Murder & Mayhem in Goose Pimple Junction

Shameless self-promotion!

I'm happy to announce the re-release of my first novel, Murder & Mayhem in Goose Pimple Junction, a cozy mystery. The book has been re-edited and re-formatted, and this second edition is now available on Amazon.com. Tell your friends, alert the news, buy, read, and review it puleeeeease! The second book in the series, Heroes & Hooligans in Goose Pimple Junction, will be released in a few months, and you can get a sneak peak at the first chapter at the back of the new Murder & Mayhem.

A Moment with Amy Metz, by Dan O'Brien

Dan O'Brien, editor of Empirical and author of The End of the World Playlist, Bitten, Cerulean Dreams, and The Journey asked me some really fun questions in an interview for his website, The Dan O'Brien Project, and he's kindly agreed to let me post it here.

Tell us about your most recent release.
Murder & Mayhem In Goose Pimple Junction was inspired by events in my family’s history. I remember hearing accounts when I was a little girl of the murders and thinking they were heartbreaking and intriguing. One of the murders is unsolved to this day, except for in my novel, where main character Tess Tremaine comes up against the killer’s relative who is intent on keeping the murder a cold case. But Tess is a little too stubborn to let a little mayhem get in the way of her solving the mystery and bringing a murderer to justice. 

What’s the most blatant lie you’ve ever told?
Four years ago I had to tell my mother that she was going to an assisted living facility for just a few weeks for rehab, when in fact her dementia had earned her a one-way ticket.

What is the most demeaning thing said about you as a writer?
Someone said my book was offensive and sadly idiotic. But I have a lot of 5 and 4-star reviews that counteract that comment.

How do you react to a bad review of one of your books?
I try to keep it in perspective, remembering that everyone is entitled to a different opinion. What really bothers me are the people who don’t say anything. When someone tells me they can’t wait to read my book but they never comment on it. Or they say, “I read your book,” followed by silence. I can deal with constructive criticism — I may not agree with it, but at least I know what they didn’t like — it’s silence that I find hard to deal with. It’s difficult, because we’re talking about people I know, and I thought they’d be more supportive, but also their silence doesn’t help me become a better writer or write a better book.

When are you going to write your autobiography?
Actually, I’ve already written it. It’s not an actual autobiography, because I wouldn’t make anyone read that drivel, but it’s a memoir about my mother, her dementia, and our contentious relationship. I’m currently collecting rejection letters from agents and publishers for it. If you know an agent or publisher, tell them about it — it’s fabulous!

Are the names of the characters in your novels important?
Yes, names are important. My book is set in the South, where oftentimes names are varied, interesting, and weird. I’m particularly fond of nicknames, like Pickle and Butterbean, and double names, like Henry Clay and Martha Maye.

What about the titles of your novels?
What about them? Oh, are they important? Well, yes. Many times a title can make or break a reader’s decision to buy the book. I named my town Goose Pimple Junction and put it in the title because, to me, the name reflects the quirkiness of the town and the book. It’s a fun town, and I hope the title reflects that. But I think people either love the title or hate it. 

Are there any occupational hazards to being a novelist?
Besides being a little mentally unbalanced? Yes, I’ve found extra poundage to be an occupational hazard. Sitting all day at a computer doesn’t burn many calories, and weight gain is inevitable. I’m trying to be more disciplined and get my big behind up for exercise periodically each day, but sometimes it’s hard to stop when I’m on a writing roll. 

What’s your favorite fruit?
Lemons. Does that count? A runner up would be peaches. Although it really depends on the season. In the summertime I love strawberries, honeydew, and peaches, in the fall I love crisp apples, early winter is those little Clementine oranges. And then there are pineapple and bananas, which are both good pretty much year-round. And lemons. I love lemon anything. Is that TMI?

How many people have you done away with over the course of your career?
Well let’s see … I think the total is only five. Maybe I should bump that up a bit for GPJ2 and 3.

Ever dispatched someone and then regretted it?
Yes. I can’t say who, because I don’t want to ruin it for someone who may not have read the book yet, but there’s one character in Murder & Mayhem who is maybe my all time favorite. It killed me to kill him off (sorry, that was lame — but true). I’m still in mourning. Maybe I can make him have an evil twin. Double trouble!

Have you ever been in trouble with the police?
Hahahahahahahaha. That’s funny. At least, people who know me will get a kick out of it. I did have to go to the county jail four years ago, but that was to deliver some evidence. That’s a whole nother story. The answer to your question is a big no.

