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  • Writer's pictureVeronica Cline Barton
    • Apr 13, 2022
    • 7 min read

Veronica's #WritersDiary: Celebrating #Author Amy Reade's #NewRelease, A Traitor Among Us!


In today's post we'll catch up with one of my fav, mystery authors, Amy Reade, who is celebrating her new release, A Traitor Among Us, Book 2 in the Cape May Historical Mystery Collection! I've had the pleasure of knowing Amy for a few years now and have totally enjoyed reading her books and series. I can't wait to read this latest tale, let's chat with Amy:


Q1: Amy, thanks for being my guest today. You're a prolific writer with multiple series and stand-alone books that have been awesome to read. What motivates you to create a new series, or determine if a book will be stand-alone?

Thanks so much for inviting me onto your beautiful blog, Veronica. It’s an honor to be here. And thank you for your kind words about my books.


I’ll answer your questions in order. I’m motivated to create a new series when I find a character whose life has enough going on to support a whole series (or a special setting: see below!). My holiday cozies feature main character Lilly Carlsen, who is a small business owner, one of the caregivers for her mom, who suffers from dementia, and single mom of two teenagers. Her life is crazy even before I throw a mystery at her. There are plenty of threads I follow to explore Lilly’s character arc throughout the series, which currently stands at five books and will end after seven books and a prequel.


When I write a standalone, it’s usually because I have an idea for a mystery that can be encapsulated and wrapped up—no loose ends—at the conclusion of the whodunit.


Q2: Congratulations on your new release, A Traitor Among Us, Book 2 in the Cape May Historical Mystery Collection! What can you share with us?

Thank you! It was my husband who suggested I write a book about Cape May, New Jersey, which is just a thirty-minute drive down the Garden State Parkway. We live in Cape May County, and he thought it would be nice if I had a book with some local flavor.


I started researching the history of the area I call home and found that there’s much more material than I ever dreamed. What I decided to do was write a collection of mysteries that take place at different times throughout Cape May’s history. The only thing the books have in common is the setting: in and around Cape May. There are no continuing characters or story lines, so each mystery is really a standalone. But since they do have the Cape May thread running through them, I made it a collection rather than a series.


The first book in the series, Cape Menace, takes place during the seventeenth century, not long after Europeans discovered this region of the mid-Atlantic. The second book, A Traitor Among Us, actually takes place at the spot, just a quarter-mile down the road from me, where there has been a restaurant and inn in operation continuously since 1736. Here’s the blurb for the new book, which came out yesterday!


September, 1777.

The war for American independence rages just seventy miles away from the country inn and tavern owned by the Rutledge family in southern New Jersey. Tensions are running high between those who support the Continental Army and those who remain loyal to the English crown.

When Etta Rutledge stumbles upon the body of a ne’er-do-well British sympathizer on her family’s property, unsettling questions regarding her older brother, Jesse, begin to arise. What was his connection to the victim and why was he keen to keep it hidden?

Another shocking death, this time much closer to the heart of the family, draws Etta ever closer to unlocking the secrets swirling around her—secrets that someone will go to any length to protect...

Will Etta survive the discovery of the traitor in their midst?


Q3: I'm a huge fan of your holiday, cozy series; what celebration is next for the Juniper Junction Holiday Mysteries?

Thank you so much. I’m glad you asked! The next holiday to be celebrated in Juniper Junction will be Thanksgiving, with the release of Fowl Play. One of Lilly’s Thanksgiving dinner guests ends up dead and, of course, Lilly gets dragged into the investigation. There are also plenty of goings-on with Lilly personally and with her family members, as there are in all the Juniper Junction books.


The final novel in the series will be St. Patrick’s Fray, and I’ll let you guess which holiday that is! I’ll be sorry to see these characters go, but I’m planning on writing a prequel to be read only after the reader has finished the series.


Q4: You've made a number of marketing changes during the pandemic/lockdown, including a new website/newsletter; any marketing insights/advice for the writing community?

You’re right—I have made a lot of changes (and, hopefully, improvements!) to the way I market, advertise, and find readers. There are more changes on the way in the coming year, too.


My advice to the writing community is to learn everything you can about a particular advertising platform, then put your knowledge into action. Knowing all the things doesn’t matter if you don’t put that knowledge to work.


