FEATURED AUTHOR: HEATHER WEIDNER

ABOUT THE BOOK

Private investigator, Delanie Fitzgerald, and her computer hacker partner, Duncan Reynolds, are back for more sleuthing in Glitter, Glam and Contraband. In this fast-paced mystery, the Falcon Investigations team is hired to find out who is stealing from the talent at a local drag show. Delanie gets more than she bargains for and a few makeup tips in the process. Meanwhile, a mysterious sound in the ceiling of her office vexes Delanie. She uses her sleuthing skills to track down the source and uncover a creepy contraband operation.

Glitter, Glam, and Contraband features a strong female sleuth with a knack for getting herself in and out of humorous situations like helping sleezy strip club owner, Chaz Smith on his quest to become Richmond’s next mayor, tracking down missing reptiles, and uncovering hidden valuables from a 100-year-old crime with a Poe connection.

BOOK DETAILS:

Title: Glitter, Glam, and Contraband

Author: Heather Weidner

Genre: cozy mystery

Series: Delanie Fitzgerald Mystery, book 3

Publisher: Sandpiper Productions (November 19, 2019)

Print length: 240 pages

 On tour with: Great Escapes Book Tours


IFs ANDs OR WHATs INTERVIEW WITH HEATHER WEIDNER

IFs


If you could meet any author for coffee, who would you like to meet and what would you talk about?
I would love to have coffee with Agatha Christie, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and Mildred A. Wirt (one of the ghostwriters for the Nancy Drew mysteries). I would love to talk mysteries with them. I’d also want to know where they got their inspirations.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where in the world would it be?
I’ve always lived in Virginia. I think I would like to live and write on a beach. I love to visit tropical islands, but I would want to live on a beach in the continental US. 




ANDs


5 things you need in order to write:
    •    my computer
    •    playlists
    •    chocolate
    •    caffeine
and
    •    the internet (I do a lot of research, and I get distracted with dog and cat videos.)

5 things you love about writing:
    •    the creativity
    •    plotting
    •    researching
    •    interacting with readers at events and social media
and
    •    all the opportunities that I’ve had because I’m a writer.

5 things you love about where you live (Richmond, Virginia):
    •    the history
    •    beaches
    •    mountains
    •    culture
and
    •    the southern hospitality.

5 things you never want to run out of:
    •    Coca Cola
    •    chocolate
    •    popcorn
    •    WiFi
and
    •    dog treats (My two Jack Russells are my writing partners, and they live for dog treats.)

5 favorite foods:  
    •    chocolate
    •    pizza
    •    popcorn
    •    shrimp
and
    •    French fries.


5 things you always put in your books:
    •    dogs
    •    mysteries
    •    strong female sleuth
    •    places in Virginia
and
    •    quirky characters.

5 favorite authors:
It’s hard to limit the list to five:
    •    Lee Child
    •    John Grisham
    •    David Baldacci
    •    Lisa Scottoline
and
    •     Janet Evanovich.

5 things that drive you crazy:

    •    people who take the last of something and don’t replace it
    •    people who leave grocery carts in parking spaces
    •    bad drivers
    •    rude people
and
    •     telemarketers.

5 people you consider as heroes:
    •    first responders (police, fire, EMTs, dispatchers)
    •    nurses
    •    teachers
    •    military personnel
and
    •    emergency room staff.

WHATs

What’s your all-time favorite place?
Maui.


What’s your all-time favorite movie? 

The Wizard of Oz.


What’s your all-time favorite library? 

The Library of Virginia in Richmond.


What’s your favorite/most visited Internet site?

Google – It’s great for research.



What’s your favorite time of day?

Early morning.


What’s your all-time favorite picture of yourself?
My three writer friends (Fiona Quinn, Tina Glasneck, and Rosemary Shomaker) went with me to Godfrey’s in Richmond for their Sunday brunch and drag show for research for this book. This is one of my favorite author adventure photos.

