Interview and Giveaway for "Murder in Marietta" by Deborah Malone

Congratulations to Susan

Winner of "Murder in Mareitta"

 

Hi. This may be a first, but I'm going to interview myself and offer a giveaway of my new book "Murder in Marietta" the second book in the Trixie Montgomery Cozy Mystery Series. Just follow the instructions at the end of the post and I'll enter you in the giveaway. Thank you for stopping by!



Can you give us a sneak peek at your new release “Murder in Marietta?”

     Trixie and Dee Dee head off to Marietta, Georgia for another assignment. They visit the Marietta History Museum where they spend the night to see if they can sight the resident ghosts. Sometime during the night a murder takes place in the museum and the director, Doc Pennington, is put on the suspect list. He asks Trixie and Dee Dee to help him find the real killer. Nana takes a larger role in this book and she won’t disappoint you with her antics.  All of this together makes a recipe for murder and mayhem.

What inspired this book?

     I’ve always loved to read so I think it was natural that I’d transition into writing. Mysteries have been my genre of choice since I was a young girl and loved to read Nancy Drew.  Cozy mysteries are one of my favorites and Ann George has been a big influence on my writing. As for writing Christian Fiction – Margaret Daley’s books were a big influence.

How did you know you were called to write?

     I’ve always wanted to write, but while I was writing my manuscript I wrote it as a secular book. While I was writing it I was thinking I’d like to write it in a manner that wouldn’t be offensive. I didn’t even know there was such a thing as “Christian fiction.” I had finished the manuscript when I read one of Margaret Daley’s books and went to her website where I ‘discovered’ Christian fiction. I couldn’t get enough. I joined ACFW and began to study how other writers wrote their books. I went back and rewrote my manuscript as Christian fiction.  

Are you a panster or do you outline?

     I’m definitely a panster. I have a general outline on how I want the manuscript to progress, but that’s it. Then I might do a general outline for each chapter, but none of it is done in detail. Now after I’ve written a chapter I will go in Microsoft One Note and detail the chapter so I can keep up with my characters, timeline, setting, etc.

How long have you been writing?

     I started writing seriously in 2001 when I started writing for “Georgia Backroads” a historical magazine. I am still writing for them. I started on my book in 2002, but life got in the way and so I came back to it around 2009/10. 

Tell us something silly about you.

     My friends and family could probably answer this better than me. The one thing I can think about is that I love to sing – but I can’t carry a tune in a bucket. So I sing in the car with the windows rolled up and the radio/CD’s going to cover up my singing. 

What do you hope readers will take away from this book?

     There aren’t any deep messages in “Murder in Marietta, but there is a theme of forgiveness and faith. For the most part I hope I make someone laugh and take them away from the stresses of real life for just a while. I want them to have some laugh out loud moments 

What is your favorite season?

     Spring 

What project are you currently working on?

     I’m working on the third book in the Trixie Montgomery series. Trixie and Dee Dee along with Nana and Trixie’s mama Betty Jo have gone to Savannah/Tybee Island, Georgia for a vacation. Of course they are going to have to help someone find a killer. 

What has been your most challenging experience writing a book?

     I don’t think I can list just oneJ  Learning the craft/rules of writing was a big curve for me. Then there is the editing. Then there is submitting to publishers. And then when you are finally published you think you are home free – not! Then there is the marketing. It seems there are always new challenges to learn in writing and publishing a book. 

What is your favorite color?

     Blue

 What is a fond childhood memory?

     I have many fond memories, but one that stands out is when my grandmother bought me a horse. My parents weren’t able to afford one so she chipped in to help and one Christmas they surprised me. Boy was I surprised.

What book are you currently reading?

     I just finished “Honored Redeemed” by Loree Lough. 

