The Next Big Thing Blog Hop

The Next Big Thing…will it be vampires, bondage or wizardry? Probably not, as lightning seems to choose somewhere different and unpredictable to strike. Like a marriage, every author goes into writing to be wildly successful in creating love and inspiration for her readers, but reality often has something else in mind.

Hop onto this blog adventure through some new reads. For those who are not familiar with a blog hop – it’s like a treasure hunt–once you find something special on one blog you hop over to the next blog to add to that treasure. In this case, the treasure is new and exciting books. Some are still in progress, some just released. Either way, if you are a fiction lover, it’s full of potential treasure. I’d like to thank Christine London (www.christinelondon.com) for tagging me to participate.

On this particular hop each author answers ten questions about our work in progress/new release and why we chose to spend our lifeblood and time in cobbling an entire novel about these particular characters and situations. When all is said and done, questions and comments are always welcome. Who knows–maybe your thoughts will contribute to the Next Big Thing.

HERE ARE THE QUESTIONS

What is the working title of your book?
It’s more than a working title.  My next Pet Rescue Mystery, OODLES OF POODLES, will be a February 2013 release.  I’m focusing on it here rather than my next Harlequin Nocturne, UNDERCOVER WOLF, which I also love, and which will also be a February 2013 release--the fourth in my Alpha Force miniseries about a covert military unit of shapeshifters!

Where did the idea come from for the book?
I got the idea for OODLES OF POODLES when I saw that the American Humane Association had opened a new office on Ventura Boulevard near where I live in L.A.  They’re the group that checks out scripted movies and TV shows for how the animals in them, from ants to elephants, are treated, and they’re the only ones who can provide the certification that “No Animals Were Harmed,” which is their registered trademark.

What genre does your book fall under?
OODLES OF POODLES is a cozy mystery, part of my Pet Rescue Mystery series which is a spinoff from my Kendra Ballantyne, Pet-Sitter Mystery series, also a cozy mystery series.  Both are from Berkley Prime Crime.

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
This story takes place in the film industry, but I hadn’t really considered this question before!  I think Sandra Bullock would make a great Lauren Vancouver, my protagonist, who is the chief administrator of a really great no-kill animal shelter, HotRescues.  Her love interest is an officer with Los Angeles Animal Services.  George Clooney might be a good candidate for Matt.  There’s a role in it for Betty White, too--and she’s highly appropriate to be part of a Pet Rescue Mystery, since she’s so involved with saving animals.  One of the volunteers at HotRescues is an older lady who used to be Lauren’s mentor and also a hoarder, but she’s now a great help at the shelter.

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

When the director of a new movie called Sheba’s Story, about rescued poodles, is murdered, pet shelter administrator Lauren Vancouver must step in to save the dogs--and her best friend, veterinarian Carlie Stellan, who’s the chief murder suspect.

 

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

OODLES OF POODLES will be published in print and e-format by Berkley Prime Crime.

 

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
Because, as I mentioned before, I also write for Harlequin, both in their Nocturne and Romantic Suspense series, I have to keep on writing!  It usually doesn’t take me more than a month to write a first draft.  But then I edit a lot.

 

 

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
I’d say that anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries featuring dogs, or even cats, would enjoy this story and my series.  How about Leann Sweeney’s stories, or Rebecca M. Hale’s, or Sparkle Abbey’s, or Dean James’?

 

Who or What inspired you to write this book?
As mentioned previously, seeing the American Humane Association in my neighborhood inspired me to write this story.  I’ve been inspired to write the series because I love animals, especially dogs.  I currently volunteer as a dog adoption counselor at Pet Orphans of Southern California, a wonderful shelter in L.A.’s San Fernando Valley.

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

Saving animals, of course--even fictitiously!  HotRescues is a no-kill animal shelter, and in the Pet Rescue Mysteries, “no-kill” means pets, not people... since they are murder mysteries! 

 

To continue the adventure and uncover more treasure, these authors’  “Next Best Thing” will be posted Wed Nov 14th. In the meantime, they have an active wonderful blog to check out --and two of them are my Killer Hobbies blog sisters!

 

Janie Emaus               http://www.theboomerrants.com/
Connie Archer             http://www.conniearchermysteries.com/blog/
Monica Ferris              http://killerhobbies.blogspot.com/
Betty Hechtman          http://killerhobbies.blogspot.com/