Diane's Latest News
Visit With Me at Jungle Red Writers!
I’m at the Jungle Red Writers’ site today talking about the building that inspired the plot in my new release, Batten Down the Belfry. Come over and chat with us! Here’s the link: Jungle Red Writers
Big thanks to Jenn McKinlay for inviting me to post! You’ll find more about Jenn’s great books at: Jenn’s Website
Hooray! Batten Down the Belfry Releases Today!
I’m thrilled that book #4 in my House Flipper series is now out in the world! I had so much fun writing this book. The idea stemmed from the many tours I took of the Ryman Auditorium when I lived in Nashville. The venue was built to be a church – hence the great acoustics – but was later repurposed into an entertainment venue and managed to great success by a businesswoman named Lula Naff. It was fun to turn the abandoned country church in the book into a playhouse as well. I’ve also always loved stained glass as an art form. It’s both beautiful and functional. It was fun to use this design element in the remodel. I hope you’ll love the book! And if you’ve got time to write a review, they will be very appreciated. Thanks! 
Revised Book Release Date
FOR WHOM THE BELLS TOLL . . .
Author Takeover at Cozy Mystery Launch Party – Today!
Don’t Miss This Book!
My friend and fellow author Melissa Bourbon has a new release! You won’t want to miss this one. If you haven’t started at the beginning of her Book Magic series, but sure to start with book #1, Murder in Devil’s Cove. These books are a unique mix of mystery, adventure, myth, and magic. You’ll love them! I know I do!
Cover Reveals!
It’s a two-fer! Take a look at my awesome new covers. I love them! Big thanks to the talented cover artists.
Inspiring Disabled Dogs
Check out my post on Shepherd.com about Inspiring Disabled Dogs
Here’s my own inspiring deaf dog, Reggie. She “hears” with her nose and by closely watching the faces and body movements of the people and pack-mates in her family. Don’t tell my other two dogs, but she’s my favorite by far! Such a sweetie, and always in a happy mood!
It’s release day for Getaway with Murder!
I’m so thrilled about today’s release of the debut book in my new Mountain Lodge Mysteries series, Getaway with Murder! I hope that you’ll enjoy your virtual vacation in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. I had so much fun writing this book. Misty is a middle-aged heroine, having just turned fifty, and she’s realized that if she’s ever going to achieve her dream of living in the mountains she needs to make it happen – now. Of course her fluffy white cat Baroness Blizzard – nicknamed Yeti – is more than happy to come along with Misty. Trouble ensues, of course. ; ) Get a copy in print, digital, or audio, and start your mountain vacation today!
Meet Book Blogger Kerrin Parris!
Today, I’d like to introduce you to my friend and former coworker/officemate Kerrin Parris. Kerrin has been one of my biggest encouragers in my writing career, both before I got published and after. Kerrin gave me story suggestions and title ideas. Some were tongue in cheek, a little naughty, and made me laugh! Yep, we share an offbeat sense of humor. No wonder we clicked when we met!
Even though we no longer live in the same state, I was lucky to get to spend some time with her recently on a girls’ trip to the mountains. We had a lot of fun reconnecting! She’s enjoying retirement and devoting lots of time to reading and reviewing books. She posts both her thoughts and great recipes on her Books and Recipes site. Be sure to check out her book reviews for recommendations, and read on to learn more about this reading and reviewing redhead with the lush pumpkin-spice hair.
Diane: What drew you to becoming a book reviewer and blogger?
Kerrin: I am a big fan of the website Goodreads. I would see reviews from people of books that had not yet been published, so I was curious as to how they could get them. I found two websites, NetGalley.com and Edelweiss.plus that offer advanced reader copies. In order to better your chances of being approved for a book, it is recommended to have a blog. Since I started blogging in 2019, I have gotten almost 70 advanced reader copies in exchange for my agreement to write reviews on or before the publication date.
Diane: What do you think makes a book exceptional?
Kerrin: The best qualities of a book are ones that teach me something new and have characters that I care about. Those are the ones I remember long after I have finished. My favorite quote is by Jane Austen: “But for my own part, if a book is well written, I always find it too short.”
Diane: What book has surprised you the most and in what way?
Kerrin: I am a big fan of historical fiction and decided to read The World That We Knew by Alice Hoffman. This is no ordinary World War II novel because one of the characters is a Golem. I don’t typically enjoy fantasy novels so I was surprised at how much I enjoyed reading about a mythical Jewish clay figure brought to life by magic. I love to recommend this novel to everyone.
Diane: How many hours each day or week do you spend reading, and how do you find or make the time needed to read and review so many books?
Kerrin: I don’t have a set amount of time for reading. I have a spreadsheet that lists my advanced reader copies and the publication dates. If I get behind on my schedule, I will devote more time to reading. I typically read 6 to 7 books a month. I especially enjoy audiobooks so I can listen while doing other things.
