Jill Piscitello

Interview with Joyce Proell and Brenda Whiteside, Authors of Cornbread, Ribs, and Murder (A Chocolate Martini Sisters Mystery)

Authors Joyce Proell and Brenda Whiteside are joining us today for an interview. Their latest in the Chocolate Martini Sisters Mystery Series, Cornbread, Ribs, and Murder, will delight cozy mystery fans.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Title: Cornbread, Ribs, and Murder (A Chocolate Martini Sisters Mystery)

Author: Joyce Proell and Brenda Whiteside

Genre: Cozy Mystery

BLURB:

It’s a rib cookoff…with a recipe for murder.

Nicole Earp and Emma Banefield are celebrating another birthday at the Dulce Inn with the added fun of a rib cookoff in the park. Not only are chocolate martinis in their plans, Nic has her heart set on winning the cornbread contest. But as the excitement bakes, someone is stirring up trouble for the inn and its employees.

Strange occurrences at the Dulce are on the rise. Slashed tires, menacing phone calls, and unsavory characters add a vibe that threatens the sisters’ anticipated fun-filled stay. When the hot-headed hotel owner is caught wielding a bloody letter opener over a dead coworker, the sisters are embroiled in a caper to help the one person who finds their sleuthing as welcomed as a rattlesnake in her bed. But is she innocent?

The Chocolate Martini Sisters are primed to find out. First, they’ll have to eliminate a host of suspects that includes a dishonest restaurant owner, a jilted girlfriend, an ex-wife, the barkeeper, and a masseuse with a crush. If they can stay off the radar of the surly chief homicide detective long enough, they can put out the fire…unless the killer burns them first.

INTERVIEW:

Welcome! It is my pleasure to feature your novel.

What was the inspiration behind your latest release?

Brenda: We came up with the plot for Cornbread, Ribs, and Murder working off our prior two books in the series. The owner of the Dulce Inn blames the sisters for murder in her establishment while they enjoyed their birthday celebrations there…as if they’re bad luck. We thought it would be fun to have her a suspect in murder and need their help to clear her.

Joyce: Murders are puzzles. As the author, you struggle to fit all the pieces together in a cohesive shape—one that surprises but ultimately makes sense to the reader.

Where do you get your ideas?

Brenda: The inspiration for the series started in an historic hotel in Prescott, Arizona. My sister and I celebrate our birthdays in spring and late summer with a chocolate martini in the Peacock Room (bar) at the hotel. We eventually called ourselves the Chocolate Martini Sisters. I thought that would be a great title for a cozy mystery series so I approached Joyce with the idea.

Joyce: Plotting a murder mystery is about focusing on the characters and choosing the one who believes they have the most to gain from murder.

When did you begin writing?

Brenda: I always loved writing as far back as I can remember. For some reason, I didn’t think about it as a career. I didn’t pursue writing until later in life when I took a creative writing class for fun and got hooked.

Joyce: In college I kept a journal in which I’d pen short scenes and character sketches. It wasn’t until I left my job, and with the support of my wonderful husband, had the opportunity to focus full-time on writing.

What has been your biggest challenge?

Brenda: It’s the same challenge I hear most authors complain about—promoting myself. With me, it’s not a case of shyness or fear of public speaking. The hardest thing is finding the right path that leads to the most exposure. Just publishing isn’t enough. Choosing the platform that gets your name and works in front of people is difficult.

Joyce: I second what Brenda said. Self-promotion is often so uncomfortable when one is an introvert like I am. However, we do so because we believe in the book and hope others will hear about it, read it, and love it.

What project are you currently working on?

Brenda: Joyce and I are in the early stages of book four of the Chocolate Martini Sisters Mystery books. We have a great deal of personal commitments this year, so it most likely won’t go to press until early 2025. I am also working on a book of short Christmas stories that I can hopefully publish in November. And then there’s promotion. I’m trying to learn more about the dreaded task so we can share our cozy mysteries with more readers.

Joyce: I am eagerly awaiting my first grandchild and focusing on plotting Book 4.

AUTHOR BIOs:

After hearing countless stories as a mental health professional, Joyce Proell retired to create her own tales. As an award-winning author, she writes historical romance and cozy mystery where all endings are guaranteed happy. She shares her home on the prairie with a husband and a little dog with a big personality. When she isn’t reading or writing, she likes to swim and finds baking almost as relaxing as a day at the spa.

Brenda Whiteside is the award-winning author of romantic suspense, romance, and cozy mystery. She writes children’s books under the pen name, Brenda Sue. After living in six states and two countries—so far—she and her husband have settled in Central Arizona. They admit to being gypsies at heart and won’t discount the possibility of another move. They share their home with a rescue dog named Amigo. While FDW fishes, Brenda writes.

