Get Lost in a Tarot Card Mystery!

WELCOME BACK KARI LEE TOWNSEND!

Kari Lee Townsend lives in central New York with her understanding husband, her three busy boys, and her oh-so-dramatic daughter :-) 

She is the National Bestselling Author, Agatha & RT Reviewer's Choice Award nominee for her Fortune Teller Mystery series. Kari also writes romance under the name Kari Lee Harmon. Small towns, mystical elements, quirky characters and a few chuckles along the way are what her books are all about. 

To find out more about Kari and all of her books, check out her websites at: www.karileetownsend.com & www.karileeharmon.com 

TROUBLE IN THE TAROT 

(book 3 of the Fortune Teller Mysteries – March 5, 2013)

For psychic Sunshine Meadows, sometimes fortunes can be deceiving…

Lately Sunny has been experiencing a period of big opportunity: her business in Divinity, New York, is thriving, and Detective Mitch Stone has finally agreed to take Sunny on a date. But thanks to her clairvoyant abilities, Sunny knows better than anyone that life deals out bad cards along with the good.

When Sunny agrees to read tarot cards at the annual summer Solstice Carnival, she meets her Granny Gert’s “arch nemesis” Fiona Atwater, and is overcome by a vision of Fiona in a violent argument. Sunny knows trouble is brewing when Granny and Fiona start having squabbles all over town. But the fighting comes to a head when a local baker gets run over by a big white Cadillac—and Granny and Fiona are found at the crime scene.

Sunny knows she should step aside and let Mitch handle the investigating, but she’s not about to ignore her visions and leave her granny’s life in fate’s hands…

GET TO KNOW KARI LEE TOWNSEND

MAUREEN:  Where in the world would you most like to visit?

KARI LEE:  I would love to visit Australia. Ever since watching Crocodile Dundee and being a huge Steve Irwin fan, not to mention drooling over actors like Hugh Jackman, Heath Ledger, Chris and Liam Hemsworth...sigh, I have completely romanticized the location. And my niece went there last year. After seeing her pictures, I am obsessed. Some day I will get there.

MAUREEN:  Hiking boots or high heels?

KARI LEE:  Hiking boots all the way. I love how high heels look, but I am old enough to know better :-) And my feet thank me. I love the outdoors, and I love trying all kinds of adventurous new activities. The more dare devilish it sounds, the more I am totally on board.

MAUREEN:  What sound our noise do you love?

KARI LEE:  The ocean. After watching Nights in Rodanthe, I want to go to the ocean and stay in a house like that one. And I even think the time of year she went, with cooler temps and not many people, would be perfect. Sitting in a chair by a fire, sipping Pinot Grigio and staring out at the waves sounds perfect for plotting a new book. I would love to take a writer's retreat to a place like that someday with my favorite critique partners Barbara Witek and Danielle LaBue. In the meantime, the sound of a fish tank will have to suffice.

MAUREEN:  Vanilla or chocolate?

KARI LEE:  Chocolate for sure :-) I love rich, sweet things. Any kind of chocolate is heavenly. The richer the better. I have a huge sweet tooth. Instead of reaching for the breads, I could skip meals all day and just eat sweets. So bad, I know, but so true. Ugh. Hence the new year's resolution...keep the hand out of the cookie jar and stay on track.

MAUREEN:  What's the most romantic thing anyone ever did for you?

KARI LEE:  My husband is a big romantic. He's always leaving me notes, buying me jewelry, taking me on trips, etc. But the most romantic thing he ever did was this. One time I told him I was tired so I was going to go up to bed and read. The next thing I know, he brings me up a cup of hot tea for no reason at all. Just said he knew I liked tea and thought I might like a cup while I was reading. It hit the spot perfectly. He knows me better than I do, and that's why we have been married for 24 years and together since we were eighteen :-) 

MAUREEN:  If you were given a chance to travel to the past, where would you go and why?

KARI LEE:  Scotland during medieval times. First of all, have you read those books? Yum yum is all I can say! And...I am just stubborn enough that I would want to prove that women rock. I would want to be the hero to save the day and get my man :-)

MAUREEN:  What does it mean to love someone?

