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/
