Dear Readers, I
contacted this author when I saw the titles of two of her books. They intrigued
me.
Welcome, Rebecca. Tell
us how much of yourself you write into your characters.
Interesting question. I would guess I write about fifty
percent of myself in my characters. I like to think that my heroine, Josie
Callahan, is younger, smarter, and much braver than me. We both like to indulge
in Tex-Mex even though we know better.
James and I had Tex-Mex
yesterday, and we brought half of it home to eat today. What is the quirkiest
thing you have ever done?
As an out-of-work actor living in New York City , I worked the New York Toy Fair
as a giant Furskin.
When did you first
discover that you were a writer?
My mother remembers discovering my love of writing in second
grade. She thanked the teacher for casting me in our class play, and Ms.
Valentine responded, “She wrote the play. The least I could do was let her star
in it.”
Tell us the range of
the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
As I continue to hone my mystery writing skills, I’m afraid
that’s all the fiction I’m reading these days. Non-fiction reading includes my
daily Bible passages and online newspapers.
How do you keep your
sanity in our run, run, run world?
That’s easy. Pray. I also try to be grateful no matter the
situation: good, bad, and ugly. Oh, and I must admit, I’m trying to use
calendars and planners more consistently.
How do you choose
your characters’ names?
Names are funny. They have to sound right, and they
definitely have to fit the locale and the character’s personality.
What is the
accomplishment that you are most proud of?
I moved to NYC right out of college to study acting in a
Broadway theatre, light years from my home in a small coastal town in the
South. I didn’t crumble or lose my faith. That was pretty cool.
If you were an
animal, which one would you be, and why?
Hard one. I would be a long-haired Chihuahua like the one in my book. Lenny’s
feisty, but nobody minds because he’s so stinking cute.
What is your favorite
food?
Easy one. Queso with spicy ground beef, guacamole, and fresh
tomatoes.
I love a good queso,
but I’m not fond of adding other things to it. What is the problem with writing
that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
Staying focused has always been my greatest roadblock. I’m
under a lot of deadlines with this series, and that’s helped a great deal. I
often chat with other writers during my writing time, reporting my progress on
regular intervals. That accountability really makes the difference for me.
Tell us about the
featured book.
Reporter
turned Tex-Mex waitress Josie Callahan is about to go from serving queso to
solving cases…
After losing her newspaper job in Austin and having her former fiancé unfriend her on Facebook, Josie Callahan scoops up her Chihuahua, Lenny, and slinks back to Broken Boot, Texas. Maybe working as head waitress at Milagro—her aunt and uncle’s Tex-Mex restaurant—isn’t exactly living the dream, but it is a fresh start.
And business is booming as tourists pour into Broken Boot for its famous Wild West Festival. But when a local jewelry designer is found strangled outside Milagro after a tamale-making party, Josie’s reporter instincts kick in. As suspects pile up and alibis crack faster than taco shells, Josie needs to wrap up this case tighter than her tía’s tortillas—before another victim calls for the check…
After losing her newspaper job in Austin and having her former fiancé unfriend her on Facebook, Josie Callahan scoops up her Chihuahua, Lenny, and slinks back to Broken Boot, Texas. Maybe working as head waitress at Milagro—her aunt and uncle’s Tex-Mex restaurant—isn’t exactly living the dream, but it is a fresh start.
And business is booming as tourists pour into Broken Boot for its famous Wild West Festival. But when a local jewelry designer is found strangled outside Milagro after a tamale-making party, Josie’s reporter instincts kick in. As suspects pile up and alibis crack faster than taco shells, Josie needs to wrap up this case tighter than her tía’s tortillas—before another victim calls for the check…
INCLUDES
TEX-MEX RECIPES!
Yea. I love recipes. Please
give us the first page of the book.
“Josie!” Aunt Linda’s high-pitched drawl soared like a
heat-seeking missile up the wooden stairs from our restaurant below, through my
quaint living room, and into my sweet but tiny bedroom.
There are three things Aunt Linda and Uncle Eddie have in
common with tamales: they’re unpretentious, comforting, and fattening when
consumed in excess.
“Be right there,” I bellowed.
“I’ll believe it when I see it, monkey.”
I groaned, but it was all for show. Long gone were the days
of hiding beneath the warm cocoon of my quilts. I was no longer that grieving
twelve-year-old orphan, yanked from the concrete glamor of Dallas
and plopped into the dust bowl of the West Texas
desert. Back then, Aunt Linda forced me to partake in what she knew best, the
banality of folding napkins and the comfort of tamales. Now I craved the
nostalgic aromas and chaotic chatter that would soothe my eviscerated heart and
humiliated pride.