KARI LEE:  I love this question. Relationships of any kind are not perfect. They take work. I think too many people give up too soon. Hey, if you've tried everything, and something still doesn't work, then by all means get out. But the point is...try. Loving someone means loving all of them. Being able to live with who they are and not trying to change them.  Sharing your hopes and dreams with a person you trust completely, and not being afraid to disagree or state your opinion. Having their back and knowing they have yours. And meeting their needs. Wanting to make them happy. And finding yourself thinking about them before you think about yourself.

GOTTA ASK, GOTTA ANSWER:

MAUREEN:  What's the best thing about writing a series? The worst?

KARI LEE:  I love writing a series because a lot of the pre-writing is already done. You know the town, you know the characters, you know the setup. Readers hate to leave characters they love when a book ends, so a series allows them to revisit the ones they love. The worst part of writing a series has to be in keeping the plot and characters fresh, not to mention keeping ourselves from getting bored. 

KARI LEE ASKS READERS:  

What fortune-teller tool would you like to see me explore next? What do you want to see happen to Sunny and Detective Mitch Stone happen next? Are there any other relationships you would like to see explored?

Corpes and Crystal Balls

Today, I'm happy to welcome back author  Kari Lee Townsend

Her latest novel, Corpse in the Crystal Ball (book 2) Fortune Teller Mysteries was released by  Berkley Prime Crime on June 5th 2012.

Corpse in the Crystal Ball (book 2) Fortune Teller Mysteries
Berkley Prime Crime
June 5th 2012
ISBN 9780425242759

CORPSE IN THE CRYSTAL BALL

Psychic Sunshine Meadows makes a dark discovery in the woods…

After clearing her name as the prime suspect in a murder, Sunny Meadows hopes she can finally enjoy some serenity in the idyllic town of Divinity in upstate New York. She’d also like a second chance with Detective Mitch Stone. But when Mitch’s gorgeous ex-girlfriend Isabel Gonzales shows up, Sunny’s not sure she can compete. Then Isabel mysteriously disappears. When the police turn to Sunny for help, her visions lead to the discovery of Isabel’s corpse in the woods. Before she died, Isabel scrawled a message in the dirt implicating Mitch in her murder. Now Sunny must help the man she’s falling in love with as she sets out to find the real killer. But this time Sunny’s clairvoyant abilities might not save her—as what she doesn’t see can hurt her…

ABOUT KARI LEE TOWNSEND

National Bestselling Author, RT Reader’s Choice Award & Agatha Nominee Kari Lee Townsend lives in Central New York with her very understanding husband, her three busy boys, and her oh-so-dramatic daughter, who keep her grounded and make everything she does worthwhile…not to mention provide her with loads of material for her books. Kari is a longtime lover of reading and writing, with a masters in English education, who spends her days trying to figure out whodunit. Funny how no one at home will confess any more than the characters in her mysteries!

Kari writes fun and exciting stories for any age, set in small towns, with mystical elements and quirky characters as Kari Lee Townsend. Kari also writes romantic comedies and women’s fiction with the same sense of humor and quirky characters as Kari Lee Harmon.

To find out more about Kari and all her books go to www.karileetownsend.com or click on the links below:
 

Kari Lee Townsend (Website & Newsletter & Facebook & Twitter)

National Bestselling Author of The Fortune Teller Mysteries

TEMPEST IN THE TEA LEAVES 4 1/2 Starred RT Review

Best Amateur Sleuth of 2011 RT Reviewers' Choice Nominee

Best First Novel Agatha Award Nominee

CORPSE IN THE CRYSTAL BALL - June 2012 (preorder now)

DIGITAL DIVA: TALK TO THE HAND (Kindle & Nook)

DIGITAL DIVA: RISE OF THE PHENOTEENS (Kindle & Nook)

DESTINY WEARS SPURS (by Kari Lee Harmon) (Kindle & Nook)

PROJECT PRODUCE (by Kari Lee Harmon) (Kindle & Nook)

GET TO KNOW KARI LEE TOWNSEND

MAUREEN:  Where do you most like to read and how often?
KARI LEE:  I love to read before I go to bed. It takes my mind off all the busy things that happen during the day and gets my creative juices flowing after some interesting dreams. The problem these days is staying awake long enough.

MAUREEN:  What’s your favorite kind of story to get lost in?
KARI LEE:  I know I don't write them, but I love historicals...especially medievals. Big hunky Scots and Irishmen are so yummy. I love being transported to another time and place, being truly swept away. I take my hat off to those who can actually do the research involved and write like that.