Links for books: www.amazon.com and www.barnesandnoble.com 

Links where you can find Deborah:

www.deborah-malone.com

www.deborahsbutterflyjourney.blogspot.com

www.sleuthsandsuspects.blogspot.com

www.cozymysterymagazine.blogspot.com

Bio: Deborah Malone’s first novel Death in Dahlonega, finaled in the American Christian Fiction Writer’s Category Five writing contest! Deborah was also nominated for 2012 Georgia Author of the Year in First Novel category. She has worked as a freelance writer and photographer, for the historic magazine “Georgia Backroads.” She has had many articles and photographs published, and her writing is featured in “Tales of the Rails,” edited by Olin Jackson. She is a member of the Georgia Writer’s Association. As a current member of the American Christian Fiction Writer she has established a blog where she reviews Christian Fiction.  

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HAPPY READING!





Interview and Book Giveaway with Jayne Self

by Jeff Reynolds

Ladies and gentlemen, book giveaways are nothing new on this blog. But this is my first one. The author I'm privileged to give a book from is Jayne Self, author of Harbourlight's Seaglass Mysteries, where one lucky (or should I say blessed) reader will receive one of the two installments. Rules for the giveaway are at the bottom of the interview.

Jeff Reynolds: Welcome to Sleuths and Supsects, Jayne. What is seaglass? Is it what a pirate looks out of to see if there's a ship coming? Do you have personal experience with seaglass?

Jayne Self: Hi Jeff, Thank you for inviting me here today. I’m always delighted to talk about mysteries and seaglass.

Seaglass are the bits of wave-battered, colored glass that wash up on sea shore. It’s something I collect every summer as at our Nova Scotia cottage, and Gailynn, the heroine of my mysteries, crafts seaglass into one-of-a-kind jewelry.

f JR:  Which leads to the obvious point. You have written two mysteries, and one lucky reader will win their choice. So they'll know which one they want, can you give us a description of both books?

JS:  Set in the fictional Nova Scotian fishing community, Hum Harbour, part-time jewelry crafter part-time medical receptionist Gailynn MacDonald is a small town girl who hates change. But changes abound as murder and romance turn Gailynn’s world upside down. In Murder in Hum Harbour, Gai’s employer is murdered the eve of his retirement. In Death of a Highland Heavyweight, the local hero and international highlands heavyweight champ (think big men in kilts throwing telephone poles) dies suddenly and suspiciously. In both cases Gai is first to find the body but her involvement never ends there. Gai is quirky, impulsive and perhaps a bit too inquisitive for her own good—which makes for calamities, misunderstandings, and lots of fun.

JR: I've had the honor of reading the first book. Would you describe your writing more as a mystery with some romance, or a romance with a mystery?

JS: Mystery with a touch of romance. In both books the main plot and character development revolve around solving the murder. The romance is a subplot, or byproduct of that activity.

JR:  This story is written in the first person. I thought of rewriting my first mystery in that perspective, but I have various things like a different character being in a high speed car chase and a third character sitting in a friend's kitchen with said friend pointing a gun at her, neither of which would work in the first person. What were the benefits and liabilities for you using this technique?

JS:  Writing in first person definitely has its limitations since all information must be filtered through my main character, Gailynn. It means some plot possibilities simply don’t work. However, I love the misdirection an unreliable narrator like Gailynn lends a cozy mystery. And I enjoy the challenge of planting clues only she can understand—or misunderstand. For me, that’s a big part of the fun.

JR:  What mystery writers do you consider inspirations for your writing? Any authors of other genres do you enjoy reading as well?

JS:  Interestingly, my favorite authors write historical fiction. Elizabeth Peters in her Amelia Peabody Series has created what I consider the ultimate unreliable narrator. Daine Gabaldon’s Outlander Series, and Dorothy Dunnett’s Lymond Chronicles are also favorites. For mysteries, right now I’m gobbling up anything by Louise Penny (Inspector Gamache) and Donna Leon (Commissario Guido Brunetti)

The common denominator is these authors have created engaging characters and a very strong sense of place, which I’ve striven to achieve in my mysteries as well.

