#ThisorThatThursday Author Interview with Allie Marie

I’d like to welcome author, Allie Marie, to the blog for #ThisorThatThursday!

Things you need for your writing sessions: My imagination, a cup of hot tea or glass of iced tea (depending on the weather), and access to the internet to research every five minutes

Things that hamper your writing: Playing Candy Crush, getting writer refusal (as opposed to writer’s block! It’s those days that I just refuse to write the unexciting but crucial scene until I’m ready.)

Things you love about writing: The chance to put my imagination into words that people enjoy reading

Things you hate about writing: The slow process of editing and publishing the book once written.

Hardest thing about being a writer: For me, it’s the dry spells of writing while tending to the aspects of everyday life.

Easiest thing about being a writer: Having an overactive imagination from which there is a never-ending flow of ideas. I should live long enough to write all the stories begging to be told!

Something you’re really good at: Word games, spelling

Something you’re really bad at: Any advanced math. Don’t like it, never will, which is why I am a writer.

Something you wish you could do: Travel more. And more!

Something you wish you’d never learned to do: Get on social media

Things you’d walk a mile for: Family

Things that make you want to run screaming from the room: TV commercials. They get more annoying or downright gross every day.

Favorite places you’ve been: I’ve been lucky to travel extensively in the US and overseas. Favorite places were Amsterdam, Dubrovnik, Prague

Places you never want to go to again: The hospital.

Best thing you’ve ever done: Marrying my husband

Biggest mistake: Loaning money that was never paid back ☹

Most daring thing you’ve ever done: Flown solo in an airplane (and landed safely!!!)

Something you chickened out from doing: I haven’t really chickened out of anything yet, but the one thing I would chicken out of is bungee-jumping.

The nicest thing a reader said to you: “I loved your books and felt like I was right there in the scene with the characters.”

The craziest thing a reader said to you: “Are the ghosts in your stories real?”

About Allie:

Award-winning author Allie Marie grew up in Virginia, where her favorite childhood pastime was reading Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden mysteries. She never expected to grow up to be a real-life police officer herself. Eventually work her way up through the ranks, Allie retired - four times - as her experiences kept leading her to other law enforcement adventures in the US as well as overseas.

After her final “retirement,” Allie soon embarked on a quest to fulfill a long-time dream—to write mysteries and crime thrillers. She was derailed from those mystery plans, however, when she began researching her family tree. Inspired by ancestors she discovered, she began The True Colors Series, a paranormal mystery series with modern local settings and colonial history, which has garnered multiple awards and leads to a spinoff collection, The True Spirits Trilogy. The first book in the trilogy is Barley and Lace, scheduled to release in January 2022, which recently placed second in the FILNE Founders Contest.

Her standalone historical, Return to Afton Square, again with modern local settings, but this time involves a WW1 mystery. Not only does this story introduce the central character of the True Spirits Trilogy, it includes familiar characters from the original series.

She has contributed short stories to the ’Tis the Season Sweet Romance Novelettes and the bestselling Feisty Heroines Romance Collection of Short Stories. She has contributed her first murder mystery to the anthology Murder by the Glass Cocktail Mysteries.

Those other mystery stories? They still patiently wait for their turn.

Besides family, her passions are travel anywhere, and camping with her husband Jack.

Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/Allie-Marie/e/B017MXZSUO/

#ThisorThatThursday Author Interview with Zachary Hagen

I’d like to welcome author, Zachary Hagen to the blog today for #ThisorThatThursday!

Things you need for your writing sessions: My computer and a good playlist.

Things that hamper your writing: I love her, but my wife. She can be very distracting because she loves to talk while I’m concentrating on my books sometimes.

Things you love about writing: I love the freedoms to create and discover new things or put fresh takes on old ones.

Things you hate about writing: I hate that it’s not faster. I want to find out more about my world and characters as much as my readers do, but I’m only human and have to go at a human pace when I write my books.

Hardest thing about being a writer: Hearing what other people want you to do in your books or hearing fan theories because some really work and others would throw the story off a cliff.

Easiest thing about being a writer: Solitude in the moment of creation. When a stroke of inspiration hits me, it’s like I’m alone in the world.

Things you never want to run out of: After COVID, I never want to face a day without toilet paper.

