FEATURED AUTHOR: KATE DYER-SEELEY

ABOUT THE BOOK

Cut down among the flowers . . .
 
Britta Johnston might be a late bloomer, but after leaving her deadbeat husband and dead-end job, she’s finally pursuing her artistic passion at her aunt Elin’s floral boutique, Blooma, in Portland, Oregon. It’s on the banks of the Willamette, in a quaint district of cobblestone paths and cherry trees. The wine bar featuring Pacific Northwest vintages is a tasty bonus, offering another kind of bouquet to enjoy. But things aren’t as peaceful as they look.
 
For one thing, someone’s been leaving dead roses around—and a sleazy real estate developer who wants the waterfront property has put a big-money offer on the table. Then, after a contentious meeting of local business owners, he’s found on the floor of the shop, with Elin’s garden shears planted in his chest. And before the police decide to pin the crime on her beloved aunt, Britta will have to find out who arranged this murder . . .

Book Details

Title: Natural Thorn Killer

Author’s name: Kate Dyer-Seeley

Genre: Mystery


Publisher: Kensington (March 27, 2018)

Page count: 320

On tour with: Great Escapes Book Tours

INTERVIEW WITH KATE DYER-SEELEY

Kate, will this series feature standalone books, or will readers need to read the series in order?
This is the first book in the series. I always think it’s great to start from the beginning. Each book is a standalone in terms of the mystery, but the characters and sub-plots will all grow and develop over the course of the series. Book #2 Violet Tendencies will come out this fall!

Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Vancouver, Washington, just right across the Columbia River from Portland, Oregon where the books are set. One year my parents took my brother and me on a “staycation” at the Riverplace Inn, a beautiful hotel on the Willamette River in Portland. I remember it seemed so fancy. I wore a special dress for dinner in the restaurant, and we ordered room service for breakfast and watched the boats on the river from our balcony. Portland was the “big city” compared to Vancouver and the waterfront area by the hotel felt like another world. That’s the inspiration for my fictional “Riverplace Village” in the book.

What do you love about where you live?
I live in the Pacific Northwest, which in my humble opinion is the most beautiful place on the planet. I love that everything is green; that we have mountains and beaches and deserts and farmland. Living here is wonderful for writing. There’s an abundance of wildlife and wide open spaces for inspiration. 



Have you been in any natural disasters?
Yes. I was in elementary school when Mt. St. Helens erupted. It’s one of my most formative memories—standing in our front yard watching the mountain blow. Ash coated the sidewalks and school was cancelled for a week.

If you had an extra $100 a week to spend on yourself, what would you buy?
Books. Sorry, is that too cliché? Probably. But it’s true. My parents used to tease that they “couldn’t keep me in books” when I was growing up.


What’s the dumbest purchase you’ve ever made?
Sun-in hair dye when I was in middle school. Bad idea. Bad hair. It’s a summer I’d love to forget.


What’s the most valuable thing you’ve learned?
To trust your intuition.

Don't shush your gut–yep, that's a good one! What’s one thing that you wish you knew as a teenager that you know now?
That everyone is just trying to fit in.

What is your most embarrassing moment?
I’ve had more than my fair share, but one of the more recent ones happened last fall. I was out for an afternoon walk. I was literally just walking on the sidewalk—not texting—not scaling a mountain—just walking when I tripped, fell, and broke my arm. It was lunchtime, and I was walking on a busy waterfront path so there were people everywhere to watch me tumble. 


What choices in life would you like to have a redo on?
None. I’m a firm believer that each perceived mistake is a lesson. There are plenty of experiences and choices that I would like to erase or redo, but I’ve learned from all of them, and without struggling, self-doubt, regret, I probably wouldn’t be at the point I’m at now.

How did you meet your spouse?
We met in college. I set him up with one of my friends because he seemed like such a nice guy. Then I quickly realized my mistake.

What are your most cherished mementoes?
Letters. I’ve saved letters from my mom, grandmother, great-grandmother. There’s nothing like old letters and someone’s handwriting on a piece of paper. I hope that my son’s generation doesn’t lose that with texting. It’s not the same.

What’s one of your favorite quotes?
“Whatever has happened to anyone else, can happen to you and to me. And the end of my youth was the possible truth that it all happens randomly.” ~The Philosophy of Loss by the Indigo Girls

What would you like people to say about you after you die?
That I was kind.

Are any of your characters inspired by real people?
Absolutely! I definitely subscribe to the “write what you know” philosophy. Aunt Elin, Britta’s aunt in the book is inspired by two real people. She’s a mash-up of the florist who designed my wedding flowers and the mom of my childhood best friend who is Swedish. She used to make Swedish pancakes for breakfast when I would have a sleepover. She taught me basic Swedish words, traditional recipes, and would pop out to her lush gardens to quickly put together a colorful bouquet for the table.

One of your characters has just found out you’re about to kill him off. He/she decides to beat you to the punch. How would he kill you?
LOL! I love this question. Um, hmmm. I thinking since the book is set in a flower shop it would have to be with a deadly bloom of some kind. Preferably something that appears benign but is actually poisonous. It would be ground into a powder and snuck into a strong cup of coffee.

Who are your favorite authors?
Laura Ingalls Wilder, Jane Austen, Maud Lovelace, Willa Cather, and Agatha Christie
.

What book are you currently reading and in what format?
I just finished The Indigo Girl, by Natasha Boyd in hardcover. I’m a huge fan of historical fiction and really enjoyed it!

What’s one pet peeve you have when you read?
When writers use “that” instead of “who” when referring to people. My dad taught honors English so I guess his red pen edits are permanently etched in my brain.


Do you have a routine for writing?
I write 2,000 words every day when I’m working on a new manuscript. I write early in the morning and then get outside for an afternoon walk to clear my head. Normally it’s when I’m walking that I’ll have a breakthrough on a plot point that I’ve been stuck on. I love those ah-ha moments.

What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever had to write?
My very first book was a memoir. It was about losing my mom to young onset Alzheimer’s while becoming a mom. It was gut wrenching at times. I had to mine lots of memories in the process of piecing the story together, but it was such a gift and very therapeutic.

You can be any fictional character for one day. Who would you be?
Laura Ingalls Wilder—technically she was a real person but she fictionalized her life story. I’ve always been fascinated by the pioneers. Maybe it’s because I live in the Pacific Northwest where that spirit of independence runs deep.

Why did you decide to publish with Kensington?
I wanted to go with a traditional publishing house because I knew when I started writing mysteries that I had so many ideas that in my dream I would want to write more than one series. That has come true. Being with a traditional publishing house means that I can concentrate the vast majority of my time on writing. I’m not responsible for having to get my books into bookstores, or format, design covers etc. That’s not to say that I don’t still spend plenty of time marketing my books, making appearances, and connecting with readers on social media, but I appreciate that there’s a team of editors, designers, publicity, who all touch my book and help get it out into the world.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on book #2, Violet Tendencies, which comes out in November. This book revolves around Portland’s annual Rose Festival. I’m super excited to share it with readers this fall!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ellie Alexander (also known as Kate Dyer-Seeley) is a Pacific Northwest native. Her love for the Pacific Northwest runs deep. Hence why all of her books (whether she’s writing as Ellie or Kate) are set here. From the Shakespearean hamlet of Ashland, Oregon to the Bavarian village of Leavenworth, Washington to the hipster mecca of Portland, Oregon and a variety of other stunning outdoor locales, the Pacific Northwest is a backdrop for every book and almost becomes another character in each series.

