Welcome to November's first Coffee Chat!
Are you ready for a cup of your favorite brew and a little book talk? This week's guest is mystery author Lea Wait.
Good morning, Lea. What may I get you to drink?
LW: Thank you so much for inviting me, Ally! And I’ll have black tea, please, with a little milk and one sweetener … the way my grandmother, who was from Scotland, always made it.
Ally: I'll fill our mugs while you introduce yourself to readers.
Are you ready for a cup of your favorite brew and a little book talk? This week's guest is mystery author Lea Wait.
Good morning, Lea. What may I get you to drink?
LW: Thank you so much for inviting me, Ally! And I’ll have black tea, please, with a little milk and one sweetener … the way my grandmother, who was from Scotland, always made it.
Ally: I'll fill our mugs while you introduce yourself to readers.
BIO:
Growing up I lived with both my parents and grandparents, in New Jersey and on the coast of Maine. I always wanted to be write fiction, but I supported myself for many years writing speeches, position papers, and internal communication, and then supervising, at AT&T.
When I was single I was an adoption advocate and adopted four daughters. Now I write mysteries and historical novels about people searching for love, acceptance, and a place to call home. I started writing fiction in my late 40s, and since so far have had 6 books for young people published, plus the 8-book Shadows Antique Print Mystery series and the 6-book Mainely Needlepoint series.
Something unique/unusual that isn't in your regular bio: Few people know that when I was in my mid-twenties and living in Greenwich Village, New York, I was married to a television comedy writer who worked for Johnny Carson and Rodney Dangerfield, among others.
Author Contacts:
For more information about me, check my website, http://www.leawait.com, friend me on Facebook and Goodreads, and read the blog (https://www.mainecrimewriters.com).
Growing up I lived with both my parents and grandparents, in New Jersey and on the coast of Maine. I always wanted to be write fiction, but I supported myself for many years writing speeches, position papers, and internal communication, and then supervising, at AT&T.
When I was single I was an adoption advocate and adopted four daughters. Now I write mysteries and historical novels about people searching for love, acceptance, and a place to call home. I started writing fiction in my late 40s, and since so far have had 6 books for young people published, plus the 8-book Shadows Antique Print Mystery series and the 6-book Mainely Needlepoint series.
Something unique/unusual that isn't in your regular bio: Few people know that when I was in my mid-twenties and living in Greenwich Village, New York, I was married to a television comedy writer who worked for Johnny Carson and Rodney Dangerfield, among others.
Author Contacts:
For more information about me, check my website, http://www.leawait.com, friend me on Facebook and Goodreads, and read the blog (https://www.mainecrimewriters.com).
INTERVIEW:
Ally: What kind of book did you bring today?
LW: I have two new books to celebrate! One my first husband would have appreciated: PIZZA TO DIE FOR. It’s a funny YA mystery set in the suburbs about Mikki Norden, a fourteen year old girl new to New Jersey. She wants to be a chef; her mother wants to write mysteries. When Mikki’s mentor, Mr. B., dies unexpectedly, and local police say he had a heart attack, Mikki is convinced he was murdered, and knows she’s the only one who can prove that. In the process, she not only meets some wacky characters, but she discovers secrets about Mr. B and his restaurant … and within her own family. Recipes included.
THREAD THE HALLS, the sixth in the Mainely Needlepoint series, is a traditional mystery set in the middle of a classic Maine Christmas. Protagonist Angie Curtis and her beau Patrick have only a few days to set the stage for his Hollywood actress mother to arrive for the holidays, bringing along her costar, director, and screenwriters for a perfect Maine Christmas. But when an unscripted death turns the holiday tragic, and secrets emerge, Angie has to bring peace back for the holidays.
Ally: Since this blog is big on the paranormal, I have to ask...if you could have a supernatural power, what would it be?
LW: I would clone myself so that I could write more books! I have a stack of ideas and outlines, and never seem to get to all the books I want to write.
Ally: Talk about your editing process. Do you edit as you go or save it until the first draft is done?
LW: Each day I edit what I wrote the day before, and then write at least one chapter a day. When I reach the end I read the whole manuscript on the screen and edit along the way. Third time through I print it out and edit the hard copy, then enter the edits. Fourth time? I search for (literally) dozens of word that weaken sentences – words like “I think” and “completely” and “clearly” and "nice” – and so many more …. and kill them, or at least minimize how many times they’re used. Fifth edit? Read the whole book out loud, editing as I go.
Ally: What do you enjoy doing in your non-writing time? Do you have a favorite hobby?
LW: Yes, learning about the stories that make up our history. I was an antique print dealer for over 30 years and still love antiques, auctions, flea markets and antique shows
Ally: Tell us about your home. What's the most interesting thing about it?
LW: My colonial home, with a barn and an ell between the house and barn, was built in 1774 on a Maine island, and moved to the mainland in 1832. The old kitchen is still here, complete with a crane and authentic kitchen wares my family and I collected over the years. From the window of my study I can see a deep tidal river, which I love, summer and winter. I take walks, but to “get anywhere,” I have to drive my old mini-van, which is often full of my husband’s paintings (he’s an artist,) my books – and perhaps recyclables for the dump or packages for the post office. (Ally comment: Sounds fantastic!)
Ally: Do you include animals in your books?
LW: My husband and are owned by a black cat, Shadow. Maggie, in the Shadows Antique Print mystery series also has a cat (Winslow Homer) and so does Angie, in the Mainely Needlepoint series (Trixi.)
Ally: What is your next writing project?
LW: I’m currently doing research for several books, and writing the 8th in the Mainely Needlepoint series. I’ll have at least two new mysteries published in 2018: in June, DEATH IN A POT OF CHOWDER: A Maine Murder Mystery by Cornelia Kidd, a pseudonym for a new series, and in October, THREAD HERRINGS, the 7th in the Mainely Needlepoint series.
Ally: Let's finish up with a few get-to-know-you short answer questions.
Ally: What kind of book did you bring today?
LW: I have two new books to celebrate! One my first husband would have appreciated: PIZZA TO DIE FOR. It’s a funny YA mystery set in the suburbs about Mikki Norden, a fourteen year old girl new to New Jersey. She wants to be a chef; her mother wants to write mysteries. When Mikki’s mentor, Mr. B., dies unexpectedly, and local police say he had a heart attack, Mikki is convinced he was murdered, and knows she’s the only one who can prove that. In the process, she not only meets some wacky characters, but she discovers secrets about Mr. B and his restaurant … and within her own family. Recipes included.
THREAD THE HALLS, the sixth in the Mainely Needlepoint series, is a traditional mystery set in the middle of a classic Maine Christmas. Protagonist Angie Curtis and her beau Patrick have only a few days to set the stage for his Hollywood actress mother to arrive for the holidays, bringing along her costar, director, and screenwriters for a perfect Maine Christmas. But when an unscripted death turns the holiday tragic, and secrets emerge, Angie has to bring peace back for the holidays.
Ally: Since this blog is big on the paranormal, I have to ask...if you could have a supernatural power, what would it be?
LW: I would clone myself so that I could write more books! I have a stack of ideas and outlines, and never seem to get to all the books I want to write.
Ally: Talk about your editing process. Do you edit as you go or save it until the first draft is done?
LW: Each day I edit what I wrote the day before, and then write at least one chapter a day. When I reach the end I read the whole manuscript on the screen and edit along the way. Third time through I print it out and edit the hard copy, then enter the edits. Fourth time? I search for (literally) dozens of word that weaken sentences – words like “I think” and “completely” and “clearly” and "nice” – and so many more …. and kill them, or at least minimize how many times they’re used. Fifth edit? Read the whole book out loud, editing as I go.
Ally: What do you enjoy doing in your non-writing time? Do you have a favorite hobby?