MAUREEN:  What really scares you?
KARI LEE:  I am petrified of rodents of any kind. I have no idea why, I just am. I often wonder if something happened to me when I was little and I've blocked it out. Just the thought of a mouse or rat sends shivers all over me.

MAUREEN:  Do you believe in ghosts?
KARI LEE:  I truly believe that anything is possible. I've seen too many strange unexplainable things and heard too many stories from others to ignore the possibility. I find everything paranormal so fascinating. That's why I'm having such a blast learning so many things along the way in writing my  Fortune Teller Mysteries.

MAUREEN:  Where in the world would you most like to visit?
KARI LEE:  I've been to Hawaii and Alaska which are amazing, but I would most love to go to Ireland. Italy, Scotland, Greece and Australia are on my bucket list as well, but I've heard enough about Ireland to make that my top pick. The castles and cliffs and rolling green hills sound so charming and intriguing. And I'm sure there's a story in there somewhere :-)

MAUREEN:  What’s next for you as an author?
KARI LEE:  For my Fortune Teller Mysteries I have finished book three Trouble in the Tarot, and am plotting book four Peril in the Palm. For my Digital Diva teen superhero series I am just finishing book three, Let Freedom Ring. And I write romances as Kari Lee Harmon. I currently have Destiny Wears Spurs and Project Produce available, with Sleeping in the Middle to come out soon. And there's a paranormal romance brewing in there as well. Good thing I love what I do.

MAUREEN:   Wow! You are busy. :) Hiking boots or high heels?
KARI LEE:  Hiking boots all the way. What can I say, I'm a mom of 4 kids (3 boys and 1 diva). I am the biggest adventure junkie in my family. I've been para sailing in Acapulco, wind surfing and scuba diving in Hawaii, kayaking in Alaska, swimming with stingray in the Caribbean, swimming with sea turtles and zip Lining in Hawaii. And I would really love to go hang gliding, parachuting and bungee jumping someday. The more adventurous the more exciting. My family thinks I'm nuts :-)

MAUREEN:  If you couldn’t be a writer anymore, what profession would you take up?
KARI LEE:  Singing or acting, but mostly singing. I was in plays in high school and even when I was teaching. I am a total ham, and if I wasn't too old, I'd go on American Idol. Now, I didn't say I was any good, mind you, I just said if I had my way that's what I'd do ;-)

MAUREEN:  What do you like on your burger? (and do you take your burger veggie or beefy?)
KARI LEE:  Cheese, lettuce, tomato, (sometimes onion and bacon but I have to be in the mood) and Miracle Whip salad dressing. Definitely beefy!

MAUREEN:  Strawberry daiquiri or a beer?
KARI LEE:  Neither...wine all the way! Especially Pinot Grigio.

MAUREEN:  Do you believe in alien abductions?
KARI LEE:  Just like with the ghost question, I believe anything is possible. Especially given how large the universe really is.

MAUREEN:  Vampires or werewolves?
KARI LEE:  Ohhh, tough one. I love the sexy mystery of the vampire, but I have to say out of Edward and Jacob...I was a huge Jacob fan :-)

MAUREEN:  What was your favorite subject in school and why?
KARI LEE:  English. I have truly always loved to read and write. It was my major in college and I even got certified to teach, but writing novels is for sure my favorite job.

MAUREEN:  Salsa or guacamole?
KARI LEE:  Love guacamole! But mango salsa is really good, too.

MAUREEN:  Which of your characters would you most/least to invite to dinner, and why?
KARI LEE:  I would LOVE to invite hunky Detective Mitch Stone to dinner just to look at him and drool. Although, I have to say I think Sunny Meadows would be a lot of fun to hang out with. And I'd have to tell her best friends Sean and Jo to join us. Now that would be a party. As for Sunny's parents, they could stay home. Except for Granny Gerty. She's a hoot and would be welcome at my table any day.

MAUREEN:  What dreams have been realized as a result of your writing?
KARI LEE:  To see my books on the shelves, getting to kill off people I don't like, and getting to immortalize the ones I do :-)

MAUREEN:  Tea or Coffee? And how do you take it?
KARI LEE:  I actually drink both. Gotta have my coffee in the morning with cream and sugar and tea at night with nothing in it. Just black.

