Gwen Stevens is visiting Ascroft, eh? to tell us about Poppies, Perils and Poison, the latest novel in the Camelot Flowers mystery series.

Welcome, Gwen. 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 novel is part of a series named after my family’s flower shop, Camelot Flowers. The Camelot Flowers Mysteries follow my attempts to solve murders in my small town of Star Junction, Illinois. I never meant to be a private detective or amateur sleuth, but when my best friend and not-so-secret crush, Chris Crawford, was arrested for the murder of a former high school classmate of ours, I needed to do something to help him. I was able to solve that murder, but taking part in that investigation also introduced me to Star Junction’s new police detective, Finn Butler. My love life got a lot more complicated after that case. Now, I’ve got another murder to solve. I would’ve preferred to stay out this one, but my mom’s best friend, Margie, is the prime suspect and since she won’t be honest about her alibi, someone’s got to prove she didn’t kill anyone.

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

The author of my books likes to think she’s in control, but I always manage to surprise her with a few things she didn’t expect. She certainly didn’t think I was going to be willing to crawl into a dumpster to look for clues. Let’s just say that by that time I was done, my best friend, Penny, was laughing. I definitely wasn’t. To make matters worse, the author laughed too!

How did you evolve as the main character?

In the first book of the series, Marigolds, Mischief, and Murder, I knew Chris was innocent, but all the evidence pointed to him being guilty. Even though I was happy with my life as a florist, Chris needed my help. Once I started asking around town about the murder, I discovered that I was good at it. People opened up to me in a way they wouldn’t have with the police, probably because most of the people I talk to have known me all my life. I also seem to have a knack for stumbling onto the truth. This second time around, people in town seem to expect me to investigate. It’s nice that they trust me, although hunting down a killer isn’t the safest pastime.

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

My best friend, Penny, is always pulling me into some hairbrained scheme during the investigation. She certainly keeps life interesting. I love spending time with police detective, Finn Butler, and am so glad he finally realized how helpful I can be. I like bouncing ideas off of him about the investigation, and I like it even more when he asks me for help.

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

Star Junction is a rural town in Illinois steeped with history. Main Street is lined with historic, brick buildings with soaring false fronts most of which were built in the 1800s. People in Star Junction are mostly friendly, solid citizens, despite the few murders we’ve had, and go out of their way to be good neighbors. My family’s flower shop, Camelot Flowers, is on Main Street right across from Fairytale Sweets. It’s very tempting to run across the street for chocolate on stressful days. I live alone in a small, white house I bought a few years ago. It’s cozy and perfect for me.

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

I investigate these murders because I care about people and want justice to be served. Despite my best efforts, I usually find myself in situations that are probably pretty funny if you’re not the one in them. The investigation in Poppies, Perils, and Poison is especially interesting because the woman who was murdered is new to town, which means long-held grudges can’t be a motive for her murder. Seriously, how do you move to a new town and make enough enemies in two weeks to end up dead? Shannon Wentworth managed to do it. I promise lots of suspects, lots of laughs, and that I’ll decide who I’m going to date—Chris or Finn—by book three.

Thank you for answering my questions, Gwen, and good luck to you and your author, Erica Wynters, with Poppies, Perils and Poison, the latest book in the Camelot Flowers mystery series.

Readers can learn more about Gwen and her author, Erica Wynters by visiting the author’s website and her Facebook and Instagram pages.

The novel is available at the following online retailers:

 Amazon – Apple – Barnes and Noble 

About Erica Wynters: Erica may have lived most of her life in the frigid Midwest, but now she spends her time in the warmth and sunshine of Arizona. She loves hiking, hunting down waterfalls in the desert, reading (of course), and napping. Can napping be considered a hobby? When not weaving tales of mystery with plenty of quirky characters, laughs, and a dash of romance, Erica works as a Marriage and Family Therapist helping others find their Happily Ever Afters.