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Sunday, January 15, 2012

Author Interview & Contest with Casey Daniels!


I have been following Casey Daniels' Pepper Martin books since the series started and I love each and every one of them.

The eighth book in the series has just been released and I couldn't resist asking Casey to come back to Amberkatze's Book Blog to talk about Wild Wild Death.

So enjoy the interview, get to know Casey and Pepper and check out the books! Oh and make sure you read to the end and enter the contest!

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Amber - Welcome back to Amberkatze's Book Blog! It is great to have you here again as a guest! Could you start things off by telling us a little about your new Pepper Martin book, Wild Wild Death?

Casey - Readers will remember that at the end of "A Hard Day's Fright," Pepper lost her job. Good thing! She's going to need some extra free time. A friend of hers has been kidnapped, and she has to travel to New Mexico to arrange the ransom. Sounds easy until she realizes she's got to dig up a dead body and take the bones with her! Things only get more complicated from there. The bones get stolen, bodies start dropping, and there's a hunk of a Pueblo police chief who's making it hard to concentrate. As always, Pepper manages with her own special brand of panache!

Amber - Wild Wild Death is the eight book in the series. How do you decide what Pepper is going to be up against next?

Casey - Well, book #9 is already written and will be out in September. It's called "Supernatural Born Killers," and like all ideas, it morphed from what I originally intended. I was thinking about doing something based on a classic book (I won't say what since I want to use the idea in the future!) but instead, I have Pepper back in Cleveland and dealing with a whole world she's not familiar with--comic books. Superman originated in Cleveland, you know, and she's about to find out a whole lot about the Man of Steel!

Amber - Pepper has had a lot of ghostly encounters. How many more do you think she will have?

Casey - I'd like to think she'll have many, many more. That remains to be seen. Publishing is a fickle business.

Amber - What famous person could be Pepper's twin?

Casey - Oh my...I don't know much about famous people. I'm afraid I have no idea!

Amber - Do you get much say in the way the finished book looks? For example do you choose the cover? Title?

Casey - I have always chosen the titles for the Pepper books. As far as the cover, my editor and I talk about the book, about what scenes I'd like to emphasize. I send pics of Pepper's outfits. For instance, for "Wild, Wild Death," I love the fact that Pepper gets to buy a pair of cowboy books while she's in New Mexico and I found a picture of the perfect pair online. Pepper loves these boots and I was so glad they were included on the cover!

Amber - What would you say has been your most significant achievement as a writer?

Casey - A tough question. Just getting published in the first place is a very big deal. Staying published for 20 years (yes, it's 20 years in 2012!) and having more than 40 books under my belt is a pretty big deal. It's a tough business, and it's not easy for any writer to keep his/her head above water. The fact that I've been able to make my living at this crazy game is something I'm very proud of.

Amber - A lot of authors are writing now in both adult and YA genres. Have you considered writing a YA book?

Casey -I have written YA! Back in the day, I wrote a trilogy called Year of the Cat as Zoe Daniels. I also write the Blood Moon trilogy as Connie Laux. They were great fun and I loved doing them.

Amber - What made you want to be a writer? Were there any books or authors that had an influence on you?

Casey - I've always loved words and it's only been recently that I think I figured out why. All four of my grandparents were from Europe and spoke only broken English. I think one of the reasons words interest me is that they didn't have the words. I had to find them for myself, and learn what things were called. Of course, I knew the normal things. For example, I knew birds were called "Birds" (duh!) but I had to learn all the variety of birds' names. It was that sort of thing that made me want to know all the words, all the time, to describe everything. I also think that being naturally nosey is a big asset for a writer. And being a write gives me the perfect excuse to eavesdrop!

Amber - What comes next? More Pepper? Other projects?

Casey -As I mentioned, Pepper #9 is done. I'm currently working on book #3 in the Button Box msytery series I write as Kylie Logan. Book #1 was "Button Holed," and that was out last September. Book #2 is "Hot Button," and it will be out in June. In addition, I've got a new series starting next year.

Amber - What have you been reading and watching lately? Do you have any recommendations for us?