LW: Yes, learning about the stories that make up our history. I was an antique print dealer for over 30 years and still love antiques, auctions, flea markets and antique shows
Ally: Tell us about your home. What's the most interesting thing about it?
LW: My colonial home, with a barn and an ell between the house and barn, was built in 1774 on a Maine island, and moved to the mainland in 1832. The old kitchen is still here, complete with a crane and authentic kitchen wares my family and I collected over the years. From the window of my study I can see a deep tidal river, which I love, summer and winter. I take walks, but to “get anywhere,” I have to drive my old mini-van, which is often full of my husband’s paintings (he’s an artist,) my books – and perhaps recyclables for the dump or packages for the post office. (Ally comment: Sounds fantastic!)
Ally: Do you include animals in your books?
LW: My husband and are owned by a black cat, Shadow. Maggie, in the Shadows Antique Print mystery series also has a cat (Winslow Homer) and so does Angie, in the Mainely Needlepoint series (Trixi.)
Ally: What is your next writing project?
LW: I’m currently doing research for several books, and writing the 8th in the Mainely Needlepoint series. I’ll have at least two new mysteries published in 2018: in June, DEATH IN A POT OF CHOWDER: A Maine Murder Mystery by Cornelia Kidd, a pseudonym for a new series, and in October, THREAD HERRINGS, the 7th in the Mainely Needlepoint series.
Ally: Let's finish up with a few get-to-know-you short answer questions.
- a. An item on your bucket list: Visiting the countries where my children were born. I’ve been in India, but not in Korea, Thailand, or Hong Kong.
- b. Favorite Movie: 1776, hands down. Love this musical about the signing of the Declaration of Independence that put our founding fathers’ words and actions into wonderful songs and dialogue.
- c. Hiking or sunbathing: I have pale skin, so sunbathing is out – I wear sunblock every day of the year. But I’m not quite up to strenuous hiking – I’ll take walking!
- d. Favorite Quote: “Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice; it is not a thing to be waited for; it is a thing to be achieved.” – William Jennings Bryan
- e. Favorite after 5 drink: If I could choose anything, champagne! Or a sidecar cocktail. But usually I have a spritzer and get back to work after dinner!
Pizza to Die For
Genre: YA mystery, humorous
At fourteen, future chef Mikki Norden is ready for any kitchen emergency - except the unexpected death of her mentor, Mr. Baldacci. But Mikki's learned a lot about solving crimes from her mother, an almost-published mystery author, so when the local New Jersey police rule Mr. B's death a heart attack, she know she has to prove otherwise, even if she's a very amateur detective.
Mikki grows up fast as she discovers secrets surrounding Mr. B and his restaurant ... and within her own family.
Wacky characters and situations make this a memorable coming-of-age mystery for readers of all ages.
Buy Links:
Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Pizza-Die-Lea-Wait-ebook/dp/B074MCPY54
Barnes and Noble:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/pizza-to-die-for-lea-wait/1126941337
Thread the Halls
Genre: traditional mystery
Christmas in Haven Harbor, Maine, means family, trouble, and murder . . .
This Yuletide season, there's no time for Angie Curtis and Patrick West to linger under the mistletoe. Patrick's being needled by his mother—movie star Skye West—to set the stage for a perfect white Christmas as she brings her costar, screenwriters, and director home for the holidays. With his mother's long list of wishes, Patrick's becoming unraveled. To help, the Mainely Needlepointers offer to decorate Skye's Victorian mansion and create needlepoint pillows as gifts for the guests.
But not long after the celebrity celebrants invade Haven Harbor, an unscripted tragedy occurs. Then some questionable Christmas cookies make Patrick sick. Before Santa arrives at the town pier on a lobster boat, Angie and the Needlepointers need to trim down the naughty list, catch a cold-hearted killer, and wrap up the case . . .
Buy Links:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2ydAReJ
Barnes and Noble:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/thread-the-halls-lea-wait/1125683938
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