Paint the Town Dead with Nancy Haddock

Hey, Get Lost in a Story Readers, I’m popping in to say hey, and to interview National Bestselling Author Nancy Haddock whose second book in her Silver Six Crafting Series will soon hit bookstores and cyberspace. Poor Nancy and her character Nixy only thought they had they hands full during Basket Case. Looks like that scenario has turned into juggling. Please welcome back Nancy Haddock to Get Lost in a Story!

Leslee Stanton Nix—aka “Nixy”—thought moving to small-town Lilyvale, Arkansas, would be about as thrilling as watching paint dry. But keeping up with her retired Aunt Sherry and her housemates—collectively known as the Silver Six—has proven to be as exciting as it is exasperating.

To kick off the grand opening of their craft shop, the Handcraft Emporium, Nixy and the Silver Six invite Doralee Gordon to teach a gourd painting class. Nixy isn’t happy when Doralee’s ex crashes the class with his new fiancée, but things really get messy when the bride-to-be later turns up dead.

Now it’s up to Nixy and the Silver Six to use their melons to find the killer—before someone else gets painted out of the picture...

Please welcome the wonderful Nancy Haddock! 




DONNELL:  Hey, Nancy, first welcome back, and I just have to ask, what the heck is gourd painting?

NANCY: First, thank you for having me, Donnell! It’s always great to be with GLIAS, never mind hanging out with one of my favorite people!

Blue Gourd

Now to your question. The gourd family includes fruits such as pumpkins, melons, and squashes. Hard-shell gourds, used for practical items such as bowls and vases, come from a different family. When gourds are properly dried, artists can paint, etch, burn, and otherwise decorated them. You can paint gourds pretty much the same way you’d paint wood using acrylic or oil paints. The gourd can be all one color, or the paint can be layered. Or an artist can start with a solid color and then decorate with additional designs – graphics, flowers, whatever. I have a half dozen very small gourds I need to clean and then paint. Soon as I get time!

Painted Gourds at Art Fair

DONNELL:  Now, I know you and your husband are originally from Tulsa, and now live in Florida, so why on earth did you set your story in Arkansas?

NANCY: Grins, Donnell! My dad and his family were originally from the Fort Smith, Arkansas area, and he, his sister, and his parents ended up in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, a small town southwest of Tulsa. I don’t remember the story of why or when they moved, but I remember visiting family and friends in AR when I was young. My folks also had a neighbor and friend who grew up in Magnolia, Arkansas. She is a gracious lady with such a pretty accent, I decided to model my fictional town after Magnolia.

Besides, every time I tried to move the story to Florida, the characters completely rebelled.  

Etched and Polished Gourd

DONNELL:  You have six elderly characters who decide to live together, while Nixy tries to rein them all in. I’m always astonished that someone outside of the group gets murdered and not someone within. I’m going to put you on the spot – Out of all of these characters, which one is your favorite, and is there one you’d like to smack?

NANCY: LOL, Donnell! I’ve seen a few cozy authors kill off a character “close” to the prime protagonist, but it doesn’t happen often. Plus, in a small town setting, it gets dicey to kill residents right and left.

Seriously, I’ve never had the urge to smack these characters. They all entertain me, although my favorite among the Silver Six is probably Fred. He came to me so clearly, and yet he continually says things that surprise me and make me laugh. My tie for favorite isn’t a Silver Sixer. She’s the next door neighbor, “Old Lady Gilroy.” I thought Bernice Gilroy would be more or less a walk-on, but she quickly established her place in the books. She’s as feisty as Fred, but an enigma to the main character, Nixy. I have a blast writing the visits between these two!

DONNELL:  Tell us about Nixy and the hunky detective Eric Shoar. Does Eric have any competition in his future? Will he leave Nixy heartbroken?

NANCY: Being that Lilyvale is a small town without a plethora of eligible men in Nixy’s age range, Eric doesn’t have competition other than Nixy’s riding herd on the Silver Six and managing the Handcraft Emporium. Eric will definitely not leave her heartbroken, and their relationship will strengthen even more in the third book. He’s an upstanding, small-town guy, and a good cop. And hey, he remembers Nixy’s favorite Dairy Queen drinks, and he dotes on her pets! Definitely a keeper!

DONNELL:  This is a craft-based series, and you provide recipes for your readers. Are you crafty, and if so, what is your favorite craft. Considering that I am the world’s worst cook, what recipe would you like me to try?