MAUREEN:  What does it mean to love someone?
KARI LEE:  To put them before yourself and actually look forward to seeing them. To accept them for who they are and not try to change them. To still want to do the little things you know will make them smile. To still laugh at their jokes. To be comfortable with being yourself. I've been married for 23 years to the man I started dating at eighteen :-) Guess we're doing something right.

MAUREEN:  What color would you make the sky if it wasn’t going to be blue anymore and why?
KARI LEE:  Purple. Any shade. I absolutely love the color purple. It makes me smile and sigh every time I see it. It's just such a pretty color.

GOTTA ASK -- GOTTA ANSWER ☺

MAUREEN:  Have you ever solved a mystery in real life?
KARI LEE:  Other than the mystery of where my husband's keys are or where my kids' ipod, homework, dress shoes, (fill in the blank) are...no. I always thought it would be fun trying, though.

KARI LEE ASKS READERS

I always wondered what readers want to know from authors. What do you all want to know about me that hasn't been asked?

BOOK GIVEAWAY!

Kari Lee's publisher is generously giving away a copy of Corpse in the Crystal Ball to one lucky commenter from the US.
 

Note: Offer void where prohibited. Prizes will be mailed to US addresses only. 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.

Kari Lee Townsend

Kari Lee Townsend lives in Central New York with her very understanding husband, her three busy boys, and her oh-so-dramatic daughter, who keep her grounded and make everything she does worthwhile…not to mention provide her with loads of material for her books. Kari is a longtime lover of reading and writing, with a masters in English education, who spends her days trying to figure out whodunit. Funny how no one at home will confess any more than the characters in her mysteries!

Kari writes fun and exciting stories for any age, set in small towns, with mystical elements and quirky characters. You can find out more about her on her website http://www.karileetownsend.com/ and also on the group mystery blog she cohosts, called Mysteries and Margaritas, at http://www.mysteriesandmargaritasblogspot.com/

TEMPEST IN THE TEA LEAVES: A Fortune Teller Mystery

In the fortune telling business there are a lot of pretenders, but Sunshine Meadows is the real deal—and her predictions can be lethally accurate…

Sunny is a big city psychic who moves to the quaint town of Divinity, NY to open her fortune-telling business in an ancient Victorian house, inheriting the strange cat residing within. Sunny gives her first reading to the frazzled librarian and discovers the woman is going to die. When the woman flees in terror, Sunny calls the police, only she’s too late. The ruggedly handsome, hard-nosed detective is a ”non-believer.” He finds the librarian dead, and Sunny becomes his number one suspect, forcing her to prove her innocence before the real killer can put an end to the psychic’s future.

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING

"Fun and fortunetelling await readers in this first-rate debut mystery featuring a young and feisty psychic. Mitch is the perfect adversary for Sunny, and their constant bantering provies plenty of madcap situations to entertain readers. Great pacing, characters and a surprisingly good conclusion make this new series absolute fun!"--Sandra Martin, RT Book Reviews

"My tea leaves and my tarot cards agree--Kari Lee Townsend is riding a bullet-train straight to the top. I predict this vivacious, talented author will soon join the ranks of the superstars. Tempest in the Tea Leaves is a stellar launch for the Fortune Teller Mysteries, and every one of them is destined to become a classic. The author herself--well, she already is. And soon the whole world will know it!"--NY Times Bestselling Author of Twilight Prophecy, Maggie Shayne

"You don't need a crystal ball to predict a bright future for Townsend's Fortune Teller mystery series!"--Author of Clutches and Curses, Dorothy Howell

"Stephanie Plum, watch out! A perky, quirky psychic named Sunny Meadows is right behind you and catching up. The smart, funny, and gutsy fortune teller is a delightful new star on the psychic horizon. Witty, captivating, and refreshing."--Author of The Martha's Vineyard Mystery Series, Cynthia Riggs

"Kari Lee Townsend has a hit with her delightful new series about a fortune teller who finally leaves home to pursue her dreams and finds herself solving a murder. A little romance, a big white cat, and a Victorian house make for a fun read. The true meaning of what Sunny sees always reveals itself--and in this case, a killer."--Author of A Touch of Gold, Joyce Lavene

GET TO KNOW KARI LEE TOWNSEND

MAUREEN: Do you believe in ghosts?

KARI LEE: I believe that anything is possible. There’s so much we can’t explain. The thought of ghosts fascinates me. Scares me a bit, but fascinates me just the same.

