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

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FEATURED AUTHOR: LIDA SIDERIS

ABOUT THE BOOK

Newly minted lawyer Corrie Locke has taken a vow of abstinence. From PI work, that is. Until her best friend Michael finds his bully of a boss stabbed in the back after confronting him earlier that day. Michael panics, accidentally tampering with the crime scene…which could lead the cops to Michael instead of the real culprit. He turns to Corrie to track down the killer. She doesn’t need much coaxing. Her late great PI dad taught her the ropes…and left her his cache of illegal weaponry.

They return to the scene of the crime, but the body’s missing. Racing against time, Corrie dredges a prestigious Los Angeles college in pursuit of clues. All she finds are false leads. Armed with attitude and romantic feelings toward Michael, Corrie dives into a school of suspects to find the slippery fugitive. Will she clear Michael’s name before he’s arrested for murder?

BOOK DETAILS:

Title: Murder Gone Missing

Author: Lisa Sideris

Genre: Cozy Mystery/Soft Boiled Mystery

Series: A Southern California Mystery, book 2

Publisher: Level Best Books (April 10, 2018)

Page count: 262 pages

On tour with: Great Escapes Book Tours

GUEST POST BY LISA SIDERIS

Unexpected Perks of Being Published

Holy moly, nearly three years ago, I realized a dream come true: the publication of my first novel. I could hardly believe it at the time, and I still need to pinch myself now and then. So what did I expect to happen after publication? Work. A lot of it. The ever present constants of marketing, promotion and writing, while working the day job and breathing and eating, being with my family, and sleeping now and then. What I didn’t expect were the marvelous byproducts.

A byproduct is something that happens as a result of something else. As a result of my publication, I started a Facebook account and reconnected with wonderful friends from long ago. And I discovered new ones. There are so many lovely people I never would have had the pleasure of encountering but for the book life. I’ve met other writers, bloggers, bookstore owners, bookstore visitors, readers, local postal employees, librarians, friends of friends, everyone at my local bank, a hostess at a popular restaurant and a multitude of others – an absolutely wonderful mix! All because they’d read or heard of my novel. It’s such a surprising, wonderful treat.

Recently, with the launch of Book Two in my series, I was being interviewed by a reporter at a local coffee shop. A copy of my latest novel sat on the table. A woman walked by and saw the book. She asked if I was reading it. I had the great pleasure of informing her I wrote it, which made her pull out her copy. She'd just purchased it from a nearby book store. A truly wonderful, almost surreal moment!

I’ve heard tales from other writers of unkind remarks by friends and strangers alike, but thankfully, I’ve not yet been subjected. Or maybe I have, but I haven’t noticed because I’m walking on cloud feet when I think about books and writing.

And another important perk? I’ve learned firsthand, the not so secret ingredient behind success, the magic that makes goals happen: persistence. I gave up several times during my drafting days. Especially the early drafting days. I even swore off writing forever a few times. Sometimes weeks would go by without my writing, and then something would draw me back. A quiet but necessary something. A burning desire.

There’s a ton of blood, sweat and tears that goes into that first book. But it's worth every last drop.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lida Sideris is an author, lawyer and all around book enthusiast. She was one of two national recipients of the Helen McCloy Mystery Writers of America scholarship for her first novel, Murder and Other Unnatural Disasters. Murder Gone Missing is the second book in the Corrie Locke series. Like her heroine, Lida worked as an entertainment attorney in a movie studio. Unlike her heroine, she keeps her distance from homicides.

Connect with Lisa:
Website  |  Blog  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Goodreads


Buy the book:
 Amazon   |   Barnes & Noble

FEATURED AUTHOR: LIDA SIDERIS

ABOUT THE BOOK

Watch out Southern California! There’s a new entertainment attorney in town and she’s got game. Only problem is, it’s not the one she should be playing. Corrie Locke belongs behind a desk, not behind a Glock. She should be taking VIP calls, not nosing around a questionable suicide. Instead, she’s hot on the trail of a murderer.

Luckily, she’s the daughter of a late, great private eye and she’s inherited his love of sleuthing . . . and illegal weaponry. It doesn’t help matters that her gene for caution is a recessive one. Corrie finds herself in the center of a murder case, unearthing suspects in shocking places. With a cold-blooded killer on the loose, Corrie will have to up her game, or die trying.