NANCY: I have been crafty in my past, but don’t indulge nearly as much as I used to. I’ve crocheted, needlepointed, arranged artificial flowers, made wreaths large and small. I’ve even painted, mostly with acrylics, although my creations are primitive at best. It’s freeing to sweep brush strokes on canvas board and know if I turn out a horror, I can always paint over it. :)

As for recipes, I gave up cooking a long while back. Hubby is the cook and baker in the family now. That said, I have made the chicken artichoke casserole recipe that appeared in Basket Case. It’s a process, but it isn’t difficult. The recipe for pear bread is in Paint the Town Dead. I haven’t made that yet, but it seems easy enough. I don’t recommend tackling the fried okra recipe unless you (1) adore fried okra and can’t get it anywhere else, or (2) you love cooking and don’t mind cleaning up the frying mess. Honest, aren’t I? 

DONNELL:  You absolutely are! When you’re not pounding away at the keyboard where will we find you?

NANCY: Sometimes you’ll find me tending my container plants. I’ve put plants in the ground, but most of them have gone nuts. A case in point is my hibiscus. That sucker is ten feet tall, minimum. So container gardening – with weeds also contained – is more my speed.

I used to walk the beach at least a few times a week, but haven’t done that in a while. Since the beach is only a three-minute walk away, and I moved here for the beach, not walking it is a crime. I want to get back to that.

Otherwise, I’m reading, reading, reading!

DONNELL:  This is your second series.  Your first was a humorous vampire series. Now you’re dealing with senior citizens. Do vampires ever try to slip into the plot? How do you keep them at bay;)

NANCY: I have no trouble keeping vampires out of the Silver Six, but ghosts want to sneak in now and again. I alluded to Nixy “seeing” her spunky ancestress in an upper story window once, but she has her hands full with the Six. She doesn’t need a ghost complicating life. (Although it would be fun to see what Fred would say about a ghost!)

I am working on a senior vampire story that might be a scream, and on several others featuring ghosts. 

NANCY, NOW IT’S YOUR TURN.  Time to ask readers a question, and here please let me know if you’d like to do a book give away.

I’m giving away signed copies of both Basket Case and Paint the Town Dead to one commenter. US only, please.

Readers, here are two questions for you: You can answer either or both! Inquiring minds want to know!

First, what art or craft do you love doing? Have you been at it long?

Second, I know of a lot of seniors who’ve long stopped worrying about what others think. They may be perfectly polite about it, but they aren’t shy about saying and doing what they want. Do you have a senior in your life who keeps you guessing, and/ or who keeps you in stitches?

About Nancy Haddock: the award-winning and national bestselling author of the Silver Six Crafting Mysteries. Basket Case debuted in 2015, and the second book in the series, Paint the Town Dead, is a Sept. 2016 release. Nancy draws on historic wealth, southern culture, and the plain old quirkiness of places and people for her books. Learn more about her and her books at www.nancyhaddock.com

Website Facebook   Twitter: @tikinancy or @nancyhaddock   Goodreads

Chocolate Truffled to Death.

Two best friends sell books and bonbons—and solve crimes—in this mystery from the author of Death Is Like a Box of Chocolates…

Hoping to sweeten sales for their shop, Chocolates and Chapters, Michelle and Erica host a reception highlighting a new museum display of ancient Mayan pottery curated by Erica’s former mentor, Professor Addison Moody. The evening has a few hiccups, but the ladies soon smooth things over with ample servings of wine and chocolate.

Yet with the sweet comes the bitter. The very next day, the antiquities from the reception are discovered missing. The professor accuses Erica of having sticky fingers, claiming she wants revenge on him. And she’s only in more trouble after he’s found stabbed to death with one of the artifacts. Now Michelle must help Erica track down the real killer before someone else finds themselves in less than mint condition…

Kathy Aarons is the author of Truffled to Death, the second in the CHOCOLATE COVERED MYSTERY series by Berkley Prime Crime.  First in the series, Death is Like a Box of Chocolates, was a national bestseller, and was chosen as a Fabulous First by the Mysterious Galaxy, and as a Best Book of 2014 by the San Diego Union Tribune.

Research for the series was such a hardship: sampling chocolate, making chocolate, sampling more chocolate, and hanging out in bookstores.

After growing up in rural Pennsylvania and attending Carnegie Mellon University, Kathy built a career in public relations in New York City. She now lives in San Diego with her husband and two daughters where she wakes up far too early, and is still obsessed with the Broadway Idiot documentary, finding the perfect cup of coffee, and Dallmann’s Sea Salt Caramels.

You can follow Kathy on Facebook or Twitter or visit her at: www.kathyaarons.com
https://www.facebook.com/kathy.aarons Twitter: @kathyaarons

Hi! I’m Kathy Aarons, author of the nationally bestselling Death is Like a Box of Chocolates and the just released Truffled to Death! I thought I’d turn the Get Lost in a Story questions over to one of my main characters, Michelle Serrano, gourmet chocolatier and co-owner of Chocolates and Chapters.  

Kathy: What’s your favorite kind of story to get lost in?
Michelle: Anything to do with chocolate, cats, or softball.

