Cozy Mystery
Date Published: November 20, 2020
Champagne Shores, Florida, is a beach town in need of a paint job.
What it doesn’t need…is a murder.
Champagne Shores, Florida, is poised to become a tourist magnet, but a murder in the marina threatens the town’s sunny reputation. Sure, the marina’s owner had been a thorn in the local chamber of commerce’s side, but he hadn’t really made serious enemies…had he?
Millie Silver wants her True Colors Paint Store to inspire a makeover for her hometown, and she’s busy leading the Champagne Shores Revitalization Committee. But when she and her dog Sunshine discover the body of the marina’s owner, they find themselves on the trail of a murderer. The clues and suspects stack up and include an estranged wife, surly fishermen, and a flashy group of treasure hunters flaunting the Spanish gold they find offshore.
While the town repaints and reinvents itself using Millie’s color inspiration, Millie recruits her family and friends to help the police chief uncover secrets, grudges, and even sunken treasure along the Florida coast.
Author Interview
1. Favorite childhood memory involving books?
I grew up just four houses from the village library, and my
father was on the board of directors for the library. Getting my own library card
was an important rite of passage, and I used it constantly. I read through the
entire children’s section and then I moved on to the young adult and adult
books. When the librarian told my parents I was reading outside my age group,
they told her to let me check out anything I wanted. I have three sisters, and
we all loved reading books and sharing them.
2. What’s one movie you like recommending to others?
Under the Tuscan Sun is my favorite because I love stories
about women reinventing themselves, and I also love Italy. I’m learning Italian
using Duolingo, and I’m going to Italy in a few years when we can travel safely
again. I can’t wait to have a glass of wine and enjoy the landscapes,
architecture, and food of Italy.
3. How long, on average,
does it take you to write a book?
Once I have my outline done
(I’m a detailed outline person), it takes me about six weeks. It’s the planning
and outlining phase, though, when I drive my husband, children, and sister
bonkers with my brainstorming and questions. My 20-year-old son always has the
same answer when I ask his opinion about my plot: he suggests I kill off a
character. This works pretty well for my murder mysteries. My romances, not so
much.
4. How do you select the
names of your characters?
I have several books with
lists of names in them, and I mix and match. I also save things like programs
from graduation ceremonies and borrow names. Nearly everyone on my street has
appeared in one of my books—their names, not their likenesses!
5. Do you have any advice
for aspiring writers?
Never give up, aspiring
writers! I have dozens and dozens of rejections from literary agents, editors,
and publishers, but you only need ONE to believe in your book. Also, don’t
publish the first thing you write. I have a few manuscripts in boxes and
binders, and they need to stay there. I learned from them, and no one needs to
see them!
6. What book do you wish you
had written?
I love Agatha Christie, so
of course I wish I had written Murder on the Orient Express or Death on the Nile.
A more recent book I wish I had written is A Gentleman in Moscow.
7. What is your favorite
genre to read?
Tough one! I have two great
loves: romance (especially regency and contemporary) and cozy mystery.
8. What sparks your creativity/how do you get your ideas?
Movies and television shows help sometimes, and I also am a
shameless voyeur who listens to conversations. Travel is also very
inspirational to me because I love beaches just as much as I love touring
historic sites and buildings with a story to tell.
9. Do you listen to music when writing?
Absolutely! My secret sauce for music is Josh Groban. He’s got
a beautiful voice and a just-right level of emotion. The songs he sings in
another language are the best for writing because I experience all the emotion
but I don’t understand the words. It’s magic!
10. If you could have a dinner party with 3 other authors, who
would they be?
Janet Evanovich, Agatha Christie, and Virginia Woolf.
11. If you could travel anywhere in the world to write, where
would you go?
Who hasn’t dreamed of a bungalow perched over a tranquil blue
sea with people bringing you tropical drinks and fanning you while you write
the next bestseller? I’ll go anywhere with that description!
12. Do you have a favorite food/snack/drink when writing (or
anytime)?
For daytime writing, nachos straight out of the bag. For
evening writing, Moscato.
13. What’s one thing you’d like to say to your readers?
Thank you, readers, for being the reason we plot, dream, and
put words on the paper. I’m a reader, too, and there’s nothing better than
being swept away by a book. My goal is to always make the gift of your time
spent reading my book worthwhile.
About The Author
Contact Links
Twitter: @amiedenman
Purchase Links
Giveaway
I appreciate getting to hear about another book I didn't know about until now. Thank you for sharing and for this giveaway also.
ReplyDeleteThe blurb sounds good. Thanks for the chance.
ReplyDeletethis sounds really good
ReplyDeleteThank you for hosting me and my book! Hello to all your readers!
ReplyDeleteAmie
You're very welcome! :)
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