1. What was your inspiration for "Louisiana Longshot?" I don’t really think it was one particular thing. I love fish-out-of-water stories, and the idea of making a tough girl morph into a girly girl appealed to me. I loved the movie Miss Congeniality, and I’m sure that contributed to my storyline. I have also always wanted to be an assassin. It sounds like a really cool job.
2. The main character's nickname is "Fortune." Can you tell us about this nickname? Groups of “tough guys” – firemen, military, cops, etc. – often assign nicknames to each other based on something they’ve done while on duty. If you’re lucky, it was something you did well and not something embarrassing. Fortune claims her nickname came from Soldier of Fortune magazine, but that’s not all there is to the story. Over time, readers will learn more about Fortune’s secrets.
3. Sinful is a great town for a book to be set in. What inspired this unique town? People who have never lived in a small town often have this Hollywood idea of beautiful landscaping and women baking pies that they share with neighbors. There’s no crime, divorce or sadness in them and people even iron their bed sheets. Nothing could be further from the truth, of course. People in small towns are no different than people in cities except that in small towns everything you do is more noticeable, so people go to greater lengths to hide their less-than-desirable behavior. I thought Sinful was the perfect name, especially since a lot of the day-to-day conflict surrounds the two rival church congregations.
4. Anyone who reads this book will find themselves wanting banana pudding when they're done. What made you decide to center the town conflict around pudding? I was raised Southern Baptist-which pretty much answers the question for other Southern Baptists. One of the favorite things to do in SB churches is covered dish lunch/supper. And the staple of all covered dish suppers is the banana pudding. I’ve actually heard a preacher do a sermon on obesity, but provide an “out” clause for banana pudding.
5. The Sinful Ladies Society is made up of an interesting group of women. Without giving too much away, can you tell us about this group? In order to be a member of the Sinful Ladies Society, you have to be an old maid or widowed at least five years. The Sinful Ladies believe that cohabitating with men causes the brain to fog and it takes a decontamination period to return to the naturally occurring sharpness that a woman who’s not entangled with a man has on a daily basis. The Sinful Ladies Society has been overtly running the town since Vietnam.
6. The main character, Fortune, is hiding out in Sinful, but ends up in a whole other mess. Can you give us the basics of how she gets tangled up in a Sinful murder mystery? Fortune is assuming the identity of a librarian/ex-beauty queen who is supposed to be in Sinful to take care of her late aunt’s estate. Along with the house and furniture, she inherited an ancient hound dog named Bones, who digs up a human bone in her backyard her first evening in town.
7. Can you tell us a little about the deputy and his role in the book? Deputy Carter LeBlanc is young, sexy and a former Marine. For reasons yet unknown, he returned to his hometown of Sinful when his military service ended. He has a keen eye and seems to run into Fortune at the worst possible times—for Fortune.
8. Who are your favorite authors? There are so many! But my tried and true favorites are Agatha Christie, Laura Ingalls Wilder and Stephen King. I’m not sure what anyone will make of that combination, but there you have it.
9. Do you have any interesting rituals or habits when you write? First thing in the morning, I write in a local café. I’ve been writing this way for years. I have a favorite waitress, who has become a close friend, who serves as food delivery and secretary as she reminds me when it’s time to eat so that I could make my day job on time.
When working at home, I have to have the television on. I am accustomed to writing with noise, but can’t listen to music. I’m a classically trained violinist and find that music distracts me because I start listening for the different instruments. I always play something on television that I’ve already seen, so I have no compulsion to spend all my time watching it. Netflix on demand movies is perfect for this. I think I’ve been through every season of the X-Files at least 20 times.
10. Can you tell us about any other books or future projects? In addition to my single title humor, I write for Harlequin Intrigue. I have a 3-book related series releasing right now—Oct, Nov, Dec. I have another 3-book related series releasing with Harlequin next summer/fall.
I will release the second in the Miss Fortune series (a follow-up to Louisiana Longshot) Spring 2013. In good news, November 2nd was my last day of full-time employment so I hope to release at least four single title humor books next year.
Louisiana Longshot is available now from Amazon in paperback and ebook.
You can also enter to win a $25 eGiftcard to Amazon for Barnes and Noble courtesy of Jana DeLeon!
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Wonderful interview! Great lady!
ReplyDeleteShe's a very talented author! Thanks fror stopping by.
DeleteSounds like a great read and I enjoy this interview. I like a bit of humor in my reading!
ReplyDeleteThis was such a funny book. I had a lot of fun reading it!
DeleteAfter reading this I can't seem to stop myself from craving some banana pudding. It fascinates me how characters are developed.
ReplyDeleteThe banana pudding was such a funny part of the story. I wanted some while I was reading it as well :)
DeleteI enjoyed the interview. It gave some great insight into the book. Like some of the others on the board, I love banana pudding myself and grew up a Southern Baptist myself.
ReplyDeleteIt's always so interesting to hear how books came to be and what inspired them. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI think it's so interesting you can write in a cafe first thing in the morning. You must deal well with distractions :) Laura Ingalls Wilder is one of my favorite authors too.
ReplyDelete~Fiery Na
Blocking out background noise is definitely a talent! Wilder is a favorite of mine as well :)
DeleteGoing to a Southern Baptist luncheon today, as a matter of fact. I know they'll be banana pudding, but I'm slipping in a cheesecake too. ;-) "Louisiana Longshot" sounds like a fun read...thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteRobin in NC
RW620 AT aol DOT com
When I was younger I remember ladies in my church getting teased about always having jello salad! It's fun to see the things one group sees as standard, but other might chuckle at :) Thanks for stopping by, Robin!
DeleteYou need to read Murder by Mushroom too. It is by Virginia Smith. Since reading it, I have never thought of a church potluck the same nor mushrooms. jrs362 at hotmail dot com
ReplyDeleteSounds interesting indeed. I'm putting it on my list to look up. I love humorous stories like this!
DeleteSounds like a fun read. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI was a very fun read. Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteThis sounds like a book I'd like to read. Thanks for the interesting author interview.
ReplyDeleteI hope you give it a try. I was a fun book. Thanks for stopping by.
Deletemy Southern-born Daddy was the one who made the banana pudding in our house--yum--loved reliving those memories when I read Louisiana Longshot!
ReplyDeleteI have burned several batches of banana pudding in my younger years :) Pudding is not my best area of cooking. I'm so glad you enjoyed the book! Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteGreat interview, I enjoyed reading it. Louisiana Longshot sounds like a fun read.
ReplyDeleteI was a great read. I hope you give it a try!
DeleteLove Jana's ghost-in-law series. Full of humor. Louisiana Longshot sounds like great fun too!!! Looking forward to read it.
ReplyDeleteI've read the first book in her Ghost-in-Law series and enjoyed it as well. When I whittle through a little more of my book list I plan to read a few more of her books from both series. Thanks for stopping by, Winnie!
DeleteLaura Ingalls Wilder is one of my favorite author's too! Great interview. Thanks for this wonderful giveaway!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by and entering the giveaway!
DeleteSounds like a great read. The interview alone made me want some banana pudding!
ReplyDelete