JR:  One important question in Christian writing is the faith element, and especially the balance from being too preachy and coming across so saccharin that it is only a toned down story that won't offend anybody. How do you accomplish that?

JS: My first goal is to create an entertaining mystery that does not compromise my personal values. (I won’t write anything that I’d be embarrassed to read out loud, in public.) I strive to keep any Christian content organic to the story—it must flow authentically from the characters. I want to show readers (both Christian and non-Christian) that a relationship with Jesus is no guarantee of a trouble-free life. Instead, He is the strength that sustains believers through times of trouble. I want to show growing faith. And although each book ends with the mystery solved, I don’t tie every issue up in a lovely bow because life just isn’t like that.

JR:  Thank you for your time, and may you have a blessed and Merry Christmas. (I usually try to have a Joseph Christmas instead of a Merry one.)

JS: Thank you, Jeff. It’s been a delight. May you enjoy a blessed holiday season as well.

You can learn more by going to Jayne Self's Webpage and check out her blog, Where Faith and Mystery Converge.

Now for the giveaway. There are four parts to be entered in this giveaway. Ready? Here they are:

1. Leave a comment. Otherwise, it would be hard to know you've been here!
2. Sign up to follow this blog and receive posts via e-mail. (And Heidi, Deb, and Jackie, you all are elgible.)
3. Pass along your e-mail address. That would come in handy to notify the winner.
4. Let us know if you would prefer Murder in Hum Harbour or Death of a Highland Heavyweight and why. I know, I'm being a scrooge, but you need to make a decision and choose one!

I'll pick a winner on Christmas Day and will notify you of who the winner is.

 *The authors of this blog are Amazon.com affiliates. Sometimes, we will include links in our blog posts. When visitors to this site purchase items from Amazon.com using links in our posts, the authors of this blog earn a percentage of the sales.

Interview with Lillian Duncan and E-Book Giveaway

TELL US ABOUT THE CHRISTMAS STALKING.

The Christmas Stalking is a romantic suspense novella that features Destiny-a very famous country music star. She has everything she dreamed of and more. Fame. Wealth. Beauty. Adoring fans. Oh, yeah and a stalker.

As the stalker escalates, she decides it’s time for Destiny to disappear and let Holly Stone take over her own life again until the stalker can be apprehended. She goes back to the Adirondacks where she spent time as a young girl. She reconnects with an old friend and...that’s where the fun begins.

The cover for THE CHRISTMAS STALKING is so awesome, you should take a look at it at : www.lillianduncan.net

WHAT’S THE SETTING FOR THE CHRISTMAS STALKING?

It’s in a fictional hamlet called The Village Of Serenity & Peace in the Adirondack Mountains of New York. The citizens refer to it as Serenity. And, of course, there is no such thing as serenity or peace when my main character, Destiny, shows up.

HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH THAT TITLE?

It’s a great title for a Christmas-themed book, don’t you think. I actually was almost finished writing it. My working title was simply STALKED—nothing Christmassy about that. All of a sudden, it came to me in a flash-THE CHRISTMAS STALKING. I thought it was the perfect title.

IS THE CHRISTMAS STALKING THE FIRST BOOK YOU PUBLISHED?

No, I’ve published several others, including DECEPTION and PURSUED also published by Pelican Book Group. This is. however. my first novella and it’s only available as an e-book. So, it’s a little different from my other books.

WHY DID YOU WRITE THE CHRISTMAS STALKING?

I could give a deep profound answer, but the truth is I wrote it to entertain my readers. My publisher (Pelican Book Group) announced they wanted Christmas-themed novellas. I’d never written a novella before so thought I’d give it a try, the real challenge was to incorporate the Christmas theme into a suspense novel?

I took up the challenge to do just that and I enjoyed every minute of it!

WHAT DO YOU WANT READERS TO TAKE AWAY FROM THE CHRISTMAS STALKING?

We have become a celebrity-obsessed society. Many people think they can only be happy if they are rich and famous. I wanted to show a character who “had it all” but still wasn’t happy. True happiness and joy comes from a relationship with God not how many people know your name.