When not writing, you can find her testing pastry recipes in her home kitchen or at one of the many famed coffeehouse or brewpubs nearby. You’ll also find her outside exploring hiking trails and trying to burn off calories consumed in the name of “research.”

Ellie loves hearing from readers and interacting on social media. Be sure to follow her to learn about her writing process, upcoming books, special events, giveaways, and more! Also, sign up for her e-mail newsletter to stay up to date on new releases, appearances, and exclusive content & recipes.


Connect with Kate:
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Buy the book:
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CHARACTER INTERVIEW WITH GOOSE PIMPLE JUNCTION'S PICKLE CULPEPPER

ABOUT THE SERIES

Book 1: Murder & Mayhem in Goose Pimple Junction

When Tess Tremaine starts a new life in the colorful town of Goose Pimple Junction, curiosity leads her to look into a seventy-five-year-old murder. Suddenly she’s learning the foreign language of southern speak, resisting her attraction to local celebrity Jackson Wright, and dealing with more mayhem than she can handle.

A bank robbery, murder, and family tragedy from the 1930s are pieces of the mystery that Tess attempts to solve. As she gets close to the truth, she encounters danger, mystery, a lot of southern charm, and a new temptation for which she’s not sure she’s ready.

Book 2: Heroes & Hooligans in Goose Pimple Junction

Goose Pimple Junction is just recovering from a kidnapping and a murder, its first major crimes in years, when trouble begins anew. Life is turned upside down in the quirky little southern town with the arrival of several shifty hooligans: A philandering husband intent on getting his wife back, another murderer loose in town, a stalker intent on frightening Martha Maye, and a thief who’s stealing the town blind of their pumpkins, pies, and peace. Together, they’re scaring the living daylights out of the residents and keeping the new police chief busier than a set of jumper cables at a redneck picnic. Suddenly, he has his hands full trying to apprehend a killer, stop a stalker, and fight his feelings for the damsel in distress.

Book 3: Short & Tall Tales in Goose Pimple Junction

This is not your average Southern town. With a hint of mystery and a lot of laughs, you'll catch a glimpse of everyday life in Goose Pimple Junction in this short story compilation. Five short stories, one novella, and three recipes will give you more of the unique charm of Goose Pimple Junction, make you laugh, and have your mouth watering. If you want a feel-good read, you've come to the right place. Grab some sweet tea and escape to Goose Pimple Junction.

Book 4: Rogues & Rascals in Goose Pimple Junction

Wynona Baxter is a master of disguise and often a ditzy airhead. A hit woman wannabe, when she's hired for her first job in Goose Pimple Junction and things don't go as planned, she's forced to resort to Plan B. She'll also need Plan C and D.

Caledonia Culpepper is the quintessential Southern belle. Who would want her dead?

Crooked lawyers, restless husbands, a teenaged hoodlum – it seems there are rogues and rascals everywhere you look in Goose Pimple Junction. When Caledonia and Wynona's paths cross, they prove there isn't a rogue or a rascal who can keep a good woman down. Mama always said there would be days like this . . .

ABOUT THE CHARACTER

Pickle Culpepper is a teenage character in the Goose Pimple Junction mystery series. In addition to being a high school student, he works at the local bookstore. His mother is Caledonia Culpepper (main character in book 4), his father is Philetus Swift Culpepper IV, and his brother is Peanut. Pickle is famous for his funny T-shirts and lack of brains.

INTERVIEW WITH PICKLE CULPEPPER!

Hello, Pickle. Can you tell us how you got your nickname? Pickle isn’t your given name, is it?
No ma’am. My real name is Dylan. But my daddy doesn’t like that name. Never has. Soon as I was born and my mama insisted on naming me Dylan, Daddy started calling me Pickle. Said “Dylan” reminded him of dill pickles. Now just about everybody calls me Pickle. Even Mama.

Tell us about yourself, Pickle.
Well . . . I’m sixteen years old. Um . . . I work at A Blue Million Books — it’s a bookstore. Uh . . . I have a little brother named Peanut. And my favorite food is Slick’s macaroni and cheese and my mama’s peach pie.

What’s your favorite thing to do in Goose Pimple Junction?
I like to hang out with my girlfriend, Charlotte. She’s real nice and real pretty too. We go to shows, and football and basketball games at our high school, and we go to the diner a lot too. You know, the usual stuff. I also like to play practical jokes on my little brother, Peanut. He sure is fun to joke on. My favorite is hiding in his bedroom closet and jumping out when he comes in the room. He gets so mad! Once I hid under the bed and waited until he turned the light out to go to sleep. Then I reached my hand up and grabbed his arm. He screamed like a girl. Fun times . . .

What’s your favorite goosepimpleism?
There are lots of ‘em. But I have to say I like it when somebody says, “His pants are so tight if he farted, he’d blow his boots off.” Mama doesn’t like me to say the word “fart.” She says it’s unseemly. But I think it’s funny. I can make a fart sound with my armpit. Want me to show you?

Maybe later. Have you ever won any awards?
Sure. Just last year I was voted Person With The Funniest T-shirt. I didn’t even know it was a category, but I guess it is, ‘cause I won it.

Would you like to change anything in your books?
(Grinning) If I were writing it, I’d make all the chicks fall madly in love with me. And I’d make me the mayor of Goose Pimple Junction. And I’d make my mama order in pizza every night for dinner, and peach cobbler would always be ready and waiting at my house. And--

Okay. Curb your enthusiasm, dude. Do you always wear funny t-shirts?
Yes, ma’am. Except to church. Well, I wear ‘em to youth group, but I don’t wear ‘em to Sunday school or to the service.

Do you have a favorite shirt?
Uh huh. I like the one that says, “Lock up your daughters.” ‘Course, Charlotte gets kind of mad when I wear that one. And her daddy gives me the stink-eye .

What is your least favorite characteristic your writer has attributed to you?
I think she thinks I’m kind of a slow leak. I mean, some people think I’m as dumb as a bag of hair. But I’m not. I mean, I got Jack and me outta that bit of trouble we were in, didn’t I?

Did you get to have any input into the cover art?
(Looking dejected) No ma’am. I suggested putting my picture on the cover. You know, with maybe me running or doing something super cool. Or maybe jest looking real good. You know, a nice head shot. But Mizz Metz nixed that idea. It’s okay, but I think my face on the front woulda been better.

Thanks for talking to us today, Pickle.
Thank you, ma’am. I had more fun than a tornado at a trailer park.

Goose Pimple Junction trailer

Meet more of the Goose Pimple Junction characters!

