Yes, I do realize it's only October and we haven't even had Halloween yet. But what you may not know is...as of today, there are only 70 more shopping days until Christmas. And what better present to give someone than a good book? So without further ado, I present to you one stop on the Paul Anthony Associates Christmas Book Blog Tour.
Paul Anthony Associates Christmas Blog Tour
Welcome to the Christmas Blog Tour: A group of authors entertaining their readers with some thrilling tales of fiction. Let’s find out what they are up to at the moment. Santa Claus wants to ask some questions. Indeed, they’ve all been asked the same questions as they introduce themselves and their work. So, let’s hear what they have to say. First up is Amy Metz.
Q. Whereabouts do you live, Amy? A. Sometimes I live in Goose Pimple Junction and sometimes Louisville, Kentucky, known as Louavul to native Louisvillians!
Q. Would you describe yourself as a full-time writer or do you have another job?
A. My day job is being a mom to a seventeen-year-old. Since he’s a high school senior, that doesn’t take up as much time as it used to, so I would describe myself as a full-time writer. Especially since my laptop is my constant companion.
Q. How do you spend your leisure time?
A. I love to read, bake, and take pictures. Once I’ve been on a photography shooting spree, I love to create digital photo books. Outside of the house, my favorite thing to do is to attend my son’s marching band shows and his concerts. I never turn down an invitation to go out to dinner or to a movie either.
Q. Name three people you would like to entertain for Christmas dinner and why?
A. 1) An accountant. I’d like to talk to him or her about how to audit a publisher’s books.
2) My publisher. I’d like to talk to him about his business practices. I’d also like to feed him an Ex-Lax martini.
3) Betty White. Who wouldn’t want Betty White at their table?
Q. If you could live anywhere in the world this Christmas, where would it be?
A. Ordinarily, I’d answer an “anywhere in the world question” with some place in the South, but Christmastime has to be cold, so I’d say in a house on Nantucket Island, overlooking the water.
A. Besides peace on earth, I would wish to be free and clear from my publisher.
Q. Describe yourself using only three ‘Christmas’ words.
A. Faith, hope, and fruitcake. And no, the last one is not because I like fruitcake or resemble it. It refers to my mental status.
Q. What makes Christmas special for you?
A. Family traditions. I also like to decorate the house with my Santa and Snowman collections, along with a gazillion other decorations. And it wouldn't be Christmas for me without the smell of a real Christmas tree.
Q. What is your favourite childhood memory of Christmas?
A. It would be of my sister and me, ages 4 and 2, running down the hall toward the Christmas tree in the living room, bleary-eyed after just waking up but excited as only a child can be on Christmas morning. Although, I don’t know if it’s an actual memory or if I’m remembering it from the home movie my dad made. By the way, I'm the little one in the picture to the left, but I have no recollection of it!
Q. What is the worst Christmas you have ever experienced?
A. That would probably be Christmas 1987. Our dog was very sick, and a few days before Christmas we learned he wasn’t going to live much longer. I was pregnant with my first child at the time, and I either threw up or wanted to throw up 24/7. It was hard to get into the Christmas spirit that year.
Q. Are you currently published for Christmas or do you have a ‘work in action’ you can tell us about?
A. Murder & Mayhem in Goose Pimple Junction is available on online bookstores, and some Indie stores in and around Louisville. I’m hoping to publish Heroes & Hooligans in Goose Pimple Junction, and Rogues & Rascals in Goose Pimple Junction, but because I stupidly signed a bad contract, it may be a while before I can publish again.
Q. Tell us about your work and what influenced you to write in this exciting genre?
A. As a child, I’d heard stories about several murders that happened in my family in the 1930s. One of them was never solved, and I always thought it would make a great book. So I used that murder as the basis for the plot. At the time, I wasn’t familiar with the term cozy mystery, but that’s what it turned out to be.
Q. Do you have a particular character that figures consistently or are you in the stage of developing a lead character?
A. The books will all have the same core characters throughout the series, although each book will focus on different main characters. Murder & Mayhem features Tess and Jack, Heroes & Hooligans features Martha Maye and Johnny, and Rogues & Rascals features Pickle’s mama, Caledonia. Although you never know when a new character will move to town and demand attention.
Q. Where can we find out more about your work?
A. My website is: http://amymetz.com. You can buy Murder & Mayhem in Goose Pimple Junction at any of the online stores. Specifically, Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Q. And where can we follow and support you on social media sites?
A. My Facebook page--like and/or friend me; follow me on Twitter; friend me on Goodreads; or connect on Linkedin.
Q. Santa Claus thanks you for taking part in this interview, Amy, and wishes you good luck with your writing in the years ahead.
A. Thank you, Santa. Can I invite you to meet my friends in this wonderful world of writing? Just click on the names below and you’ll find yourself reading a different set of answers to the same questions. Please support my friends and fellow authors by visiting their sites and checking out their contributions. Thank you for joining me on my blog tour.
PS You do believe...don’t you? Just remember...when you stop believing in Santa Claus, you get underwear for Christmas.
Check out these other stops on the Christmas Blog Tour:
2. Maria Swan
3. Jean Reinhardt
4. Joan Fallon
5. C C Champagne
6. Meg Johnston
7. Ceri London
Santa says to also take a look at Paul Anthony's Espionage & Crime Thriller Blog Tour:
Paul Anthony, Kenneth Kerr, James Bruno, Tom Reinhart, Dan Pollock, Ken Boehs, and Khallid Muhammad