Visit Joyce at her website: https://joyceproell.com/ or at https://www.facebook.com/JoyceProellAuthor

Visit Brenda at https://www.brendawhiteside.com or https://www.facebook.com/BrendaWhitesideAuthor

SOCIAL MEDIA:

Brenda:

Twitter

She blogs and has guests: https://brendawhiteside.blogspot.com

Amazon Author Page

Goodreads Author Page

BookBub

Instagram

Join her Newsletter Group here: https://us3.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=4804e039587723cfe02e83f2c&id=5e4b22a4ac

PURCHASE LINKS:

Series Link on Amazon US

BookBub

Goodreads

Book in the Spotlight: Some Other Way, by Margot Johnson

Please join me in welcoming author Margot Johnson. Look no further for your next sweet, contemporary romance than Some Other Way.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Title: Some Other Way

Author: Margot Johnson

Genre: Contemporary Romance (sweet)

BLURB:

Maybe what she wants is not what she needs.

Jayne Jones is not as plain as her mother makes her feel. Her life is full as surrogate aunt to her birth daughter, given up in open adoption five years ago, and as leader of the Adopt-a-Dog service.

More than anything, Jayne wants to expand the overcrowded dog shelter on a coveted piece of adjacent land. When Dr. Evan Scott, her high school crush, returns to his hometown to enlarge the local medical clinic on the very same property, he complicates everything.

Now her formidable opponent, Evan is ready to forget past hurts and embrace a fresh start with the cute girl—now attractive woman—he remembers. But should Jayne bare her heart to the good-looking newcomer? And will her secret change his mind?

AUTHOR BIO:

Margot grew up in a family of writers and has always loved books and writing

Creating stories people love has been her lifelong dream. Now she’s the author of the romances Love Takes Flight, Love Leads the Way, and her new release, Some Other Way. She has also authored the Merilee Tours novella series, Let it Snowball, Let it Melt, and Let it Simmer.

Before turning her focus to the fun writing life, Margot held leadership roles in human resources and communications. When not writing, she loves to connect with family and friends, volunteer with SK Writers’ Guild, and walk at least 10,000 steps a day (except when it’s minus 40 outside!) She lives in the Canadian prairies with her husband.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:

PURCHASE LINKS:

Book Review: The Bootlegger’s Legacy (Moonshine Madness Book 3), by USA Today Bestselling Author Denise Devine

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Title: The Bootlegger’s Legacy (Moonshine Madness Book 3)

Author: Denise Devine

Genre: A Sweet Historical Roaring Twenties Novel / Sweet Romance

BLURB:

It’s June 1926 in St. Paul, Minnesota, and Charlotte LeDoux is determined to reinvent herself.

Her late husband, a notorious bootlegger, left her a Summit Avenue mansion, a secret room filled with cash, and a reputation riddled with bullet holes. Char is desperate to rebuild her identity as an honest entrepreneur, but her plans falter when she repeatedly encounters unfair bias. Then she learns that one foolish mistake with her beau has left her in the family way–the final blow to not only her character but her aspirations as well. She realizes it’s time to marry the man she loves and turn her life in a new direction. That is, until she learns he has betrayed her trust. Her belief in Will and in true love is shattered.

Will Van Elsberg is a tough private investigator, but he’s no match for his headstrong gal.

He’s so madly in love with Char, however, that he’ll do whatever it takes to keep her safe. When he learns she’s pregnant, he’s anxious to tie the knot. Instead, their engagement is doomed after Char discovers he’s withheld crucial information from her. He’s determined to tell her everything to win back her trust but the situation changes when Char suddenly goes missing and he finds a ransom note in her car. Facing an unknown enemy who holds all the cards, Will is thrust into the greatest crisis of his life–to rescue a woman carrying his child who means more to him than life itself.

REVIEW:

Due to time constraints, I’ve been limited in writing reviews. However, after learning that Book 3 in the Moonshine Madness Series was available, I couldn’t wait to find out where life took Charlotte LeDoux. Stepping back into the Roaring Twenties with Charlotte, Will, and a delightful cast of characters was a more than welcome visit to one of my favorite fictional worlds.

This story showcases Charlotte’s entrepreneurial spirit as she manages existing businesses inherited from her late bootlegging husband while launching new ventures of her own. The highs and lows of her relationship with Will, unexpected events, and her kidnapping had me turning the pages long after I’d promised myself “just one more chapter.” My favorite part of the story was a note at the end announcing the next installment with Book 4 in the series.