Find out more about Amy, Pickle, and his fellow characters:

Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Goodreads  |  Pinterest  |  Instagram  |  Amazon

FEATURED AUTHOR: ALEX GRAY

ABOUT THE BOOK

Alex Gray's stunning new Lorimer novel, set against the backdrop of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, brings the vibrant city to life in a race to stop the greatest threat the city has ever known.

2014: The Commonwealth Games are coming to Glasgow and security is extra tight, particularly after a mysterious bomb explodes in nearby rural Stirlingshire. As the opening ceremony for the Games draws ever closer, the police desperately seek the culprits. But Detective Superintendent Lorimer has other concerns on his mind. One is a beautiful red-haired woman from his past whose husband dies suddenly on his watch. Then there is the body of a young woman found dumped in countryside just south of the city who is proving impossible to identify. Elsewhere in Glasgow people prepare for the events in their own way, whether for financial gain or to welcome home visitors from overseas. And, hiding behind false identities, are those who pose a terrible threat not just to the Games but to the very fabric of society.

Book Details:

Title: Silent Games
Author: Alex Gray

Genre: Mystery

Series: A DCI Lorimer Novel, #11 (Stand Alone)


Publisher: Witness Impulse (March 13, 2018
)

Page count: 368

On tour with: Partners in Crime Book Tours

LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT INTERVIEW WITH ALEX GRAY

Things you need in order to write: My Apple Mac laptop (MacBook Air), as I have palindromic rheumatism in both hands and wrists, so writing longhand is no longer viable. Normally I use a posture chair to keep my back as upright as possible but an ordinary wooden one suffices at times too. Most of all I need to have a clear mind and thoughts turned to my subject: no distractions!
Things that hamper your writing: Telephone calls with someone demanding my time, often a good friend whose call matters. And, long, manicured fingernails (not a regular occurrence, but they interfere with typing). And occasionally, one of the cats wanting to sit on my lap or asking for food.

Things you love about writing: The way ideas flood into my head as I write and my characters speak to one another as though simply filling my mind with their voices.
Things you hate about writing: Meeting a deadline if I have had problems keeping me from my desk, but really I hate nothing about the writing process itself.

Hardest thing about being a writer: Making time to see all of my family and friends. Demands on my time are many, and I do miss the freedom to jump into the car or go for a long walk any time I want since my diary is usually bulging with dates for events.
Easiest thing about being a writer: Making new friends. I am Scottish Chapter Convener for the Crime Writers Association, so I meet lots of new and existing writers. Also, attending so many festivals has greatly widened my group of writing friends, and I count myself lucky to know so many fabulous people around the writing world.

Things you love about where you live: So many, beginning with the house I bought 29 years ago. It is an old cottage with a large garden, roses growing on the south-facing wall and more than 45 species of birds visiting regularly. We can step outside the house and immediately go off for a country walk. The views from my study are spectacular with hills around and the most amazing dawns and sunsets. Despite living in a village, we are not far from the motorway and there is a train station that takes us into Glasgow in less than 20 minutes. Nearby is the Erskine Bridge spanning the river Clyde, and we can be at Loch Lomond in about fifteen minutes.
Things that make you want to move: My grandchildren, Eloise and Blake, as they need picking up from school twice a week and live an hour away. But that is always just a passing notion as I never truly wish to leave my beloved home.

Words that describe you: May include friendly, kind and generous.
Words that describe you but you wish they didn’t: Over-planning for everybody else and being impulsive.

Favorite foods: Seafood of most types especially crab and lobster. And I could have been a rabbit in another life, as I adore salads.
Things that make you want to throw up: Dill and anything with aniseed.

Favorite music:  Almost anything by Joni Mitchell, but I am particularly fond of her first album, Song to a Seagull and "Sisotowbell Lane" is possibly my favorite.
Music that make your ears bleed: I loathe rap.

Favorite beverage: Hmm, maybe champagne, but I have a weakness for Prosecco, and it was after the second post dinner bottle that my friend Lin Anderson and I dreamed up the wonderful festival, Bloody Scotland.
Something that gives you a pickle face: Pastis.

Things you always put in your books: Places I love in Scotland and want to share with my readers. Things you never put in your books: Words of very foul language.

Things to say to an author: “Loved your book, thanks for writing it.”
Things to say to an author if you want to be fictionally killed off in their next book : “Sorry, couldn’t finish it, kept falling asleep …zzzz.”

Most embarrassing moment: When I was appearing in the Royal Albert Hall to sing Carmina Burana and I lost my voice!
Proudest moment: When Bloody Scotland began in 2012, and I received a shower of accolades at the inaugural weekend. I will never forget the grin and thumbs-up from Val McDermid across the room at the opening reception. That, and William McIlvanney’s praise made me extremely proud.

