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