Kathy: What’s your favorite movie of all time?
Michelle: It’s probably pretty obvious – Chocolat! It came out in 2000 and explains a lot about why so many people are so passionate about chocolate. I gather a bunch of friends to watch it at least once a year and serve my wonderful truffles.

Kathy: Who’s your favorite villain?
Michelle: Being an orphan myself, I’ve always had a soft spot for Darth Vader. It doesn’t excuse his behavior, of course! Just look at me – I help solve murder mysteries in my small town of West Riverdale, Maryland – with no hint of villainy.

Kathy: If you were given a chance to travel to the past where would you go and specifically why?
Michelle: To the heyday of the Maya empire. Did you know the Mayan people drank chocolate at every meal?

Kathy: What do you do to unwind and relax?
Michelle: I run almost every day and get rid of a lot of my worries on the road. Running also helps me solve problems. And when things get really tough, I try new chocolate recipes.

Kathy: Tea or Coffee? And how do you take it?
Michelle: Like Kathy Aarons, I like my coffee strong. I use a French press and grind beans every morning. It takes a lot of caffeine to solve mysteries!

Kathy has a question for readers: What’s your favorite chocolate delight? Truffle? Cupcake? Flourless Chocolate Cake?  Kathy is giving away a print or ebook copy of Truffled to Death to one lucky commenter. Please remember to leave your contact information if you want in on the raffle. Good luck!

Death is Like a Box of Chocolates Sampler

Whether it’s to satisfy a craving for chocolate or pick up the hottest new bestseller, the locals in charming West Riverdale, Maryland, are heading to Chocolates and Chapters, where everything sold is to die for…
 


Best friends Michelle Serrano and Erica Russell are celebrating the sweet rewards of their combined bookstore and chocolate shop by hosting the Great Fudge Cook-off during the town’s Memorial Day weekend Arts Festival. But success turns bittersweet when Main Street’s portrait photographer is found dead in their store, poisoned by Michelle’s signature truffles.
 
As suspicion mounts against Michelle, her sales begin to crumble and her career seems whipped. With Erica by her side, Michelle must pick through an assortment of suspects before the future of their dream store melts away…

FIRST IN A NEW SERIES

Includes Scrumptious Chocolate-Making Recipes!

Kathy Aarons is the author of Death is Like a Box of Chocolates, the first in the Chocolate Covered Mystery series by Berkley Prime Crime.

"Research for the series was such a hardship: sampling chocolate, making chocolate, sampling more chocolate, and hanging out in bookstores."

After growing up in rural Pennsylvania and attending Carnegie Mellon University, Kathy built a career in public relations in New York City. She now lives in San Diego with her husband and two daughters where she wakes up far too early, and is currently obsessed with the Broadway Idiot documentary, finding the perfect cup of coffee, and Dallmann’s Sea Salt Caramels.

Jillian: What’s the first book you remember reading?
Kathy: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Our first grade teacher was reading us a chapter a week, but I couldn’t wait so I got it out of the library. I’m sure that’s what started my unfortunate habit of sometimes reading the end if I can’t stand the suspense.

Jillian: Who's your favorite cartoon character?
Kathy: Scoobie Doo. Must be the mystery-solving.
Jillian: Yeah, his sleuthing skills for sure.  ;)

Jillian: What sound or noise do you love?
Kathy: The sound of my girls playing piano and singing Broadway show tunes. They play and sing with such talent, enthusiasm and joy. As a family, we’ve seen a lot of theater, so I’m glad they get to enjoy it hands on.

Jillian: What was the first story you remember writing?
Kathy: In high school, I wrote a story linking the death of a plant by overwatering to an overbearing mother. My mother found it and worried that it was about her. It wasn’t. I’m pretty sure I got an A on that story.

Jillian: If you couldn’t be a writer anymore, what profession would you take up?
Kathy: Something in the nonprofit world, helping disadvantaged youth. I’m passionate about arts education for youth. I volunteer for the Canyon Crest Academy Writing Conference, the only free high school writing conference in the country. One of the speakers noted that because of the inspirational and educational workshops it provides, San Diego is going to have more than its fair share of accomplished authors and writing professionals in the future.

I also recently joined the board for Playwrights Project http://playwrightsproject.org/ which expands playwriting education and opportunities for youth and adults.

Jillian: What question are you never asked in interviews, but wish you were?
Kathy: I love to talk about my critique group. We call ourselves the Denny’s Chicks because we are scattered all over San Diego and Denny’s was the most central place to meet. I would not be published today if it wasn’t for Barrie Summy (barriesummy.com) and Kelly Hayes. We motivate each other and bring different talents to the table when reviewing each other’s work.

Jillian: What do you do to unwind and relax?
Kathy: I walk on the beach a few times a week, for both exercise and to unwind. My husband said that when I walk on the beach with others, it’s good for my health, and when I walk by myself, it’s good for my soul.