READ AN EXCERPT

From Chapter 2
It was worse than he could ever have imagined.
Even from the roadside, where a line of police cars was parked, Lorimer could see the devastation. Plumes of smoke and flames still rose from the heaps of broken trees, and as he emerged from the Lexus, his skin was immediately touched by flakes of ash drifting in the air. The smell of burning wood was overpowering, and he could hear the occasional crackle and hiss of fire beneath the whooshing sound from the firemen’s hoses as arcs of water were trained into the heart of the inferno. His eyes took in the gap in the hedge where the fire engines had broken through to reach the narrow walkers’ path, and the tyre marks on the verge. It would be replanted, no doubt, but the burning trees would leave a scar that would take far longer to heal.
‘Detective Superintendent Lorimer? Martin Pinder.’ The uniformed chief inspector was suddenly at his side, hand outstretched. Lorimer took it, feeling the firm once up and down as the officer motioned them to turn away from the direction of the cinders. ‘Sorry to call you out, but as I said, we needed someone to front this. And your name came up.’
‘But isn’t this a local matter?’ Lorimer asked. ‘We’re in the district of Stirling, surely?’
Pinder shook his head. ‘It’s bigger than you might imagine,’ he began. Walking Lorimer a few paces away from the line of cars, he dropped his voice. ‘And there is intelligence to suggest that it may have a much wider remit.’
‘Oh?’ Lorimer was suddenly curious. The telephone call had mentioned an explosion, the immediate need for a senior officer from Police Scotland and a request to keep the lid on things, but nothing more.
‘You said intelligence.’ He frowned. ‘You mean Special Branch?’
Pinder nodded. ‘I’ve been charged with giving you this information, sir. And doubtless your counter terrorism unit will already be involved.’ He licked his lips, hesitating, and Lorimer could see the anxiety in the man’s grey eyes.
‘We are given to believe that this is just a trial run.’ Pinder motioned to the fire behind them.
‘A trial run,’ Lorimer said slowly. ‘A trial run for what?’
Pinder gave a sigh and raised his eyebrows.
‘The Glasgow Commonwealth Games.’
Lorimer looked at the man in disbelief, but Pinder’s face was all seriousness.
‘That’s almost a year away. Why do they think. . .?’
‘Haven’t been told that. Someone further up the chain of command will know.’ Pinder shrugged. Perhaps you’ll be told once you liaise with Counter Terrorism.’
Lorimer turned to take in the scene of the explosion once more, seeing for the first time the enormous area of burning countryside and trying to transfer it in his mind’s eye to the newly built village and arenas in Glasgow’s East End. He blinked suddenly at the very notion of carnage on such a vast scale.
‘We can’t let it happen,’ Pinder said quietly, watching the tall man’s face.
Lorimer gazed across the fields to the line of rounded hills that were the Campsies. Glasgow lay beyond, snug in the Clyde valley; on this Sunday morning its citizens remained oblivious to the danger posed by whatever fanatic had ruined this bit of tranquil landscape. He had asked why the local cops hadn’t taken this one on, and now he understood: the threat to next year’s Commonwealth Games was something too big for that. And since the various police forces in Scotland had merged into one national force, Detective Superintendent William Lorimer might be called to any part of the country.
‘The press will want statements,’ Pinder said, breaking into Lorimer’s thoughts. ‘It’s still an ongoing investigation. Don’t we just love that phrase!’ He gave a short, hard laugh. ‘And there is no loss of life, so we can try for a positive slant on that, at least.’
‘They’ll speculate,’ Lorimer told him. ‘You know that’s what they do.’
Pinder touched the detective superintendent’s arm, nodding towards the figures milling around on the fringes of the fire. ‘Apart from you and me, there is not a single person here who has been told about the background to this event. So unless the press leap to that conclusion by dint of their own imagination, any leak can only come from us.’
When Lorimer turned to face him, the uniformed officer was struck by the taller man’s penetrating blue gaze. Fora long moment they stared at one another, until Pinder looked away, feeling a sense of discomfort mixed with the certainty that he would follow this man wherever he might lead.
Wouldn’t like to be across the table from him in an interview room, he was to tell his wife later that day. But there on that lonely stretch of country road, Martin Pinder had an inkling why it was that the powers on high had called on Detective Superintendent William Lorimer to oversee this particular incident.
***
Excerpt from The Silent Games by Alex Gray. Copyright © 2018 by Alex Gray. Reprinted by permission of Witness Impulse, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Alex Gray was born and educated in Glasgow. After studying English and Philosophy at the University of Strathclyde, she worked as a visiting officer for the Department of Health, a time she looks upon as postgraduate education since it proved a rich source of character studies. She then trained as a secondary school teacher of English. Alex began writing professionally in 1993 and had immediate success with short stories, articles, and commissions for BBC radio programs. She has been awarded the Scottish Association of Writers' Constable and Pitlochry trophies for her crime writing. A regular on the Scottish bestseller lists, she is the author of thirteen DCI Lorimer novels. She is the co-founder of the international Scottish crime writing festival, Bloody Scotland, which had its inaugural year in 2012.

Connect with Alex:
Website  |  Twitter  |  Goodreads 

Buy the book:
Amazon
 

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CHARACTER INTERVIEW WITH TERRY AMBROSE'S ALEX ATWOOD



ABOUT THE BOOK

To Rick Atwood’s dismay, the police find a body on the beach near his Seaside Cove B&B. The dead woman held a pottery shard from an ancient rice bowl, which the cops believe is a clue to her murder.

The chief suspect is Flynn O’Connor, a female archaeologist known for her hatred of treasure thieves. Trouble is, Rick’s daughter Alex sees Flynn as a role model and will not believe her friend is a killer.
Alex pressures her dad as only a ten-year-old can to prove Flynn is innocent. The mayor is also making demands—for Rick to stay out of the investigation. With his daughter and the mayor at odds, Rick sees trouble brewing. He knows too well how much Alex loves sticking her nose where it doesn’t belong. Especially when there’s murder involved.

Book Details


Title: Clues in the Sand (A Seaside Cove Bed & Breakfast Mystery) 

Author: Terry Ambrose


Genre: Cozy mystery, 2nd in series


Release Date: March 15, 2018


Paperback: 191 pages


Touring with: Great Escapes Book Tours 

ABOUT THE CHARACTER

Alex is ten years old, in fifth grade, and is fascinated by murder. When she was younger, her dad was a reporter in New York. He let her “help” write his stories, a practice he sometimes regrets now that Alex firmly believes he got his best ideas from her. Alex believes she and her dad can solve any crime—even when the cops don’t have a clue.

INTERVIEW WITH TERRY AMBROSE'S ALEX ATWOOD

Alex, how did you first meet Terry?
(Eyeroll) - Seriously? It was totally boring. He was like, I’m gonna write this bed and breakfast mystery story and your dad’s gonna be the hero. And I was like, no way. Daddy’s good at solving crimes, but he really needs my help. I told my author person if I was gonna be in this story, he totally had to give me a bigger part.

Want to dish about him?
I’m only ten and Daddy doesn’t like it when I say bad things about other people. But, just between you and me, he was totally clueless when he started writing the first book in the series. He had no idea my dad and Marquetta liked each other so much. Doh. How could he have missed that? To be fair, Daddy was kinda clueless, too. I got them both straightened out. But man, it was a lot of work!

Tell us about your favorite scene in the book.
I don’t know if I have a favorite scene, but my favorite parts are where I get to write in my journal. I never thought about keeping a journal until Marquetta gave me one for my tenth birthday. Marquetta’s our cook and is gonna be my mom someday if she and Daddy can ever stop being so lame (eyeroll!!!).

What do you like to do when you are not being actively read somewhere?
Me and my best friend Robbie Sachetti like to hang out when we’re not going to school. We’re both in fifth grade and can text each other when the teacher’s not paying attention. Robbie doesn’t say a lot and my dad calls him a “man of few words.” I totally don’t mind it when Robbie’s kinda quiet 'cause he’s got these dreamy blue eyes that make me go all mushy inside. I’m gonna marry Robbie when we grow up. Just don’t tell him that!

If you could rewrite anything in your book, what would it be?
I’d totally rewrite my scene in the attic because it, like, shows I do get scared. I wasn’t supposed to go in the attic, but when I found out it was unlocked and there might be clues to why Marquetta’s so secretive about her past, I just had to go up there. It wouldn’t have been a big deal except my author was too cheap to add a couple more lights, so it was super dark up there. I’m totally gonna get back at my author for making me do something so scary.

Tell the truth. What do you think of your fellow characters?
Daddy’s the best dad in the world. And Marquetta, she’s like, my hero. She’s strong and loves me a lot, just like I love her. I totally don’t like Miss Potok because she just wants to cause trouble. She’s one of our guests and is trying to find the treasure before anybody else. I also really like Miss O’Connor. She’s a lady archaeologist and is trying to save the past from people like Miss Potok.

What's the worst thing that's happened in your life?
The worst thing was when my mom left us. That was a few years ago, and it took me and Daddy a long time to get over it. That’s one reason we moved to Seaside Cove. What I learned is that me and Daddy didn’t have to settle for someone who cared about her career more than us. It wasn’t until we got here that we realized our lives could go on without my mom. 


