Ending The Tour

I’ve spent the last few weeks on the Mystery We Write Blog Tour, which ended today.  It was a great experience and gave me the opportunity to meet several new authors and get to know some of my literary acquaintances even better.  If you missed the tour, scroll back through my blogs, beginning November 26^th and take a look at all of the wonderful authors I was honored to feature.

Tomorrow morning I will be drawing the name of the Kindle winner, so if you haven’t already, join my blog before midnight tonight for your chance to win.  (One name will be chosen randomly from my list of subscribers and site members.)

............

I will also be contacting those blog tour participants who have won a free copy of one of my books.  Thank you for being a part of the Mystery We Write tour.

 

Tomorrow I will post a blog that I am hopeful will answer all of the questions I have received in letters these past few weeks.  Because of the blog tour I was unable to address these questions with immediacy.  Though delayed, I hope my responses will shed light on some of the more common ponderings.

And, no, I’m not going to answer the question of “Andrew or Tony?”  J

 

Mystery We Write Blog Tour: Evelyn Cullet

Evelyn Cullet has been an aspiring author since high school when she wrote short stories; but she didn't begin her first novel until college. Afterward, she continued to take writing classes while working in the offices of a major soft drink company. Now, after early retirement, she finally has the chance to write full-time. Evelyn enjoys playing the piano, being an organic gardener, and an amateur Lapidary.

 

She's a former long-time member of the Agatha Christie Society, and is currently a member of Sisters in Crime. She and her husband live in a suburb of Chicago along with their Black Lab/Pit Bull, Bailey.

Let's get to know Evelyn a little better... 

If you could have one last meal, what would it be?

Since I'm always so health-conscious about eating, for my last meal
I'd like to eat foods that are deep fried and loaded with sugar and
cholesterol. In other words, any food that's bad for me.

Name three things on your bucket list.

1. To visit the Sherlock Holmes Study in London, England. I can check that off.
2. To explore Nottingham Castle. Accomplished!
3. To become a best-selling author. I'm still working on that one.

In what genre do you write? If you were to choose another genre, what
would it be and why?

I write in the romantic suspense genre right now, but I also like to
write in the mystery romance genre, which I'm currently doing with my
next novel. I would like to write a cozy mystery because that's what I
enjoy reading the most, but romance keeps sneaking its way into my
stories and it's hard to keep out. I suppose I could write the romantic
parts in a cozy, and then take them out later. But somehow I don't
think that would work. I would always feel like something was missing,
so I guess I'll have to stick with what I write best.

Describe yourself in only three words.

Critical
Loyal
Health-minded

What is the most adventurous thing you've ever done?

The most adventurous thing I had ever done was digging for crystals in
the mountains of Arkansas. Not extremely adventurous, but it was fun.
And I brought home some lovely crystals.

What made you choose to write the particular novel(s) you have written?

Besides being a writer, there was a time when I fancied myself as an artist. And while taking art classes, I met another artist who had gone to Bariloche, Argentina, to take a Master art class. I immediately thought that both the location and taking a Master art class would be fantastic ideas for a romantic suspense novel, so I began writing it the very next day.

Who is one of your favorite authors?

There are so many, it's a hard choice to single out only one. I'd like to say that you are, but I haven't had the opportunity to read any of your novels yet. I'm still looking forward to reading NO EASY WAY and working my way through to your latest. So I'm going to pick contemporary mystery author Rhys Bowen, whom I had the pleasure to meet and spend time with at the Love is Murder writers conference in 2011. I found her to be warm and gracious, and was surprised to learn that she has a wonderful sense of humor.

Thank you for having me as a guest on your blog today, Susan.

We would love to hear from you, so please leave a comment and you'll automatically be entered in my book GIVEAWAY.  You could win a signed print copy of Masterpiece of Murder. The lucky winner will be chosen at random at the end of the Murder We Write blog tour, and announced on my blog, http://evelyncullet.com/blog/ on December 12th. Don't forget to leave your email address so I'll know how to contact you.

