Monday, September 23, 2019

FEATURED AUTHOR: LIDA SIDERIS




ABOUT THE BOOK




Corrie Locke, newbie lawyer and daughter of a late, great PI, is learning the ropes at the Hollywood movie studio where she works—and where things are never what they seem. Life imitates art when a fictional murder attempt turns real—right before her eyes. With more than a little help from friends and a crazy movie legend, Corrie trips down a trail littered with wisecracks, mysterious messages, and marginally legal maneuvers to track down the killer. Meanwhile, clues keep disappearing and Corrie makes an enemy whose deadly tactics keep escalating. Will her impromptu sleuthing skills be enough to catch the mysterious assailant before he takes her down?


Book Details:

Title: Murder: Double or Nothing 

 Author: Lida Sideris

Genre: mystery


Series: Southern California Mystery series, book 3


Publisher: Level Best Books (July 23, 2019)


Print length: 298 pages

On tour with: Great Escapes Book Tours











IFs ANDs OR WHATs INTERVIEW WITH LIDA SIDERIS


Ifs



Q: If you could live in any time period which would it be? 

A: Circa 1940, in Hollywood, working at the movie studio where I used to work . . . and where my heroine currently works, when she’s not chasing bad guys, that is. The studio would be MGM in the days of Cary Grant, Katherine Hepburn and all the legendary stars. I’d love to experience movie life in the golden years. When I worked at the studio, I only viewed those years through the photos on the walls of the older buildings.

Q: If you could be anything besides a writer, what would it be? 

A: A baker. Cookies and pastries would be my specialty. Every tooth in my mouth is a sweet tooth.

Q: If you had to do community service, what would you choose?
A: That’s easy—I enjoy volunteer work at the public library and with rescue dogs. I like offering free legal help where I can. But one volunteer position I’ve not yet tackled, but plan to, is child advocacy for foster children - to make sure they’re treated well. 

Q: If you could choose a fictional town to live in what would it be and from what book? 

A: I’d try the Emerald City from The Wizard of Oz. Wasn’t it supposed to be a beautiful, happy and magical place? I could put up with a wicked witch or two.  


Q: If you could live anywhere in the world, where in the world would it be?

A: Exactly where I am in the northern tip of Southern California. I’m close to Los Angeles, but not too close. The Pacific Ocean’s not far off and the mountain ranges are magnificent. 


Ands


5 things you need in order to write:
    •    my laptop, 
my notebook (filled with dialogue possibilities, chapter notes and character descriptions)
    •    a book from one of my favorite authors
    •    a mini notebook (to write notes to self)
and
    •    a good attitude!

5 things you love about writing:
    •    the way I feel when I hit THE END (hooray!)
    •    the fun of unexpected adventures
    •    characters who surprise me
    •    characters who do the right thing
and
    •    when research invites ideas I never would have figured out on my own

5 things you love about where you live: 

    •    small town
    •    starry nights
    •    no chain stores
    •    farms
and
    •    friendly people

5 words to describe you:

    •    persistent
    •    responsible
    •    positive 

    •    committed 

and
    •    loyal


5 things you always put in your books:
    •    chase scenes animals
    •    strong women
    •    Southern California
    •    locations
and
    •    fun


Whats


Q: What’s your all-time favorite place? 

A: Home, wherever that may be.

Q: What’s your all-time favorite movie?
A: Pride and Prejudice, the 1940 MGM, Greer Garson/Laurence Olivier version.


Q: What’s your all-time favorite library? 

A: Boston Public Library – I love the Abbey Mural Room!

Q: What’s the most beautiful sound you’ve heard?
A: Children’s laughter.


Q: What’s your all-time favorite picture of yourself?
A: That’s me doing research for book #2: Murder Gone Missing. I learned a lot that day from my new friend!

Q: What’s your favorite time of day?
A: Sunrise.


Q: What’s your favorite thing to do when there’s nothing to do?  

A: Read a book, of course!


Q: What’s your favorite quote? 

A: “Always do right; this will gratify some people and astonish the rest.” —Mark Twain


Q: What’s your favorite color? 

A: Red.



Q: What is the wallpaper on your computer’s desktop? 

A: My two children.



Q: What movie genre do you prefer: 

A: Comedy.


Q: What do you collect?

A: Positive quotes.

Q: What smells remind you of your childhood? 

A: Briny ocean air, cinnamon, fresh baked bread.



Q: What author would you most like to review one of your books? 

A: Janet Evanovich.



Q: What book are you currently working on? 

A: Slightly Murderous Intent, #4 in my Southern California Mystery series.

Q: What’s your latest recommendation for:
  • Food: Whole wheat ‘n honey pancakes with Olallieberry topping from Linn’s in Cambria, California (the gluten free version is also delicious).
  • Music: “Oh, What a Beautiful Morning!” from the Broadway classic show tunes soundtrack.
  • Movie: Queen of Katwe.
  • Book: Staging is Murder by Grace Topping.
  • Audiobook: I’m about to listen to The Eighty Dollar Champion: Snowman, the Horse that Inspired A Nation.
  • TV: Doctor Who. 
  • Netflix/Amazon Prime: Almost any Hallmark movie (I’m in the midst of bingewatching!).
  • Miscellaneous: If you’re looking for a loyal canine friend, please consider a rescue dog.


OTHER BOOKS BY LIDA SIDERIS



The Southern California Mystery series:

#1 - Murder and Other Unnatural Disasters

#2 – Murder Gone Missing

#3 – Murder: Double Or Nothing


Picture book for ages 4-8:

The Cookie Eating Fire Dog, (about a naughty Dalmatian who prefers eating cookies to helping the fire fighters)



ABOUT THE AUTHOR



Like her heroine, Corrie Locke, Lida Sideris worked as an entertainment attorney for a film studio. Unlike her heroine, she doesn't investigate possible homicides on the side. Lida resides in the northern tip of Southern California with her family, their rescue shepherds, and a flock of uppity chickens. She was one of two national recipients of the Helen McCloy/Mystery Writers of America scholarship for mystery writing.


Connect with Lida:
Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter Instagram

Buy the book:

Amazon