Lucy Burdette and Hank Phillippi Ryan both
have books out—this week!!! And fitting in with the girlfriends theme, they both involve big transitions. We’re so excited about this...we cannot
wait to tell you. First----Lucy. And tomorrow Hank!
And a lucky commenter will win a signed copy
of DEATH IN FOUR COURSES today—or
THE OTHER WOMAN tomorrow!
Hank: After eight books written as Roberta Isleib, you've got a new name and a new series. Talk about transition! Tell us
about that!
Lucy: My publisher
was looking for a cozy mystery proposal with a food critic as the protagonist.
And I was looking for something new to write! And at the time, my husband and I
were lucky enough to be spending the winter in Key West, which is a foodie
paradise and chock full of interesting characters. And thus the series was born!
I love food, so it’s been a delicious adventure to write these books—and a great
excuse for “research.” DEATH IN FOUR COURSES, released yesterday, is the second book in the new series. Food critic Hayley Snow is attending a conference of prestigious food writers. After finding the keynote speaker's body bobbing in a dipping pool, she has to turn sleuth--or come to her own bitter finish.
As for the name, the
publisher asked if I'd be willing to change it. My grandmother's name, Lucille
Burdette, immediately sprang to mind. I love having that bit of family history
in my life--and it's so much fun to be LUCY!
Hank: Tell us about the new character, food
critic Hayley Snow.
Lucy: She’s young—I
can’t even bear to tell you how much younger than I—so she’s insecure and
anxious about finding herself and succeeding, as I was in my 20’s. However, she’s
much braver than I am—more foolhardy too. It’s a little odd to be writing about
an amateur sleuth, as I certainly would never try to solve a mystery myself!
Dial 911—and run as far from the body as possible—that’s how I would handle a
murder…
We are alike in a
few ways—she’s devoted to her family and friends and loves a good meal. My
husband feels that he’s been eating better than ever since I started to write
about a food critic. He’s a little disappointed now if I don’t take a picture
of his dinner before he tackles it…
Hank: SO. Back to Key West! Your books are such a treat on so many levels—was it fun to be
in Key West as a writer, not just as a visitor?
Lucy: As I hope you’ll
be able to tell in the books, I’m mad for Key West. The food, the tropical
setting, the interesting characters, the energy! But the island also has a long
literary history. Ernest Hemingway lived here (you can tour his home and see
the descendants of his polydactyl cats), and Tennessee Williams, and Judy
Blume, and Annie Dillard, and Alison Lurie, and Jimmy Buffett…I can’t tell you
how much I love feeling like a tiny part of this!
I had a major thrill when I received my first-ever (in ten books!) review from Publishers Weekly. Here's my favorite little snippet: "Anyone
who's ever overpaid for a pretentious restaurant meal will relish this witty
cozy."
Hank: Congratulations Lucy! And readers, there are lots of
ways to order the book—you can pick your poison:
Barnes and Noble
Amazon
Indiebound
Or for a signed copy, RJ Julia Booksellers
Barnes and Noble
Amazon
Indiebound
Or for a signed copy, RJ Julia Booksellers
And don't forget to leave a comment to be entered in our double-barreled drawing--for a copy of DEATH IN FOUR COURSES today, and THE OTHER WOMAN tomorrow!
Check out Lucy's website
Follow Lucy on Twitter @LucyBurdette
Or "Like" her on Facebook