Masterpiece of Murder, available in print and ebook from the publisher
at: http://www.wings-press.com/, and from http://www.amazon.com. It's
also available as an ebook for the Nook from
http://www.barnesandnoble.com

Mystery We Write Tour: W.S.Gager

Meet award winning mystery author W.S. Gager, Author of Humorous Whodunits.  She has lived in Michigan for most of her life except when she was a reporter, traipsing the countryside, interviewing race car drivers and professional women golfers. She enjoyed the fast-paced life of a newspaper reporter until she realized that babies didn't adapt well to running down story details on deadline. Since then she has honed her skills in other forms of writing and pursued what she always wanted to do with her life…write mystery novels. Her main character is Mitch Malone who is an edgy crime-beat reporter, always on the hunt for the next Pulitzer. Her third book, A CASE OF HOMETOWN BLUES, was a finalist in the 2012 Daphne Du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense. A CASE OF VOLATILE DEEDS, her fourth in the Mitch series will be out this February.

 

 

At what point in your life did you decide you wanted to become a published author?

I’ve always written but mostly in non-fiction. I was a newspaper reporter for a decade and then did other forms of marketing to help pay the bills. When I was recuperating from surgery in 2004, I had all day long to do nothing but watch TV and read. I couldn’t do house work or go to my job. The kids were in school all day and I couldn’t drive. I had a whole pile of books to read and the more I read, the more I realized I could do it better than what I was reading. So I picked up a pen and started working. After I returned to work, I was hooked and vowed to finish the book which I did. I wrote three and a half books that I’ve never published before starting the Mitch Malone series.

 

If you could have one last meal, what would it be?

Chocolate, chocolate and chocolate.

 

Name three things on your bucket list.

Travel back to Europe, travel to Australia and travel to Russia. After chocolate, travel is my number one favorite thing to do. Problem is it doesn’t fit my budget.

 

In what genre do you write? If you were to choose another genre, what would it be and why?

I write amateur sleuth mysteries. When I started writing, I wrote romances because I’ve read thousands of them in my lifetime and I understood the formula that they follow. My problem was that I couldn’t get the emotional tension right. I have three romances that need to be totally rewritten. I’ve learned so much since then. I could rewrite them and they would be pretty decent now but they would be romantic suspense. I could never totally leave the mystery angle out.

 

What is the most adventurous thing you've ever done?

I went white water rafting for the first time on class five rapids after four days of intense rain. The river was just a hair under flood level and the trip was so intense. Our raft flipped and I was flown out the front, two other guys never came up and the guide came up behind the raft. I tried to swim to the raft but she said to get to shore. That was impossible because the river was so fast. I managed to wedge myself between two rocks until another raft could rescue me. The two guys that never came up were in an air pocket under the raft hanging on for dear life as the river tried to drag them under. They were rescued when the raft went in an eddy a half mile down the river. We were given the option of ending our trip by hiking out or getting back in the raft and continuing to the pick-up point. The two guys thought it was a great adventure and their best trip of a half dozen they’d taken. When I agreed to go back in the raft, one of the guys decided right then I was a girl he wanted to marry. And he did.

 

What is something you wish you could do better?

Edit. I am a horrible editor for myself. I just can’t pick out my own typos and wrong words. I’ve had plenty of practice and just don’t seem to improve. I’ve read my stuff backwards and forwards and it still has mistakes. I’ve studied grammar and still can’t get it correct.

 

What is the best piece of advice you've ever received? Who gave you this advice?

In my writing career, it would be the woman from a writer’s group who critiqued the first novel I completed. As I mentioned, it was a romance. She reached over and grabbed my hand (to keep me from bolting out of the restaurant’s booth)“Honey,” she said with a slight southern accent. “You are not a romance writer.” I felt my heart stop and my self-esteem plummet. I felt more pressure on my hand and she continued. “You’re a mystery writer. The mystery just takes over your book and it would be much better if you dropped the romance.” We spent the next half hour talking about how to change the book into a mystery.

 

Who is one of your favorite authors?

Catherine Coulter’s books are my all-time favorite reads. I’ve devoured everything she has written in both mystery and her romance. I first found her with her historical romance series and switched to her FBI series when it first came out. I’ve been hooked ever since.