Tell us about your best friend.
I already told you more than I should’ve about Robbie Sachetti, so I’m gonna tell you about Marquetta. She’s been at the B&B for a long time. She even ran it after my grandfather, Captain Jack, died. When me and Daddy moved here, she started teaching us the business. She’s pretty and is the best cook ever because Captain Jack sent her to a fancy cooking school when she was eighteen. Marquetta has taught me how important it is to write down my innermost thoughts. That’s why she gave me my journal. I totally want Marquetta to be my mom someday, so I keep trying to get her and Daddy together. I may be just a kid, but I seem to be the only one who knows how this romance thing works!


What’s Terry’s worst habit?
He totally thinks it’s funny to call me Nancy Drew, but that’s so lame. She was, like, sixteen when she got her first case. She had a really cool car and could drive. I won’t even be able to get my learner’s permit for another five years! Hello! Author person, get a clue!


How do you feel about your life right now?
My life right now is awesome. I’m in my second book, Daddy and Marquetta are spending more time together, and I got to do all sorts of cool stuff to solve the murder. Living in Seaside Cove rocks! We might not have a lot of super fun stuff to do, but the locals are awesome!

Tell us about the town where you live.
Seaside Cove is, like, really small. But, we have all the important kinds of places. The businesses on Main Street are in old houses, which is awesome. We have an ice cream shop and that’s, like, my favorite place in town. It’s run by our mayor, Mrs. Carter, and she can be kinda pushy at times. Deep down I know she’s okay. She just wants what’s best for the town.

Will you encourage Terry to write a sequel?
He’s totally gonna have to write some sequels! There’s a lot going on in Seaside Cove. There’s, like, this whole big Christmas thing coming, and then they’ve gotta start bringing up all the treasure from the San Manuel. That’s the Spanish galleon that sank a super-long time ago. I’m gonna make him keep writing sequels until Daddy marries Marquetta. He might have to keep going after that because having a baby sister would be awesome!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Terry Ambrose has written more than a dozen books, several of which have been award finalists. In 2014, his thriller, Con Game won the San Diego Book Awards for Best Action-Thriller. He’s currently working on the Seaside Cove Bed & Breakfast Mystery series.



Connect with Terry:
Website  |  Blog  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Goodreads  |  Amazon   

Buy the book:

Amazon 

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FEATURED AUTHOR: JUDY SERRANO

ABOUT THE BOOK

Moving to Sedona was the only way Ivy could think of to start over. She would meet her high school sweetheart and work on making things right between them. Her psychic abilities were gradually becoming a curse and she needed a new start. Little does she know that when she applies for a waitressing job at a local, upscale French bistro, she will come in contact with the dark and mysterious Eli Dubois. What she doesn’t realize is she has just walked into the middle of the Vortex Murders, which involve a great deal of paranormal activity. Elijah’s army of seers are being murdered, one by one, which seems to be magnifying Ivy’s special abilities. 

Eli's best friend, Jake, arrives on the scene and reveals the secret that changes everything. With nowhere to turn, Ivy leans on the two men who offer her solace. And who is the old woman in the shroud? Is she a vision, a dream, or is she real? Only time will tell.

Book Details

Title: Ivy Vines, Visions

Author: Judy Serrano

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Series: Ivy Vines, Book 1

Publisher: Judy Serrano (November, 2013)

Page count: 267

On tour with: Pump Up Your Book

LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT INTERVIEW WITH JUDY SERRANO

Things you need in order to write: My flashdrive and my Macbook. That is really all I need.
Things that hamper your writing: My job. That about covers it.

Things you love about writing: I love to travel in my imagination. I love to wear formal gowns, drip with diamonds, live in a mansion, meet handsome men, and travel to exotic locations.
Things you hate about writing: Not one thing.

Hardest thing about being a writer: The hardest thing about being a writer is that I cannot do it full-time. I dream my storylines, and I think about them all day long. It is painful sometimes to be stifled and unable to find the time to devote to it.

Easiest thing about being a writer: The actual writing. I can put down 5,000 words in an hour. I love it. 


Things you love about where you live: I love how my children are well-loved in their school district. They are achievers with big hearts and the district cherishes them.
Things that make you want to move: I want to move closer to the city. To go anywhere or do anything, it is a considerable drive.


Things you never want to run out of: Ideas.
Things you wish you’d never bought: My hair straightener. I never use it.


Words that describe you: Strong, intuitive, intelligent, creative, loving, loyal and hardworking.
Words that describe you but you wish they didn’t: Stubborn, perfectionist, and impatient.

Favorite foods: Salmon, shrimp, crab, lobster, and hot wings. Yes, I said hot wings.
Things that make you want to throw up: Kale, seaweed, cactus, greens, and squid.

Favorite music: Country and contemporary Christian.
Music that make your ears bleed: Screemo and anything Metallica.

Favorite smell: apple cinnamon.

Something that makes you hold your nose: Broccoli.

Something you’re really good at: Music, writing, teaching
.
Something you’re really bad at: Math (lol).


Something you wish you could do: Balance a checkbook.
Something you wish you’d never learned to do: I’ll have to get back to you on that one.

Something you like to do: Sing and write.

Something you wish you’d never done: Quit college as a young person.



Last best thing you ate: Ballerina pasta at the Hilton.

Last thing you regret eating: A piece of dried seaweed given to me by someone at Costco.

Things you’d walk a mile for: The best hot wings in town.
Things that make you want to run screaming from the room: Spiders.

Things you always put in your books: Romance
.
Things you never put in your books: Swear words.

Things to say to an author: Your books rock!

Things to say to an author if you want to be fictionally killed off in their next book: I hated your main character.

Favorite genre: Romantic suspense or paranormal romance
.
Books you would ban: If there is no love in it at all, I am doomed.

Favorite things to do: Write, sing, watch sitcoms or Hallmark movies, read a good book.

Things you’d run through a fire wearing gasoline pants to get out of doing: Go to the doctor.

Things that make you happy: My family.

Things that drive you crazy: My family.

Best thing you’ve ever done: Married my husband.

Biggest mistake: Not meeting him ten earlier.

Most daring thing you’ve ever done: Climbed rocked with no ropes
.
Something you chickened out from doing: Auditioning for The Voice.

The last thing you did for the first time: Took an important test for my career
.
Something you’ll never do again: Go back to school.