So when were you last involved in a real-life punch-up?
Way back when I was a little girl, fighting with my sister. That’s as bad ass as I get.

If you were going to commit the perfect murder, how would you go about it?
I think it would involve poison. And that’s all I’m saying on that one.

What do you want to be when you grow up?
Betty White.

What is your favorite bedtime drink?
Sweet tea or juice.

Do you ever wish that you had an entirely uncreative job, like data entry or working in a factory?
Absolutely not. Are you nuts?

Do you believe in a deity?
Yes. I am a Christian, and I believe in God.

Who would play you in a film of your life?
Maybe Oprah. Yes, I know I’m Caucasian, but who wouldn’t want Oprah to play them? 

What are the most important attributes to remaining sane as a writer?
I think a sane writer is an oxymoron.

Have you ever read or seen yourself as a character in a book or a movie?
Maybe Eeyore. Or the Catwoman, played by Halle Berry. Oh wait, that was in my dreams. 

What is the single most powerful challenge when it comes to writing a novel?
For me, it’s coming up with a good plot. It seems like all the good ones have already been taken. I had a plot all planned out for GPJ3, and I hadn’t told a soul about it. One day, my son started telling me about a book he read — and it was my plot! Or mine was theirs. I swear I’d never heard of it. I changed my plotline pdq.

What do you consider your biggest failure?
Dropping out of college my sophomore year. I transferred to another college the following fall, but leaving school remains a big part of my checkered past.

Do you research your novels?
In Murder & Mayhem I researched the real murders that were the impetus for the plot. I read everything I could find so that I could get the facts right for that portion of the book. 

How much impact does your childhood have on your writing?
Well, considering I wouldn’t be who I am if I hadn’t had a childhood, I’d say a lot. Is that too cheeky?

What was the greatest thing you learned at school?
When God sends us on hard paths, He provides strong shoes. That, and you should dress for every occasion. There’s no sense in looking like a wash-woman.

Do you laugh at your own jokes?
Sure, somebody has to. (LOL.)

Do you admire your own work?
Yes and no. I love the characters and the town I created, but I have a hard time reading the book. It’s kind of like actors who say they can’t watch themselves on screen. I find myself wanting to rewrite or edit it every time I pick the book up.

What are books for?
Different things for different people. For me, they’re for escape. Pure pleasure.

Are you fun to go on vacation with?
That would be a better question for my family. I think that my youngest son would say I spend too much time behind my camera. 

How do you feel about being interviewed?
It’s somewhere in between getting a root canal and a day at the beach.

What’s the loveliest thing you have ever seen? 
A full moon reflecting on the ocean.

Book trailer 

About the author (that's me!):

Amy Metz is the author of Goose Pimple Junction mystery series. She is a former first grade teacher and the mother of two grown sons. When not actively engaged in writing, enjoying her family, or surfing Facebook or Pinterest, Amy can usually be found with a mixing spoon, camera, or book in one hand and a glass of sweet tea in the other. Amy lives in Louisville, Kentucky and would love to hear from you.

Connect with Amy (me):
Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads 

Buy the book:

Featured Author: Jennifer Lyne

Jennifer Lyne is the author of the young adult novel, Catch Rider, a behind-the-scenes look at a Virginia horse farm, published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt/Clarion Books. She's here for an interview, and she also brought along an excerpt from the book. Grab some sweet tea and settle in for a good read.

About the book:

Tough-as-nails fourteen-year-old Sid may not have expensive boots like the privileged teen riders in Virginia, but she knows her way around horses. Working with her Uncle Wayne since childhood, she’s learned to evaluate horses, break and train them, care for them . . . and ride like a professional. Amid turmoil at home, she dreams of becoming a catch rider—a show rider who can ride anything with hooves. In this salty, suspenseful teen novel, an unexpected opportunity to ride a top-notch horse in an equitation show takes the small-town girl all the way to Madison Square Garden.

Interview with Jennifer Lyne

Welcome, Jennifer. Catch Rider is your debut novel. Do you have another job outside of writing? 
I’m co-founder of Sharpshooter Pictures, a film and video production company in Manhattan.

Tell us a book you’re an evangelist for. 
The River of Doubt by Candice Millard

Which character did you most enjoy writing? 
Sid, of course, but I also loved writing her best friend’s sister, Doreen. Doreen is either the greatest kid ever, or a budding sociopath, or a little of both.

