Good Morning, Booklovers!
We’re half-way through May, and the Midwest can’t decide whether it’s Spring or not. Our temps are yo-yoing, although the sun is warm and feels good by most afternoons. I suppose in another month we’ll be complaining it’s too hot. 🙂 The birds are singing loudly – a good sign it’ll be a pleasant day – so, we’re meeting on the deck (but bring your sweatshirts or light jacket). So, down to business. Our guest author this morning is cozy mystery writer, Debra H Goldstein.
Welcome, Debra. How do you take your coffee?
DHG: If I’m making it, I drink it black, but I tend to buy flavored coffees like Kahlua. If I’m purchasing it from Starbucks, it will be something iced, preferably with whipped cream. If I want a hot drink, my go to is a skinny white chocolate mocha, but don’t hold the whipped cream.
Ally: Since the magic pot can make any wish come true, how about a hot mocha with a liberal dollop of whipped cream? 🙂 While I get our drinks ready, please introduce yourself to readers.
We’re half-way through May, and the Midwest can’t decide whether it’s Spring or not. Our temps are yo-yoing, although the sun is warm and feels good by most afternoons. I suppose in another month we’ll be complaining it’s too hot. 🙂 The birds are singing loudly – a good sign it’ll be a pleasant day – so, we’re meeting on the deck (but bring your sweatshirts or light jacket). So, down to business. Our guest author this morning is cozy mystery writer, Debra H Goldstein.
Welcome, Debra. How do you take your coffee?
DHG: If I’m making it, I drink it black, but I tend to buy flavored coffees like Kahlua. If I’m purchasing it from Starbucks, it will be something iced, preferably with whipped cream. If I want a hot drink, my go to is a skinny white chocolate mocha, but don’t hold the whipped cream.
Ally: Since the magic pot can make any wish come true, how about a hot mocha with a liberal dollop of whipped cream? 🙂 While I get our drinks ready, please introduce yourself to readers.
BIO:
Judge Debra H. Goldstein writes Kensington’s Sarah Blair mystery series (Four Cuts Too Many, Three Treats Too Many, Two Bites Too Many, One Taste Too Many). She also authored Should Have Played Poker and IPPY Award winning Maze in Blue. Her short stories and novels have been named as Agatha, Anthony, Derringer, and Silver Falchion finalists. Debra serves on the national board of Mystery Writers of America and is president of SEMWA. She previously was on Sisters in Crime’s national board and president of SinC’s Guppy Chapter.
Something unusual that isn’t in your regular bio: “I took eleven years of piano lessons and occasionally relax by playing the piano that my parents bought for me when I was six years old.”
Contacts:
Website – www.DebraHGoldstein.com
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/DebraHGoldsteinAuthor/
Twitter – @DebraHGoldstein
Instagram – debrahgoldstein
Bookbub – https://www.bookbub.com/profile/debra-h-goldstein
Judge Debra H. Goldstein writes Kensington’s Sarah Blair mystery series (Four Cuts Too Many, Three Treats Too Many, Two Bites Too Many, One Taste Too Many). She also authored Should Have Played Poker and IPPY Award winning Maze in Blue. Her short stories and novels have been named as Agatha, Anthony, Derringer, and Silver Falchion finalists. Debra serves on the national board of Mystery Writers of America and is president of SEMWA. She previously was on Sisters in Crime’s national board and president of SinC’s Guppy Chapter.
Something unusual that isn’t in your regular bio: “I took eleven years of piano lessons and occasionally relax by playing the piano that my parents bought for me when I was six years old.”
Contacts:
Website – www.DebraHGoldstein.com
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/DebraHGoldsteinAuthor/
Twitter – @DebraHGoldstein
Instagram – debrahgoldstein
Bookbub – https://www.bookbub.com/profile/debra-h-goldstein
INTERVIEW:
Ally: Are you self-published or traditionally published? How did you make the decision?
DHG: I am a hybrid writer, but that isn’t by choice. My first publisher went out of business and returned my files to me so that I could put the book, which was still in demand, back up on Amazon through what was then Createspace. In that instance, I had the files and cover art, so I didn’t have to go through the various steps of self-publishing. My choice, and what I have done in all other instances, is to seek traditional publishing house contracts. Although self-publishing would give me more control of all aspects of a work, I don’t want nor do I have time to write, promote, volunteer, and juggle my everyday activities with handling formatting, cover art, and all the other logistics necessary to be a successfully self-published author. Early on, I realized my limitations and immediately sought a traditional publisher.