Jillian: What dreams have been realized as a result of your writing?
Kathy: So many things! I have a dream agent (Jessica Faust, BookEnds, LLC) and dream editor (Robin Barletta, Penguin Random House). I’ve held my book in my hand! I’ve been able to thank people who’ve supported me over the years in the acknowledgements. And I’ll see my book on the bookstore shelves very soon!

Jillian: Tea or Coffee? And how do you take it?
Kathy: Coffee for sure. Almost a full cup of newly ground beans in a French press for five minutes. Cream, no sugar. The only way I can wake up!

Jillian: What would you say is your most interesting quirk?
Kathy: You’ll have to ask my husband or kids. On the other hand, maybe not.

Kathy has a question for GLIAS readers: What unsolved mystery would you’d like to see solved?  Kathy is giving away a copy of Death is Like a Box of Chocolates to one lucky commenter!  Leave your contact information along with your comment if you wish to be included in the giveaway raffle.

You can follow Kathy on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kathy.aarons or Twitter: @kathyaarons or visit her at: www.kathyaarons.com.

***Note: Offer void where prohibited. Prizes will be mailed to North America  addresses only. If an Advanced Reading Copy (ARC) is available, the author may utilize that option for International participants. Odds of winning vary due to the number of entrants.

Get Lost with Debut Author Laura Morrigan

Get Lost in a Story Readers (My BAD!!!)  The wonderful Laura Morrigan returned her adorable Q&A, and your humble, careless poster cannot find among the myriad files of her computer!  So I'm here to apologize and rave about this woman sincerely (who I've known for several years now).  I think her concept is unique, quirky and as talented as she is.  (Did I mention she is an amazing cover artist?)  Here's a bit about Woof at the Door.  To make up for my goof, I'm also giving away one paperback or digital copy to one lucky commenter, so post away!  ~ Donnell


ABOUT WOOF at the DOOR

Grace Wilde’s job is anything but normal. When she’s not helping out at the zoo by comforting agitated lemurs, she’s listening to the woes of annoyed house pets. Grace’s life gets even more complicated, though, when the cops summon her to a crime scene to help deal with the murder victim’s terrified Doberman. The pooch turns out to be the only one who saw what happened the night of the shooting—and only Grace can get the information out of him. The problem is, how will Grace tell the distractingly gorgeous Sergeant Kai Duncan that it’s the dog who’s giving her the intel without spilling her big secret or sounding crazy? Left on her own, Grace will have to follow the pup’s lead to track down the killer. But she’ll have to be careful—or curiosity may end up killing the cat whisperer.

About Laura Morrigan

Spending the first years of her life on a Costa Rican coffee farm blessed Laura Morrigan with a fertile imagination and a love for all things wild.

Later she became a volunteer at a Florida zoo, helping out with everything from “waste management” to teaching an elephant how to paint. Drawing from her years of experience with both wild and domestic animals and her passion for detective novels, Laura created the Call of the Wilde Mystery series. She lives in Florida with her husband and far too many cats, loves the Blue Angels, wearing flip flops in November, and thunderstorms. Laura Is currently hard at work, writing the third Call of the Wilde mystery.

AND NOW THE CASE OF THE FOUND Q&A!!!!!

 

 

Fun questions:

DONNELL:  Wow, Laura, or should I say Bow wow!  I’ve been waiting for this story forever.  Whatcha been doing?

LAURA: Writing!! I’ve been waiting, too- so excited it’s finally out- and I’m getting great feedback. So I’m double-happy!

DONNELL:  It’s no secret you love pets.  What’s the most exotic creature you’ve owned?

LAURA: Aside from my husband? ;-) We ha a toucan when we liven in Costa Rica- and a squirrel. And I’m pretty sure the cat I have now is part monkey- if that counts.

DONNELL:  How much fun is it seeing the book you’ve worked on from concept to completion in book form?

LAURA: It’s very cool! This is my first book so it’s very strange to look at BookScan and see that people all over the US have bought a copy. I mean, I don’t know anyone in Salt Lake City or Wichita- so, total strangers are reading my book!! Whoa! 

DONNELL:  Your book involves a mystery.  I take it you like suspense.  What’s the most suspenseful thing that’s ever happened to you?

LAURA: Once, right after my husband, Blake, had had shoulder surgery, I heard something in the middle of the night and thought “is someone inside?” Usually, I’d alert my husband and we’d work together to clear the house. But he was out cold, doped up on pain meds. I retrieved my weapon and crept to the top of the stairs where I had a clear view of the foyer and waited... listening.

It felt like an hour but after about five minutes of silence, I made the decision to check the house. It was fine. The noise turned out to be nothing. A big plastic tub I’d propped in the kitchen sink to dry had fallen- Normally, I would have remembered but I think because I was so worried about my husband, I didn’t make the connection. So I crouched on the stairs, straining to hear past my pounding heart and struggling with what to do.  My internal debate went like this:

Should I call the police?

