a little history…a little mystery…
a little romance
Aside from Elizabeth being one of the sweetest people I’ve met in my life, she’s also a smart and savvy self-publisher. I’ve admired her since she joined my local chapter of RWA, the Mid-Michigan Romance Writers of America.
Even better? She writes a combination of romance and mystery—and you know me. I love that mix of love, danger, and secrets!
New Release
Elizabeth has a new book out, EXPOSED, which I totally one-clicked and can’t wait to read!
In honor of the new release, Elizabeth is giving away a copy of THE CAVANAUGH HOUSE, book one in the Finger Lakes Mysteries series, as well as some amazing goodies.
You can enter the giveaway below!
Interview
So how about a couple of questions for Elizabeth?
First up, when did you start writing and why?
My first poem was published in my sophomore year in high school more years ago than I’ll admit to. I wrote the first draft of my first romance, LOVE’S DESTINY, decades ago—I still have my hand-written-on-yellow-legal-pads first draft. But it sat on my shelf during my career as an English/Journalism teacher. When I retired to write full-time, I revised it and LOVE’S DESTINY was published by Crimson Romance in 2012. So, the short answer is either a really long time or nine years.
EXPOSED features an EMT and a lawyer. What was your research approach?
My daughter-in-law Rachel is a lawyer, so I interviewed her to get a sense of what the office would be like. Except for the motive of one of the suspects, Layla’s story doesn’t go into legal circumstances like a John Grisham novel, so I really just needed to set up the work environment for my character.
Jack is the hazmat responder, so I interviewed a hazmat specialist to learn procedures and protocols for a response to suspicious powder. I also did online research to determine which type of equipment Jack would wear based on what I learned in that interview. He also is an EMT, so I researched types of injuries and their on-site treatment.
Layla and Jack are both fly fishing enthusiasts, so I interviewed my daughter Kate who shares that passion. She took me to Cabela’s and showed me all types of fishing flies, explaining how each is tied and what kind of conditions each would be used for. She demonstrated how to cast and reel in fish. That was pretty fun. Adult beverages might have occurred at the lesson’s conclusion.
Insert from Alyssa: Adult beverages to celebrate are a good thing!
Why do you enjoy blending suspense and romance?
I like the heightened emotion of a story that involves mystery and suspense blended in with the edgy, giddy feeling of blossoming love. Somehow, one genre always creeps into the other. If I begin to write a romance, a mystery suddenly occurs, and vice versa.
Tell us a little about the book:
Fiercely independent lawyer Layla Forrester has been hurt, and she never wants to be hurt again. Because she protects her heart as vigilantly as she protects her ailing father, she has more enemies than friends. Now one of them has threatened her life.
EMT Jack Trenton seeks redemption over his father’s death. When he responds to a hazmat emergency, Layla wants no part of his help. She thinks the letter containing powder is a prank gone wrong, but he suspects it’s deadly. Only the second, more sinister threat convinces her to take it seriously.
When her father’s life is endangered, Layla desperately turns to Jack. Is she willing to risk her heart to ask for his help? In helping Layla, Jack puts to rest his demons from years ago. But time is running out for Layla as the mysterious stalker attempts a final assault.
And since I have you trapped, we should do a little lightning round of fun questions. Ready? Set? Go!
Blue jeans or party clothes? (Yoga pants are OK too!) Definitely yoga pants.
Sushi or steak? Sushi…I’m an on-the-cusp vegetarian.
Cats or dogs? (Or hamsters?) Dogs, dogs, dogs 🙂
Beer, wine or water? Actually, vodka LOL
Coke or Pepsi? (If you answer Pepsi I hereby disown you. Ask my father.) Diet coke, hands down.
Favorite color? My daughter Kate and I always quote the line from Steel Magnolias “Pink is my signature color.”
Favorite word? Hello
Least favorite word? Goodbye
Coffee or tea? Herbal tea, either Ginger Turmeric or Licorice Spice.
And last but not least…Favorite character trait in your significant other? (Mr. Alexander says my most endearing quality is my ability to talk. He also says it’s my most irritating quality).
Serenity. Rich is the most calming, patient, serene, spiritual person I have ever known. Everyone who knows him says that.
Now for the GIVEAWAY!
All you have to do to enter the giveaway is leave a comment. Tell us if you like sushi or steak, cats or dogs, Coke or Pepsi (but remember my note on that…) or any of the other lightning round questions. That’s it!
The winner will be chosen by random . org on Saturday. Open to US residents ages 18 and up.
Interested in more of Elizabeth’s books?
You can find out more about Elizabeth at all the usual places.
So nice to visit with you, Alyssa! Thanks for sharing my giveaway.
A pleasure to have you!
This gal prefers coffee over tea and Coke over Pepsi 😉
Oh good. We can still be friends. 🙂
This girl prefers steak, dogs, and Coke over Pepsi (not that I drink either).
Shannon, random . org says your the winner of the giveaway! Congrats!
I’m ride or die on Coke. Never had sushi, so I’m a steak gal. Dogs, for sure.
Have to say, sushi is delish…But oh, do I love a good steak!
Pepsi! Pepsi pepsi pepsi pepsi pepsi 😝
I might have to ban you, lol.
Dt coke or Mt dew Baja blast. Cats and dogs. Steak, mooing. New to me author!
HAHA! I like my steak mooing too!
Jeans and ice green tea with honey for me.
Mystery and romance is a great combination. 😃
Jeans for me too…. Except when it’s yoga pants, lol. Glad you stopped by!
I agree, Kathy!
Alyssa, you are right on about Betty. Such a charming, sweet lady. Such an asset to our writing chapter. Lightning round: steak, Diet Coke, coffee, dog, jeans (or sweatpants/pajamas), blue.
Argghhh. Forgot to say “Best wishes, Betty!” Love ya.
All good things, Diane!
Aw, thank you, Diane 🙂 I feel the same about you. And you, Alyssa.
I prefer steak, dogs, and sorry coffee over Coke or Pepsi, daughter loves diet Coke.
Can’t go wrong with coffee!
Aw, thank you, Diane 🙂 I feel the same about you. And you, Alyssa.