I like writing characters who do and say things I never would, as well as characters who do and say things I wish I could. Do you have characters who fit into one of those categories?
Sid falls into both categories – when I showed horses I had a lot of stage fright, and I don’t think I would have made it as far as she did even with the same opportunities. She’s brash but she’s only fourteen and in a tough situation. She’ll learn to be more careful. I certainly did, although I’ve never had any fistfights.

Tell us one weird thing, one nice thing, and one fact about where you live. 
I live in New York City, in the Bronx, by the Hudson River. The weird thing is that I can see Willie Mays’ apartment right out my window, and between my building and his is a baseball field. Right over the tree line is the Harlem Canal and Spuyten Duyvil, which means “spitting devil,” or “spouting devil” because the currents in that spot – where the Harlem canal meets the Hudson – are so strong.

If you could only keep one book, what would it be?
Jim the Boy by Tony Earley.

Your last meal would be…
A hot pretzel from a Central Park pretzel cart.

Would you rather work in a library or a bookstore? 
Library, which is one of the happiest places in the world for me. No one is trying to sell you anything, and no one cares what you’re doing, as long as you’re quiet.

You won the lottery. What’s the first thing you would buy? 
A dark green 1950’s Porsche speedster. Strike that! Good health insurance.

What’s one of your favorite quotes?
“Sorry, Pete, I know we're kin, but they got this depression on. I got to do for me and mine!” – Washington Hogwallup, O Brother, Where Art Thou?

I LOVE that movie! What are you working on now? 
Getting reviews and press for Catch Rider, raising my kids, running my production company, and writing a new book. I’d better find more time to write, or I’m going to become a menace to society.

Excerpt from Catch Rider

It was growing dark when Wayne pulled up in front of the house. The place looked terrible: the storm door was broken and swinging in the wind, bags of garbage were piled on the porch. My beat-up Taurus was parked in front.

“Thanks for my car,” I said again.

“It'll do for now. Put some ice on your lip,” he said. “We’ll get to work on that red horse tomorrow after school.” He winked.

I got out and stopped at the metal gate. “You coming in?” I asked, knowing the answer.

“I'll strangle that bastard, I lay eyes on him.”

I let the gate slam.

“Listen, you pay him no mind, you hear?” Wayne said. He seemed worried. I walked up on the porch, and he called after me.  “He ain't worth your temper!”

He drove away.


Chapter Four

I stood on the porch for a little while listening to Donald’s voice. They didn’t know I was there. I was waiting to see what kind of mood he was in. It was my father’s birthday, and if Donald blew up at me, I wasn’t sure what I would do. 

I took a deep breath and walked into the house. 

Melinda came out of the kitchen looking pale and tired. Her hair was dirty and she had on a stained sweatshirt. I could smell Windex - she cleaned when she got nervous. Donald was sitting on the couch polishing his new knife with his red bandana. He was one of those losers who only felt like a man when he was talking about his knives, polishing them, or reading about them in Blade magazine. I love a good knife, but it’s a tool, for cutting open hay bales and whittling a stick. Not for pretending you’re some kind of warrior.
Donald was skinny with a long face. He had heavy-lidded eyes, like a lizard. Some animal part of me saw him as a predator.

When I walked in, his little black eyes followed me. He had his dirty sock feet on my mother’s maple coffee table. He’d never done that before.

I walked right past both of them. 

Melinda saw my eye and gasped. “What did you do?”

I kept walking.

“You don't answer your mama?” Donald said.

I stopped in my tracks. I could feel my face getting hot.

“Take those boots off and leave them outside,” he ordered.

I looked down at my paddock boots. “They’re not muddy,” I said.

“You heard me!”

“How about you get your dirty feet off of my mother’s coffee table?”

My mother’s face was frozen in fear. I headed for my room, and I was almost there before I felt his grip on my upper arm, pinching my skin.

“Let go,” I said through my teeth, without turning around.

He tightened his grip. I yelped, and he released my arm. He could snap my arm in two, and it scared me. I took my boots off and put them on the porch. 

That was the first time he had ever laid a hand on me, and I don’t think my mother breathed the entire time.

About the author: 

Jennifer Lyne grew up riding horses in Virginia. When she was 24, she sold her horses and her Jeep and moved to New York City, where she worked as a location scout and wrote and produced two independent feature films. She lives in New York City with her husband and two sons.

Connect with Jennifer:
Website | Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter

Buy the book:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble