Joyce Proell, co-author of Cornbread, Ribs and Murder, the latest novel in the Chocolate Martini Sisters mysteries series, is visiting Ascroft, eh? today.
Welcome, Joyce.
Thank you. I’m happy to be visiting with you today.
Tell us about your novel. Is it part of a series? If so, please tell us about the series too.
Cornbread, Ribs and Murder is the third book in the Chocolate Martini Sisters series. The stories feature sisters Nic and Emma. Each woman has a distinctive style and personality, yet their interests overlap in one key way—their love of mysteries. When a woman screams for help, they find her next to a dead body, a bloody knife gripped in her hand. Murder has found them again. At the woman’s request, they agree to help her find the killer. Officially contracted as sleuths, they get down to work, sorting through a vast array of quirky suspects. Time and experience have made their unique detective skills sharper. They catch the killer and manage to have fun while doing so.
Where did the idea for the mystery that is central to the story come from?
My industrious and creative writing partner, Brenda Whiteside, suggested the series idea. A resident of Arizona, she celebrates her birthday with her sister every year with a chocolate martini served up at her beloved local hotel.
Is there a theme or subject that underlies the story? If so, what prompted you to write about it?
In a mystery, the subject is always murder. It is the who, what, when, and why of the story. Why do people do what they do? In this case, the sisters set out to answer the questions.
How do you create your characters? Do you have favourite ones? If so, why are you partial to them?
The process of developing a character is like working with clay. At first, it’s a blob, sitting before me on a table. I touch it, and its firm beneath my fingers. Then I begin to dig and squeeze the firm substance. An idea takes hold. An image begins to emerge from the shadows of my mind. Kneading and pulling, a form takes shape. I test an idea this way and that. Little by little, the substance/plot reveals itself. Pretty soon, I have a good idea of who did what and why. The rest is all down to details.
How do you bring to life the place you are writing about?
I use both pictures and imagination to bring life to my stories.
What research do you do to provide background information to help you write the novel?
Brenda has the advantage as she lives close to where the story takes place. Also, she modelled the vintage charm of the Dulce Inn after one of her favorite boutique hotels. I rely on the internet for my research.
Is there anything else you’d like to tell readers about the book?
All of the books in the series were fun to write, but Cornbread, Ribs and Murder is my top pick. Nic and Em are such wonderful characters. They enjoy sleuthing, and when justice is served, so much the better. Enjoy!
Thank you for answering my questions, Joyce, and good luck to you and your co-author, Brenda Whiteside, with Cornbread, Ribs and Murder, the latest book in the Chocolate Martini Sisters mystery series.
Readers can learn more about Joyce Proell by visiting the author’s website and her Amazon Author page, as well as her Facebook and Goodreads pages.
The novel is available at the following online retailers:
Amazon US Amazon UK Amazon Canada
About Joyce Proell: After hearing countless stories as a mental health professional, Joyce Proell retired to create her own tales. As an award-winning author, she writes historical romance and cozy mystery where all endings are guaranteed happy. She shares her home on the prairie with a husband and a little dog with a big personality. When she isn’t reading or writing, she likes to swim and finds baking almost as relaxing as a day at the spa.