Happy Holiday Season, Booklovers!
I can’t believe it’s December already. We’re in the middle of shopping and baking and holiday plans, but there’s always time for books (and coffee!). This week’s guest is mystery author Heather Weidner, bringing us her featured book, Glitter, Glam and Contraband.
Welcome, Heather. How do you take your coffee?
HW: I drink iced coffee (even in the winter) with a lot of cream/milk. My team teases me because I have a little coffee with my cream.
Ally: As long as it has that coffee taste, I’m sure it’s fantastic. While I prepare our drinks, please introduce yourself to readers.
I can’t believe it’s December already. We’re in the middle of shopping and baking and holiday plans, but there’s always time for books (and coffee!). This week’s guest is mystery author Heather Weidner, bringing us her featured book, Glitter, Glam and Contraband.
Welcome, Heather. How do you take your coffee?
HW: I drink iced coffee (even in the winter) with a lot of cream/milk. My team teases me because I have a little coffee with my cream.
Ally: As long as it has that coffee taste, I’m sure it’s fantastic. While I prepare our drinks, please introduce yourself to readers.
BIO:
Glitter, Glam, and Contraband is Heather Weidner’s third novel in the Delanie Fitzgerald series. Her short stories appear in the Virginia is for Mysteries series, 50 Shades of Cabernet, and Deadly Southern Charm. Her novellas appear in The Mutt Mysteries series. She is a member of Sisters in Crime – Central Virginia, Guppies, International Thriller Writers, and James River Writers.
Originally from Virginia Beach, Heather has been a mystery fan since Scooby-Doo and Nancy Drew. She lives in Central Virginia with her husband and a pair of Jack Russell terriers.
Heather earned her BA in English from Virginia Wesleyan University and her MA in American literature from the University of Richmond. Through the years, she has been a technical writer, editor, college professor, software tester, and IT manager.
Ally: Tell me something unique/unusual that isn't in your regular bio: “I’m a CK (Cop’s Kid). My dad, now retired, is my best law enforcement resource. And I didn’t realize that other families didn’t talk about crime and murder at the dinner table until I was a teenager.”
Contacts:
Website and Blog: http://www.heatherweidner.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeatherWeidner1
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeatherWeidnerAuthor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heather_mystery_writer/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8121854.Heather_Weidner
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/HeatherBWeidner/
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/heather-weidner-d6430278-c5c9-4b10-b911-340828fc7003
Glitter, Glam, and Contraband is Heather Weidner’s third novel in the Delanie Fitzgerald series. Her short stories appear in the Virginia is for Mysteries series, 50 Shades of Cabernet, and Deadly Southern Charm. Her novellas appear in The Mutt Mysteries series. She is a member of Sisters in Crime – Central Virginia, Guppies, International Thriller Writers, and James River Writers.
Originally from Virginia Beach, Heather has been a mystery fan since Scooby-Doo and Nancy Drew. She lives in Central Virginia with her husband and a pair of Jack Russell terriers.
Heather earned her BA in English from Virginia Wesleyan University and her MA in American literature from the University of Richmond. Through the years, she has been a technical writer, editor, college professor, software tester, and IT manager.
Ally: Tell me something unique/unusual that isn't in your regular bio: “I’m a CK (Cop’s Kid). My dad, now retired, is my best law enforcement resource. And I didn’t realize that other families didn’t talk about crime and murder at the dinner table until I was a teenager.”
Contacts:
Website and Blog: http://www.heatherweidner.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeatherWeidner1
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeatherWeidnerAuthor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heather_mystery_writer/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8121854.Heather_Weidner
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/HeatherBWeidner/
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/heather-weidner-d6430278-c5c9-4b10-b911-340828fc7003
INTERVIEW:
Ally: How did you get that first book or story published?
HW: My first mystery short story was published in a Sisters in Crime anthology, Virginia is for Mysteries. It was my first publication credit, and I learned so much working with all the other talented authors.
Ally: Do you use a professional editor? If not, what do you do to ensure a quality book?