What’s your favorite meal?

Pizza.



What’s your favorite dessert? 

Anything chocolate.


What’s your favorite beverage? 

Coca Cola or Dr Pepper.


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

I always like to read.


What’s your favorite movie snack? 

Popcorn.


What’s your favorite color?

Red.



What is the wallpaper on your computer’s desktop? 

A picture of my two Jack Russell Terriers.



What do you collect? 

Books, Wizard of Oz items, postcards. I also have shelves of things people have given me since I’ve been a writer. It’s quite a collection of pens, pins, patches, stickers, glasses, mugs, and cards.



What book are you currently working on?

I am working on a new cozy series set in Charlottesville, Virginia. I also write novellas for the Mutt Mysteries (dog-themed mysteries). My story, “The Fast and the Furious” will be out in March.

What’s your latest recommendation for:
Food: White Chocolate Dipped Oreos (These are my favorite during the holidays.)
Music: Hootie and the Blowfish just came out with a new album. I can’t wait to listen to it. I love all kinds of music, and it’s always on when I’m writing or editing.
Movie: I love 80s classics. Everyone should see The Breakfast Club and Ferris Bueller.
Book: There are so many. I’ve enjoyed mysteries and thrillers by Amy Reade, K. L. Murphy, Sherry Harris, Maya Corrigan, and Louise Penny lately.
TV:  I don’t watch that much TV any more, but I love Stumptown.
Netflix/Amazon Prime: I love Stranger Things, Longmire, The Five, and Father Brown.
Miscellaneous: I have a pair of Jacks who share my office and help with the writing. The brother (Riley) and sister (Disney) are Jack Russell Terriers who live for treats and chasing squirrels.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Glitter, Glam, and Contraband is Heather Weidner’s third novel in the Delanie Fitzgerald series. Her short stories appear in the Virginia is for Mysteries series, 50 Shades of Cabernet, and Deadly Southern Charm. Her novellas appear in The Mutt Mysteries series. She is a member of Sisters in Crime – Central Virginia, Guppies, International Thriller Writers, and James River Writers.

Originally from Virginia Beach, Heather has been a mystery fan since Scooby-Doo and Nancy Drew. She lives in Central Virginia with her husband and a pair of Jack Russell terriers.

Heather earned her BA in English from Virginia Wesleyan University and her MA in American literature from the University of Richmond. Through the years, she has been a technical writer, editor, college professor, software tester, and IT manager.

Connect with Heather:
Website  |   Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Goodreads  |  Amazon 

Buy the book:

Amazon  |  Apple Books   |   Barnes and Noble   |   BookBub   |   Kobo   |   Scribd 

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FEATURED BOOK: TO FETCH A THIEF

ABOUT THE BOOK

To Fetch a Thief, the first Mutt Mysteries collection, features four novellas that have gone to the dogs. In this howlingly good read, canine companions help their owners solve crimes and right wrongs. These sleuths may be furry and low to the ground, but their keen senses are on high alert when it comes to sniffing out clues and digging up the truth. Make no bones about it, these pup heroes will steal your heart as they conquer ruff villains.




Book Details:


Title: To Fetch a Thief

Authors: Teresa Inge, Heather Weidner, Jayne Ormerod, and Rosemary Shomaker

Genre: Cozy mystery

Series: Mutt Mysteries

Publisher: Bay Breeze Publishing, LLC (November 8, 2018)

Print length: 263 pages

On tour with: Great Escapes Book Tours

LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT WITH HEATHER WEIDNER

Things you need in order to write: Chocolate, my idea file, good music, and a caffeinated drink.
Things that hamper your writing: Telemarketers and other interruptions
.

Easiest thing about being a writer: I think the writing is the easiest part.

Hardest thing about being a writer: It’s more than just writing. It’s editing, proofreading, social media marketing, book marketing, and query letters. The list is long.