BOOK EXCERPT




One

My heart was beating almost out of my chest as I drove to the restaurant to see Simone. I checked my rear view mirror often; just to be sure I wasn’t followed. I parked the car and ran as fast as my legs would carry me to the front door. I felt like I was burdened with cement weights around my ankles as I forced my body to keep moving forward. Trying to catch my breath was futile when Eduardo met me at the entrance. I was in no mood for his pretentious smile and flippant tone, but still he would not let me pass.
“I need to see Simone,” I told him, barely able to form the words due to the lack of air in my lungs.
“Will that be one for lunch or two?” he asked me.
I almost punched him. “Two,” I answered, regaining my composure. “Simone is off in a few minutes. She’ll have lunch with me, I’m sure.”
“Very well then,” he answered. He slowly took out two menus and sat me at a table by the window.
“Thank you,” I managed. “Please tell Simone I’m here.”
He made an unfavorable face at me and walked away. I looked out the window and began to recapture a normal breathing pattern. I noticed an old woman walking by the creek. She had her head covered by a black scarf, and she was wearing what looked like a black cloak over her body. It was warm out, being early September, and that’s why her clothing caught my attention. She took off the scarf and looked at me. When our eyes touched, I could feel my blood pressure rise. My face got warm. Long grey curls cascaded down, past her shoulders, and her expression got very grave. Her nose looked like a misshapen staircase and she had a mole on the left side of her face along her jaw line. She pointed her finger at me, slowly straightening it out as far as it could go, and I felt a surge of fear strike through my body. I stood up quickly, pushing my chair back with the backs of my knees and felt a hand on my shoulder. I let out a shriek, that was certainly noticeable, and when I turned, it was Simone’s hand on my shoulder.
“Ivy, what is it?” she asked. “The last time I heard you scream like that…”
I dismissed her, mid-sentence, knowing exactly what she was going to say. Since that day. The day we don’t dare talk about or even remember if we can help it. I turned my attention back to the creek but the old woman was gone. I could feel her.
“It’s nothing I told her. Are you done with your shift yet?”
“Yes, I’m done,” she answered. “Eduardo is making me change my clothes first. So, sit tight and I’ll be right back.”
I sat back down and looked out the window again. A breeze blew open one of the side windows unexpectedly, and I almost fell out of my chair. I could hear a faint humming. It was all too familiar. There was still no old woman, but I knew she was there. She was watching me somehow. Simone finally came back and sat beside me. “What’s going on, Ivy? I haven’t seen you this unraveled in a very long time. It’s a little disconcerting to say the least.”
“He’s after me,” I told her. “He knows I’m here.”
“Who knows you’re here? Ivy, you’re not making any sense.”
“Lucifer,” I whispered, leaning into her so that no one else would hear me. “He thinks I know.”
“He thinks you know what?” she asked, looking at me as though I had gone mad.
“When Jesus is coming. He thinks I know.”
“Do you?” she asked. “Do you know?” A hiss filled the air in the room as the wind picked up and gushed through the open window. I drew a breath but I dared not answer. She was listening. 



OTHER BOOKS BY JUDY SERRANO

The Easter’s Lilly Series:
Easter’s Lilly
Brother Number Three
Relatively Close
Memoirs of a Mobster
The Lost Years
The Last Fall

The Linked Series:
Linked

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Judy Serrano graduated from Texas A&M University-Commerce with an MA in English. She is the owner of Make Cents Editing Services, and was an adjunct professor at a local college. Currently she teaches high school English and is a freelance writer for certain on-line publications. Judy also writes romantic suspense and paranormal romance novels. She is the author of The Easter’s Lilly Series, The Linked Series, and Ivy Vines, Visions.



Although originally form New York, Judy resides in Texas with her husband, four boys, two dogs and now five cats. She sings and plays guitar when she has time and enjoys singing with her very musical family in church when she is able.

Connect with Judy:
Website  |  Blog  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Goodreads  |  Make Cents Editing

Buy the book:
Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble  

FEATURED AUTHOR: CHARLES SALZBERG

ABOUT THE BOOK

Francis Hoyt, arrogant, athletic, brilliant, manipulative and ruthless, is a master burglar. He specializes in stealing high-end silver, breaking into homes that seem impenetrable. He’s never been caught in the act, although he has spent some time in prison on a related charge, time he used to hone his craft and make valuable connections.

One day, Charlie Floyd, brilliant, stubborn, an experienced investigator, who has recently retired from his job with the attorney general’s department for the state of Connecticut, receives a phone call from Manny Perez, a Cuban-American Miami police detective. Perez, who’s worked with Floyd previously, wants to enlist the former investigator in his efforts to put an end to Francis Hoyt’s criminal career. Floyd accepts the offer and they team up to bring Hoyt to justice.

As Floyd and Perez get closer to their prey, Hoyt finds out they’re after him and rather than backing down, he taunts them, daring them to bring him in. As the story develops, the stakes get higher and higher, until the three men confront each other in a stunning climax.

Book Details

Title: Second Story Man

Author: Charles Salzberg

Genre: Literary Crime/Suspense
Series: Henry Swann

Publisher: Down & Out Books (March 26, 2018)

Print length: 296 pages

INTERVIEW WITH CHARLES SALZBERG

Charles, what’s the story behind the title of your book?
The novel centers around three characters. First, and most important, because without him there’d be no story, is Francis Hoyt, a master burglar. He’s literally a “second story man,” who breaks into the homes of the wealthy. In winter, he’s based in Florida. In summer, he moves north, following his prey. He began his career breaking into homes at dinnertime, when he knew his victims would be home, along with their valuables, and most probably downstairs, dining. His “second story,” is that as a result of a bad decision, he’s spent some time in prison, but now that he’s out, he’s changed his modus operandi. Now, he works late at night, when his victims are asleep.

The two men after him, Charlie Floyd, a recently retired Connecticut state investigator, is in search of his “second story,” wondering what he’s going to do with the rest of his life. Manny Perez, a Cuban-American Miami police detective, is living his “second story,” in his adoptive country, now trying to make up for a mistake that got him temporarily suspended from the force.

How did you create the plot for Second Story Man?
I don’t write with an outline. In fact, I never know what’s going to happen from one page to the next. I start with an idea or a character—in this case it was Francis Hoyt, the thief, after reading about two master burglars, the “dinnertime bandit” and the “silver thief.” Once I had the character, I borrowed two other characters from an earlier novel, Devil in the Hole (which was based on a true crime, a man who murders his three kids, wife, mother and family dog, and disappears), shook everything up, and then saw what happens.

Are any of your characters inspired by real people?
In this book, only Francis Hoyt, who’s an amalgam of the “dinnertime bandit” and the “silver thief,” in terms of the way they worked. But everything about his character was totally invented. But I do sometimes use the names of people I know in my novels, and this is no exception. People seem to like the attention, even if it’s negative.

Is your book based on real events?
Partially. Some of the thefts I describe that happened before the book begins, are based on real events.

Sounds very intriguing. Where’s home for you?
Born and raised in New York City. And the most time I’ve spent away from it was four years of college and one year of law school. I get a little antsy when I’m away from the city for more than five or six days.


What do you love about where you live?
I could easily say everything, including all the things that non-New Yorkers (and sometimes New Yorkers) complain about, but that would be avoiding the question. I love the energy. I love the diversity. I love the various neighborhoods. I love the interesting people I meet and associate with every day (most of them having come from somewhere else). I love that it’s a city that never closes down. I once came home from a Jerry Lee Lewis concert around two-thirty in the morning, when everyone should be asleep, only to find my neighbor was on her way out. It’s a city where if you’re bored there’s something wrong with you. And, I love the anonymity. I can live in a building for ten, twenty years, and maybe know one or two neighbors, and then only to say hello. I love that your lifestyle is, for the most part, unjudged by my fellow New Yorkers.


If you had an extra $100 a week to spend on yourself, what would you buy?
I know this might sound a little ridiculous, but I really do have all I want (and need). But if a hundred bucks were burning a hole in my pocket I’d probably spend it on books and movies.