PURCHASE LINKS:

Amazon

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:

Amazon~Website~Blog~FB~X (Twitter)~Newsletter

Interview with Mary Cope, Author of Beautiful One

Author Mary Cope is joining us today for an interview. Her latest novel, Beautiful One is a fantastic pick for young adults and all readers looking for a sweet romance.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Title: Beautiful One

Author: Mary Cope

Genre: Young Adult / Sweet Romance

BLURB:

Transformation, empowerment, love and music come together in the book, Beautiful One.

Elizabeth Ryan is a beautiful, shy, naïve high school senior. Having never dated she meets the boy of her dreams, Aidan Mitchell. Despite his history of womanizing Liz is drawn to him. Soon Liz becomes the envy of all the girls on campus, when they become a couple, and her dream boyfriend sweeps her off her feet and into the dating world that is all too new and strange for her. When other guys start to take notice of Liz, Aidan is troubled with fits of jealousy.

Elizabeth then meets the ruggedly handsome, Spencer Hayes and they quickly bond over their passion for music. Liz begins to struggle with the feelings that spark between them.

In the end Elizabeth finds herself torn between helping Aidan overcome his jealousy and anger and giving into what her heart truly wants.

INTERVIEW:

Welcome! It is my pleasure to feature your novel.

What was the inspiration behind your latest release?

The inspiration for Beautiful One came to me when I was dropping off my daughter in high school. As my daughter was gathering her things to exit the car, an overweight teenage girl walked by. My daughter glanced at her, looked at me and said, “Kids are so mean, it must be really hard to be overweight in high school.”

That was the day the character, Elizabeth, was born and the idea for Beautiful One began.

Do ideas for plot or characters appear first?

For me, the plot comes first and then the characters filter in. Never having had a professional writing background, I would consider myself an organic writer. I think about my story, and when I begin, I already have an idea for the ending. My goal is to write towards to the end.

Have you ever traveled when researching information for a book?

I didn’t have to travel in researching my book. In my early twenties I lived in the location Beautiful One was set in. Beautiful One takes place in the beach community of Dana Point. All the places mentioned throughout the pages I have either been to or worked at. The stairs Lizzy runs, I have run and the dog, Maggie, was my dog. My sweet Maggie has since passed, but she will live on in the pages of Beautiful One forever.

When did you begin writing?

I began my writing career in my late 40s. Having always been an avid reader, I was reading a best-selling novel, and to be honest, I could not get through it. As much as I tried, I just found the storyline ridiculous. That was the day I put the book down and thought to myself, “If this is a best-selling novel, I might as well give writing a try.”

So, I did.

Funny, sidenote… I happen to be friends with the author who inadvertently inspired me. Of course, she has no idea the way she inspired me, but I think it’s funny we’re now friends.

How many hours do you dedicate each day towards writing?

I don’t have a set amount of hours I write. I write until my mind drifts, or the ideas stop. When that happens, I will usually take a break, grab my dog and go for a walk. Walking clears my head and gives me the ability to refocus back on the chapter I am working to complete.

What does literary success mean to you?

Literary success means I become a New York Times best-selling author, what else?

AUTHOR BIO:

Mary Cope is a passionate romance writer known for her ability to craft characters that feel undeniably real. Drawing inspiration from both her personal experience and vivid imagination, Mary’s words resonate with readers. A romantic at heart, Mary believes true intimacy is what love is all about.

SOCIAL MEDIA:

PURCHASE LINKS:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

The Wild Rose Press

Interview with Valeriya Goffe, Author of Secrets We Keep

Author Valeriya Goffe is joining us today for an interview. Her latest novel, Secrets We Keep, is sure to appeal to women’s fiction readers

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Title: Secrets We Keep

Author: Valeriya Goffe

Genre: Women’s Fiction

BLURB:

A rising star that fell…

Anna Levenko was set to become the next “it girl” in tennis. The first Ukrainian prophesied to win a Grand Slam… And then everything changed. Years later, with a business degree behind her, an unpaid job keeping her busy, and a family that means well, Anna can’t help but dream of something bigger. What’s one little white lie in the grand scheme of things?

But her dream job isn’t just sunshine and roses. Her first project takes her to Tanzania, and everything that could go wrong, does. Not to mention her woeful love life. Will she ever reach the life she’s worked so hard for? Or is success just not in the cards for Anna?

INTERVIEW:

Welcome! It is my pleasure to feature your latest release.

Do ideas for plot or characters appear first?