Things you love about where you live: I’ve lived in Virginia all my life. We’re outside of Richmond, the capital right now. I love that we’re just hours from the beach, mountains, and Washington, D. C.
Things that make you want to move: It was fairly rural when we moved here. Civilization has found us, and the traffic is getting worse.


Things you never want to run out of: Chocolate, cool pens, caffeinated drinks, and toilet paper.
Things you wish you’d never bought: Those shiny 90s pink bridesmaids’ dresses with the puffy sleeves and the giant bow on the back.


Favorite foods: Pizza and chocolate.
Things that make you want to throw up: Brussel sprouts, broccoli, and that shaved carrot/raisin/mayonnaise salad.

Things you always put in your books: I always have pop culture references somewhere in my stories and novels.

Things you never put in your books: There’s no graphic sex or violence in my stories.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Heather Weidner, a member of SinC – Central Virginia and Guppies, is the author of the Delanie Fitzgerald Mysteries, Secret Lives and Private Eyes, and The Tulip Shirt Murders. Her short stories appear in the Virginia is for Mysteries series and 50 Shades of Cabernet. Heather lives in Virginia with her husband and a pair of Jack Russell terriers, Disney and Riley. She’s been a mystery fan since Scooby Doo and Nancy Drew. Some of her life experience comes from being a technical writer, editor, college professor, software tester, IT manager, and cop’s kid. She blogs at Pens, Paws, and Claws. 


Connect with Heather:
Website  |  Blog  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Goodreads  |  Instagram 



LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT WITH JAYNE ORMEROD

Things you love about where you live: I live in a coastal community by the Chesapeake Bay. I love being able to take long walks on the beach, or sipping wine while watching the sailboat regattas. Both activities fuel my creative juices for writing.
Things that make you want to move: Land is at a premium, so houses are VERY close together. Sometimes I desire a little more elbow room. If I had more room, I would have more dogs. I would quite possibly become The Crazy Dog Lady. 



Things you never want to run out of: Diet Coke and Black Box Cabernet. 

Things you wish you’d never bought: A piano. We moved 19 times in conjunction with my husband’s military career. Pianos are not fun to move! Especially up a steep exposed-aggregate driveway on a dewy morning. It was a miracle it didn’t roll down the hill and crash on the road!


Favorite music: Music from the 1960s and 1970s when songs told a story and had pleasing harmonies.
Music that make your ears bleed: Rap. I can’t understand the words, and there doesn’t seem to be any melody.

Favorite smell: Gardenias and honeysuckle in the garden. Sea breezes. Baking bread.

Something that makes you hold your nose: Fish markets and dirty feet.

Something you wish you could do: I wish I could sing…on key!
Something you wish you’d never learned to do: Use Facebook. I resisted for a very very very long time. But now I find myself checking many times a day.

Things you always put in your books: There’s always a food reference, and often a mention of an adult-beverage. 

Things you never put in your books: Maiming or killing animals.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jayne Ormerod grew up in a small Ohio town then went on to a small-town Ohio college. Upon earning her degree in accountancy, she became a CIA (that’s not a sexy spy thing, but a Certified Internal Auditor). She married a naval officer and off they sailed to see the world. After nineteen moves, they, along with their two rescue dogs Tiller and Scout, have settled into a cozy cottage by the sea. Jayne is the author of the Blonds at the Beach Mysteries, The Blond Leading the Blond, and Blond Luck. She has contributed seven short mysteries to various anthologies to include joining with the other To Fetch a Thief authors in Virginia is for Mysteries, Volumes I and II, and 50 Shades of Cabernet.

Connect with Jayne:
Website  |  Blog  |  Facebook  |  Twitter 


LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT WITH ROSEMARY SHOMAKER


A few of your favorite things: Trees, dogs, sunlight, books, and warm blankets.
Things you need to throw out: Loose papers I’ve saved for unimportant reasons; cans and boxes of food I’ll never prepare; clothes I’ll never wear; and more towels and sheets than I’ll ever use.