Things you wish you’d never bought: I had a Kinect for Xbox 360 when I was younger. It was the most frustrating thing to use.

Words that describe you: Brave, kind, tenacious.

Words that describe you, but you wish they didn’t: Impatient, anxious, arrogant (at times)

Favorite smell: The sea breeze.

Something that makes you hold your nose: The fish section in Asian markets.

Something you’re really good at: I am a really great singer.

Something you’re really bad at: Sports. I have not found one I have any natural talent in.

Something you like to do: I’d love to go on a Mediterranean or Alaskan cruise.

Something you wish you’d never done: I wish I’d never taken jobs just to be employed.

Last best thing you ate: I just got back from a Disney cruise. There was a fantastic red snapper in one of the onboard restaurants, and I would go on another cruise just to eat it again.

Last thing you regret eating: Chicken wings from Dominoes. Blech!

Things you’d walk a mile for: a great experience with friends and/or family.

Things that make you want to run screaming from the room: Bad singing and bad food.

Things you always put in your books: Distinct acts for structure.

Things you never put in your books: Diverse characters that I can’t faithfully and fairly represent. If I include them, they are researched so that I don’t offend or hurt anyone carelessly.

Favorite places you’ve been: Cozumel and Tuscany

Places you never want to go to again: There’s a little resort outside Manila in the Philippines that has no hot water. I’m never going back there.

The nicest thing a reader said to you: I had a reader tell me that they are anxious to read the next book because they loved the characters so much.

The craziest thing a reader said to you: One reviewer said they’d rather read “something more fulfilling, like the Hunger Games.” I don’t even understand how you compare the two genres?

About Zachary:

Zachary Hagen is an Albuquerque based author and teacher. Writing has always been a passion for him since he was little kid when he put together little books from scrap paper. The earliest story he remembers writing was about a dragon who gave flowers to children. He also teaches creative writing to his students and loves to see their talents flourish. When he isn’t working hard at his two passions, he enjoys spending time with his wife and dog and making music any way he can. 

 Let’s Be Social:

TikTok- https://vm.tiktok.com/TTPdjYKbf5/

Facebook- Zachary Hagen Writes

Website- zacharyhagenwrites.com

#ThisorThatThursday Interview with Jennifer Lieberman

I’d like to welcome the talented Jennifer Lieberman to the blog for #ThisorThatThursday!

A few of your favorite things: Some of my favourite things are Elton John, Tennessee Williams plays, my scrapbook of photos and programs from all my theatre productions.

Things you need to throw out: I need to toss some Old Concert T Shirts, Old Lip Gloss

Things you need for your writing sessions: My essentials for writing are as follows: A Pen, A Notebook, A Laptop, Sunshine

Things that hamper your writing: The two major things I don’t like to deal with when writing are Clutter, Darkness or a dark space.

Things you love about writing: I love writing about Relationships, Romance, Comedy

Things you hate about writing: Politics and Horror are not my thing.

Hardest thing about being a writer: The hardest thing about being a writer sometimes ins keeping all with all the ideas.

Easiest thing about being a writer: The easiest thing about being a writer is all the ideas!

Things you never want to run out of: I would be so pleased with an unlimited supply of Coconut Water, Family Time, Pomegranates and Lip Gloss.

Things you wish you’d never bought: Purchase regrets are The Facia Blaster, the regret over this purchase overshadows the memory of any other previous regret.

Words that describe you: I’m totally wacky, mildly cooky, sometimes aggressive, always upfront.

Words that describe you, but you wish they didn’t: Responsible, ugh…

Favorite foods: Anything my Tunisian grandmother made was my favourite from couscous, to stews to sweets, I’m also a pastry snob since I grew up in my family bakery.

Things that make you want to gag: Animals, as I’ve explained to my niece and nephew, I don’t eat my friends.

Favorite music or song: Rock ’n Roll! I’m a total rocker chick and love live shows. I’d say Arctic Monkeys “I Bet You’d Look Good On The Dance Floor” is one of my fav songs, but that’s like an impossible question.

Music that drives you crazy: Most pop music isn’t my thing, I’m stuck between the 1970s-1990’s where music is concerned.

Something you’re really good at: I’m really good at being in charge, delegating and leading a team.

Something you’re really bad at: I’m a terrible singer, like absolutely awful.

