FEATURED AUTHOR: ROSIE GENOVA

ABOUT THE BOOK

The national bestselling author of The Wedding Soup Murder returns to the Jersey Shore where a killer is stirring up trouble during a hurricane . . . 

At the Casa Lido, the end of summer means a party, and hit whodunit writer Victoria “Vic” Rienzi and her family are cooking like crazy for the restaurant’s seventieth anniversary celebration. As they chop onions and garlic, old family friend Pete Petrocelli stops by, saying he knows something that would make for a good mystery novel. Curious, Vic asks Nonna to elaborate on Pete’s claim and learns of a relative who mysteriously disappeared back in Italy…

The night of the party brings a crowd—and a full throttle hurricane. When the storm finally passes, everyone thinks they’re in the clear — until the first casualty is found, and it’s Pete. Remembering his visit, Vic isn’t certain Pete’s death was an accident and decides to dig deeper into his story. What she finds is meatier than Nonna’s sauce . . .

INTERVIEW WITH ROSIE GENOVA

Rosie, what's your favorite thing about the writing process?
When characters “talk” in my head.

How long is your to-be-read list?
It’s a big stack!

What books do you currently have published? Three Italian Kitchen Mysteries: Murder and Marinara, The Wedding Soup Murder, A Dish Best Served Cold

How long have you been a writer?
I have been a writer my whole life — journals, stories, bad poetry and a couple of unpublished manuscripts. But I’ve only been a published author for three years.

You have a day job . . . how do you find time to write?
I am a teacher, so I use my summers to write.

If you could only watch one television station for a year, what would it be?
Duh. PBS.

For what would you like to be remembered?
Being a published author is amazing and a dream come true, but I’d rather be remembered for two really important jobs — teaching and mothering.

What five things would you never want to live without? 
Books, cheap chardonnay, cool shoes, my collection of costume dramas on DVD, and fresh pasta. (God, I’m shallow.)

If you had a swear jar, would it be full?
Next question, please!

Are you an introvert or an extrovert?
An introvert masquerading as an extrovert.

Do you spend more on clothes or food?
Clothes, followed by shoes, are my weakness.

What's your favorite treat for movie night?
Brownies straight from the oven.

Oh yeah, I'm in total agreement. What choices in life would you like to have a redo on?
My 80s perm and a few questionable boyfriends.

What’s one of your favorite quotes?
“It’s never too late to be who you might have been,” said by George Elliot.

What would your main character say about you?
“Rosie, quit messing around and give me a real love life. Or at least a nice little dog.”

What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever had to write?
A eulogy for my great Aunt Marie, a wonderful and inspiring lady.


Where is your favorite library, and what do you love about it?
There’s the most wonderful library in Spring Lake, along the Jersey shore. I spent time there working on my first Kitchen Mystery. It looks like something out of Harry Potter. It has a big fireplace, leaded windows, and beautiful old wood work. I’d like to move in!


You can be any fictional character for one day. Who would you be?
Elizabeth Bennet in the moment that Darcy proposes. But I’d say yes and then we’d lose half the book!

What’s the worst thing someone has said about your writing? How did you deal with it?
Oh, gosh, someone on Amazon or Goodreads called it “a waste of paper.” It was my first book, Murder and Marinara, and had taken me a year to write. But in the immortal words of Taylor Swift, “haters gonna hate.” So I took her advice and I shook it off!


My favorite line is "You can be the ripest, juiciest peach in the world and there will still be people who don't like peaches." Who would you invite to a dinner party if you could invite anyone in the world?
Jane Austen, the Bronte sisters, George Eliot and Virginia Woolf.  And I’d just sit back and listen!


What is your favorite movie?
Sleepless in Seattle. Sigh.

Do you have a favorite book?
Pride and Prejudice and Persuasion keeping duking it out for the number one spot.

Do you sweat the small stuff?
All. The. Time. But I’m working on it.

If you had to choose a cliche about life, what would it be?
“Life is long.” But I would add, “if we’re lucky.”

Lightning round:
Cake or frosting? I know I should be ashamed of myself — frosting!
Laptop or desktop? Laptop all the way.
Chevy Chase or Bill Murray? Jon Stewart. No offense, gentlemen.
Emailing or texting? Email.
Indoors or outdoors? Depends on the season.
Tea: sweet or unsweet?  Iced and sweet, courtesy of stevia! (But no day starts without coffee.)
Plane, train, or automobile?  Train travel — romantic, old school, and safe.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

A Jersey girl born and bred, national bestselling author Rosie Genova left her heart at the shore, which serves as the setting for much of her work. Her series, the Italian Kitchen Mysteries, is informed by her appreciation for good food and her love of classic mysteries from Nancy Drew to Miss Marple. Her debut novel, Murder and Marinara, was named a 2013 Best Pick by Suspense Magazine and was a finalist for a 2014 Daphne Award. Her current release is Book 3 in the series, A Dish Best Served Cold. Rosie still lives in her home state with her husband and the youngest of her three Jersey boys.

Connect with Rosie:
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Goodreads