Words that describe you: Round, intense, intelligent, noncommittal, abrupt, unpredictable.
Words that describe you but you wish they didn’t: Round, intense, unexpressive.

Favorite music: Bluegrass and classic rock.
Music that makes your ears bleed: Rap and Hip-Hop.

Favorite beverage: Water – yes, water.
Something that gives you a pickle face: Tomato juice.

Something you wish you could do: Play the piano.
Something you wish you’d never learned to do: I can’t think of anything.

Things you’d walk a mile for: Most anything – a mile is not very far – especially if I have my dog for company!
Things that make you want to run screaming from the room: People who repeat themselves when they talk.

Things you always put in your books: Big words, and I use them inappropriately sometimes – like in a young person’s dialogue. I think this comes from reading a lot and loving the precision of words. Still, it is a liability because it puts off some readers – and it’s downright wrong to use complex words in dialogue.

Things you never put in your books: Witches.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rosemary Shomaker writes about the unexpected in everyday life. She’s the woman you don’t notice in the grocery store or at church but whom you do notice at estate sales and wandering vacant lots. In all these places she’s collecting story ideas. Rosemary writes women’s fiction, paranormal, and mystery short stories, and she’s taking her first steps toward longer fiction, so stay tuned. She’s an urban planner by education, a government policy analyst by trade, and a fiction writer at heart. Rosemary credits Sisters in Crime with developing her craft and applauds the organization’s mission of promoting the ongoing advancement, recognition, and professional development of women crime writers.


Connect with Rosemary:
Twitter  |  Goodreads  |  Instagram

LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT WITH TERESA INGE

A few of your favorite things: Mysteries, dogs, wine, and car shows.
Things you need to throw out: Old home décor items, clothes, and some donated books.


Things you need in order to write: Laptop and a quiet space.
Things that hamper your writing: People talking and asking a lot of questions! 


Things you love about writing: Creating characters, locations, and the whodunnit.
Things you hate about writing: Editing.

Easiest thing about being a writer: Creating titles and characters. 

Hardest thing about being a writer: Getting my ideas on paper. 


Things you love about where you live: Country setting.
Things that make you want to move: My husband collects too many cars.


Things you never want to run out of: Sweet tea and wine.
Things you wish you’d never bought: Some clothes. 


Words that describe you: Hard worker, dedicated, family oriented, and animal lover.
Words that describe you but you wish they didn’t: Hard worker.

Favorite foods: Salad, vegetables, and chocolate. 
Things that make you want to throw up: Bad tasting wine.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Teresa Inge grew up reading Nancy Drew mysteries. Today, she doesn’t carry a rod like her idol, but she hotrods. She is president of Sister’s in Crime Mystery by the Sea Chapter and author of short mysteries in Virginia is for Mysteries and 50 Shades of Cabernet.

Connect with Teresa:
Website  |   Facebook  |  Twitter   


OTHER WAYS TO CONNECT WITH THE AUTHORS
Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter

BUY THE BOOK
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FEATURED AUTHOR: HEATHER WEIDNER

ABOUT THE BOOK

Private investigator Delanie Fitzgerald, and her computer hacker partner, Duncan Reynolds, are back for more sleuthing in The Tulip Shirt Murders. When a music producer hires the duo to find out who is bootlegging his artists’ CDs, Delanie uncovers more than just copyright thieves. And if chasing bootleggers isn’t bad enough, local strip club owner and resident sleaze, Chaz Smith, pops back into Delanie’s life with more requests. The police have their man in a gruesome murder, but the loud-mouthed strip club owner thinks there is more to the open and shut case. Delanie and Duncan link a series of killings with no common threads. And they must put the rest of the missing pieces together before someone else is murdered.

The Tulip Shirt Murders is a fast-paced mystery that appeals to readers who like a strong female sleuth with a knack for getting herself in and out of humorous situations such as larping and trading elbow jabs with roller derby queens.