Why? All you heard was a thump- and the security alarm is on.

Right, but someone could have come through a window. Maybe I should try to wake up Blake.

What good would that do? He’s incapacitated.

And vulnerable. So if someone is inside or it’s more than one person... I’m calling 911.

Don’t be stupid, you haven’t heard anything in several minutes. Go check the house.

But If I leave, the upstairs open, someone could come up and Blake is out of it...

On and on it went.

The issue was the fear I felt for my husband, who is normally a force to be reckoned with. I didn’t know what to do. Paralyzing- but only for a few minutes, thank God!!

DONNELL:  What’s in your refrigerator right now?

LAURA: Let’s see...Leftover jambalaya, green tea, milk, hummus, salad stuff, leftover chinese takeout, way more condiments then we’ll ever use and a bottle of Taittinger champange (for when I hit the big time!)

DONNELL:  Do you have any quirks?

LAURA: Nope- I’m quirk-less! Okay- that’s not true. (No, it's not :)

I have an odd sense of humor- sarcasm is a factor there, but it can also be more off-beat than most. I find horror films to be funny and laugh at inappropriate times.

Sometimes, I dance around the house when I feel bummed out about something singing “Eye of the Tiger” or I’ll watch this clip of Dean from Supernatural over and over. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7fyfKCh_i4

 

DONNELL:  If you could meet anyone, past or present, who would it be and why?

LAURA: Gosh, I don’t know. Dumbledoor? (does he count??) I’d love to go to Hogwarts!

 

NOW IT’S YOUR TURN.  TIME TO ASK READERS A QUESTION. 

Hummm... okay. When you find a new author you like and realize they only have one or two books out, do you buy stories or novellas by them to “bridge the gap” between book releases? If so, what length do you prefer? (Short would be anything less than 10,000 words, so, up to 35 pages. Long would be 10,000-50,000 up to 150-200 pages) Or does it matter?

 

You can read the first chapter of Woof at the Door on Laura’s website www.lauramorrigan.com

Like the Call of the Wilde page on fb to get the latest info on give-aways and other news!https://www.facebook.com/CallOfTheWildeMysteries 

If you’d like to see some really cool inspirational photos of animals and funny stuff visit Laura’s pinterest page.http://pinterest.com/lauramorrigan/grace-wilde-call-of-the-wilde-mystery-series-inspi/

 

 

https://www.facebook.com/laura.morrigan?fref=ts

@laura morrigan on Twitter

or http://www.lauramorrigan.com/

 

DON'T FORGET to FOLLOW us on Twitter #GetLostStories or LIKE us on Facebook to keep up with all our guest authors and their prizes ~ Donnell

 

Note: Please leave an email address for notification. Offer void where prohibited. Prizes will be mailed to North America addresses only unless specifically mentioned in the post. Odds of winning vary due to the number of entrants. Winners of drawings are responsible for checking this site in a timely manner. If prizes are not claimed in a timely manner, the author may not have a prize available. Get Lost In A Story cannot be responsible for an author's failure to mail the listed prize. GLIAS does not automatically pass email addresses to guest authors unless the commenter publicly posts their email address

 

India Black Returns with Carol K. Carr

I interviewed Carol K. Carr when her debut novel, India Black, about the unconventional adventures of a witty Victorian madam, first released - when GLIAS was a brand-new blog. I wanted to see what she's been up to since, and she has some great new releases in the works! The novella India Black and the Rajah's Ruby will release digitally on December 31, and India's third full-length adventure, India Black and the Shadows of Anarchy, will release in February 2013. Here's our latest interview.

Simone - Our last interview was before your first release. How have things changed since then?

Carol - Getting the first book published is such a speculative effort that when it happens you tend to think you've finally made it, you've reached the summit.  Then you realize you're only half way up the mountain.  I'd compare it to being drafted by the NFL.  You think you've achieved your dream.  And then you learn that you have to keep practicing and play hard every Sunday or the dream is over.  So my attitude has changed and I have adopted a professional approach to writing.  I crunch out my 2,000 words five days a week, even if I don't feel like it.  I work hard at marketing my books by reaching out to bloggers and readers.  I spend countless hours reviewing and revising.  I meet my deadlines.  It's no longer a fun hobby.  It's work (although it's work you can do in your pajamas and you don't have to put up with an irritating boss).      

Simone - What is in your fridge right now?

Carol - You'd be hard-pressed to put together a meal out of my fridge at the moment.  We have about two dozen bottles of marinades, chutney, condiments and salad dressings.  One bottle of tonic.  Bottled water.  One beer.  A half-empty bottle of wine (that's rare-we usually finish it if we open it).  Olives, dill pickles, and a really good English cheddar.  And some green onions which we forgot to use and should be thrown away.  I guess we'll be dining out tonight.