And it was time to boogie downstairs to set up for tonight’s
festivities before the stink of self-pity started oozing from my pores. I
scrunched up my nose at my reflection. “You may not be a waitress, but you can
toss plates with the best of them.”
My dog, Lenny, barked from the doorway in disbelief, his
bright button eyes and long, silky coat trembling with excitement.
“Little man, watch and see.” With a sigh, I smoothed the red
bandana at my neck and yanked up the neckline of my peasant blouse so as not to
inspire a lecture on modesty from the matriarch of our clan, Aunt Linda’s
mother-in-law, Senora Mari. I tightened my ponytail and turned to my
four-legged confidante. “Where is your bandana?”
“Yip.” Wagging his shaggy, miniscule tail a million times a
minute, Lenny trotted to his doggie bed. The bed’s designer had gone to a lot
of trouble to create a sophisticated bed for beloved canine companions, and I’m
sure in her mind it was a thing of beauty. Unfortunately, it reminded me of a
crunchy taco with a golden outside and a brown lumpy cushion.
How can readers find
you on the Internet?
My website: www.AuthorRebeccaAdler.com
Facebook: Author Gina Lee Nelson/Rebecca Adler
Thank you, Rebecca, for sharing this new book with us. I love cozy mysteries, and I'm eager for my book to arrive so I can read it.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Here Today, Gone Tamale: A Taste of Texas Mystery - PaperbackHere Today, Gone Tamale: A Taste of Texas Mystery - Kindle
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. 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 Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, 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
23 comments:
angela in ky would love to win
I love the title of Rebecca's book.
Now I want Mexican food for lunch.
Janet E.
von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com
Florida
Mexican food and mystery! 😃 Two of my favorite things!
J.C. -Indiana-
Great title! I love mystery fiction! Can't wait to read it.
I am so glad you contacted Rebecca for an interview, Lena. What a great interview!
Rebecca, I look forward to reading your books. They combine three of my favorite things. A cozy mystery, Tex-Mex food, and West Texas life. I lived in San Angelo, Texas throughout my junior high and high school years except for my freshman year at Fort Meade, Maryland.
Kathy from the Flowerbox City, Neosho, MO
I love the book covers, Rebecca
This story sounds delightful! Thanks so much for sharing Rebecca's interview and giveaway.
Britney Adams, TX
Howdy, y'all! Thanks so much for visiting Lena's blog and for leaving your generous comments.
J.C. and Library Lady commented on their love of Tex Mex and mystery. Well, those are two of my most favorite things as well!
Kathy, hope this tale reinforces your fond memories of West Texas. My inspiration was the beautiful landscapes of the Chihuahuan Desert, Chisos Mountains, and Big Bend National Park.
Kathy and Library Lady, glad you like the titles. Finding a punny title is half the fun!
Thanks, again, for commenting. I hope you enjoy my lighthearted mystery and the easy recipes in the back of the book!
I would love the chance to read more of this story.
Linda in CA
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
What a great, cover, title and story! Mexican food is my absolute favorite so I would thoroughly enjoy reading this one. Thank you for a great interview and giveaway opportunity.
Melanie Backus, TX
I love this cover. Sounds great.
Mary P
QLD AUSTRALIA
This books title sounds like a really fun read. Would love to win.
Blessings,
Cindy W.
from Indiana
I enjoy cozy mysteries and this title is so creative! Thanks for sharing.
Connie from KY
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
What a spicy cover and I love a good tamale!
Wendy in FL
wfnren at aol dot com
Here Today, Gone Tamale sounds like a great cozy for a Tex-Mex love like me!
Merry in MN
YUM! Mexican food and a mystery...Sounds delish!
Caryl K in TEXAS
Ohhhhh!!! I LOVE mysteries!
Cool title, LOve the cover and love mysteries. north platte nebraska.
Hi gals, glad you like the title and description of my first book in this series. Waving to Caryl Kane in TX. Wendy, I was born and raised in Florida. How about you?
Enter me!!
Conway, SC.
Sounds like a fun book! I enjoyed the first page.
Tennessee
Hi Rebecca. I had to laugh out loud when you shared what inspired you to be a writer! Of course that teacher HAD to make you the star since you wrote the play...haha! :-D
You are a new-to-me author and I do love discovering new writers. I've not read a lot of cozy type mysteries, this one sounds fun, quirky and from the first page I was hooked! And who could resist a cute long-haired chihuahua?
Thanks for the author interview and book giveaway!
Trixi in OR
Gone Tamale sounds like a great mystery. Add good recipes and you have a winner. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
Brenda in VA
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