Usually I start with a very broad plot, then I try to develop various scenes, and finally I start developing the characters. Developing characters takes the most of the time for me. In some cases, I have some sort of a “prototype” for the character, in others, I need to combine several people into one, and this takes more time. However, as the book progresses, some of the characters turn out quite different from the way I imagined them in the beginning. They take a life of their own.

Have you ever traveled when researching information for a book?

My debut novel is solely based on my travels. All the scenes in this book take place in locations which are very dear to my heart, for one reason or the other. I enjoy writing about the places I had visited in the past as this helps me relive the happy memories, as well as share them with the readers. May be one day they’d want to visit them too!

The majority of scenes are set in Kyiv, my beloved home town where I was born and raised, and Washington DC, where I had lived for almost 20 years (until starting a posting in Tashkent, Uzbekistan last summer).

I also write about Tanzania, an incredible African country which I had fallen in love with. I had been there many times for work and I got to know a lot of wonderful people there. It was only natural for me to pick Tanzania as the setting for my novel.

Jekyll Island, another important location for my debut novel, is where I’ve been vacationing with my family for many years. It’s a gorgeous island off the coast of Georgia where one can enjoy the beach and various outdoor activities and also learn a lot about history. Back in the late 1800s James Hill, George Baker, William Rockefeller, William Vanderbilt, and some of their powerful contemporaries selected Jekyll Island as a perfect place to spend their winters. The exquisite Jekyll Island Club was constructed there. Its clientele controlled an enormous one-sixth of the world’s worth! Given my fascination with this island, it was impossible for me not to include it in my first book.

When did you begin writing?

I started writing when I was in middle school. Back then, I was writing in Russian and Ukrainian. I had always enjoyed writing and illustrating all kinds of stories and articles. I also had an older cousin who shared my passion for writing. We co-authored quite a few children’s’ books, but never published them unfortunately. All these books are lost forever, as none of them were typed on a computer, and I have no idea what happened to them after all these years. Later, my life got consumed by university studies and eventually work. I focused on writing academic articles and reports in economics and finance. Then one day I thought it was time to start writing fiction again. This time, I decided that I will write in English and get my novel published. I’m glad it’s finally happening.

How many hours do you dedicate each day towards writing?

Generally speaking, with my full-time day job, I cannot devote too much time to writing. My goal is to write one page a day, which doesn’t take very long, but helps me to move in the right direction. However, on some days, I will deviate from the goal. Sometimes, I might get a lot of inspiration (no idea where it comes from!) and will write 10 pages or so. On other days, I will just put a few paragraphs down, and this will be it.

I try to make sure not to push myself too much and have fun with the writing. If I have ideas, I will try to put them down immediately. If no great ideas come to mind, I don’t stress out. It’s better to take a break that day and wait for another.

What does literary success mean to you?

Many different things! Thousands of readers excited about my books…Writing as a full-time career…A Hollywood movie based on my book…No sure if they are achievable, but I think every writer dreams about them. Never hurts to dream!

What project are you currently working on?

I’m currently working on the sequel to the Secrets We Keep. From the start, I envisioned to write a trilogy about a Ukrainian family, so my hope is to publish two more books in order to finish the story.

The idea of the trilogy came from reading Kevin Kwan’s books. I am a big fan of Crazy Rich Asians. At one point, I thought that it would be really cool to have a trilogy about Ukraine similar to the way Kwan wrote about Singapore and China. Naturally, my characters are very different from Kwan’s characters, and they face a very different kind of problems (nobody is crazy rich, that’s for sure). But I hope the readers will also fall in love with the Ukrainian family I portray in my books.

The plot of my second book greatly evolved from what I originally planned to write it about. It sort of got overtaken by events.

When Russia invaded Ukraine in February of 2022, I knew that I needed to stage my second book in Ukraine during the war. There was no other way. I had so much pain in my heart that I needed a way to let it out, and writing was a perfect opportunity for me. I started writing the sequel last year, and I already have it almost finished. It was not an easy book to write, given the real emotions involved. Some scenes were heartbreaking for me as I knew that this was not fiction and my friends and relatives were experiencing similar moments in real life. Luckily, I am already editing the book now, and I know that most of my characters have survived, and they finally see the light in the end of the tunnel.

AUTHOR BIO:

Valeriya Goffe was born and raised in Ukraine and spent most of her adult life in the USA. She works for a large international organization leading developmental projects in various countries. During her career, she has traveled extensively in Africa, Middle East, Europe, and Asia. She hold a PhD degree in finance from the Kyiv National University of Economics in Ukraine and an MBA degree from Kogod School of Business, American University in Washington DC. She is also a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Charterholder. Valeriya is trilingual in English, Russian, Ukrainian and also speaks French and Spanish.