of my books include deaf or hard of hearing characters who do and say things that many deaf people would like the rest of us to know. So without being preachy, my books give readers some knowledge and experience of Deaf Culture and American Sign Language.
Ally: If you met JK Rowling (or any favorite author), what would you talk about?
KB: Two of my favorite authors are JRR Tolkien and JK Rowling. If I met either of them, I’d be most curious about how they kept everything straight within the fantasy worlds they created. I know both of them kept meticulous notes, but they must have struggled with continuity and details before they developed an organizational system. So far, I’m using a spreadsheet from my first two Cassandra Sato books to make sure I don’t give someone the wrong eye color in book three. Wouldn’t it be intimidating to talk to someone so famous and talented? If they could give me insights to making memorable characters that stand the test of time, I’d listen to them for hours.
Ally: What is your favorite social media? Why?
KB: For everyday social sharing, I love Instagram because I enjoy photography. There’s rarely politics or drama there, just baby updates, food photos, and cute pets. Also, I live vicariously through other people’s vacation photos. Follow me! https://www.instagram.com/kellybrak
Pinterest is my other favorite because that’s where I save recipes, inspirational quotes, clothes I like, or home improvements I’m dreaming about. It’s like an online filing cabinet of stuff I want to remember. Follow me! https://www.pinterest.com/kellybrak/boards/
Ally: What is your next writing project? Anticipated release date?
KB: I’m knee deep in drafting the next Cassandra Sato Mystery called DEAD OF WINTER BREAK which will be released in summer of 2020. I also write a children’s picture book series featuring Duke the Deaf Dog. The first one was released in December 2020 and is called NEVER MIND. The next one, FARTS MAKE NOISE, is in the hands of the illustrator and will also be released this summer.
Ally: Which of the short answer questions did you choose?
KB:
a. an author you'd love to take to lunch - Hank Phillipi Ryan
b. a movie you’ll always remember - It’s a Wonderful Life
c. favorite quote - “When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, ‘I used everything you gave me.’” - Erma Bombeck
d. the best thing a book fan has ever said to you - “I don’t usually read fiction, but I really liked your book.”
e. Your pets - Two dogs, Duke is a German Wirehaired Pointer and Sadie is a 15 year old Cockapoo
Ally: It was a delight to have you, Kelly. I admire your efforts to introduce readers to the deaf culture. Before you go, please tell us about your featured book, DEAD WEEK.
Ally: Do you write your novels with a theme or message in mind?
KB: The best part about reading is learning about history, new places, or other cultures. In my day job as an American Sign Language Interpreter, I often see the world through the lens of the deaf and hard of hearing people I’m with every day. Most people who can hear have rare contact with people who are deaf. All of my books include deaf or hard of hearing characters who do and say things that many deaf people would like the rest of us to know. So without being preachy, my books give readers some knowledge and experience of Deaf Culture and American Sign Language.
Ally: If you met JK Rowling (or any favorite author), what would you talk about?
KB: Two of my favorite authors are JRR Tolkien and JK Rowling. If I met either of them, I’d be most curious about how they kept everything straight within the fantasy worlds they created. I know both of them kept meticulous notes, but they must have struggled with continuity and details before they developed an organizational system. So far, I’m using a spreadsheet from my first two Cassandra Sato books to make sure I don’t give someone the wrong eye color in book three. Wouldn’t it be intimidating to talk to someone so famous and talented? If they could give me insights to making memorable characters that stand the test of time, I’d listen to them for hours.
Ally: What is your favorite social media? Why?
KB: For everyday social sharing, I love Instagram because I enjoy photography. There’s rarely politics or drama there, just baby updates, food photos, and cute pets. Also, I live vicariously through other people’s vacation photos. Follow me! https://www.instagram.com/kellybrak
Pinterest is my other favorite because that’s where I save recipes, inspirational quotes, clothes I like, or home improvements I’m dreaming about. It’s like an online filing cabinet of stuff I want to remember. Follow me! https://www.pinterest.com/kellybrak/boards/
Ally: What is your next writing project? Anticipated release date?
KB: I’m knee deep in drafting the next Cassandra Sato Mystery called DEAD OF WINTER BREAK which will be released in summer of 2020. I also write a children’s picture book series featuring Duke the Deaf Dog. The first one was released in December 2020 and is called NEVER MIND. The next one, FARTS MAKE NOISE, is in the hands of the illustrator and will also be released this summer.
Ally: Which of the short answer questions did you choose?
KB:
a. an author you'd love to take to lunch - Hank Phillipi Ryan
b. a movie you’ll always remember - It’s a Wonderful Life
c. favorite quote - “When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, ‘I used everything you gave me.’” - Erma Bombeck
d. the best thing a book fan has ever said to you - “I don’t usually read fiction, but I really liked your book.”
e. Your pets - Two dogs, Duke is a German Wirehaired Pointer and Sadie is a 15 year old Cockapoo
Ally: It was a delight to have you, Kelly. I admire your efforts to introduce readers to the deaf culture. Before you go, please tell us about your featured book, DEAD WEEK.
DEAD WEEK
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Will Dead Week kill Cassandra's career?
VP of Student Affairs Cassandra Sato has a desk full of problems and it's not even Thanksgiving break.
Cassandra's new boss talks to her dead husband. Cassandra's mentor thinks he's a superhero in a senior citizen's body. And Cassandra, recently moved from Hawai'i, can't crack the code of what to wear during November in Nebraska.
Cassandra faces end of semester pranks, stray dogs, winter storms, and viral news stories in her fight for justice for a group of student activists. But that's nothing compared to the wrath of a Helicopter Mom!
If you like academic cozy mysteries with funny BFFs, hilarious student shenanigans, and small-town drama, you'll like this series.
Buy Link: Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZHN2SMS
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