Q5: Enquiring minds want to know, plans (writing or travel inspiration) for the remainder of 2022/start of 2023?

I’m almost done with the first draft of Fowl Play, and I expect the rewriting to be a nightmare. So there’s that to look forward to. *eye roll*


I am gathering ideas for book 3 in the Cape May Historical Mystery Collection, which is untitled as of now.


I have been asked to continue the Libraries of the World Mystery Series, and actually, the second book is half-written. I dropped that project during the pandemic because I had other fish to fry. I’m excited about it, though. The name of book 2 is The White Witch of New Amsterdam. Hopefully I can release that sometime next year.


And, of course, there’s St. Patrick’s Fray, which I have begun to plot.


Finally, I am hoping to get to Scotland this year. We’ll see how things pan(demic) out.


***

Thank you again for having me on your blog, Veronica. It is such a privilege to be able to talk about my books and my writing plans with your readers. I am so excited to read Blood on the Vines! I look forward to immersing myself in Cherrywood Hall once again.


Amy, thank you for being my guest today (and for the kind words on Blood on the Vines). It's so exciting to catch up with you, and again, many congratulations and best to you on your new release, A Traitor Among Us. You can find out more about Amy's books and series here:


It's awesome to see so many new books release, let's get reading! It's Wednesday, time for #DearDiary:

Pssst...Just 37 Weeks to Go Until Christmas, Soooo...

I am totally bad---I know it's not even Easter yet, but I'm deep in editing mode for Blood on the Vine and I just HAD to give my blog readers a hush-hush, sneak peek of the book cover and title for Rikkhe's 2nd book in the Hygge & Bisous Holiday Mysteries, A Novel Noel. My step-daughter, Danielle Gregorio, has once again hit the design out of the park--I love this one. There may be a tweak or two, but this is the almost-final version. Who's ready to go to Malibu for a night of holiday storytelling around the fire? A Novel Noel will debut on November 1st!


A laugh out loud look at the New Word Order this week from the writers of Twitter...


Author John Dolan, The Otford English Dictionary, 5⭐

Having fast forwarded from the best of times, (forget the middle), and now, rather unceremoniously dumped into the worst of times, Author Dolan once again delivers his unique, and certainly saucy, view of the words and phrases that influence life and behaviors in this new Twilight Zone era. With his Otford English Dictionary, from A to Z, we are whisked to the realm of the New Word Order (not to be confused with the other NWO) that now prevails.


As I read through the contents of each alphabetical section, I couldn't help but smile, squirm, recoil, and explode into gales of laughter, word after word, phrase after phrase. The definitions, explanations, and references were at times cheeky, blunt, explained with the dark humor of one who sees the rabbit hole the world might be descending into; or, perhaps, by one fueled by copious amounts of gin. We may never know...but does it really matter? Anyone?


A fabulous reference for those teetering on the edge of verbal/written communication as we knew it, and for those who appreciate the brilliant spark of humanity's humor which just might save us after all. A highly recommended read!

Next up in the #reading queue:



A Few Words About the Trip to Albuquerque...

I'll be talking about the Left Coast Crime conference in a later post, but I did want to mention two fabulous meet-ups I had while there. The first was a dinner with a fashion blogger extraordinaire I've been following for years, Jamie Lewinger, and her More Than Turquoise blog and Instagram posts. Jamie is a delight, and ladies, if you want the latest. tres chic styles, make-up, and inside fashion scoop, you need to follow her under her More Than Turquoise handles. It was so fun to see her and her husband again in person--it was a very, fun evening!


My second meet-up was having lunch with the fabulous author, Sandy Bazinet! I've been following Sandy on Twitter for a number of years, and I love reading her books. I was thrilled that we were able to meet and chat in person. We had such a lovely time (and did I mention a fab eatery where I had my beloved chili rellenos? #Yummo). I've met so many great peeps on Twitter, and to have the honor and privilege to meet up in person is just-wow! There is nothing better...💖👑


Welcome to my world. Have a fabulous week and a very, Happy Easter for those who celebrate!


Crowns and Kisses.

Veronica


P.S. Wishing you a fabulous Easter! #EatTheChocolate đŸ‡đŸ«Gemma and Rikkhe approve 💖👑



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