Simone - What is your favorite deadline food? (Yes, it's the holiday season and I have food on the brain!)

Carol - It varies.  This year I was finishing India #4 around Thanksgiving, which is when Sam's Club brings out the peanut brittle.  I'm too embarrassed to tell you how many containers of that have been in my pantry in the last two months.

Simone - Who should play India Black in a movie?

Carol - I'd choose one of two British actresses.  Hayley Atwell looks like India as I envision her and is great at playing bad girls.  But I think I'd go with Emily Blunt, who has terrific comedic timing and a real attitude.  

Simone - The embarrassing manuscript no one has ever seen (every writer has one) - what was it about?

Carol - Someone is threatening the life of the Bob Smith (I've blocked this from my mind-I can't even remember the character's name), the arrogant and overbearing CEO of a Fortune 500 company.  Is the culprit the smarmy chief financial officer, who wants to replace Smith?  Or the former employee Smith humiliated and fired?  Or Smith's wife, who has tired of his crude behavior and found love in the arms of the golf pro at the country club? 

The fact that I was once  an Executive Vice President of a Fortune 500 company and was privy to all the office politics going on behind the scenes might, just might, have had something to do with the choice of topic.  In retrospect, in worked better as therapy than a novel.  

Simone - What's next for you?

Carol - I've just finished India #4, which completes my contract with Berkley Prime Crime.  I'll be waiting to see if they're interested in continuing the series.  In the meantime, I'm putting the finishing touches on a mystery involving a young female deputy, and outlining a thriller with a female martial artist as the protagonist.  I also need to produce one more short story about India, which will be published by Berkley in digital form.  But I'm not doing anything at all until January.  Time for a break, and some peanut brittle.

Thanks, Carol! I can relate to the peanut brittle - on my last deadline I nearly lived on chocolate pudding cups. Readers, what is your go-to stress food?

Happy holidays everyone - to all of our readers, our wonderful guests this year, and to my fellow GLIAS writers!

Simone

Get lost in a Bruja, Brouhaha...

...with author Rochelle Staab and sleuthy psychologist, Liz Cooper.

There’s nothing like celebrating with friends, so it’s a true pleasure for me to be here to share my excitement over the release of my second novel, Bruja Brouhaha. 

Readers of my first novel already know Liz Cooper, the Los Angeles psychologist with a distaste and mistrust about the supernatural. In Who Do, Voodoo? Liz sets aside her mystical doubts to team with handsome occult expert Nick Garfield to track a harasser. Their journey leads to murder, a voodoo curse, and otherworldly secrets. And attraction.

In Liz’s second adventure, Bruja Brouhaha, a mid-city clinic assignment near historic MacArthur Park sends her into the midst of local mayhem, a puzzling disappearance, and a vindictive Santeria hex. Liz and new love Nick help an elderly Santera through a heart-breaking tragedy with repercussions that test their new relationship and Liz’s professional ethics. 

Today I’m stepping aside to let my talented amateur sleuth, Liz Cooper answer a few personal questions. Liz? You’re on!

Psst! 

Liz’s creator Rochelle Staab is a former award-winning Top 40 radio programmer and Warner Bros. Records advertising and marketing executive. She blends her fascination with the supernatural and her love for mystery in her national bestselling, Golden Heart®, Anthony, and Agatha Award-nominated Mind For Murder Mystery series on Berkley Prime Crime. 

Meet Liz Cooper, heroine of Rochelle Staab’s Mind For Murder Mystery Series

Rochelle: Where do you read and how often? 

LIZ: Every night I curl up in bed with a novel (or Nick Garfield, but I digress). Book in my lap, pillows propped behind me, blanket to my waist, the deeper I’m into a story, the more I fight drooping lids. Give me a great book and I’ll fight to stay awake for one more chapter. Then another. You know.  

Rochelle: What’s your favorite “love” word? 

LIZ: Cherish. I love a lot of people and things, but I cherish the magnetism, trust, and passion I feel when I’m with Nick. 

Rochelle: Be honest, Rochelle writes you in 1st person...do you miss the hero’s POV?

LIZ: YES! Give me the opportunity to delve into Nick’s mind, please. An inside scoop on how he feels about us, why he’s drawn to the occult, what he’s thinking about the future, and what he won’t talk about from his past. Cut a girl a break here with some inside skinny.

Rochelle: What turns you off like nothing else? 

LIZ: Insistence on turning to the supernatural—fortunetellers, psychics, wishes, charms, or luck—to sort out personal issues. People: Your answers are found within, not from an invisible, mystical source. Makes me crazy. (Shrink joke.) 

Rochelle: What’s your favorite cartoon character? 