The last thing you ordered online: The last thing I ordered online was my friend Paul Bahou’s book “Sunset Distortion: The Pyramid at the End of the World.”

The last thing you regret buying: The last purchase I regret was buying a compact mirror, I found the one I thought I lost so I returned the new one.

Things you’d walk a mile for: I’d walk quite far for a really good Vegan cappuccino.

Things that make you want to run screaming from the room: Cats, I’m super allergic to cats.

About Jennifer:

Jennifer Lieberman is from Maple, Ontario, Canada and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from York University in Toronto. Jennifer has appeared in over thirty stage productions in Toronto, New York City, Los Angeles, Europe and Australia; including her Award- Winning Solo Show "Year of the Slut", which her novel “Year Of The What?" was adapted from. In addition to her performance career, she has penned a number of screen and stage plays including the wacky web-series "Dumpwater Divas" and the short films “Leash" and “Details" which both screened at the Festival De Cannes’ Court Métrage among other international film festivals. "Year of the What?" is Lieberman’s first novel and is a #1 Amazon Best Seller.  Other books by Jennifer include “Make Your Own Break: How To Master Your Virtual Meeting in Seven Simple Steps” and “Make Your Own Break: How To Record & Publish Your Audiobook In Seven Simple Steps.”

Let’s Be Social:

WEBSITE: www.JenniferLiebermanActor.com 

BOOK: www.YearOfTheWhat.com 

www.facebook.com/iamjenlieberman

www.instagram.com/iamjenlieberman

www.twitter.com/iamjenlieberman 

#ThisorThatThursday Author Interview with Nicole Fanning

I’d like to welcome author Nicole Fanning to the blog for #ThisorThatThursday!

A few of your favorite things: Benji, Rocky and Loki-my fur children!

Things you need to throw out: Sentimental clothing that I will never wear again, and nearly every old phone I have every owned.

Hardest thing about being a writer: Knowing exactly what is going to happen, but not being able to share it with anxious readers because you don’t want to spoil the story!

Easiest thing about being a writer: Knowing exactly what is going to happen!

Favorite foods: Pizza, Ice Cream

Things that make you want to gag: Wasabi, Pickled Herring, Brussel Sprouts

Favorite music or song: Everything but twangy country

Music that drives you crazy: Twangy Country

Favorite beverage: TEA
Something that gives you a sour face: Sports Drinks

Favorite smell: Apple Cinnamon
Something that makes you hold your nose: Fish

Something you’re really good at: Overthinking
Something you’re really bad at: Relaxing

Something you wish you could do: Wrap Presents

Something you wish you’d never learned to do: Sailing

The last thing you ordered online: My new Ducky Keyboard

The last thing you regret buying: A five-pound bag of flaxseed. Oops.

Things you’d walk a mile for: Any canine I could cuddle.

Things that make you want to run screaming from the room: Spiders

Things you always put in your books: Easter eggs. ;)
Things you never put in your books: Pet deaths.

Best thing you’ve ever done: Marrying my husband.
Biggest mistake: Dying my hair platinum blonde. “That was a lot of damage.”

About Nicole:

Nicole Fanning is a smitten wife and super proud dog mom to three rambunctious rescue dogs.

She’s an old school romantic and documentary enthusiast, with a proclivity for a little mischief. She also has small obsession with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and obscure boardgames.

Her debut novel, Catalyst, is the first incendiary installment of the Heart of the Inferno Series which follows the romantic entanglement of deadly billionaire mafia don, Jaxon Pace, and his unexpected paramour, Natalie Tyler.

 Let’s Be Social:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicole.fanning.1

Instagram: AuthorNicoleFanning

Twitter: AuthorNicoleFanning

Website: nherownwords.com

#ThisorThatThursday Author Interview with Sasscer Hill

I’d like to welcome Sasscer Hill to the blog this week for #ThisorThatThursday!

A few of your favorite things: Horses, dogs, cats, and people with a sense of humor.

Things you need to throw out: Clothes I haven’t worn for at least three years but am foolishly reluctant to throw away.

Things you need for your writing sessions: Quiet and no interruptions.

Things that hamper your writing: My cat sitting on my keyboard.

Hardest thing about being a writer: Writing the first chapter of a new book.

Easiest thing about being a writer: Writing the exciting conclusion. It lights me up!

