Wednesday, January 09, 2013

MURDER IN MARIETTA - Deborah Malone - One Free Book


Why do you write the kind of books you do?
I’ve always loved to read so I think it was natural that I’d transition into writing mysteries. They have been my genre of choice since I was a young girl and loved to read Nancy Drew and Trixie Beldon. Cozy mysteries are one of my favorites and Ann George has been a big influence on my writing. As for writing Christian Fiction – Margaret Daley’s books were a big influence.

I loved to read Nancy Drew and Trixie Beldon, and Margaret is one of my favorite authors. Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?
Of course there is the birth of my children and other life events that have been happy, but this question brings me back to a time when one Christmas day my grandmother arranged to surprise me with a horse. I’d been wanting one for a long time and thought the closest I’d get to have my own would be in my dreams. I was totally surprised and had lots and lots of fun times with Apache! Aren’t grandmothers wonderful? 

How has being published changed your life?
Love this question. I have been thrown into the world of marketing. I’ve gone to book clubs, writers groups, book festivals, etc. So I’ve been very busy and I love it. I like to meet people so this is right up my alley. One of the negatives is that it takes away from my writing time.

What are you reading right now?
A Time For Peace Quilts of Lancaster County Series by Barbara Cameron. I read the first one of the series, so I’m excited to be reading the second one with the same characters.

What is your current work in progress?
I’m working on the fourth installment in the Trixie Montgomery Cozy Mystery Series. The working title is Chilled in Chattanooga and of course the setting is Chattanooga, Tennessee.

What would be your dream vacation be?
I’m not sure – but I think Hawaii would be a beautiful place to visit and relax.

How do you choose your settings for each book?
I started with Dahlonega, Georgia, because I’d written several historical articles about this picturesque north Georgia town and fell in love with the area. I noticed that readers loved being able to relate to things that they recognized. So I decided to write the other ones about places that people would know. Thus Murder in Marietta was my second book.

If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?
Hummm, I’m not sure. Let’s go with Margaret Daley. She is such a wonderful writer and I’d like to get some tips from herJ

She’s a gracious lady, and I know you’d enjoy the time. What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?
When I had more time I used to enjoy macro photography. I love to take close-ups of flowers and butterflies and other little insects. I took a picture of a bee getting pollen from a flower, and it was so clear you could see his little Mohawk.  I started out by shooting pictures for my articles I write for “Georgia Backroads.” I enjoyed it so much I took it up as a hobby. I’ve won several awards in armature photography.

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?
I’m really having a time getting a large word count. I haven’t overcome it yetJ

What advice would you give to a beginning author?
Write, write and write. And don’t give up!

Tell us about the featured book.
Trixie Montgomery’s back on the beat, facing her own spectral fears covering ghost sightings at the Marietta History Museum. With sidekick and best friend, Dee Dee, in tow, the women brave a sleepover inside the haunted museum to discover what lurks behind closed doors. When their worst fears occur and a dead body is discovered right under their noses, Trixie’s reputation both as a journalist and crime solver, are once again put to the test.

Please give us the first page of the book.
Marietta, Georgia
I flipped over a fresh page in my reporter’s notebook as my best friend, Dee Dee, dug into the most enormous slice of Chocolate Fetish mocha pie I’d ever seen. Dee Dee smacking loudly, I fought to keep a journalist’s objectivity while Doc Pennington, the director of the Marietta History Museum, recounted the most recent ghost sightings.

“Doc, what I really want to know is…” My tummy roiled considering the possibilities. “Have you personally seen the resident phantom?” All at once I hoped he’d say no, but from the excitement that grew in his expression, I knew he was about to confirm my worst fears.

“As a matter of fact, Trixie, may I call you Trixie?”

I nodded and he went on.

“Shortly after I became director of the museum, I heard rumors of ghosts. Until recently
 I didn’t give them any real credence. Not until unexplainable occurrences happened.” He waited while a young man refilled our tea glasses.

“Such as?” My voice quavered as I prompted Doc, once the waiter was out of earshot.
 
“Like when the door on the empty elevator opened and closed.” Doc rubbed the bridge of his nose underneath horn-rimmed bifocals. “Once I saw a lady adorned in period clothes from the Civil War Era. Another time a man dressed in uniform appeared. I thought I’d been around this history stuff too long and my imagination ran wild.”

I glanced at Dee Dee, my memories transporting me to a time when one of the neighborhood kids wore a sheet and jumped out at me in the inky darkness. I’ve never forgotten the feeling of my heart skipping a few beats. It was a long time before the kids stopped laughing about the embarrassing stain that spread across my corduroys. Since that fateful night the mention of ghosts stirs a cauldron of ugly feelings. When Harv, my editor at “Georgia by the Way,” gave me this assignment, I knew I’d have to deal with unresolved childhood fears. Until Doc began recounting the sightings, I didn’t realize how close to the surface they would rise.

I’d been at the magazine for less than a year, and trying to prove myself among the younger, more energetic reporters. So when Harv suggested I spend a night at the museum, I said yes. Doc was a good friend of Harv’s and had made the arrangements, so I couldn’t afford to mess things up with my unreasonable fears. I forced my thoughts back to the present as Doc continued.

“I decided to have a little fun and talk up the sightings. Word spread faster than a pat of butter on a hot biscuit. People flocked to the museum to meet the ghosts. PBS, TBS, CBS, TNN and ‘Haunted House’ on the History Channel featured the story. The tale literally took on a life of its own as everyone tried to see a ghost. But when no one showed, they all said I was trying to get publicity.”