LIZ: As a kid I read a lot of Donald Duck comics, proving I was drawn to danger at a very early age. Donald was a happy-go-lucky duck but he tended to fall into situations over his head. Oddly familiar lately. 

Rochelle: What’s your favorite movie of all time? 

LIZ: Bull Durham came out when I was a teen. A lifelong baseball fan, I fantasized being Annie Savoy—sitting in the stands under my umbrella watching my baseball player boyfriend at bat, flirting with him in a batting cage, and reading poetry to him at night in my eclectic cottage with a baseball shrine in the corner. I credit Bull Durham (and a pair of blue eyes) for my instant crush on the star pitcher of the varsity team when I got to college. Jarret Cooper even looked a like Kevin Costner to me. Well, same hair. I married him after graduation. Jarret became a professional ballplayer and for a while my fantasy came true. I emphasize “a while.” Our divorce four years ago wasn’t pretty. Jarret was no Crash Davis (and he’s certainly no Nick Garfield.) But I still count Bull Durham at or near the top of my movie faves. Annie Savoy had amazing taste in clothes.

Rochelle: Which era would you least like to have lived in, fashion-wise and why? 

LIZ: Least? The S-bends corsets and pigeon pouter effect of the Edwardian era. Too many clothes, cinches, fabric—apparently breathing wasn’t a priority back then. Most? The Jazz Age. Reckless, rebellious flappers in flirty fringe. I love wearing vintage-inspired clothing. In BRUJA BROUHAHA, my dress for the Park Clinic fundraiser has a flapper vibe. 

Liz has a question for commenters: 

Experts warn us never to repeat a fashion trend in our lifetime. I remember the Doc Martens and bib overalls I thought I looked so cool in at college. Do you have a favorite fashion trend you wore and wish you could wear again but can’t or won’t? 

Rochelle will send an autographed copy of BRUJA BROUHAHA to one lucky commenter, chosen at random.

Website: www.rochellestaab.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rochelle.staab

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/rochellestaab

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4705211.Rochelle_Staab

Bruja Brouhaha buy links:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Bruja-Brouhaha-Mind-Murder-Mystery/dp/0425251497/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1323113450&sr=8-1

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bruja-brouhaha-rochelle-staab/1107385385?ean=9780425251492

Who Do, Voodoo? buy links:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Who-Voodoo-Mind-Murder-Mystery/dp/0425244598/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1344994725&sr=1-1&keywords=who+do+voodoo

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/who-do-voodoo-rochelle-staab/1111848182?ean=9780425244593

***Note: Offer void where prohibited. Prizes will be mailed to North America  addresses only. If an Advanced Reading Copy (ARC) is available, the author may utilize that option for International participants. Odds of winning vary due to the number of entrants.

Rochelle Staab

Get Lost in the Spell of Who Do Voodoo?

A few clues about Rochelle Staab

A 2010 Golden Heart® finalist, Rochelle brings to the world of romance readers her fascination with the supernatural and her love for mystery in WHO DO, VOODOO? the first novel in her Mind for Murder Mystery series for Berkley Prime Crime. An award-winning radio programmer and music-industry marketing executive, Rochelle began her writing career in 2007. BRUJA BROUHAHA, the second novel in the series will be released in August.

You're invited to a seance

Madame Iya’ rocked back and forth, shaking a small brass rattle. “We humbly ask you to send the spirit of our beloved Sophie to join us.” A full minute passed then Madame Iya’ spoke again. “Sophie is here.”

A candle popped. Shadows flickered on the walls outside of the circle. A draft swept across the floor and flickered the flames of the candles. I thought I saw a shadow move behind Jimmy and Tawny. I brushed away the sensation that someone else was in the room with us. I tensed up.

“Nola. Sophie wants you to publish her spell book.” Madame Iya’ let out a deep sigh. “She wants me to help you complete it.”

Linda’s body went rigid. She clenched her hand over mine and began to rock. She spoke in a deep and insistent voice; a voice I didn’t recognize. “No. I don’t want that. My secrets have to be protected. There will be danger. No.”

“What are you talking about, Linda?” Nola said.

Linda stared across the room. “Linda’s not here, my treasure.”

“Who are you?” Nola’s words came unsteady, searching. “Sophie?”

“Not Sophie. I’m Callia.”

The back of my neck tingled. Who was Callia? Linda gazed around the circle. She stopped when she got to me. Her face had changed: the softness drained from her features. She looked tired, older. Her eyes were vacant. A small terror edged my rational mind aside. I had a fleeting sensation that someone else’s eyes were staring at me from Linda’s face.

“You have to keep my secrets safe and with my family. Your question is answered inside.” She held her eyes on mine. “Promise me.”

I nodded warily, not knowing what she meant. “I promise.”

A door down the hall slammed shut with a force so hard it rattled the windows. Tawny screamed. I jumped.

Unveiling at least some of the mystery that is Rochelle Staab

Jillian: How often to you get lost in a story?

Rochelle: Every day! I adore the escape of reading a good novel and the thrill of writing a new story. I take my Kindle to the gym every morning to read on the treadmill; and when I’m alone I read during lunch and dinner. Falling into the world of a story is the best. When I’m engrossed in writing, my characters follow me around all day, poking me with story ideas and plot complications even when I’m away from my computer.

Jillian: What’s your favorite fairy tale?

Rochelle: Cinderella. The innocent sweetness of the rags-to-riches, obscurity-to-center stage, the basement-to-the-ballroom story tickles the little girl in me. As a child, I was enchanted by the magical world in the animated Disney film. Mice talked. Pumpkins became carriages. The fairy godmother waved her wand and a ball gown materialized. The scullery maid married the prince. Cinderella made me believe anything was possible.

Jillian: Is there a playlist you’d recommend for reading your latest release?

Rochelle: Oh, yes. My character Nick’s favorite: the slow, sexy tempo of the blues. Randy Newman’s “Leave Your Hat On”, Eric Clapton “Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out”, and Bonnie Raitt’s “Love Me Like A Man”. Chicago blues like Muddy Waters’ “Don’t Go No Farther” and Howlin’ Wolf’s “Evil”; and any of the New Orleans blues songs on Hugh Laurie’s Let Them Talk album. And, of course, Ella Fitzgerald singing “That Old Black Magic”.

Jillian: What’s the first thing you do when you finish writing a book?

Rochelle: I walk through my house, arms in the air, and smiling like I just scored a touchdown in the Super Bowl. Then for a treat, I book a massage for an afternoon of undistracted bliss.

Jillian: What do you do to unwind and relax?

Rochelle: Once a week I drive to Santa Monica beach and eat lunch at the ocean. I park in a lot at the edge of the sand, sit on a bench, and watch the joggers, tanners, and birds pass while I eat my sandwich. The break completely erases all mind-clutter.

Jillian: What dreams have been realized as a result of your writing?

Rochelle: The day I started writing WHO DO, VOODOO? I tented a piece of white cardboard, wrote “reserved for WHO DO, VOODOO?” on it in bold black, and placed the card in front off an empty slot on my bookshelf. Nothing, NOTHING, beat the feeling of putting the first commercial copy of WDV into that slot!

Jillian: Tea or Coffee? And how do you take it?

Rochelle: Coffee. A decaf, no sugar added, mocha latté with soymilk. (Blushing.) I’m a California cliché—I mean, chick.

Jillian's long convoluted gotta ask question (Because she is very very curious about the mystery genre): According to the website Murder by 4, there are thirteen different types of mysteries including amateur sleuth, professional sleuth, cozy, police procedurals, legal/medical, suspense, romantic suspense, historicals, private eye, noir, crime, caper, and something called mixed genre which seems to primarily involve science fiction. As a mystery writer, which of these types do you enjoy reading? And, we know that WHO DO, VOODOO is a romantic suspense mystery but might there also be elements of other types in there? Please share!

Rochelle's Answer: The first mysteries I read were the Nancy Drews and I’m still drawn to amateur sleuths. One of my favorite series is Cleo Coyle’s Coffee House Mysteries and I enjoyed Harlan Coben’s Myron Bolitar series. But I’ve also read all of the Hammett, Chandler, and Cain noir, and I’ve read Grisham’s legal thrillers and Connelly’s police procedurals. I’m a huge fan of Elizabeth Peters’ Amelia Peabody Egyptian historicals, too. The Mind for Murder Mystery series is categorized as a cozy and there’s a definite paranormal vibe. One of my favorite scenes detours into eerie historical settings in Haiti and New Orleans. And I couldn’t resist adding touches of sexy banter (ala screwball comedy) into the mix.

Rochelle has a question for readers:

Music and lyrics are a special part of my life. I’ll always include music somewhere in my stories. Some songs pull me back to specific places, others make me cry no matter what, and there are songs that make me strong. I’d love to know if you have a certain song that moves you to tears or, by contrast, sucks you out of a bad mood. You know, the Gloria-Gaynor-“I Will Survive”-at-the-top-of-your-lungs in the car song?

Rochelle has a copy of WHO DO, VOODOO (sent by Berkley, so no autograph) plus a WDV pen!

For more about WHO DO, VOODOO and the upcoming BRUJA, BROUHAHA go to:

www.rochellestaab.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rochelle.staab

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/rochellestaab

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4705211.Rochelle_Staab

***Note: Offer void where prohibited. Prizes will be mailed to North America addresses only. If an Advanced Reading Copy (ARC) is available, the author may utilize that option for International participants. Odds of winning vary due to the number of entrants.