Words that describe you: A lover of fine bourbon, clothes and colors like purple, lavender, teal, blue, turquoise, black, red, and gold. Intelligent, animal lover, thankful for the things I have.

Words that describe you, but you wish they didn’t: Not knowing when to keep my mouth shut.

Favorite foods: Steak, roast lamb, spinach, fresh fruit like pineapple. Dark chocolate.

Things that make you want to gag: Escargot, raw oysters, and Sushi.

Favorite beverage: Fine Bourbon

Something that gives you a sour face: Cheap bourbon

Things you always put in your books: Chasing the dream, fighting the odds, and helping the helpless.

Things you never put in your books: Serial killers. I find serial killer novels boring. The killer is always very smart, very arrogant, always wants to antagonize the cop who is on their trail and is usually a white male around thirty years old. The emphasis and description of how they kill and terrorize their victims is something I prefer not to read.

Things to say to an author: Keep going. Truly loved your last book! Your characters speak to me.

Things to say to an author if you want to be fictionally killed off in their next book: Your dialog is stilted and doesn’t carry the plot forward.

Favorite books (or genre): Mystery-thrillers

Books you wouldn’t buy: Serial killer novels

Things that make you happy: Meeting with friends, walking my dog, finishing a chapter I wrote that I believe is a winner.

Things that drive you crazy: People who hold forth with great authority on a subject when they have no idea what they are talking about.

Best thing you’ve ever done: Ride and win a two-mile steeplechase race over four-foot solid board fences

Biggest mistake: Selling my two-year-old racehorse in training for $22,000 who won his new owners $418,000 in purse money.

#ThisorThatThursday Author Interview with Jocie McKade

I’d like to welcome author, Jocie McKade to the blog this week for #ThisorThatThursday! Happy Vetrans’ Day!

Words that describe you:

Honest, warped sense of humor, loves her family.

I can sometimes be honest to a fault, but I mean well. I have a super snarky sense of humor that usually explodes at the most inappropriate times. My family is first in my life, always. I am so grateful for a loving family.

Words that describe you, but you wish they didn’t:

Snarky sense of humor, klutz, procrastinator

See above why that sense of humor gets me in trouble. I am a born klutz, I can walk across the living room and trip over the socks I’m wearing! The odd thing is, I used to do gymnastics and rarely ever fell, I mean I was like a cat on the balance beam, yet couldn’t walk across the gym. Go Figure! And I tend to procrastinate with my writing….is that the best word I could use? Or, should I write something else? Or, oh look, the deer I feed is in the back field!

 Favorite foods:

I love to cook, and I love country cooking. A child of Southern parents, that means anything with butter! LOL I do love a baked ham, with mashed potatoes, green beans, and homemade biscuits. Then again, I can go for a good pizza, love lasagna, anything Mexican, and I’ve been trying a lot of Middle Eastern recipes lately. Yup, I love food!

Things that make you want to gag: 

Raw oysters, escargot, and mushrooms.

Favorite music or song:

I love most all types of music, country, rock, jazz, blues, instrumental. When I writing, I tend to go for instrumental, I often listen to Adrian Von Ziegler, a young composer from Europe. He writes the most beautiful Celtic music. I stumbled on his Youtube page quite by accident and I’ve become a fan. I also love Native American music, it soothes my soul, especially flutes.

If I’m working on my Mayson-Dickson series I flip between country music when writing about southern twin Emme Mayson, to more jazz ballads when penning lines about Jackie Dickson, the Boston sister.

Music that drives you crazy:

While I respect the talent it takes to perform opera, listening to it annoys me. Maybe I haven’t found the right opera yet, but it’s a no listen genre for me.

Favorite beverage:

My daily go to is tea. I raise herbs and blend many of my own teas. I tend to experiment with the blends as I write a tea leaf reader mystery series and I need to know how the tea tastes!

On a relaxing evening….I’m a whisky or bourbon girl. Kentucky bourbon or Tennessee whiskey!

Something that gives you a sour face:

Scotch, I have no idea how anyone drinks that libation. Maybe that’s why I tend to make all the bad guys in my books scotch drinkers??? Hmmm.