Book Details
Title: The Tulip Shirt MurdersAuthor: Heather Weidner

Publisher: Sandpiper Productions

Pages: 264

Genre: Mystery – Female Sleuth
Touring with: Pump Up Your Book

LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT INTERVIEW WITH HEATHER WEIDNER

A few of your favorite things: Books, chocolate, my two Jack Russell Terriers.
Things you need to throw out:
 Old clothes (I tend to keep stuff until it comes back in style).

Things you need in order to write: Chocolate, Paper/Pen or Laptop, Music (loud for writing; calmer for editing).
Things that hamper your writing: Distractions (Usually the Internet) – I’ll go to research something and get lost in the world wide web.


Hardest thing about being a writer: Balancing the writing life with all the other things life throws at you.

Easiest thing about being a writer:
 Getting in the zone and writing; plotting a new mystery.

Things you love about where you live: I love that we are central to just about everything in Virginia. I can be at the beach, mountains, or in Washington, DC in a few hours. I love taking day-trips. Virginia has so much history, beauty, cultural sites, and wonderful restaurants.
Things that make you want to move: We usually have moderate temperatures, but we do have a few cold snaps. And during winter, I always get the urge to move somewhere warm.


Things you never want to run out of: Chocolate, iced tea, electricity (I am not a ruffing-it kind of girl).
Things you wish you’d never bought:
 I have some clothes that have inspired buyers’ remorse. It looked good in the store…

Words that describe you: Creative, energetic, sassy.
Words that describe you but you wish they didn’t: Tired (I try to cram a lot into twenty-four hours. I have to take a break once in a while).

Favorite foods: Pizza, cheese, apples, chocolate, french fries.
Things that make you want to throw up: Broccoli, Brussel sprouts, carrot/raisin/mayonnaise salad, the smell of eggs.

Favorite beverage: Dr. Pepper (once in a while); iced tea, iced coffee.

Something that gives you a pickle face: Broccoli, Brussel sprouts, the smell of eggs.

Something you’re really good at: Scrabble and Yahtzee.

Something you’re really bad at:
 Cooking when multiple dishes have to come out hot and ready at the same time – Cooking stresses me out.


Last best thing you ate: Chocolate Fudge Pie.

Last thing you regret eating: Greasy tacos.

Things you’d walk a mile for: Caffeine.
Things that make you want to run screaming from the room: Too much talk radio or TV; Golf on TV.

Things you always put in your books:Pets (usually dogs).
Things you never put in your books: People who hurt/endanger animals.

Things to say to an author: I liked your book, and I left you a review online.

Things to say to an author if you want to be fictionally killed off in their next book: Here’s my idea for a book. You should write it. I don’t have time.

Things that make you happy: A fully edited/finished manuscript, when my husband finishes his latest classic car project, and my two crazy Jack Russell Terriers
Things that drive you crazy: Telemarketers, paper cuts, people who leave their grocery carts in parking spots instead of returning them.





ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Heather Weidner’s short stories appear in the Virginia is for Mysteries series and 50 Shades of Cabernet. She is a member of Sisters in Crime – Central Virginia, Guppies, Lethal Ladies Write, and James River Writers. The Tulip Shirt Murders is her second novel in her Delanie Fitzgerald series.

Originally from Virginia Beach, Heather has been a mystery fan since Scooby Doo and Nancy Drew. She lives in Central Virginia with her husband and a pair of Jack Russell terriers.

Heather earned her BA in English from Virginia Wesleyan College and her MA in American literature from the University of Richmond. Through the years, she has been a technical writer, editor, college professor, software tester, and IT manager. She blogs regularly with the Pens, Paws, and Claws authors.

Connect with Heather:
Website  |  Blog  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Goodreads  |  Instagram  |  Pinterest  |  LinkedIn  |

Buy links:
Amazon  |  Barnes and Noble  |  Apple  |  Kobo