 

What is one of your favorite books? What do you love about this book?

Scruples by Judith Krantz is the first that popped into my head. I read it in high school right after it came out. The story was about a fat kid with an unhappy childhood who goes to France and becomes thin and beautiful. She decides to do something with her life. It mirrors my high school right down to studying French. I still have that book and I sometimes read it if I’m having a tough go at life. It showed me that I didn’t have to settle for who I was. With hard work and determination, I could do anything I wanted with my life and I have.

 

If you were going to be stranded on an island all alone for a year, and you could only take three books with you...which three would you choose? Why?

The Bible because I want to read it cover to cover but don’t ever have the time and I need to make time to do it. The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (I have this four-inch thick volume.) because a college professor turned me on to him and the beauty of words and hidden meanings behind his jests. Again, I’ve never had time to go through all his plays and that would keep me engaged and could be reread over and over with each reading getting a deeper meaning. The last one is a tough one. I want a book of poetry to puzzle over. I am not a big fan of poetry and being all alone, I might be able to get through it. Poetry takes reading at a minimum of three times and lots of thought. I might be able to appreciate it after a year on my own. I’m not well versed in poetry to pick one writer but maybe a compilation of several poets would be good. I would take suggestions if you have any?

 

Where can readers find out more about you and your books?

Website: http://wsgager.com

Blog: http://wsgager.blogspot.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/wsgager
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/wsgager

 

GIVEAWAY

W.S. Gager will be giving away a single copy of each of the first three books in the Mitch Malone Mystery series: A CASE OF INFATUATION, A CASE OF ACCIDENTAL INTERSECTION, and A CASE OF HOMETOWN BLUES from comments made on her blog: http://wsgager.blogspot.com or on her guest blogs from the Murder We Write Mystery Tour.

 

 

A Case of Volatile Deeds - Coming February 2013

A CASE OF VOLATILE DEEDS Book Blurb

Mitch finally scores a weekend dinner with a cute receptionist, but true to his reporter instincts an explosion in a high rise office building makes him stand up his date as he runs for an exclusive. When he investigates, he learns his date is the only casualty in a botched robbery at a real estate office. When femme fatale Patrenka Petersen returns, Mitch learns that much of what he knows about his date and her work aren’t what they seem. His world continues to twist when the police captain asks for his help and a city hall informant is found floating in the river. Mitch must keep his head down or a cute dog with a knack for finding dead bodies will be sniffing out his corpse.

 

A Case of Hometown Blues

“A Case of Hometown Blues” Synopsis

When Pulitzer-winning reporter Mitch Malone's editor presses him for a favor, Malone breaks his vow to never return to his hometown. It seemed simple enough--lead a seminar for Flatville, MI's newspaper, keep a low profile and get back to the city post haste. But memories of his parents' death swarm him, and, to avoid solitude, he stops for a beer. In the crowded bar, Mitch is dismayed to see many of his former classmates--including the still-lovely Homecoming Queen, Trudy. Once the object of his teenage crush, Trudy joins Mitch. He quickly realizes she is upset and inebriated. Always the gentleman, Mitch sees her safely home, and returns to his B&B, still trying to shake memories of his parents' sad demise. The next day, he is stunned to learn Trudy was murdered and he is the prime suspect. The locals treat the murder charge as a slam dunk, and Mitch realizes he must track down the real killer to keep his butt out of jail. As he investigates, facts he thought he knew about his family unravel, and danger ratchets up. Can Mitch discover the truth that will allow his parents to rest in peace, or will he be resting with them?

A Case of Infatuation

 

A Case of Accidental Intersection
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mystery We Write Tour: Patricia Gligor

It is my pleasure to introduce you to fellow mystery writer, Patricia Gligor.

Patricia Gligor is a Cincinnati native. She enjoys reading mystery/suspense novels, touring and photographing old houses and traveling, especially to the ocean. Mixed Messages, the first novel in her Malone Mystery Series, was published in April 2012 by Post Mortem Press. Unfinished Business is the second novel in the series.

Let’s get to know Patricia a little better.  When you were little, what did you want to become when you grew up?

When I was a little girl, I read Judy Bolton and Nancy Drew mysteries constantly. I had an active imagination to begin with and the authors of those books “fueled the fire.” I saw mystery everywhere. We lived in an old house with a woods behind it stretching as far as the eye could see. There was a small cemetery at the top of the hill in those woods. How eerie and mysterious! I concocted all sorts of scenarios and convinced my best friend, her brother and my brother to act out the stories with me. They were all younger than me and I know I often frightened them with my tales of murder and intrigue.

When I was ten, I wrote a poem called “The Night” and submitted it to my Sunday school magazine. To my amazement, it was published. When I saw my name (byline) printed under that title, I was hooked for life! I didn’t know how and I didn’t know when but I knew that someday I would be a published author. Deciding which genre I would write in was a “no brainer” for me.

Throughout my teens and twenties, I wrote poetry. Then, in my thirties, I began to write short stories and short shorts and three of my shorts were published in a local magazine. Through the years, I continued to write and submit my stories to magazines. At one point, I came “within an inch” of having a short mystery published in a national magazine but the editor I was working with left the magazine for another job just before it happened and the new editor wasn’t interested in my story. I was so disappointed! But I kept writing.

My dream had always been to write a novel that would be published. In 1995, after attempting two other novels that didn’t hold my interest long enough for me to finish them, I came up with the idea for my first Malone mystery, Mixed Messages. I was working full time then and had other pressing obligations so the time I was able to devote to my writing was extremely limited. From 1995 until 2002, I compiled bits and pieces of characters and plot and finally created an outline.

Then, in April 2002, I met Mary Higgins Clark at a book signing, told her about my plans to write a novel and she encouraged me to get to it. I started the actual writing that year and worked on it as much as possible for the next ten years. In 2009, my position as an administrative assistant for a large corporation was eliminated company wide. I finally had the time to focus on my writing and my writing career. I jumped in with both feet! In April 2012, Mixed Messages was published by Post Mortem Press and the sequel, Unfinished Business, was published last month, on November 20th.

Sometimes, when I stop to think about it, I remember myself as that little girl who wanted to write mysteries and who would go off to be alone to daydream. That little girl is still inside me and she still sees mystery everywhere!

 

Tell us a little bit about your novel, Unfinished Business: 

The Westwood Strangler is dead. Or so everyone believes.

Ann Kern is busy preparing for her favorite holiday. She’s especially looking forward to her sister’s annual Christmas visit. But, several things threaten to ruin her festive mood.

The National Weather Service issues a severe winter storm warning for the Cincinnati area, predicting blizzard conditions, and Ann worries that her sister and her new boyfriend won’t be able to make the drive from South Carolina.

Then, a woman is found strangled in Ann’s neighborhood and everyone, including the police, assumes it’s the work of a copycat killer. However, when two more women are murdered in their homes, the police announce their conviction that the Westwood Strangler is responsible.

 

When Ann hears the news, the sense of safety and security she’s worked so hard to recapture since her attack on Halloween night, shatters. If the intruder who died in her apartment wasn’t the Westwood Strangler, who is? And, who will be the next victim?

 

Where can we read more about you and your books?

Blog: http://pat-writersforum.blogspot.com/

Patricia Gligor’s Amazon page:

http://tinyurl.com/8sd2cz4

PATRICIA GLIGOR'S GIVEAWAY

At the end of the blog tour, I will be giving away one copy of Unfinished Business, the second novel in my Malone mystery series. Leave a comment and you’re automatically entered to win. Please include your email address with your comment so that, if your name is selected, I may contact you to get your mailing address. The winner will be announced on my blog: http://pat-writersforum.blogspot.com/ on December 11. Best of luck!

 

 

 

Mystery We Write Tour: M.M.Gornell

Who IS Madeline (M.M.) Gornell ?

 

Madeline (M.M.) Gornell has four published mystery novels—PSWA awarding winning Uncle Si’s Secret (2008); Death of a Perfect Man (2009); Eric Hoffer Fiction finalist and Honorary Mention winner, the da Vinci Eye finalist, and Montaigne Medalist finalist Reticence of Ravens (2011); and PSWA award winner and Hollywood Book Festival Honorary Mention Lies of Convenience (2012). Both Reticence of Ravens and Lies of Convenience are Route 66 mysteries.

 

Madeline is also a potter with a fondness for stoneware and reduction firing. She lives with her husband and assorted canines in the Mojave Desert in a town on internationally revered Route 66.

 

Now... let's get personal and find out what makes Madeline (M.M.) Gornell tick:

Susan, so glad to meet you, and visit on your blog today! You’ve asked some very interesting questions. Several(about your favorite authors, books, characters) in particular caught my interest, I guess because I never grow weary of talking about my favorite author. I think that’s because whenever I’m feeling literarily-low(i.e. stuck) I go back and reread one of P.D. James’s Adam Dagliesh novels—and I’m immediately revitalized. I love visiting with Adam at one of P.D.’s wonderful British locations.

 

Why P.D and her protagonist Adam? He’s thoughtful, complicated, rather morose, and with a true heart. Through Adam (and other characters—she uses multiple POVs), not only does P.D. weave a marvelous story, but also draws her reader in using(believe it or not) compound and complex sentences, challenging words—some long (yes, she sends me to the dictionary occasionally), judiciously placed and sometimes lengthy descriptive passages—and most sentences are longer than eight words. Basically, writing that does not talk down, but inspires upward. Her writing style adds to the complexity of Adam’s character and the story lines she weaves. It is the type of exposition I would love to one day master, and the type of character I love meeting in my fiction reading. Yes, without out a doubt, P.D and Adam were, and continue to be my inspiration.

 

On good advice I’m received, NEVER, EVER give up. Then there’s a list I have on the wall behind me (so the words can mystically transfer from the paper to my brain!) Again, I’m quoting/paraphrasing/shortening P.D. James, “Increase your word power, read widely and with discrimination, WRITE, write what YOU need to write, and waste nothing that happens to you—however happy, however tragic...”

 

And to answer What is one of my favorite books? The Tragedy of Arthur, by Arthur Phillips is the best book I’ve read recently. Very creative, I thought.

 

Thanks so much, Susan, for offering me the opportunity to talk about writing. So much of what I’m blabbing about today, I’ve said before—even on other stops on this tour—but it’s so hard for me to resist the opportunity to talk about my favorite topic!

 

---

 

Contact and Buy Info from Madeline (M.M.) Gornell:

Madeline’s books are available at Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble.com, and Smashwords, in paper and e-book formats. You can visit her online at her website http://www.mmgornell.com , or her BLOG http://www.mmgornell.wordpress.com or email her directly at mmgornell@earthlink.net

 

Book Giveaway:

Buster, Dobie, and Mugs (the latest) are each drawing a name from comments for free copies of Lies of Convenience (or a M.M. Gornell title of your choosing)

 

Buy link for Lies of Convenience:

 

 

 

Mystery We Write Blog Tour: Madison Johns

The writing bug bit Madison Johns at the age of 44 and she's written three books since then. As the publishing climate changed, she took a risk and decided to self-publish, including her first novel, Armed and Outrageous, which went to number one on Amazon’s bestsellers list during her free promo. Most recently, she’s hired and editor for her follow up to Armed and Outrageous, Grannies Guns and Ghosts.

Let’s begin the interview and learn more about Madison Johns:

When you were a child, what did you want to "be" when you grew up?
I don’t think I thought about that much. All I know was that I was quite a dreamer, my imagination took me to many places.

If we were to poll people from your high school years, how would they have described you? If we were to poll people in your life now, how would they describe you?
I had a hard go of it in high school, but I was fairly shy so that is how I’d probably be described.

At what point in your life did you decide you wanted to become a published author?
I’m an indie writer and knew four years ago that I wanted my book published it just took years for that right book to come along that was worthy, and Armed and Outrageous, was the book. It’s a great climate to be a writer now.