HW: I do. I send all of my novels to a professional editor after they have been reviewed by my critique group and beta readers. For the traditionally published works, that’s just the beginning. The work goes through the editorial process at the publishers, too.
Ally: Do your characters come to you fully formed with names and backgrounds?
HW: They all came with names, and I knew what they looked like. In the Delanie series, Chaz was supposed to be just a client in the first book, but my readers really liked him, warts and all. Chaz’s role has expanded, and he’s been in all three books. He grows on you after a while.
Ally: Do you know the book’s ending before you start writing?
HW: I think I know. I start out with a pretty detailed outline, but when I start writing, the story takes off. Sometimes, the endings have varied a little from the original outline.
Ally: What's the best writing/marketing advice you’ve been given?
HW: Mary Burton gave me the best writing advice. It was to write your next book. Marketing and book promotion take up a great deal of an author’s time, but in the end, it’s all about writing the next book and making it the best it can be.
Ally: Tell us about your reading habits. Favorite genres. Books read per month, year? Print or ebooks? Current favorites?
HW: I read a lot, mostly mystery, thriller, and suspense, but I do like history and biography. I read about 3-4 books a month. I read a lot more when I wasn’t writing. My favorite authors are Lee Childs, John Berry, John Grisham, Lisa Scottoline, Sherry Harris, Rhys Bowen, Louise Penny, Agatha Christie, and Janet Evanovich.
Ally: Do the people in your real life show up in your writing?
HW: Nobody is safe around me. I’m always jotting down ideas and bits of dialogue, and they often end up in stories and novels. I also write where I know. All of my mysteries are set in Virginia. The stories are fiction, but the places are real.
Ally: What three books in your genre would you recommend to fans (after they’ve read your books, of course!).
HW: I love mysteries. I think readers should read anything by Sherry Harris, Amy Reade, Rhys Bowen, K. L. Murphy, Lisa Scottoline, and Diane Vallere.
Ally: What is your next writing project? Anticipated release date?
HW: I am working on a cozy mystery series set outside of Charlottesville, VA. I also have a novella coming out in the spring in the dog-themed, Mutt Mystery series.
Ally: Which of the short answers questions did you pick?
HW:
Ally: Thank you for spending time with us, Heather. Before you hurry off to shopping, please show us your featured book.
HW: My first mystery short story was published in a Sisters in Crime anthology, Virginia is for Mysteries. It was my first publication credit, and I learned so much working with all the other talented authors.
Ally: Do you use a professional editor? If not, what do you do to ensure a quality book?
HW: I do. I send all of my novels to a professional editor after they have been reviewed by my critique group and beta readers. For the traditionally published works, that’s just the beginning. The work goes through the editorial process at the publishers, too.
Ally: Do your characters come to you fully formed with names and backgrounds?
HW: They all came with names, and I knew what they looked like. In the Delanie series, Chaz was supposed to be just a client in the first book, but my readers really liked him, warts and all. Chaz’s role has expanded, and he’s been in all three books. He grows on you after a while.
Ally: Do you know the book’s ending before you start writing?
HW: I think I know. I start out with a pretty detailed outline, but when I start writing, the story takes off. Sometimes, the endings have varied a little from the original outline.
Ally: What's the best writing/marketing advice you’ve been given?
HW: Mary Burton gave me the best writing advice. It was to write your next book. Marketing and book promotion take up a great deal of an author’s time, but in the end, it’s all about writing the next book and making it the best it can be.
Ally: Tell us about your reading habits. Favorite genres. Books read per month, year? Print or ebooks? Current favorites?
HW: I read a lot, mostly mystery, thriller, and suspense, but I do like history and biography. I read about 3-4 books a month. I read a lot more when I wasn’t writing. My favorite authors are Lee Childs, John Berry, John Grisham, Lisa Scottoline, Sherry Harris, Rhys Bowen, Louise Penny, Agatha Christie, and Janet Evanovich.
Ally: Do the people in your real life show up in your writing?
HW: Nobody is safe around me. I’m always jotting down ideas and bits of dialogue, and they often end up in stories and novels. I also write where I know. All of my mysteries are set in Virginia. The stories are fiction, but the places are real.