WHAT IS YOUR WRITING PROCESS? DO YOU OUTLINE YOUR STORIES IN ADVANCE?

I am not an outliner. I wish I were—it seems easier to me. But my mind doesn’t work that way. I never know what is going to happen in my story on any given writing day. It’s as if my mind is a movie screen and I watch that day’s events and then I write it.

When I start a new story I usually have a clear picture of the main character in mind and what obstacle he/she will face, but anything goes after that. If I’m writing and start to feel bored—then I kill someone or blow something up. And that way it’s a surprise to me and to my readers.

DO YOU KNOW WHO THE BAD GUY IS WHEN YOU BEGIN YOUR STORY?

Not usually. Most of the time I have several characters who it might be and as the story comes to a conclusion, I am surprised right along with my readers. This story was no exception, there are several characters who could be the stalker. And I wasn’t sure who it was until the very end.

MOST PEOPLE DON’T THINK OF MURDER MYSTERIES AND SUSPENSE NOVELS AS CHRISTIAN FICTION, WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THEM?

I can certainly understand their point of view. And for some readers my stories might be a bit too graphic or edgy and that’s ok, I understand that. I would say my readers are those who like traditional suspense and mystery novels but are tired of all the explicit language and sex scenes that aren’t necessary to a good story.

THEN WHAT MAKES YOUR STORIES CHRISTIAN FICTION?

I don’t promote or glorify violence in my stories in any way. My characters experience the natural consequences of their bad choices and bad actions.

My stories always have an element of faith in them. How that plays out depends on the individual plots of each specific story. My main characters are always on a spiritual journey, though some may be further along than others.

One more word about Christian Fiction, it has changed dramatically over the past ten years. Other than erotica, readers can find their favorite genre as Christian Fiction as well as mainstream fiction. There are Christian Fiction books out there for every book lover—historical; romance; regency; science fiction; even horror novels.

IF THE CHRISTMAS STALKING BECOMES A MOVIE, WHO WILL PLAY THE MAIN CHARACTER?

Either Carrie Underwood or Kelly Picker would be great as Destiny. As for the male characters, I’m not going to say since it could give away the ending!

WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON NOW?         

My editor and I are busy on the final edits for a book to be released next year. It’s the second in my SISTERS BY CHOICE series and is currently titled BETRAYED. The first book in the series was DECEPTION.

DECEPTION is the story of a school counselor who’s get the shock of her life one morning when a niece she doesn’t know exists calls her and asks, “where’s my mommy?” Her journey to find her sister leads her on a winding path of deception. BETRAYED picks up the story of DECEPTION, but focuses on Maria who was the wife of the terrorist from the first story.

I also have a devotional blog (www.PowerUpWithGod.com) that I love to work on. Lately, I’ve been working on a series of devotions called FACING ADVERSITY GOD’S WAY. I was diagnosed with bilateral brain tumors this year and so I’m using my experiences to help others who are facing a crisis.

HOW CAN READERS FIND YOU ON THE INTERNET?

My website is www.lillianduncan.net and I have a devotional blog at www.PowerUpWithGod.com I’m also on Twitter as @LillianDuncan and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/lillian.k.duncan

As an early Christmas gift to your readers, anyone who purchases a copy of THE CHRISTMAS STALKING can receive a FREE e-copy of either DARK ALLEYS or GEESE MATE FOR LIFE. Once you purchase it, simply go to my website (www.lillianduncan.net) and send me the order number. I will email you a copy of the book of your choice. Merry Christmas to all!!

Lillian is also hosting a giveaway of an e-book copy of The Christmas Stalking.

To enter the giveaway:

1) Leave a comment.

2) Be a current or new follower of Sleuths and Suspects.

3) Leave your email address.

The winner will be chosen at random and announced on December 15th. Reasonable attempts will be made to try to contact the winner. If the winner does not respond within one week (December 22^nd), another winner will be chosen.