Interview with Julie Anne Lindsey and More

I have a delicious interview today. Death by Chocolate author, Julie Anne Lindsey, has stopped by the blog to answer some questions about her book, herself, and chocolate.

Author Interview with Julie Anne Lindsey

Can you tell us a little more about your book Death by Chocolate?  What was your inspiration for this delicious crime novel?

Death by Chocolate is an over-the-top exercise in silliness. It was inspired by an old favorite. Arsenic & Old Lace, a Cary Grant movie I used to watch with my grandma. While at church one day, before I discovered how much I love romance writing, the seed for Death by Chocolate was planted.

I was attending some event, and watching the church ladies ladle chicken soup into Styrofoam containers. Everyone thanked them and hugged them and smiled. I sipped my soup and wondered what those ladies were like at home. What about when they took off their simple suits and took the pins from their hair? Did they light up a smoke and toss back a brandy? If they did, how would anyone ever know? What if one of them was a crazy person? How cool would that be?  I mean, not for real, but for a story to widen eyes. Those sweet little church ladies could really cause a lot of damage and get away with it. No one would suspect them and by the time someone did, they could be long gone…if they were criminals I mean.

Voila! Ruby Russell was born.

Ruby Russell is the main character in Death by Chocolate. Can you tell us more about her character?

Ruby’s an emotional mess. Kind of bumbling. A nervous ninny. So, bless her heart everything she does goes – w.r.o.n.g.
She’s a doormat, begging for attention and love. Her husband is cheating, her neighbors shun her for being no fun, and her son went away for college – far away. It’s hard to be Ruby. She tries so hard at everything and fails hopelessly. Her temper is quick and her reality is skewed to a different time when women looked like June Cleaver. Add to this she’s not completely stable and the snowball begins.

Ruby has a couple of redeeming qualities. She usually means well. She’s loyal to a fault, and she adores her son and her role as a mother. After working in psychiatric social work a few years following college, I learned that reality is what you make of it. Many I worked with saw a completely different world than I do. I think Ruby is like this. Her reasoning isn’t to be understood. It simply is. She’s a sweet lady you wouldn’t want to accept any muffins from. Let’s just put it that way.

You have another book, Bloom, that was released in January. Can you tell us more about it?

Yes! Bloom is the launch book for both a new line at Turquoise Morning Press, Honey Creek Books, and my Seeds of Love series. Bloom is a sweet romance novella based in Honey Creek, a small fictitious town in rural Ohio. I fancy myself a romance author, so writing for Honey Creek has been a dream come true. I like to build chemistry and swoon over tender kisses. *sighs dreamily* There are three in my series coming this year. Next year I have a print length title coming in this line as well.  No matter what else I get into, I can’t seem to stay away from the Creek for long.

Here’s the blurb or concept behind Bloom. It makes me hopeful every time I read it.

In a town filled with her past, she never expected to find her future….

Seven years ago Cynthia left Honey Creek with a broken heart. Three years ago Mitchell arrived with one. Now Cynthia’s come home, and these two hardened hearts can’t stop arguing. If they’d only take a break long enough to find some common ground, they might be surprised to find love can grow anywhere.

If they let it, love will find a way to Bloom.

What’s your favorite type of chocolate (dark, milk, white, etc)?

I like all sorts of chocolate, but I could eat my weight in brownies any day of the year, especially if they have a bit of cream cheese icing! Ahh, or ice cream.  Now, I’m drooling.

Do you have any funny or odd habits, writing related or other?

Oh boy. I think my family would tell you I am an odd habit. My life is filled to the brim with kids and friends and commitments. I tear through my days like the Tasmanian devil. As a result everything I touch is done awkwardly. My house is a mess. I often leave the house in two different shoes. I miss appointments. I get into the passenger seat when I’m the only adult in the minivan. I leave my coffee on the roof and drive away. Life is a blur right now. I try to focus on the priorities. I play with my kids, but my dishes aren’t always done. I eat with my family even if it’s a frozen pizza. The time I’m not working, I spend doing things they’ll remember. I know they won’t remember their shirts weren’t ironed or the house was messy. I know they will remember how hard I worked to chase my dream and how I always had time for them despite the work stuff. I hope I’m right about that. LOL

Is there anything else you want to say to readers and fans?

First, I want to thank you for allowing me to be a part of your blog. As a blogger, I know what it means to open up to another person and I thank you for this wonderful opportunity to talk about my writing. Thank you.

For readers? A huge thank you to all who are reading this or who will ever read my words. Writing is one thing, being published is another animal all together. It’s humbling to be read. For one thing, it’s like putting yourself out there for judgment and that’s hard for anyone. For another thing, I am first a reader and second a writer. I know how many drop-dead-fabulous books arrive every single day. I read 2-3 novels a week and my TBR pile is still taller than 2 of my children. To know someone has chosen to spend their time reading MY words…. leaves me speechless. It’s inconceivable on so many levels, I don’t have the right words to tell you. I can only say thank you. Thank you.

And, if you do pick up something by me, I hope it finds you smiling. That’s why I write. I want to make others smile the way my favorite authors do for me every single day.

 

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Author Bio

“As an only child I always had plenty of time to people watch and make things up. When I didn’t think I could make a living at the latter, my love of people led me to a BA in Psychology instead.  A few years and three kids later, I discovered the thrill of writing.  Writing lets me harness my seemingly endless supply of energy and enthusiasm and create something of value in the wake.  You can find me lurking around the Internet day or night amped up on caffeine and wielding a book.” — Julie Anne Lindsey

Author Links: Website | Goodreads | Twitter | BookBub