Tell us about one of your most embarrassing moments in life.
One?? I’m good at putting my foot in my mouth and saying the wrong thing at the wrong time. I’m a klutz and trip over everything — that is pretty embarrassing.

If you could have one last meal, what would it be?
Almond Boneless Chicken, it’s supposed to be Chinese, but I think it’s more of an American dish. Fried thin chicken breasts with tons of gravy, yum, yum.

Name three things on your bucket list.
Travel to London, get a big publishing deal, meet my fellow Mystery We Write Tour writers!

In what genre do you write? If you were to choose another genre, what would it be and why?
I primarily write mystery manly because I find mystery interesting. I love Criminal Minds and all those crime shows including the true story ones. I add a level of humor, which has more to do with my personality than anything else. Creating zany characters is something I enjoy. I also would like to dabble in romance and have written a quirky novella. I have always loved romance stories.

Describe yourself in only three words.
Unusual, funny, and zany.

What is the most adventurous thing you've ever done?
I went canoeing as a child and I thought we’d for sure die on the trip. My brother fell in and had to be saved by some college kid. It was a very interesting and scary adventure.

What made you choose to write the particular novel(s) you have written?
I have worked with senior citizens and wanted to portray them in a very different way.

What is something you wish you could do better?
Timelines are a real problem for me, I’d also like to be able to outline better.

If you could go back and live your life again, what would you do differently the second time around?
I can’t say I’d change anything other than go to college. I really feel that I had quite a journey and it made me who I am today.

What is the best piece of advice you've ever received? Who gave you this advice?
To keep writing no matter what, many writers have encouraged me along the way, too many to count. I’m blessed that I have been supported in the writing community.

Who is one of your favorite authors?
I admire Janet Evanovich and it’s her that I came up with my writing style. She writes so simplistic that I said, “hey, I could do that.”

Where can readers buy Armed and Outrageous?
Armed and Outrageous is available on Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/Armed-Outrageous-Barton-Mystery-ebook/dp/B007Z5Y30Q/ref=cm_rdp_product

Where can readers find out more about you and your books?
Website
Blog
Facebook
Twitter
 

Mystery We Write Blog Tour: Collin Kelley

Collin Kelley, who lives in Atlanta, Georgia, is the author of the novels Conquering Venus and Remain In Light, which was a 2012 finalist for the Townsend Prize for Fiction. His poetry collections include Better To Travel, Slow To Burn and After the Poison and the forthcoming Render. Kelley is also the author of the eBook short story collection, Kiss Shot. A recipient of the Georgia Author of the Year Award, Deep South Festival of Writers Award and Goodreads Poetry Award, Kelley’s poetry, essays and interviews have appeared in magazines, journals and anthologies around the world.

 

When you were a child, what did you want to "be" when you grew up?

I never wanted to be anything but a writer. I started writing when I was a child. My parents taught me to read and write very early, so by the time I was in first grade I had already devoured all of the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys books. I always read far above my grade level. I got into poetry in high school and my first published work was poetry. I had always wanted to write fiction and now I’ve written two novels and working on the third.

 

If you could have one last meal, what would it be?

I grew up in Atlanta and we love our Southern food. There’s a fantastic restaurant in Atlanta called The Colonnade that cooks up some of the best Southern cooking anywhere. I’d have the turkey and dressing with pole beans, creamed corn and a basket of the rolls and cornbread. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

 

Have you based a character in your book on someone you know?

Yes, but they are usually composites of several people I know. I usually warn my friends before a book comes out that I’ve barrowed some trait or catchphrase. Everyone’s been flattered – so far. For the third book in The Venus Trilogy, I’m basing a new character on a poet friend of mine and she has offered up a couple of her poems for me to use in the novel.

 

 

What is the most adventurous thing you've ever done?

Traveling around Europe on my own. I did it for the first time in 2000 when I turned 30 and I’ve pretty much gone on my own ever since. I think I’ve become more self-reliant and unafraid to explore because of these solo journeys abroad. I love being able to come and go at my leisure and set my own timetable. I wrote a good portion of the latest novel, Remain In Light, in 2010 while I was at Oxford in England and then in Paris where the novel takes place.