Favorite smell:

I’m a country girl and live on Dust Bunny Farm, so to me the smell of fresh cut hay is my favorite smell in the world. I can stand in the barn and just close my eyes and take in the scent of fresh hay just laid up in the loft.

Something that makes you hold your nose:

Most perfumes and colognes. I suffer from migraines and whoooo, sometimes those perfumes just set my head off. I’ve found a few that are lovely, but very few.

Something you wish you could do:

I wish I could draw. I’d love to be able to draw book scenes that I see in my head. I also have vivid dreams and I wish I could draw the details my sleepy mind sees.

Something you wish you’d never learned to do:

Nothing. Honestly, there are some things I don’t like to do, but I wouldn’t want to ever ‘un-learn’ anything that I’ve been fortunate enough to learn. I find anything I can learn, any skill I can master, any fact I can study is a wonderful thing — Life is learning.

Things you’d walk a mile for:

One more conversation with my mama to tell her I actually got my book published. I’d walk thru fire for this.

Things that make you want to run screaming from the room:

Any room where people put down others. Everyone is important. I have left conversations and friends who gossip or put someone down because of where they were born, their education, or their job.

Things you always put in your books:

Veterans. I’ve written over fifteen books and nearly all of them have a U.S. Veteran in them. I don’t think our service members get the recognition they deserve, particularly those that served during Vietnam. I try to include them in all my books. I only hope my characters make them proud.

Things you never put in your books:

Any harm to a kid. I can have violence in a book, but my soul just won’t let me write anything that would show harm towards children.

Things to say to an author:

Your books made me smile, kept me up all night, made me laugh at inappropriate  moments in the doctors office.

Things to say to an author if you want to be fictionally killed off in their next book:

True story —- “You write ‘that’ stuff? No wonder nobody is in line to buy a book.”

Referring to a cozy mystery…..then she asked where the ladies room was. There is a special moment in fiction for her.

Favorite books (or genre):

I read everything! Hey, I was a librarian for sixteen years, so of course, I had to read many of the books that we ordered. I mean what kind of librarian would I be if I couldn’t recommend good books? LOL I love thrillers. Shhh…..as a kid I wanted to be a secret agent, so thrillers let me indulge my childhood

Books you wouldn’t buy:

Horror….not for me, I’m a coward. I’ve started a couple of horror books through the years, but leaving all the lights on was expensive. Although one of my book series, The Three Baers (a romantic comedy series) was featured as a prop in a horror movie! The movie was actually a fun horror movie, Happy Death Day. It released on my husbands birthday, so guess what movie he got to go to for his birthday?

The nicest thing a reader said to you:

I been blessed with amazing readers. Last year a reader discovered my books and wrote me a heartfelt email of how my books lifted her spirits and gave her sanity throughout the ‘lock-down’. How amazing, and humbling that my words would make someone feel that way!

The craziest thing a reader said to you:

I was at one of my first book signings and a very enthusiastic reader came bounding up to my table and said, “I love your books, and I want an Albert!”

 I was completely stumped. I smiled and nodded as she went on and on about ‘Albert.’ I couldn’t for the life of me place ‘Albert’. My daughter showed up about then, saw my completely confused face, leaned down and whispered, “mom, that’s the grizzly bear in one of your Baer books.”

 I had completely forgotten I’d put the little critter in my book, and totally forgotten I’d named him. LOL Bless readers who love your books so much they remember those little details.

About Jocie:

Jocie worked at several jobs before landing her ideal one as a librarian, a perfect segue to becoming an author. 

 With a soft spot for U.S. Veterans, she chaired her local Veteran's Oral History Project, and her work with the program lead to her speaking before the project committee at the U.S. Library of Congress. 

 She has won several awards for her non-fiction writing on a multitude of subjects. 

 Her fiction writing has received the Author / Ambassador at Library Journal Self-e Authors, Winner Queen of the West Reader Favorite Award, Amazon Bestseller - Historical, Double finalist in the Next Generation Indie Book Awards in the Mystery and Humorous Categories.

 The author of sixteen books of cozy mystery and romantic comedy, Jocie can find humor in most anything. She lives on a farm in the Midwest with her family. When not writing, she grows ArnoldSwartzaWeeds in her garden and RVs whenever the opportunity presents itself.

