Thursday, May 30, 2019

FEATURED AUTHOR: DANA DRATCH



ABOUT THE BOOK



If it wasn’t for art thieves, spies and killers, Alex Vlodnachek’s life would be bliss.

Her freelance career is catching fire. Her relationship with B&B owner Ian Sterling is flirty and fun. She’s even attending a glittering cocktail party at his sprawling Victorian inn.

But, to this ex-reporter, something seems “off.” And it’s not the canapés. When Ian’s father vanishes, the enigmatic innkeeper asks for her discretion. And her assistance.

Meanwhile, Alex is having the opposite problem at her tiny bungalow: People keep piling in uninvited. Including a mysterious intruder found sleeping in her kitchen. Her grandmother, Baba, who shows up “to help”—with Alex’s own mother hot on her heels.

When the intrepid redhead discovers a body in the B&B’s basement and a “reproduction” Renoir in the library, she begins to suspect that Ian is more than just a simple hotel owner.

With editor pal Trip, brother Nick, and rescue-pup Lucy riding shotgun, Alex scrambles to stay one step ahead of disaster—and some very nasty characters.

Can she find the missing man before it’s too late? Or will Alex be the next one to disappear?



Book Details:

Title: Seeing Red


Author: Dana Dratch

Genre: Cozy Mystery


Series: A Red Herring Mystery, book 2


Publisher: Kensington (May 28, 2019)


Print length: 368 pages









IFs ANDs OR WHATs INTERVIEW WITH DANA DRATCH


Ifs

If you could live in any time period which would it be?
Now is good. Also, 100 years from now. Not instead – still.

If you could be anything besides a writer, what would it be?
I have no other marketable skills. If you don’t believe me, just ask my college advisor.

If you had to do community service, what would you choose?
Always the food bank. No one should go hungry.

If you were on the Amazon bestseller list, who would you choose to be one before and one below you?
James Patterson and Stephen King. And it wouldn’t matter which was which. Because that would be the stratosphere of the bestseller list.

If you could choose a fictional town to live in what would it be and from what book?
Well, St. Mary Mead, from the Miss Marple stories, is looking pretty good right now, despite the outrageous body count. And I’ve always wanted to see Lochdubh  (from M.C. Beaton’s Hamish Macbeth books), but definitely during the summer.

Ands


5 favorite possessions: 
    •    my “murder board” (cork board I use to plot stories)
    •    notebooks (full of notes, bits of dialogue and plot points)
    •    iPad
    •    wireless keyboard
and
    •    comfortable chair
When I’m using all of these, I’m deep into a book – and having a great time!

5 things you need in order to write:  
    •    coffee
    •    coffee
    •    coffee
    •    coffee
 and
    •    chocolate.
Not necessarily in that order.

5 things you never want to run out of:   
    •    books
    •    food
    •    coffee
    •    chocolate
and
    •    a good pair of running shoes

Whats

What’s your all-time favorite movie?
Silverado is the one I’ll sit down and watch anytime it’s on. Cast, story, scenery, cinematography, and music – it has it all.

What’s your all-time favorite author?
When it comes to reading, I’m an omnivore. Some favorites include: Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child, Neil Gaiman, Terry Pratchett, Lynn Cahoon, Lee Hollis, M.C. Beaton, Spencer Quinn, Robert B. Parker, Gillian Flynn, Donna Tartt, Jonathan Kellerman, Carl Hiaasen, Tim Dorsey, Gregory Macdonald, Paula Hawkins, Stacy Schiff, Hilary Mantel, Ace Atkins, Louise Penny, Stephen King, James Patterson, Lee Child, J.K. Rowling, Allison Weir and David Rosenfelt.

What’s your favorite meal?
Thanksgiving dinner. Every year.

What’s one thing that very few people know about you?
I love to run in the morning.

What’s your favorite ice cream?
Whatever flavor I’m eating now. And I’m currently on an ice cream sandwich kick.

What’s your favorite candy bar?
Reese’s Cups and Mounds – love them both!

What’s your favorite movie snack?
Reese’s Cups and popcorn with extra butter. (Salty + sweet + butter = good.)

What’s your favorite color?
Got to be red. I write the Red Herring mysteries.

What’s one thing you never leave the house without?
A pad and pen. I never know when I’ll get an idea – or see something I can use.

What drives you crazy?
Many things – and it’s a very short drive.

What is the wallpaper on your computer’s desktop?
No desktop. I write on an iPad. And I kinda like that beach scene that was preselected when I opened the box. (How’s that for lazy?)

What movie genre do you prefer: drama, comedy, action, adventure, thriller, or horror?
I love movies (and books) that aren’t afraid to mix and match genres. Smart horror with a side of comedy, drama with funny or thriller moments. And a good mystery will always pull me in.

What is your obsession?
Where to hide the body. Never mind whose.


What is a pet peeve?
A body that won’t stay hidden. Sigh.


What do you collect?
Dust bunnies (when I’m writing). And words.

What book are you currently working on?
Red Hot, the next Alex Vlodnachek mystery adventure.

What’s your latest recommendation for:
Food: Yes, please.
Music: Definitely. (Now it’s a party.)
Book: Good Omens. Loved the book, can’t wait to see the mini-series.
TV: Love It or List It, Agatha Raisin, The Durrells in Corfu.
Netflix/Amazon Prime: Midsomer Murders, Lie to Me, Endgame.



ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dana Dratch is a personal finance writer and the author of Confessions of a Red Herring and Seeing Red. She’s currently working on the third Alex Vlodnachek mystery adventure, Red Hot. Get updates at ConfessionsofaRedHerring.com.

Buy the book:
Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble  |  Kobo  |  Google Play