Ally: What three books in your genre would you recommend to fans (after they’ve read your books, of course!).
HW: I love mysteries. I think readers should read anything by Sherry Harris, Amy Reade, Rhys Bowen, K. L. Murphy, Lisa Scottoline, and Diane Vallere.
Ally: What is your next writing project? Anticipated release date?
HW: I am working on a cozy mystery series set outside of Charlottesville, VA. I also have a novella coming out in the spring in the dog-themed, Mutt Mystery series.
Ally: Which of the short answers questions did you pick?
HW:
- favorite book: There are too many. Charlotte’s Web, The Wind in the Willows, The Great Gatsby, To Kill a Mockingbird
- book you're currently reading: Blue Moon by Lee Child
- an item on your bucket list: Travel to New Zealand and Australia
- favorite movie: The Wizard of Oz, The Breakfast Club
- high heels or sneakers: Flipflops – I’m a beach girl. I’m doomed to flats now. I ruptured my Achilles tendon a few years back, and I had to give up on my cute heels.
- Your pets: We have two Jack Russell Terriers – Disney and Riley
Ally: Thank you for spending time with us, Heather. Before you hurry off to shopping, please show us your featured book.
Glitter, Glam, and Contraband (Delanie Fitzgerald series #3)
Genre: Mystery/humor
Rating: PG
Private investigator, Delanie Fitzgerald, and her computer hacker partner, Duncan Reynolds, are back for more sleuthing in Glitter, Glam and Contraband. In this fast-paced mystery, the Falcon Investigations team is hired to find out who is stealing from the talent at a local drag show. Delanie gets more than she bargains for and a few makeup tips in the process. Meanwhile, a mysterious sound in the ceiling of her office vexes Delanie. She uses her sleuthing skills to track down the source and uncover a creepy contraband operation.
Glitter, Glam, and Contraband features a strong female sleuth with a knack for getting herself in and out of humorous situations like helping sleezy strip club owner, Chaz Smith on his quest to become Richmond’s next mayor, tracking down missing reptiles, and uncovering hidden valuables from a 100-year-old crime with a Poe connection.
Book Links for featured book:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Glitter-Glam-Contraband-Delanie-Fitzgerald/dp/099945983X/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=heather+weidner&qid=1573726545&sr=8-3
Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/book/glitter-glam-and-contraband/id1487475119?mt=11&ign-mpt=uo%3D4
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/glitter-glam-and-contraband-heather-weidner/1134862421?ean=2940163591978
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/glitter-glam-and-contraband
Other Books on Amazon: www.amazon.com/s?k=B00HOYR0MQ&ref=nb_sb_noss
Genre: Mystery/humor
Rating: PG
Private investigator, Delanie Fitzgerald, and her computer hacker partner, Duncan Reynolds, are back for more sleuthing in Glitter, Glam and Contraband. In this fast-paced mystery, the Falcon Investigations team is hired to find out who is stealing from the talent at a local drag show. Delanie gets more than she bargains for and a few makeup tips in the process. Meanwhile, a mysterious sound in the ceiling of her office vexes Delanie. She uses her sleuthing skills to track down the source and uncover a creepy contraband operation.
Glitter, Glam, and Contraband features a strong female sleuth with a knack for getting herself in and out of humorous situations like helping sleezy strip club owner, Chaz Smith on his quest to become Richmond’s next mayor, tracking down missing reptiles, and uncovering hidden valuables from a 100-year-old crime with a Poe connection.
Book Links for featured book:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Glitter-Glam-Contraband-Delanie-Fitzgerald/dp/099945983X/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=heather+weidner&qid=1573726545&sr=8-3
Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/book/glitter-glam-and-contraband/id1487475119?mt=11&ign-mpt=uo%3D4
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/glitter-glam-and-contraband-heather-weidner/1134862421?ean=2940163591978
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/glitter-glam-and-contraband
Other Books on Amazon: www.amazon.com/s?k=B00HOYR0MQ&ref=nb_sb_noss
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