Nicole Earp is visiting Ascroft, eh? to tell us about Candy, Cigarettes and Murder, the first novel in the Chocolate Martini Sister mystery series.

Welcome, Nic. Let’s get started, shall we?

Tell us about the novel that you live inside. Is it part of a series? If so, please tell us about the series too.

My name is Nicole Earp, but everyone calls me Nic. Twice a year, my sister, Emma and I spend a relaxing weekend at the storied Dulce Inn in Wyatt, Arizona celebrating our birthdays. We always treat ourselves to at least one chocolate martini in the Azul Saloon inside the inn. We’ve gotten to know most of the staff, they’ve nicknamed us The Chocolate Martini Sisters. Em’s birthday is in the fall, and I’m a spring lady. Candy, Cigarettes, and Murder is the story of one such weekend when we celebrate my birthday. It’s more than a birthday this year—mayhem dwells while murder lurks giving us plenty of opportunities to use our knowledge of all things mystery to solve the crime.

Candy, Cigarettes, and Murder is a Chocolate Martini Sisters Mystery, Book 1. The second book in the series, Reading, Writing, and Murder is well on its way to being finished. We’ll be attending a writing conference and staying at the Dulce Inn. Not only will we have fun learning our craft (I write freelance travel articles, and Em is an aspiring mystery writer), but we’ll be solving a murder. Book three is in the planning stages, but you can be sure we’ll have lots of fun with whatever caper we encounter.

Does the writer control what happens in the story or do you get a say too?

There are two writers involved with our stories. Joyce and Brenda do a fair amount of manipulation, but once in a while Em and I throw them a curve.

How did you evolve as the main character?

I share the pages as the main character with my sister Em. Brenda, one of the authors of our series, came up with the idea for the series while having a chocolate martini with her sister. They buy each other the delicious drink twice a year on their birthdays in a historical inn and saloon in a western town called Prescott, Arizona. When they jokingly called themselves the Chocolate Martini Sisters, it gave Brenda an idea for a cozy mystery series. She contacted her friend Joyce, and they collaborated bringing Em and I to life.

Do you have any other characters you like sharing the story with? If so, why are you partial to them?

First and foremost is Em of course. We do love sharing a good murder mystery. There are two detectives who might deserve some credit for helping us solve the crimes. The Chief Homicide Detective Bennett Guthrie is particularly fun…for me anyway. He really gets under my sister’s skin. He’s tenacious, determined, and focused, but really hates admitting how much we help him. He takes himself far too seriously, so I enjoy a good jab at him now and then.

What’s the place like where you find yourself in this story?

Wyatt, Arizona, formerly Juniper until 1880, is located at the base of the Bradshaw Mountains, two hours north of Phoenix. The town is named for Wyatt Earp who frequented the historical Dulce Inn and the Azul Restaurant and Saloon located inside the hotel. The town has a slight old west feel with turn of the century buildings. Gold Creek runs through the west side of town two blocks from the town square. After a rain, you might actually be able to pan small gold nuggets. The Dulcie Inn ranks as the oldest and classiest boutique hotel in Wyatt. Brass and glass double doors enter off the street. Visually, the establishment is sumptuous with rich jewel colors: gold, deep sage green, burgundy, rust, purple. Painted wall murals echo images of nearby rugged mountains, and tall, arched doors lead to a pretty patio and garden. Leather chesterfields in the center of the lobby, invite you to curl up on a sofa, cup of coffee in hand, while the soft glow from the brass Stiffle lamps on the end tables toss light across the open book in your lap.

Is there anything else you’d like to tell readers about you and the book?

I invite all readers to join us in celebrating our birthdays at the Dulce Inn. The ambiance of an old-west style hotel and saloon will come alive between the pages. The staff will delight you. The mystery will entice you. You’ll enjoy the repartee between Em and me, and be entertained with our adventures.

Thank you for answering my questions, Nic, and good luck to you and your authors, Joyce Proell and Brenda Whiteside, with Candy, Cigarettes and Murder, the first book in the Chocolate Martini Sisters mystery series.

Readers can learn more about Nic and her authors, Joyce Proell and Brenda Whiteside, by visiting the authors’ websites and their social media pages.

The novel is available online at  Amazon 

About Joyce Proell: Joyce is the award-winning author of Amaryllis, Eliza and the Cady Delafield mysteries: A Deadly Truth, A Burning Truth and A Wicked Truth. Along with her husband and little dog, Nellie, she lives in Minnesota in her very own little house on the prairie. She loves to hear from readers.

Website at: www.joyceproell.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JoyceProellAuthor

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Joyce-Proell/author/B009K432O8

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6545483.Joyce_Proell

About Brenda Whiteside: Brenda is the award-winning author of romantic suspense, romance, and cozy mystery. After living in six states and two countries—so far—she and her husband have settled in Central Arizona. They admit to being gypsies at heart and won’t discount the possibility of another move. They share their home with a rescue dog named Amigo. While FDW fishes, Brenda writes.

Website:  https://www.brendawhiteside.com

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/BrendaWhitesideAuthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/brendawhitesid2

Amazon Author Page:  https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B003V15WF8

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3972045.Brenda_Whiteside

BookBub:   https://www.bookbub.com/authors/brenda-whiteside

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/brendawhitesideauthor/