Let’s Be Social:

WEBSITE

www.jociemckade.com

FACEBOOK

https://www.facebook.com/JocieMcKade7/

PINTEREST

http://www.pinterest.com/jociemckade9/

GOODREADS

https://www.goodreads.com/goodreadscomjociemckade

INSTAGRAM

https://www.instagram.com/jociemckade/?hl=en

BOOKBUB

https://www.bookbub.com/search?search=jocie+mckade

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

https://www.amazon.com/Jocie-McKade/e/B00FQY8WE6

#ThisorThatThursday Author Interview with Allison Brook

I’d like to welcome my friend and author, Allison Brook, back to the blog for #ThisorThatThursday.

Favorite thing to do when you have free time: crossword or sudoku puzzle; read or listen to one of the books I'm reading or listening to.

The thing you’ll always move to the bottom of your to do list: straightening out the papers on my computer desk.

Things you need when you’re in your writing cave: my computer, of course; my notebook telling me what day I'm in in my WIP; my rough outline; my list of characters; Google.

Things that distract you from writing: the ping telling me I have a new email; a phone call.

Hardest thing about being a writer: Writing the first draft

Easiest thing about being a writer: Editing when the book is complete. Sharing a wonderful review on Facebook.

The coolest thing you’ve bought online: solar lights for my walkway

The thing you wished you’d never bought. A very large food processor with too many parts

Favorite snacks: nuts, chocolate bark with nuts, mussels, chocolate or pistachio ice cream

Things that make you want to gag: pretzels—too dry; tofu

Something you’re really good at: responding quickly to comments when I do an author takeover

Something you’re really bad at: settling down each day to write

Something you wanted to be when you were a kid: a ballerina or an author

Something you do that you never dreamed you’d do: write so many books

Something you wish you could do: ride a horse

Something you wish you’d never learned to do: promote each book that comes out. Of course I want to support my book and of course I'm glad I've learned how to do it. I only wish I didn't have to do this part of being an author.

Last best thing you ate: a great lobster roll.

Last thing you regret eating: a shrimp sandwich that was a big disappointment

Things to say to an author: I love your series. When is the next book coming out?

Things to say to an author if you want to be fictionally killed off in their next book: I have great idea for a book. Just don't have the time to write it.

Favorite places you’ve been: South of France, Machu Picchu, many villages and towns in England

Places you never want to go to again: Caribbean cruise

People you’d like to invite to dinner (living): some of my fellow writer friends who live far from me

People you’d cancel dinner on: some political figures I'm not fond of.

Most embarrassing moment: falling asleep and not participating in a friend's Facebook party. But I managed to get in a few minutes at the end.

Proudest moment: becoming a grandma—not that I had anything to do with it.

The craziest thing a reader said to you: I have a great idea for a book. Would you like to write it?

The most exciting thing about your writing life: a book being nominated for an Agatha; book being featured in Woman's World.

The one thing you wish you could do over in your writing life: I wish I could have avoided dealing with certain small presses.

About Allison:

I was a bookworm from the moment I learned how to read. I devoured Nancy Drews, Judy Boltons, and Trixie Beldons – sometimes two books in one day. Was it any wonder I ended up writing mysteries?

Growing up in Brooklyn, New York, I dreamed of becoming a ballerina or a writer. I practiced my pirouettes and penned short stories. My family moved to Long Island, where I continued to write stories until I was discouraged by a high school English teacher.

Turned off to writing, I continued to read voraciously in college and concentrated on my major, Spanish. I studied in Mexico and Spain, intent on becoming fluent in the language. I taught high school Spanish, married my dentist husband, and we started a family. When our two sons were small, I found myself drawn back to writing fiction.

​A writer is a writer forever. We may have more than our share of disappointments, but the rewards are many – knowing you bring joy to readers; sharing the camaraderie and support of your fellow scribes. Writing is a way of life, one I wouldn’t relinquish for anything.

Let’s Be Social:

Facebook: (15) Marilyn Levinson | Facebook

Twitter: (4) Marilyn Levinson (@MarilynLevinson) / Twitter

BookBub: Marilyn Levinson Books - BookBub

Amazon: Amazon.com : marilyn levinson

#ThisorThatThursday Author Interview with Lois Winston

I’d like to welcome author Lois Winston back to the blog. Congratulations on your latest!