 

Who is one of your favorite authors?

I couldn’t name just one. A few of them are Margaret Atwood, Jeanette Winterson, Don DeLillo, Toni Morrison, Alice Walker, John Irving, Anne Sexton, Walt Whitman, Raymond Carver and Ray Bradbury. I could go on and on.

 

GIVEAWAY

Collin will giveaway an eBook edition of each of his novels, Conquering Venus and Remain In Light, via Smashwords to a lucky winner. The eBooks will be available for download in multi-formats including versions for the Kindle, Nook and other devices. Make sure to leave a comment and Collin will randomly draw a winner, which will be announced at his Modern Confessional blog (www.collinkelley.com) on Dec. 12.

 

Thank you for joining us on the Mystery We Write Blog Tour.  For more information, visit www.collinkelley.com, find him on Facebook at CollinKelleyWriter or follow him on Twitter @collinkelley.

 

Conquering Venus and Remain In Light are available in Ebook and trade paperback formats from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Powell’s, Smashwords and through your favorite local bookstore.

 

Mystery We Write Tour: Joyce Lavene

Joyce Lavene writes bestselling mystery with her husband/partner Jim. They have written and published more than 60 novels for Harlequin, Berkley and Charter Books along with hundreds of non-fiction articles for national and regional publications. She lives in rural North Carolina with her family, her cat, Quincy, and her rescue dog, Rudi.

 

 

I had the privilege of interviewing Joyce Lavene and I hope you enjoy the interview as much as I did. 

 

Q. What did you want to be when you grew up?

 

A. A writer. I wrote my first poem when I was nine and my first novel when I was 14. That was the only thing I wanted to do, much to my mother’s disappointment. She wanted me to be a nurse.

 

Q. At what point in your life did you decide you wanted to become a published author?

 

A. I didn’t think about being published until I got married and my husband (now my writing partner) told me I was a great writer. Then he said we should write together and get novels published. I told him he was crazy! After 13 years as a published writer with more than 60 books in print, I guess I was the crazy one!

 

Q. In what genre do you write? If you were to choose another genre, what would it be and why?

 

A. I primarily write mystery though I have written about 18 romance novels and was first published in romance. I really like both genres and would like to write romantic suspense when I grow up.

 

Q. What made you choose to write the particular novel(s) you have written?

 

A. Because they were something I (and my partner) were interested in. we have written NASCAR mysteries, Renaissance Faire, coastal, mountains, sheriffs, little old ladies.

 

Q. What is something you wish you could do better?

 

A. I wish I was a better writer.

 

Q. Who is one of your favorite authors?

 

A. Barbara Hambly.

 

 

Can you give us a taste of your novel, A Haunting Dream?

The mayor of Duck, North Carolina, Dae O’Donnell, is a woman with a gift for finding lost things. When her boyfriend Kevin’s ex-fiancée Ann arrives in Duck looking for a second chance, Dae suddenly finds herself facing certain heartache. And while her romantic life is in shambles, she’s even more concerned by the sudden change in her gift. After touching a medallion owned by a local named Chuck Sparks, Dae is shocked when her vision reveals his murder—and a cry for help. Dae doesn’t know what to make of the dead man’s plea to “Help her,” until she has another vision about a kidnapped girl—Chuck’s daughter, Betsy. With a child missing, the FBI steps in to take over the case. But Dae can’t ignore her visions of Betsy, or the fact that Kevin’s psychic ex-fiancé might be the only person who can help find her.

 

Where can we find out more about you and your books?

 

Visit us at www.joyceandjimlavene.com

Facebook:  www.Facebook/JoyceandJimLavene.com  

Twitter: @authorjlavene

Blog:  http://romanceofmystery.blogspot.com

 

Where can readers purchase A Haunting Dream?

Barnes & Noble    

 

 

GIVEAWAY

Win a copy of A Haunting Dream, the fourth book in the Missing Pieces Mysteries, by leaving your name at my blog: http://romanceofmystery.blogspot.com