INTERVIEW WITH LIDA SIDERIS

Lida, what's your favorite thing about the writing process?
It’s immensely gratifying to come upon the right word, sentence, the perfect passage or chapter or character that clicks so well, a writer can’t keep up with all the character says and does.

Do you write every day?
I’d like to say yes, but regrettably I don’t. Sometimes, with the day job, I can’t. But even when not writing, I’m constantly thinking about what to write next, about my characters, and possible predicaments.

What do you think is the hardest aspect of writing a book?
The first chapter. Yikes! I rewrite and revise that one the most times.

What’s more important – characters or plot?
For me, it’s the characters because if I don’t know them, I won’t know their choices/preferences/actions/reactions and consequently, the paths they may choose to take. My characters drive the story.

How often do you read?
Daily, whether it’s an article, a book (fiction or non-fiction), a poem, or anything that contains at least a few sentences. To go too long without reading, I feel myself sagging, growing listless.

Is writing your dream job?

Yes! It’s been my dream job for such a long time. Surrounded by words, and in fiction writing, I like being surrounded by imaginary characters, situations that are anything but straight out of real life, and the ability to display action and adventure in a safe, fun way.

Do you have any marketing tips you could pass on to indie authors?
Start your marketing earlier than you think you should start. And don’t underestimate the power of personal contact. When you think you’re done marketing, do some more!

What’s one thing you never leave the house without?
My glasses. I’m very near-sighted and have been since I was thirteen. I need glasses to drive and see beyond, say, a distance of two feet. Although I’m vain and don’t like to wear glasses, the thought of lasers, shiny tools and suction rings conjures up visions of being strapped to a table and writhing under a blinding light. Hence, my myopic vision continues. I alternate between glasses, contacts, and nothing corrective, which means viewing the world through a lens that appears to be coated with Vaseline. That’s good for the people around me because any physical flaws are nonexistent.

What do you love about where you live?
Quiet, solitude, my animals, fresh air – I live in the countryside, by the way.

What is one of your happiest moments?
One of my happiest occurred recently when I was interviewed about my book by Mr. Media (a Skype podcast) because I got to talk about what I love to do (writing, that is) for a full 24 minutes!

What do you like to do when there’s nothing to do?
Read, of course, polish my nails, and hang with my family, which includes my dogs and chickens.

What would you name your autobiography?
She Did It.

Do you give your characters any of your bad traits?
My heroine has my sweet tooth. Is that bad?

Absolutely not! Do you procrastinate?
Can I get you an answer later?

Of course. What’s one of your favorite quotes?
“I think the mirror should be tilted slightly upward when it's reflecting life – toward the cheerful, the tender, the compassionate, the brave, the funny, the encouraging, all those things.” Greer Garson

I’m a big fan of old Hollywood films (by old, I mean the thirties and forties) and Miss Garson is one of my favorite film stars.

What would your main character say about you?
Get your own life!


Where is your favorite library, and what do you love about it?

I love the grand Boston Public Library, especially the Abbey Mural Room on the second floor that depicts Sir Galahad’s quest for the Holy Grail. The paintings are bold and brilliant, but it’s the story that speaks to me. Sir Galahad’s persistence in the face of frustration and danger. It takes only one question to unlock a spell that’s fallen on a king who knows the answer to where the Holy Grail lies. Sir Galahad has to ask the right question, the question on which everything depends. The question is not provided in the artwork; viewers and visitors must find the question out for themselves. So it’s somewhat of a mystery.

I've been to the Boston Public Library, and you're right, it's fantastic. What is your favorite movie?

Pride and Prejudice – the 1940 version with Greer Garson and Laurence Olivier.


If you had a talk show who would your dream guest be?
Janet Evanovich, so I could ask all about one of my favorite series – the Stephanie Plum books. Ms. Evanovich weaves the humor in so nicely, makes the characters so lively, and yet makes the book such a simple, entertaining read. I’d like to know her secret!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Like her heroine, Corrie Locke, Lida Sideris worked as an entertainment attorney for a film studio. Unlike her heroine, she did not get blackmailed into investigating the suspicious death of a co-worker. 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  |  Blog  |  
Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Goodreads   


Buy the book:
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