Ally: What do you find is the hardest part of writing?
DHG: The hardest part of writing for me is to be disciplined enough to do it. When an idea or phrase is triggered, I write with a total abandonment of time. My focus is directed, and I am in the zone. Sadly, which has been more noticeable this past year, is that when I’m not motivated, anything can be a distraction. Ironically, I thought when I walked away from my day job, I’d treat writing like I had my job instead of as that thing I did between two and four a.m. It didn’t happen. Instead, I am a sprint writer, who does best when faced with a deadline.
Ally: Why did you choose writing as a career? Is it your only career, or do you have a “day” job?
DHG: I walked away from my day job as a judge a few years ago to follow my passion to write. At the time, I had had one book published and had just sold a second book. Although I had no idea if my writing career would take off, I knew it was something I wanted to give my full attention to no matter what happened. I haven’t looked back since.
Ally: Are people you know models for your book characters? In what way?
DHG: Yes and no. For me to copy a friend or someone I know isn’t possible because I could never capture them in their entirety. Instead, I steal bits and pieces of people I know to create complex new characters.
Ally: What’s the best writing/marketing advice you’ve been given?
DHG: The best writing/marketing advice I was given was to “invest in yourself.” As the person explained, sometimes you have to put out money and effort to succeed. This may mean underwriting something, giving out free or discounted books, or being willing to have something function as a loss leader for others to be introduced to your work. Investing in myself also meant taking classes, reading books, and putting in the time to improve my writing and skills. Finally, it meant taking what I’ve learned or succeeded with and paying it forward because the return is an investment in “yourself” that can’t be measured.
Ally: What are you currently writing? Anticipated release date?
DHG: “Biff’s Place,” a short story was recently released in Jukes & Tonks and I will have at least two more short stories coming out later in 2021.
Four Cuts Too Many (the fourth Sarah Blair mystery and today’s featured book) will be released by Kensington on May 25. Last Friday, I turned in the fifth book, Five Belles Too Many, which is slated for 2022.
In Five Belles Too Many, Maybelle and George are one of five finalist couples vying to win “the perfect wedding” in a competition being filmed in Wheaton by a national television show. To Sarah’s dismay, because the rules of the show require each belle to have a live-in chaperone to make sure the belle doesn’t engage in hanky-panky during the show’s taping, Sarah is drafted by her mother to be Maybelle’s chaperone.
Ally: Which of the trivia questions did you answer?
DHG:
Ally: Are you self-published or traditionally published? How did you make the decision?
DHG: I am a hybrid writer, but that isn’t by choice. My first publisher went out of business and returned my files to me so that I could put the book, which was still in demand, back up on Amazon through what was then Createspace. In that instance, I had the files and cover art, so I didn’t have to go through the various steps of self-publishing. My choice, and what I have done in all other instances, is to seek traditional publishing house contracts. Although self-publishing would give me more control of all aspects of a work, I don’t want nor do I have time to write, promote, volunteer, and juggle my everyday activities with handling formatting, cover art, and all the other logistics necessary to be a successfully self-published author. Early on, I realized my limitations and immediately sought a traditional publisher.
Ally: What do you find is the hardest part of writing?
DHG: The hardest part of writing for me is to be disciplined enough to do it. When an idea or phrase is triggered, I write with a total abandonment of time. My focus is directed, and I am in the zone. Sadly, which has been more noticeable this past year, is that when I’m not motivated, anything can be a distraction. Ironically, I thought when I walked away from my day job, I’d treat writing like I had my job instead of as that thing I did between two and four a.m. It didn’t happen. Instead, I am a sprint writer, who does best when faced with a deadline.
Ally: Why did you choose writing as a career? Is it your only career, or do you have a “day” job?
DHG: I walked away from my day job as a judge a few years ago to follow my passion to write. At the time, I had had one book published and had just sold a second book. Although I had no idea if my writing career would take off, I knew it was something I wanted to give my full attention to no matter what happened. I haven’t looked back since.
Ally: Are people you know models for your book characters? In what way?
DHG: Yes and no. For me to copy a friend or someone I know isn’t possible because I could never capture them in their entirety. Instead, I steal bits and pieces of people I know to create complex new characters.
Ally: What’s the best writing/marketing advice you’ve been given?
DHG: The best writing/marketing advice I was given was to “invest in yourself.” As the person explained, sometimes you have to put out money and effort to succeed. This may mean underwriting something, giving out free or discounted books, or being willing to have something function as a loss leader for others to be introduced to your work. Investing in myself also meant taking classes, reading books, and putting in the time to improve my writing and skills. Finally, it meant taking what I’ve learned or succeeded with and paying it forward because the return is an investment in “yourself” that can’t be measured.
Ally: What are you currently writing? Anticipated release date?
DHG: “Biff’s Place,” a short story was recently released in Jukes & Tonks and I will have at least two more short stories coming out later in 2021.
Four Cuts Too Many (the fourth Sarah Blair mystery and today’s featured book) will be released by Kensington on May 25. Last Friday, I turned in the fifth book, Five Belles Too Many, which is slated for 2022.
In Five Belles Too Many, Maybelle and George are one of five finalist couples vying to win “the perfect wedding” in a competition being filmed in Wheaton by a national television show. To Sarah’s dismay, because the rules of the show require each belle to have a live-in chaperone to make sure the belle doesn’t engage in hanky-panky during the show’s taping, Sarah is drafted by her mother to be Maybelle’s chaperone.
Ally: Which of the trivia questions did you answer?
DHG:
- an author (living or dead) you’d love to take to lunch: Leonard Elmore, Jr
- most watched tv show: Perry Mason
- If you were a color, what would it be? Blue
- What type of music do you prefer? Show Music
- favorite quote: “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try. and try again.”
Ally: Thanks for spending time with us, Debra. I hope you visit us again, but before we finish today, please show us your featured new release, Four Cuts Too Many.
Four Cuts Too Many (Sarah Blair Mystery #4)
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Release date: May 25, 2021
Sarah Blair gets an education in slicing and dicing when someone in her friend’s culinary school serves up a main corpse in Wheaton, Alabama . . .
Between working as a law firm receptionist, reluctantly pitching in as co-owner of her twin sister’s restaurant, and caretaking for her regal Siamese RahRah and rescue dog Fluffy, Sarah has no time to enjoy life’s finer things. Divorced and sort-of dating, she’s considering going back to school. But as a somewhat competent sleuth, Sarah’s more suited for criminal justice than learning how many ways she can burn a meal.
Although she wouldn’t mind learning some knife skills from her sous chef, Grace Winston. An adjunct instructor who teaches cutlery expertise in cooking college, Grace is considering accepting an executive chef’s position offered by Jane Clark, Sarah’s business rival—and her late ex-husband’s lover. But Grace’s future lands in hot water when the school’s director is found dead with one of her knives in his back. To clear her friend’s name, there’s no time to mince words. Sarah must sharpen her own skills at uncovering an elusive killer . . .
Includes quick and easy recipes!
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Release date: May 25, 2021
Sarah Blair gets an education in slicing and dicing when someone in her friend’s culinary school serves up a main corpse in Wheaton, Alabama . . .
Between working as a law firm receptionist, reluctantly pitching in as co-owner of her twin sister’s restaurant, and caretaking for her regal Siamese RahRah and rescue dog Fluffy, Sarah has no time to enjoy life’s finer things. Divorced and sort-of dating, she’s considering going back to school. But as a somewhat competent sleuth, Sarah’s more suited for criminal justice than learning how many ways she can burn a meal.
Although she wouldn’t mind learning some knife skills from her sous chef, Grace Winston. An adjunct instructor who teaches cutlery expertise in cooking college, Grace is considering accepting an executive chef’s position offered by Jane Clark, Sarah’s business rival—and her late ex-husband’s lover. But Grace’s future lands in hot water when the school’s director is found dead with one of her knives in his back. To clear her friend’s name, there’s no time to mince words. Sarah must sharpen her own skills at uncovering an elusive killer . . .
Includes quick and easy recipes!
Pre-order and order links:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Four-Cuts-Sarah-Blair-Mystery/dp/1496732219
Barnes & Noble: Four Cuts Too Many by Debra H. Goldstein, Paperback | Barnes & Noble® (barnesandnoble.com)