“Or that he was crazy,” Penny, his wife, hissed, patting his hand. “We were practically ostracized from the community. For a while they stopped bringing in school children.”

How can readers find you on the Internet?
www.facebook.com/deborahmal

Thank you, Deborah, for sharing this book with us.

Readers, here’s a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.
Murder in Marietta


Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Feedblitz, Facebook, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link.
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

30 comments:

collettakay said...

I love mysteries!

Colletta from PA

Amy C said...

I have heard of this book and would love to read it
Amy C
VA

Wendy Newcomb said...

I have this first book in this series and would really like the second one, thank you for the chance to win it.

Wendy from FL

wfnren(at)aol(dot)com

Leauphaun said...

I've never heard of a book where the MC camps out in a museum... sounds like a fantastic book!!

Leauphaun from BC

Linda Kish said...

I would love to read this book.

California

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

pol said...

I usually read historical books but mystery ones interest me every now and then and this is one in Ga so would like to read it for sure, thanks for sharing ..
Paula O(kyflo130@yahoo.com)
A Ga reader

Deborah M said...

Thank you all so much for stopping by and reading a little about Trixie and Dee Dee and Trixie's great-aunt Nana. Wendy it's nice to see you've read the first in the series. Thanks again to all for taking the time to leave a comment.
Debbie Malone

Norma S said...

Hi Deborah,
That was a wonderful gift your grandmother gave you, your horse. Thank you for giving me a chance to win your book, sounds like a real good mystery.
Lena, is so good about having different authors to present their books.
God bless you.
Norma Stanforth from Ohio

Deborah M said...

Lyndie and Norma. Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment. Norman, my horse, Apache was a wonderful gift. I had many happy hours riding and many, many memories! I miss my mother and my grandmother. What two people will ever love you so unconditionally?
Thanks again for coming by.
Debbie Malone

Gail Pallotta said...

Hi Debbie,
So many things to like about Murder in Marietta. I love history and ghost stories, and of course, Marietta. Congratulations!

Diana Montgomery said...

Book sounds really good Deb. Would love to read it. Thanks for the chance.
Blessings
joeym11@frontier.com

Deborah M said...

Hi Gail, good to see you again. I hope to see you at New Life Writers again soon. Hi Diana, thank you for taking the time to stop by Lena's blog and leaving a comment.
Debbie Malone

Jo said...

I read the first book and now wanting to read this second book. I love mysteries. Thank you for the opportunity!

Blessings,
Jo from Southern Arizona
azladijo(at)aol(dot)com

Mary Preston said...

MURDER IN MARIETTA is my kind of read. Fabulous thank you.

Mary P

QLD AUSTRALIA

rubynreba said...

This sounds like a fun mystery to read. Thanks!
Beth from Iowa

apple blossom said...

interesting and nice cover.

live in ND

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Anonymous said...

I would love to read this book.

Katie J. from FL

johnsonk133[at]yahoo[dot]com

Terri B. said...

Thanks Deborah, that sounds like a book I would like to read.
in Mexico

Library Lady said...

I have relatives who live all over Georgia and especially in the Marietta area.
I'm looking forward to reading this series of books.
Janet E.
Florida
von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

Thank you for introducing me to this author. I found it interesting that she was inspired by Margaret Daley. I read and enjoy quite a bit of Margaret's works. Blessings, Susan Fryman New Mexico

Sarah Rebekah Richmond said...

I would love to win,Enter me!!!
Thanks for the giveaway and God Bless!!
Sarah Richmond
Blanch,N.C.

Hannah said...

Looks like a great read!
Hannah P
CA

Deborah M said...

Oh wow - thank you all for your comments. I am pleased to see so many readers taking time out of their day to visit with me. I wish all of you could be winners. I hope those that don't win will take a look at my books over at amazon.com or barnes and noble. If you read one I think you'll want the second. Once again thank you for sharing your day with me.
Debbie Malone

tickmenot said...

I read with interest about your photography hobby! What a fun thing to do.

My parents have been wonderful grandparents to my children. They haven't ever gotten them a horse, but have certainly gotten them other desires of their hearts--things they couldn't get their parents to do. :>)

Thanks for the contest.

Blessings from Kansas City!

Lourdes said...

Just my kind of book, love to read mysteries. Thank you for the chance to win.

Lourdes, Long Island, New York

Kristie said...

I don't usually read mysteries. But if I do read mysteries, I like them to be cozy. I hate the gore and violence and graphic descriptions. Sigh. Sometimes mysteries frustrate me though because I can't figure it out. I need to read more for practice. I used to love Nancy Drew as a kid too. She was awesome! Take care! Kristie from Ohio. kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.

Sharon Richmond said...

Enter me!!
Sharon Richmond
Blanch,NC.
sharonruth126@gmail.com

Cindy W. said...

I would really, really love to win a copy of Murder in Marietta. My best friend lives in Marietta and my sister use to, so I am familiar with the area.

I live in Indiana.

Thank you,
Cindy W.

countrybear52 AT yahoo DOT com

Shopgirl said...

I love mysteries! This looks great! I'm in MN.

Deborah M said...

Once again I want to thank everyone for stopping by. I am amazed by so many that have read my interview. There are people from all over the United States who have stopped in to say "HI."
Debbie Malone