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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write The Tangled Mane (The Welland Valley Murders Book 1)?

I used to walk past some fantastic houses which backed onto parkland, and I could sometimes hear dogs barking and children playing, but often it was very quiet. It got me thinking about the people living in these mansions and if they had secrets to hide.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of The Tangled Mane (Te Welland Valley Murders Book 1), what would they be?

My hero, Cally Simmonds, would have "Take on Me" by A-ha, and poor Mikey would have "This Is Me" from The Greatest Showman.

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

I love the puzzle a good murder mystery presents, especially a locked room one, and I write in this genre too because I want my readers to enjoy the challenge of trying to solve the crime themselves.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

The Wrong Sister by Claire Douglas and All Her Fault by Andrea Mara.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

It’s a spoiler so I can’t go into too much detail, but the discovery Cally makes at the end of the book is the scene which first appeared to me when I began piecing together the story. It’s sad and haunting but explains Mikey’s choices.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

My dog has to be in my study when I write – it’s a mutually beneficial arrangement. He has 3 different baskets: one on the floor, one mid-way up the mini staircase to my desk, and finally a bed next to my computer so he can gaze out of the window.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

‘Tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it.’ – L.M. Montgomery

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

We all make mistakes – some big and some small, but not everyone gets the chance to make things right so don’t be too quick to judge.

 

Charlie Tyler is the author of the new book The Tangled Mane (The Welland Valley Murders Book 1)

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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Dog Park: Tales of Heartbreak, Laughter, Community and Hope?

During the pandemic most local businesses were closed, but the dog park where we lived remained open. My husband and I would take our dog there to walk laps and I started noticing how vital dog parks were, not just for dogs, but for human connection. The characters started coming to me as I observed the interactions between people from all walks of life.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Dog Park: Tales of Heartbreak, Laughter, Community and Hope, what would they be?

Becky: "All Apologies" by Nirvana

Ann: "Heroes" by David Bowie

Tommy: Theme song from the movie Rocky

Ed: "The Sound of Silence" by Simon and Garfunkel

Nancy: "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant" by Billy Joel

Iris: "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole

Trish: "Lucky" by Britney Spears

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

Literary Fiction and Memoirs.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

The Paris Daughter by Kristen Harmel, James by Percival Everett, The Women by Kristen Hannah, The Bone Women by Clea Koff.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

The scene where Tommy has a mishap involving his girlfriend's mother.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

Coffee, a handful of salty cashews, a clementine, and a piece of chocolate.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

This breath in. This breath out.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

You never know what someone else might be going through, so be kind.

 

Michelle O'Neil is the author of the new book Dog Park: Tales of Heartbreak, Laughter, Community and Hope

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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Sit. Stay. Play Dead. (Lily Rock Mystery Book Seven)?

My brother and sister-in-law have two French Bulldogs. I've been following Frenchies on Instagram and think they're hilarious. My own dogs are mutts from the pound. I thought it would be interesting to bring the highly bred and the pound puppy theme to Lily Rock to see if the fur would fly.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Sit. Stay. Play Dead. (Lily Rock Mystery Book Seven), what would they be?

My heroine, Olivia Greer, has searched for a home since book one. The over arching narrative of her journey will find its conclusion in this book. The song, "Feels Like Home" by Randy Newman and sung by Bonnie Raitt, ran in my head the entire time I wrote this book.

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

I read old school and newly released mysteries of all kinds.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Books that I'm reading for my next series which will remain undisclosed because...it's a secret!

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

Every scene where Janis Jets, usually distant and sarcastic, cuddles up with her Frenchie named Tater Tot lavishing him with baby talk and kisses.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

If only I had the time to be quirky! I schedule my writing for five days a week, four to five hours per day, whether I feel like it or not. Some of my best writing arrives when I least feel like doing the work.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

"If you think death is the end, you think the story is about you." -Welcome to Nightfall Podcast.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

How reader's feel when the turn the last page...

 

Bonnie Hardy is the author of the new book Sit. Stay. Play Dead. (Lily Rock Mystery Book Seven)

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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write The Silver Squad: Rebels With Wrinkles?

For The Silver Squad: Rebels With Wrinkles, I was inspired by both personal events and books/movies I have read/watched. For this interview, I’ll stick with the latter. Inspiring me were a dollop of Harold and Maude, a pinch of Dexter, a sprinkle of Thelma & Louise, a dash of Bonnie and Clyde, a quiver of Robin Hood, and a curmudgeon of A Man Called Ove.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of The Silver Squad: Rebels With Wrinkles, what would they be?

At age 13, I started working at radio stations, and later I became a talent manager in the music industry. Because of that, I always work some sort of music element into my books. In this case, seventy-year-old Beth dresses in goth and reminisces about she and Barry sneaking into a bar to see Siouxsie and the Banshees when they were much younger. Later, she convinces seventy-year-old Barry to go out dancing again, wearing goth makeup—because Robert Smith of The Cure is old, and he still wears goth makeup. Now, as I listen to the new album from The Cure, “Endsong” feels like it would be a good theme—especially at the beginning of the book when Barry is feeling old.

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

My favorite genre is humorous/quirky literary fiction. The Silver Squad is my eighth book, but it’s the first in my favorite genre to read.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

I’m waiting for “My Friends” by Fredrik Backman. And when Bonnie Garmus and Gail Honeyman come out with their next books, I’m on ’em!

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

A hilarious scene where Barry falls asleep in his recliner with Gertrude, his pet gecko, on his shoulder. When he wakes up, Gertrude is gone. Thinking Gertrude could be underneath among the springs and bars of the recliner mechanism, he doesn’t dare sit up, for fear that he will cut his beloved gecko in half. So somehow, I had to get a seventy-year-old man out of his recliner without raising the back or lowering the footrest. I had to do a lot of testing with a real recliner to come up with a way for Barry to do it. Oh, and do it quickly, as the iced tea he drank before falling asleep is pining for an exit!

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

I have the ultimate writing room, with majestic views of the Bitterroot Valley Mountains of Montana. At night, I light up the room with candles. Either way, I usually have my sixty-pound dog, Nellie, on my lap.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

Stamina and persistence.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

That you’re never too old to make a difference.

 

Marty Essen is the author of the new book The Silver Squad: Rebels With Wrinkles

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