Wednesday, May 11, 2016

FEATURED AUTHOR: NADINE NETTMANN




ABOUT THE BOOK

Katie Stillwell focuses on two things in her life: work and practicing for Sommelier Certification with her blind tasting group. The exam was supposed to be the hardest part of her week, but that was before a body was found at an exclusive Napa Valley winery party.

When all the evidence points to Katie’s best friend, the outspoken and independent Tessa, Katie drops everything to clear Tessa’s name. Using her deductive wine skills, she tries to track down the real killer. But when repeated attempts are made on her life, Katie discovers that everyone’s secrets must be uncovered―including her own.






INTERVIEW WITH NADINE NETTMANN


Nadine, how did you get started writing?

I’ve wanted to write ever since I can remember. I loved writing short stories and poems in grade school, but I didn’t write my first novel until my twenties.

What's your favorite thing about the writing process?
Definitely the first draft. I love typing out the story and seeing where it goes. It’s always exciting.

What do you wish you’d done differently when you first started?
I wish I had known about the great writing conferences that happen around the country as I would have started attending those much sooner. They’re so inspirational, and I love meeting fellow writers.

What do you think is hardest aspect of writing a book?
I would have to say putting it out there for opinions. It’s tough at every step of the process. Not every beta reader, agent, editor, reviewer, and reader will love your work. It’s difficult to put your work out there, knowing that criticism will come your way at some point.


What books do you currently have published?
Decanting a Murder is my debut novel, and I’m so excited. I wrote four books before this one, but they’re all shelved at the moment, and there’s a strong chance they’ll stay there.

Do you have any secret talents?
I love decorating cakes for friends and family! Although I sometimes work with fondant, my favorite is piping frosting into designs.

If you could only watch one television station for a year, what would it be?
The BBC. I’m a huge fan of British comedies and British programming in general.

What do you wish you could do?
Teleportation. I would love to be able to teleport to my intended location in just seconds, whether it’s a vacation, visiting loved ones, or being able to attend two events at opposite ends of the country on the same day.

What do you like to do when there’s nothing to do?
I love doing jigsaw puzzles! I have several favorites I’ve collected over the years and I’m always on the lookout for new ones.

Would you rather be a movie star, sports star, or rock star?
Definitely a rock star. I’ve played guitar for 20 years, and I’m a huge fan of music. I almost always have a song in my head.

What is the most daring thing you've done?
Right after we got married, my husband and I stored nearly all of our belongings and moved to Hawaii with only two suitcases each. We didn’t know how long we would stay, but we ended up living there for five years.

What is your most embarrassing moment?
I have many of these, but I’ll choose one from my childhood. It was the big Girl Scouts ceremony, and while I was waiting on the stage for my turn, I slipped my feet under the bar of my chair. I forgot I did this so when they called my name, I stood up and went tumbling across the stage with the chair in tow. I believe video of this still might exist somewhere.

Yikes! What choices in life would you like to have a redo on?
I would like to go back to my fourth-grade self and not listen to the teacher who told me I was a bad writer. The incident made me stop writing until college when I took an Intro to Creative Writing elective and remembered how much I loved it and how much I had missed it in my life.

What’s one of your favorite quotes?
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain

Who is your favorite fictional character?
Sue Grafton’s protagonist, Kinsey Millhone. I love the way Kinsey approaches her career and life.

How do you like your pizza?
Thin crust, baked in a wood-fired oven, and topped with lots of fresh veggies.

What are you working on now?

I’m currently editing book #2 in the series, tentatively called Uncorking a Lie. It follows Katie on her next adventure, this time in Sonoma, and will release in 2017.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Nadine Nettmann, a Certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers, is always on the lookout for great wines and the stories behind them. She has visited wine regions around the world, from Chile to South Africa to every region in France, but chose Napa as the setting for Decanting a Murder, her debut novel. Nadine is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. She lives in California with her husband.

Connect with Nadine:
Website  |  
Facebook  |  Twitter  |  
Goodreads  

Buy the book:
Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble  |  Indiebound