Killing Cupid will be released on December 30th!
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1. Where did you get the idea for Killing Cupid?
Being the highly creative person I am, I got the idea to write a Valentine’s mystery when my editor said to me, “Laura, how about writing a Valentine’s mystery?” In spite of much begging and pleading on my part, however, my editor refused to supply me with a plot, so I had to come up with that on my own.
I’ve always been fascinated by old-fashioned matchmakers, the kind of gals who take out ads in the back of local magazines and newspapers. Usually the ads feature a picture of a hardened blonde, shot through layers of Vaseline, promising to hand-pick the soul mate of your dreams. Call me a cynic, but I always figured these gals had to be on the shady side, and thought it might be fun to kill one off. Hence KILLING CUPID.
2. Do you have a favorite book in the Jaine Austen series? And why.
My favorite book is always the one I’ve just finished writing, mainly because I’ve just finished writing it and can take a vacation.
3. Has anyone in your family or circle of friends ever given you an idea for a story?
For years, my nephew urged me to write a book set on a cruise. I was hesitant to do so, because up until then I hadn’t set any of my books outside of Los Angeles. But my nephew and my husband convinced me to go ahead with it, and I’m certainly glad I did because I wound up writing KILLER CRUISE, which, in a truthful answer to question #2 (above) is one of my favorite books in the series.
4. Do you have an ornery cat in your life, like Prozac in Jaine’s?
Our darling cat, Mr. Guy, was Prozac’s total opposite. A sweetie pie of the highest order.
5. When receiving feedback on your books, do you prefer compliments or critiques?
Compliments. Life is hard enough without zingers.
6. Do you prefer writing full length mysteries, novellas or short stories? And why?
Novellas are much easier for me than full length books. Having spent so many years writing sitcoms in a half-hour format, shorter stories come more naturally to me.
7. What is you favorite Agatha Christie story & character? (since I see you are a fan of her work!)
It’s been a while since I’ve read her books, but I certainly loved DEATH ON THE NILE. And I remember being absolutely gobsmacked by the surprise ending of THE MURDER OF ROGER ACKROYD.
8. What is your guilty pleasure reading?
Everything I read is for pleasure. I hate struggling through difficult books. (I spent enough time doing that in school.) I’m not a trash reader, though. I like reading writers who are better than I am, on the dubious theory that somehow by reading their books I will miraculously absorb their writing skills. (I regret to say it hasn’t worked yet, but I keep trying.)
9. Do you cheat when you read? (cheating meaning you read the end of the book before you naturally get there)
I can’t cheat when I read because I read most of my books on my Kindle.
10. Any final words?
Thank you for inviting me to chat. It’s been a pleasure.
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