(Diane: As a former accountant, Kerrin had me at “spreadsheets.” Haha!)
Diane: When did you discover that you loved books? Was it when you were a child, or was it later in life? Was there a particular book or event that made you realize you were a book person?
Kerrin: I loved reading Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys as a child. I got away from reading as a teenager and didn’t pick it back up until my children were older. My favorite movie is To Kill A Mockingbird. I didn’t read the novel until I was in my late 30s and had seen the movie numerous times. As much as I love the movie, I discovered that the book was 10 times better. It is the book that made me a confirmed book person. I will reread it at least once every five years. I highly recommend the audiobook narrated by Sissy Spacek.
More about Kerrin, in her own words: I grew up in Memphis, Tennessee during the heyday of the Civil Rights Movement and Elvis’ rule as the King. After graduating from Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis) with a BBA (80) and a JD (83), I married Steve, my law school sweetheart, in 1983. We lived in Columbia, Tennessee, where our two children were born, then moved to Texas in 1991. I am now a widow. I recently retired after being Of Counsel at Ross & Matthews, P.C. in Fort Worth, Texas for over 28 years.
Meet Mystery Book Blogger Dru Ann Love!
I’ve had the good fortune to get to know book blogger Dru Ann Love over the past few years. She does so much for the mystery community, that I wanted to sing her praises by featuring her on my blog. Enjoy this interview and be sure to visit her Dru’s Book Musings blog!
Diane: What drew you to becoming a book reviewer and blogger?
Dru Ann: I consider myself to be a book muser as my musings don’t have the typical start, middle and end elements of a review, but it suits me just fine. I started my blog to keep track of the books I was reading. The more I put up my short musings, it caught the attention of a few authors and my blog blossomed especially when I added the main feature, “A Day In The Life” which gives a glimpse into a character life before and after they solve a murder. I call Dru’s Book Musings a feature blog with a smattering of musings.
Diane: What do you think makes a book exceptional?
Dru Ann: It is when you lose yourself in the story being read. The characters are as real to you as the person standing next to you on a subway train. When you want to see what happens next and “goad” the author into writing a sequel, because you know there is more to the story (even if the book is a standalone). When you tell the world that they must pick up this book so they can enjoy it as well. Caveat, everyone’s taste is different, so a reader may not enjoy it as much as you did.
Diane: What book has surprised you the most and in what way?
Dru Ann: Naked In Death by J.D. Robb. I’m not a romance reader nor a futuristic reader, but this book took me to a different level, and I couldn’t get this book out of my head. It was a relationship building process and I knew when I finished the book, another visit was coming with this character, and I would get to know them better with each book published. This is one of the reasons I love series.
Diane: How many hours each day or week do you spend reading, and how do you find or make the time needed to read and review so many books?
Dru Ann: Pre-Pandemic, I probably read over 40 hours a week. I had a two-hour commute on the subway which was perfect for catching up with my stories. The weekend afforded me more hours to read. I’m an early riser so by the time my chores are done, the world wakes up and I’ve already started reading my next book. Post-Pandemic, I read less, but hopefully as the world starts to rebound, I can get my reading hours back to where it was. Now it’s a bit of a struggle. I also compartmentalized my activities so I have the time to read.
Diane: When did you discover that you loved books? Was it when you were a child, or was it later in life? Was there a particular book or event that make you realize you were a book person?
Dru Ann: My mom was an avid reader. Libraries were my friend. I got my first library card when I was four and I would take out the maximum number of books (okay they were picture books) allowed and bring them back within the week. Remember the Dick and Jane books? Yep, I read them all. The library couldn’t keep up with me. I really developed a sense of reading when I discovered Encyclopedia Brown mysteries. Oh, the puzzle solving aspect is what drew me to these books and that’s why I love mysteries, especially the cozy genre. PS, I love the invention of the e-reader. Love my Kindle Paperwhite.
More about Dru Ann Love: Dru Ann Love reportedly spends her working hours at the mysterious daytime situation. Her non-working hours are spent less reclusively on her award-winning blog, Dru’s Book Musings, where the “Day in the Life,” “Get to Know You,” and “Word with the Author” segments are prominently featured. She is happy to be in “her element” within the mystery community. Dru Ann is a 2017 Mystery Writers of America Raven Award recipient and an Anthony Award finalist in 2015 and 2018. She is a member of Sisters in Crime, where she is also the reporting monitor for the Sisters in Crime National Monitoring Project. She is also a member of the Mystery Writers of America, and served on the Bouchercon Board 2017-2019. Dru Ann will be the Malice Domestic Co-Fan Guest of Honor for 2022 and Left Coast Crime Fan Guest of Honor for 2023.