Excellent choice! 
What’s the most valuable thing you’ve learned?
Two things, no good deed goes unpunished (thanks to Clare Booth Luce for that insight), and we are all our own worst enemies.

Who would you pick to write your biography?
There’s no way my life has the makings of anything anyone would want to read, which is perhaps why I’m drawn to writing. But if I had to choose, I’d pick my friend, T.J. Stiles, who writes wonderful biographies, including two of my favorites: one on Jesse James and the other on George Armstrong Custer.

What dumb things did you do during your college years?
My problem isn’t the dumb things I did it’s the dumb things I didn’t do. I was a shy kid, a year younger than anyone else in my class, because I skipped a grade in junior high, and so I led an incredibly boring and low-risk college life.

What is the most daring thing you've done?
   
Quitting a job in the mailroom of New York magazine after three months with no other job in sight, having sold not one word of what I’d written, to start my life as a freelance writer. I look back and ask myself, “What the hell was I thinking?”

What is the stupidest thing you've ever done?
See above answer.

What’s one thing that you wish you knew as a teenager that you know now?
That not everyone is judging you all the time like you think they are. The truth is, they’re probably not thinking about you at all.

What makes you bored?
I don’t think I’ve ever been bored in my life. There’s always a book to read, a newspaper to read, a movie to see, a TV program to watch, a magazine to catch up on. Or just being lost in my own “deep” thoughts. By the way, sometimes these thoughts are like, “What should I have for dinner tonight?”


What is your most embarrassing moment?
It would be impossible to answer this since I’m pretty much embarrassed every moment of my life.


What choices in life would you like to have a redo on?
I don’t think about that too much, because all the choices I’ve made have made me who I am, but I guess the choices would pretty much all center around relationships with women.

If someone gave you $5,000 and said you must solve a problem, what would you do with the money?
I can’t imagine any problem that could be solved by throwing $5,000 at it, but I would probably donate it to something like Meals on Wheels. My mother benefited from that program, and it’s more than just feeding the elderly or infirm. It’s about giving them daily contact with another human being, and having someone who actually keeps tabs on them. I might split it with visiting nurse services. Or, I’d give it to a friend in need.



What makes you nervous?
Pretty much everything, but certainly any level of success, since I think it’s always going to disappear.


What makes you happy?
Anything going right makes me happy. Seeing my friends and family happy, makes me happy. Being able to get up every morning and do whatever I want, makes me happy. Not having to wear a tie and jacket to work every day (or ever), makes me happy. See, it doesn’t take much.

What makes you scared?
Prejudice. And clowns.

What makes you excited?
Getting published. Having people enjoy my books. Seeing my students get published. Waking up every morning. Seeing friends.

Do you have another job outside of writing?
I teach writing.

Who are you?
I’m still working on the answer to this one.

If you could only save one thing from your house, what would it be?
Myself.

Would you rather be a lonely genius, or a sociable idiot?
Can I be both?

What’s one of your favorite quotes?
 "What if a much of a which of a wind should give the truth to summer’s lie.” A line from an e.e. cummings poem. It not only feels good to recite, but think about what it means.

And two more, both from Shakespeare: “Those were pearls that were his eyes.” And, “What fools these mortals be.”

What would you like people to say about you after you die?
“You know, I kinda miss him now that he’s gone.”

What’s your favorite line from a book?
I’ve got so many, but the one that comes to mind is: “I am an American, Chicago born – Chicago, that somber city – and go at things as I have taught myself, free-style, and will make the record in my own way: first to knock, first admitted; sometimes an innocent knock, sometimes a not so innocent. But a man's character is his fate, says Heraclitus, and in the end there isn't any way to disguise the nature of the knocks by acoustical work on the door or gloving the knuckles.” Saul Bellow, The Adventures of Augie March.

What would your main character say about you?
“What a sucker.”

Who are your favorite authors?
Vladimir Nabokov, Saul Bellow, Philip Roth, Bernard Malamud, Dashiell Hammett.    


What book are you currently reading and in what format?
I usually have two or three books going at the same time, and though I prefer reading paperback or hardcover to digital, I wind up reading both ways. Right now, I’m reading my friend, David Swinson’s Crime Song, Ranger Games, by Ben Blum, and The Friends of Eddie Coyle, by George V. Higgins. But I’ve got a stack of other books to catch up on, and when I go on vacation I always bring my Kindle and read them on that.

Do you have a routine for writing?
I wish I did. I’m horrible about that. I’ve never, ever missed a deadline, and that includes all those years working as a magazine journalist, but I am very undisciplined in terms of carving out particular times to write. I just do it when I feel like it. Fortunately, I’m a very fast typist—90 words a minute—and I can focus really well when I sit down to write.   

What’s the best compliment you’ve ever received about your writing?
When Devil in the Hole came out a writer friend of mine, Ken Wishnia, asked me to come speak to his college class. They all read the book. As soon as I got there one young woman stood up and said, “You know, I feel really guilty because after reading this book I felt sorry for the murderer.” That was the best thing anyone could have said, because I wanted to write a human character, someone who’d committed a horrendous crime, murdering his entire family, but could still be, on some level, someone you could feel for, not simply a monster. Monsters are stereotypical. People are much more complicated than that. And during the same class, another young woman stood up and said, “Your book is the first book I’ve read all the way through since junior high school.”

If you could be a ghostwriter for any famous author, whom would you pick?
I actually was a ghostwriter and I’d never do it again.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on the next Henry Swann novel, tentatively called, Swann’s Down, which might be the last. Of course, I said that about the last one, too. The truth is, if I come up with an idea, I’ll probably write a sixth.

OTHER BOOKS BY CHARLES SALZBERG

Swann’s Last Song (Henry Swann #1)
Swann Dives In  (Henry Swann #2)
Swann’s Lake of Despair (Henry Swann #3)
Swann’s Way Out  (Henry Swann #4)


Devil in the Hole
Triple Shot

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Charles Salzberg is a novelist, journalist, and acclaimed writing instructor. He is the author of the Henry Swann detective series, including Swann’s Last Song which was nominated for a Shamus Award for Best First PI Novel and Devil in the Hole, which was named one of the best crime novels of 2013 by Suspense magazine. He has taught writing at Sarah Lawrence College, Hunter College, the Writer’s Voice, and the New York Writers Workshop, where he is a Founding Member. His writing has appeared in the New York Times Book Review, Los Angeles Times, Esquire, New York Magazine, and GQ. He lives in New York City.

Connect with Charles:
Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Goodreads 

Buy the book:
Amazon 

CHARACTER INTERVIEW WITH DOROTHY ST. JAMES' CHARITY PENN

ABOUT THE BOOK

Chocoholic Charity Penn must smoke out the killer to stop her newly inherited beachside chocolate shop from going up in flames in Dorothy St. James’ decadent follow-up to Asking for Truffle.

Chocolate shop owner Charity Penn is finally settling into life in the quirky South Carolina seaside town of Camellia Beach cooking up chocolate treats. She’s even helped organize the town’s lively beach music festival which has brought rollicking crowds eager to dance the Carolina shag. That is, until one of the band’s lead singers is found dead beside a beach bonfire.

