Brenda Whiteside is visiting Ascroft, eh? to tell us about Reading, Writing and Murder, the latest novel in the Chocolate Martini Sisters Mystery series, which she co-authors with Joyce Proell.

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

Tell us about your novel. Is it part of a series? If so, please tell us about the series too.

Reading, Writing, and Murder is a Chocolate Martini Sisters Mystery. It is book two in the series, but the books are standalone stories also. Book one was Candy, Cigarettes, and Murder. Book three, Cornbread, Ribs, and Murder, is in the creation process.

Twice a year sisters Emma Banefield and Nicole Earp spend a relaxing weekend at the storied Dulce Inn in Wyatt, Arizona celebrating their birthdays. They always have at least one chocolate martini in the Azul Saloon inside the inn to toast their respective birthday, Em in the fall and Nic in the spring. The staff has become familiar with Nic and Em and dubbed them The Chocolate Martini Sisters. Each visit they somehow become involved with a murder mystery. Chief Homicide Detective Guthrie isn’t sure whether to applaud the sisters’ sleuthing skills or ban them from snooping in his crime investigations.

In Reading, Writing, and Murder, aspiring mystery writer Emma and travel writer Nicole are excited to attend a writers’ conference during their latest sisters’ getaway. Nic’s birthday should be all about relaxation, writing, and a chocolate martini to toast another trip around the sun, but the climate at the gathering rumbles like a sudden desert thunderstorm.

Where did the idea for the mystery that is central to the story come from?

All authors have most likely attended a writing conference at some time in their lives. Joyce and I have certainly attended our share. It was natural for us to imagine a conference spiralling into a mystery.

Is there a theme or subject that underlies the story? If so, what prompted you to write about it?

Solving a murder is the key to each of The Chocolate Martini Sisters Mystery books. Having the murder happen during a writers’ conference at the relaxing, beautiful Dulce Inn was a natural.

How do you create your characters? Do you have favourite ones? If so, why are you partial to them?

Joyce and I are building a community in Wyatt, Arizona with each story we write. Many of the characters will appear in all the books. Personally, the sisters are my favorites. They have unique personalities and appearances and yet are best friends. Since I write from Nic’s point of view, I’m particularly partial to her. She’s fashionably carefree and arty, often wearing long skirts, and has a hat mania. She frets over her hair being too thin. She loves to eat. Intuitive, she prizes unconscious reaction and gut feelings. Cheerful, chatty, and charismatic, she can also be haphazard and too trusting. She’s great fun for me to write.

How do you bring to life the place you are writing about?

Because we model Wyatt, Arizona after Prescott, Arizona, it’s no stretch for me to picture the setting and give it a detailed personality. I was born and raised in Arizona. There is a town north of Phoenix called Prescott. It’s relatively small, is touristy on one level, and western in flavor. My real-life sister lives there too, so I visit often. Joyce lives in Minnesota, so she’s great at following the lead and coming up with picturesque additions.

What research do you do to provide background information to help you write the novel?

Research can take us anywhere depending on the story. We’ve had to research exotic poisons and their delivery. How crime scenes are processed and who does that are other avenues we’ve travelled. We’ve even had to research recipes.

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

The story is entertaining. The characters are many and diverse. We know you’ll love the sisters. We hope you have as much fun reading it as we had writing it.

Thanks for answering my questions, Brenda, and good luck to you and Joyce with Reading, Writing and Murder, the latest book in Chocolate Martini Sisters Mystery series.

Readers can learn more about Brenda and her writing by visiting her website and her Facebook, Goodreads, Bookbub and Instagram pages. You can also follow her on Twitter.

The novel is available at the following online retailers:

Amazon US   Amazon UK    Amazon Canada

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.

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.

Joyce’s: Website    Facebook    Amazon Author Page   Goodreads Author Page