Favorite thing to do when you have free time: See a Broadway show. Unfortunately, since I recently moved nearly 1,000 miles from Manhattan. I’m going to have to find a new favorite thing to do the next time I have some free time.

The thing you’ll always move to the bottom of your to-do list: Housecleaning. Why is it that someone always spills something right after you’ve washed the kitchen floor?

Things you need when you’re in your writing cave: Coffee, coffee, and more coffee!

Things that distract you from writing: Emails, texts, and my husband. (Yeah, I know I should ignore them. Easier said than done. Especially the husband!)

Favorite snacks: Chocolate, pretzels, and ice cream. Not necessarily together but often all together.

Things that make you want to gag: Peanut butter.

Something you wanted to be when you were a kid: An astronaut.

Something you do that you never dreamed you’d do: Write novels.

Something you wish you could do: Sing. Trust me, you wouldn’t want to hear me try.

Something you wish you’d never learned to do: Anything I can’t do well. I want to feel a sense of accomplishment whenever I learn to do something new.

Things to say to an author: I love all your books! When is the next one coming out?

Things to say to an author if you want to be fictionally killed off in their next book: Oh, anyone can write those books. When are you going to write a real book?

Favorite places you’ve been: Manhattan, Italy, and Disneyworld (yeah, I’m a really just a kid at heart)

Places you never want to go to again: Anywhere with 100+ degrees heat and 100% humidity. (Disneyworld is far better in the winter, spring, and fall than in the summer!)

Best thing you’ve ever done: Learned to stand up for myself.

Biggest mistake: Allowing myself to be roped into living with my in-laws for six years.

Most daring thing you’ve ever done: Backpacked across Europe with a friend when we were in college.

Something you chickened out from doing: All rollercoasters or other thrill rides. (Yeah, I know I said I had wanted to be an astronaut, but that was before I ever rode a rollercoaster!)

The nicest thing a reader said to you: I once had a reader tell me my books had helped her get through a really difficult time because they’d made her laugh when all she had wanted to do was cry.

The craziest thing a reader said to you: A reader once gave me a 1-star review because my book was nothing like what Lee Child writes. Huh? I write humorous cozy mysteries. It’s no secret. All you have to do is look at the cover or read the back cover copy. Lee writes thrillers. Why would she expect my books to be anything like his?

Stitch, Bake, Die!

An Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mystery, Book 10

With massive debt, a communist mother-in-law, a Shakespeare-quoting parrot, and a photojournalist boyfriend who may or may not be a spy, crafts editor Anastasia Pollack already juggles too much in her life. So she’s not thrilled when her magazine volunteers her to present workshops and judge a needlework contest at the inaugural conference of the New Jersey chapter of the Stitch and Bake Society, a national organization of retired professional women. At least her best friend and cooking editor Cloris McWerther has also been roped into similar duties for the culinary side of the 3-day event taking place on the grounds of the exclusive Beckwith Chateau Country Club.

The sweet little old ladies Anastasia is expecting to meet are definitely old, and some of them are little, but all are anything but sweet. She’s stepped into a vipers’ den that starts with bribery and ends with murder. When an ice storm forces Anastasia and Cloris to spend the night at the Chateau, Anastasia discovers evidence of insurance scams, medical fraud, an opioid ring, long-buried family secrets, and a bevy of suspects.

Can she piece together the various clues before she becomes the killer’s next target?

Crafting tips included.

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Paperback https://amzn.to/2YiodcR

Kindle https://amzn.to/3ylMivw

Apple Books https://books.apple.com/us/book/stitch-bake-die/id1582066729

Kobo https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/stitch-bake-die

Nook https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/stitch-bake-die-lois-winston/1140036766;jsessionid=25A7F9659AD9C525D5EAB0BECCEA6D09.prodny_store02-atgap06?ean=2940162610267

About Lois:

USA Today and Amazon bestselling and award-winning author Lois Winston writes mystery, romance, romantic suspense, chick lit, women’s fiction, children’s chapter books, and nonfiction under her own name and her Emma Carlyle pen name. Kirkus Reviews dubbed her critically acclaimed Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mystery series, “North Jersey’s more mature answer to Stephanie Plum.” In addition, Lois is a former literary agent and an award-winning craft and needlework designer who often draws much of her source material for both her characters and plots from her experiences in the crafts industry.

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