Ralph, the Shakespeare-quoting parrot, from Sorry, Know Sorry, An Anastasia Pollack Crafting mystery, is visiting Ascroft, eh? today to tell us a bit his role in the series.

Welcome, Ralph. I’ll turn the floor over to you –

If you were expecting a guest post from author Lois Winston or one of the two-legged characters who populate her Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mysteries, you’ll need to check out some of the other current posts on the Great Escapes Book Tour for Sorry, Knot Sorry, the thirteenth book in the series. Today, you get yours truly, the taloned member of the Pollack household. Anastasia inherited me from her great-aunt Penelope Periwinkle when the Shakespearean scholar “shuffled off this mortal coil” (Hamlet, Act Three, Scene One) to join the Bard of Avon inside the Pearly Gates.

At first Anastasia wasn’t thrilled with her inheritance. She would have preferred Great-aunt Penelope’s cameo collection, but that was bequeathed to Anastasia’s mother. However, I believe I’ve since proven my worth. And FYI, unlike a certain canine member of the household, I’m potty-trained. No one has to walk me several times a day during New Jersey nor’easters or blizzards.

Having spent most of my long life with Professor Penelope, both in and out of her lecture halls, I’m quite the Shakespearean scholar myself. And although African Greys are known to have exceptional intelligence and huge vocabularies, I’m not exaggerating when I state that I completely out-parrot the other members of my species. My talents are varied and many, but I’m especially proud of my ability to quote situation-appropriate Shakespearean passages from Will’s many plays.

Given that Lois Winston has seen fit to dump all sorts of murder and mayhem on poor Anastasia, one of my tasks within the series is to insert a bit of much-needed comic relief, especially when unsuspecting characters first hear me recite a few lines. Not only is my timing impeccable, but I can also quote the play’s title, act, and scene. It’s a shame there are no stage parts written for Shakespeare-quoting parrots. If there are any playwrights reading this, have your people call my people. You won’t be sorry.

I’m also far better at dealing with intruders than the four-legged resident of Casa Pollack, although he has had his moments. However, he pales in comparison to my magnificent wingspan, not to mention my swooping prowess. I’ve employed both on multiple occasions to the detriment of anyone messing with Anastasia and her family, including recently in Sorry, Knot Sorry.

Finally, I like to think that my matchmaking skills are unparalleled. The moment Zachary Barnes entered our lives, I knew the man was the best thing to happen to Anastasia since Lois started messing with her, even if Anastasia isn’t quite sure Zack is who he claims he is. Yes, he’s a photojournalist, but is he more? Does he, as Anastasia suspects, work for one of the alphabet agencies?

This parrot really doesn’t care. I’m taking full credit for Zack sticking around. He and I have developed quite the bromance. At times, I think Anastasia is even a bit jealous, but that’s entirely her fault. After all, she never treats me to as many sunflower seeds as Zack does. The guy even carries them around in his shirt pocket, and I don’t see him sharing any with her. Only me. Now that’s true love!

Thank you for sharing this with us, Ralph, and good luck to you and your author, Lois Winston, with Sorry, Knot Sorry, the latest book in the Anastasia Pollack Crafting mystery series.

Readers can learn more about Ralph and his author, Heather Lois Winston by visiting the author’s website and blogs: Killer Crafts and Crafty Killers, Booklover’s Bench, and The Stiletto Gang. You can also visit her at her Goodreads and Bookbub pages.

The book is available online at the following retailers:

Amazon   Kobo     Nook    Apple Books 

About Lois Winston: USA Today and Amazon bestselling and award-winning author Lois Winston writes mystery, romance, romantic suspense, chick lit, women’s fiction, children’s chapter books, and nonfiction. Kirkus Reviews dubbed her critically acclaimed Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mystery series, “North Jersey’s more mature answer to Stephanie Plum.” In addition, Lois is a former literary agent and an award-winning craft and needlework designer who often draws much of her source material for both her characters and plots from her experiences in the crafts industry. Learn more about Lois and her books at her website www.loiswinston.com where you can also sign up for her newsletter and follow her on various social media sites.