While also trying to balance the amorous attention of music star Bixby Lewis, in town for the festival, and her quest to perfect a new hot flavored bonbon, Charity dives into the investigation. Though it’s more spice than sugar when she discovers a threatening note, comes across decades of age-old secrets, and Bixby comes into the line of fire when a gas grill explodes on the deck of a beachfront house.

Now Charity must turn up the heat and catch the killer before her chance melts away in Playing With Bonbon Fire, the delightful second Southern Chocolate Shop mystery served up just right for fans of JoAnna Carl and Joanne Fluke.

Book Details

Title: Playing with Bonbon Fire, A Southern Chocolate Shop Mystery

Author: Dorothy St. James

Genre: Cozy Mystery, 2nd in series


Publisher: Crooked Lane Books (March 13, 2018)


Page count: 352 pages
On tour with: Great Escapes Book Tours

ABOUT THE CHARACTER

Charity Penn grew up in Chicago and worked in advertising in Madison, Wisconsin. She never felt as if she’d found her home until she moved to Camellia Beach, South Carolina and inherited the Chocolate Box, a bean-to-bar chocolate shop on the island. Although she’s not much of a cook, the self-described chocoholic knows how to pair flavors with different varieties of chocolates to create the most amazing mouth-watering candies.

INTERVIEW WITH DOROTHY ST. JAMES’ CHARITY PENN

Charity, how did you first meet Dorothy?
Dorothy St. James was wandering around in a funk when I met her. She wanted to get back to writing after taking a few years off to be a full-time mom, but she wasn’t sure what to write about. Every character she’d interviewed made her doze off before the interview was over. (She was taking care of a 2 ½ year-old at the time and tended to doze off easily from lack of sleep.) And then I walked in with my arms filled with emotional baggage and personal mysteries, and Dorothy immediately sat up and took notice.

Want to dish about her?
She’s a neurotic one, my writer. I mean, I thought I had problems, and then I started telling my life story to Dorothy St. James. And I was all like, “Whoa, stop obsessing over where to put that dang comma already. Just write what I’m telling you and not worry so much about how it’s coming out until the edits.” She’s nice, though. She truly wants my story told right. She wants the truth about everything to come out. Sometimes that scares me.

Why do you think that your life has ended up being in a book?
My life is a mess. Or at least it was. I was a walking, living version of a car wreck. People were rubbernecking all over the place to see what was going on in my life. Of course all that drama has ended up in a book. Honestly, I’m surprised it took this long to happen.

There are also these pesky murders that keep happening around me. I hate it. I can’t stand to see my friends in danger, so of course I do my best to help the police conduct their investigations. Detective Gibbons is capable, but he doesn’t live on Camellia Beach. He hasn’t heard the conversations I’ve heard. And sometimes he doesn’t listen to me like he should, which is all the more reason why I’ve needed to take matters into my own hands once or twice.

Tell us about your favorite scene in the book.
I loved, loved, LOVED it when Bixby Lewis (yes, the Bixby Lewis who is the hottest pop star in the country right now) kissed me. It does amazing things to a woman’s ego to be kissed by a hunky rock star. I get tingly all over just thinking about it.

What do you like to do when you are not being actively read somewhere?
When I’m not solving mysteries on the pages of a book, I’m either making chocolate or eating it. Chocolate is my passion. Getting everyone to taste high-quality chocolate from the more flavorful cacao beans is my mission. Not all chocolates are created equal. The complex flavors you get from a specially sourced cacao bean will make you think you’ve found Nirvana.

If you could rewrite anything in your book, what would it be?
Let’s be honest with ourselves—we all sometimes make stupid decisions that we regret. I’m not too proud to admit that I might have made a mistake or two along the way. One recent one that really makes me blush is how goofy I acted around the famous and gorgeous pop star Bixby Lewis. He gave me one kiss and, apparently I lost my mind. It wasn’t my best moment. I cringe when I think about it. I acted like a silly fan-girl. I wish I had stayed cool. If I could do it again, I’d like to rewrite all of that. Some things might have happened differently if I had.

What’s Dorothy’s worst habit?
She keeps upping the stakes. I solve one problem, and bam! what I did to solve it creates an even bigger problem. I’m mean, give me a break already! I’m working hard here.



How do you feel about your life right now?
While I don’t like that people keep getting murdered around me—that’s not good—I love my life. I’m blessed. I’m truly blessed. I’m living on an idyllic Southern island. I own the best chocolate shop in the world. And I’m surrounded by people who love me.

What, if anything, would you like to change? That’s easy. My family. Let’s just say they’re not friendly people and leave it at that.

Describe the town where you live.
I live in the small town of Camellia Beach, which is located a few miles outside of the historic city of Charleston, South Carolina. At first glance, the town isn’t much to look at. The buildings could all use with a fresh coat of paint. Everything looks rusty and old. But the people who live here are gems. They’ve welcomed me with open arms and are always happy to help out with anything. And the buildings in the town don’t dominate the landscape, like has happened to some beach towns. The houses and businesses are generally one-story. The quaint small cottages that have been torn down nearly everywhere else can still be found on Camellia Beach. Also, ancient oaks trees and tall grasses are still a large part of the island. It’s wild and beautiful here. I have truly found a paradise here in Camellia Beach.

What makes you stand out from any other characters in your genre?
I grow and change (hopefully improve) with each book. I’m not a static character. I don’t always make the best decisions. But I’m trying. I’m really trying to improve. And there is nonstop action on the page. This isn’t your grandmother’s cozy mystery.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mystery author Dorothy St. James was born in New York but raised in South Carolina. She makes her home on an artsy island community in South Carolina with her husband, a neurotic dog, and fluffy cat. Though writing has always been a passion for her, she pursued an undergraduate degree in Wildlife Biology and a graduate degree in Public Administration and Urban Planning. She put her educational experience to use, having worked in all branches and all levels of government including local, regional, state, and federal. She even spent time during college working for a non-profit environmental watchdog organization.

Switching from government service and community planning to fiction writing wasn’t as big of a change as some might think. Her government work was all about the stories of the people and the places where they live. As an urban planner, Dorothy loved telling the stories of the people she met. And from that, her desire to tell the tales that were so alive in her heart grew until she could not ignore it any longer. In 2001, she took a leap of faith and pursued her dream of writing fiction full-time.

Known for the White House Gardener Mystery series, Dorothy is going back to her roots and setting a mystery series in a Southern beach town much like the one she’s called home for the past 20 years. The Southern Chocolate Shop Mysteries combine her love of fine chocolates, quirky Southern charm, with a dash of danger.

* Dorothy St. James is the alter-ego of the award-winning multi-published author, Dorothy McFalls. She enjoys writing in several different genres. Her works have been nominated for many awards including Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award, Reviewers International Organization Award, National Reader’s Choice Award, CataRomance Reviewers’ Choice Award, and The Romance Reviews Today Perfect 10! Award. Reviewers have called her work: “amazing,” “perfect,” “filled with emotion,” and “lined with danger.”

Connect with Dorothy:
Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Goodreads 

Buy the book:
Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble

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