MAUREEN: What’s the best vacation you’ve ever been on?

KARI LEE: My husband is a pharmaceutical rep, so we’ve been on several company award trips. Hawaii is absolutely amazing. We took a cruise to Alaska for out fifteenth wedding anniversary, and that was a close second, but Hawaii still tops every place I’ve ever been. So romantic and majestic. It really is breathtaking.

MAUREEN: Cats or dogs?

KARI LEE: Cats, of course ☺ I had so much fun creating Morty in Tempest in the Tea Leaves. He’s just so smart and mysterious and full of attitude. I love dogs, too, but there’s just something so interesting and unpredictable about cats. They have such personalities.

MAUREEN: If you couldn’t be a writer anymore, what profession would you take up?

KARI LEE: Acting. I’ve been in a few plays and love being on stage and hamming it up. Everyone always tells me I’m so dramatic. I have three boys and one darling diva who is just like me. Gee, maybe we should act together.

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

KARI LEE: First, I celebrate. Then I take a week off of writing, and usually clean up my desk. It’s a disaster while I’m working on a project, but no one is allowed to touch it because I know where everything is. But I have to admit it’s so refreshing when it’s clean, like a new slate, ready to start the next book.

MAUREEN: If you could interview one person (and it doesn’t have to be a writer) who would it be?

KARI LEE: Sandra Bullock. She is a hoot. I just love her and think she would have some fascinating stories and be really cool to talk to. If she wasn’t available, I’d choose Janet Evanovich. Love her books and can’t wait to see the movies! I want to be her when I grow up ☺

MAUREEN: If you were given a chance to travel to the past where would you go and why?

KARI LEE: Victorian England with Queen Victoria herself. I love that time period. In fact I chose an ancient Victorian house for Sunny to live in because I wanted to decorate it from that time period. It’s just so romantic. Chaotic and cluttered, but still romantic. And who would mind Prince Charming sweeping her off her feet?

MAUREEN: Which of your characters would you most/least want to invite to dinner, and why?

KARI LEE: Hmmm, that’s a tough one. I love Sunny’s best friend Jo. She’d be a hoot, and so would her cutie patootie flirt of a barback, Sean. Then there’s hunky brooding Detective Stone who you can’t help but want to hug and tell him it’ll be okay. And Sunny herself is just so fun and quirky. I think I’d have a party and invite them all, and then purposely leave her parents home. That one is easy. They’re so snooty and stuffy and flat out no fun ☺

MAUREEN: Do you read reviews of your books? If so, do you pay any attention to them, or let them influence your writing?


KARI LEE: I think it’s human nature to read reviews, though you have to develop thick skin. I do like to see what people have to say, but I also use my own judgment on whether or not they have a valid point. If many people have that point, then I might consider letting that influence me. But if it’s just that my book is not that person’s cup of tea, then I simply shrug it off and reread the positive reviews.

MAUREEN: What color would you make the sky if it wasn’t going to be blue anymore and why?

KARI LEE: Though purple is my favorite color, I would choose yellow for the sky. It’s just so bright and sunny, I think it would make people feel good all day long.

Gotta Ask Question –

MAUREEN: You write for both adults and kids. What’s your favorite thing about writing for each genre? How are they the same or different for you?

KARI LEE: I like writing for both genres because it keeps me from getting bored. In both my series, the main character is fun and quirky and has some sort of mystery to solve. And of course great friends, issues with their parents, and some romance. The biggest difference is the tone, pacing, and language. A cozy is just that, very cozy and slower paced. Writing for kids is different. They don’t have the patience for you to take your time. The books are much faster paced and mine are full of action and adventure. And finally the language is different. I have to constantly think about “how” I say something. Adults speak differently than kids do, and even think differently, so I try to choose words and metaphors that fit.

KARI LEE ASKS:

What psychic tool would you like to see next for book four. Books one through three will focus on tea leaves, crystal balls, and tarot cards.

MAUREEN: Thanks for coming, Kari Lee!

Thanks so much for having me. It’s been fun. You can find out more about me and all my books by going to my website at http://www.karileetownsend.com/ and my group mystery blog called Mysteries & Margaritas http://www.mysteriesandmargaritasblogspot.com/
Follow me on twitter at http://twitter.com/karileetownsend
Like my Facebook Author Page at www.facebook.com/karileetownsendAUTHOR