Casey - I haven't had much time to read anything lately. I'll blame that on the Christmas holidays! As for watching, I love "Bones." Good mysteries, and great personal interaction. I've also just discovered "Hidden City" on the Travel Channel, all about the dark underbelly of famous cities. That ones kind of fun. And of course, the old stand bys, "Ghost Hunters," "Ghost Adventures," "Psych" (those guys crack me up!).

Amber - What's your favorite ghost movie?

Casey - Hmm... not sure I have one. I scare very easily, so I never, ever watch scary movies. I remember loving "The Canterville Ghost" as a kid. Haven't seen that one in years, wonder if I'd still like it.

Amber - If you could be any famous person, alive or dead, who would you be? and why?

Casey - I can barely handle being myself! Not sure I'd want to be someone else. That doesn't mean I'm not interested in plenty of other peoples' lives. I love reading about history and the people who lived in other times and places. I've recently gotten interested in genealogy and I love, love, love doing research.

Amber - Thank you for being on the blog again! I hope you will be back again soon!

Casey - Thanks, Amber. It's always a pleasure!

---------------------------

Pepper Martin Series

#1 - Don of the Dead
#2 - The Chick and the Dead
#3 - Tombs of Endearment
#4 - Night of the Loving Dead
#5 - Dead Man Talking
#6 - Tomb with a View
#7 - A Hard Day's Fright
#8 - Wild Wild Death
#9 - Supernatural Born Killers (Due out in September)

Button Box Mystery Series
(Writing as Kylie Logan)

#1 - Button Holed
#2 - Hot Button (Due out in June)





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Contest Time

Casey is giving away a copy of her latest release, Wild Wild Death. Sorry only open to US entrants!


How To Enter


What famous ghost would you like to talk to? Help solve their death?


No Answer = No Entry


'Please enter me' posts will NOT be counted as an entry


Earn more entries for each link you place about this contest on the net. You can post on Facebook, Twitter & MySpace but make sure you add links here for me to confirm your entries! However please do not make individual postings for each entry. Please post all your entries in one post.


Advertise Amberkatze's Book Blog on your site and get an extra entry for this and every other contest!

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Have you 'Liked' Amberkatze's Book Blog on Facebook?


You can also earn extra entries by emailing your friends about the contest. Just make sure you send a copy of your email or receipt to me at Amberkatzes_book_blog at gmx dot net.

Make sure you post your links here so I can confirm your entries.

Keep the contests going by using the Bookdepository.com and Amazon.com links/Banners below and around the site.

Free Delivery on all Books at the Book Depository

The contest will stay open until Saturday 22nd of January 2012 4pm CET and the winner will be picked by a randomizer. Entrants should check back to see if they have won. I do not hunt down winners and will pick new winners for any prizes not claimed within 7 days.



37 comments:

Barbara E. said...

I think it would be interesting to talk to Jim Morrison of the Doors and solve his death.

Aurian said...

Not entering the contest, as I live in Holland!
Just wanted to thank you for the interview, I enjoyed reading it. Love all the bookcovers, and this series is on my TBR for sure! Someday, I will make the time to read them all.

SandyG265 said...

I'd like to talk to John F Kennedy's ghost.

Unknown said...

I would like to talk to Elvis Presley and solve his death and find out what really happened. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com

Kathy said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Kathy said...

Had to delete my first comment because the person was family, not someone famous. Natalie Wood. There is a lot of mystery surrounding her death even though it was ruled an accident.

Anonymous said...

Marilyn Monroe would be my choice. Would be nice to be able to find out if she was murdered or was a suicide.


This was a very interesting interview.

nlb1050(at)yahoo(dot)com

trichie said...

I would like to talk to Abraham Lincoln. Would love to hear more about the events that were going on in this country at that time.

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

The Black Dahlia (Elizabeth Short)murder is one I'd be interested in solving.

+1 https://twitter.com/#!/alterlisa/status/158935807225364481

+1 https://www.facebook.com/LisasLovesBooksOfCourse/posts/169326159837973

+1 http://www.goodreads.com/user_status/show/10568113

+1
Advertised Amberkatze's Book Blog on my site (http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/)

+1 https://plus.google.com/101211296922528678816/posts/P39D1Dusxyy

+1 Liked on FB- Lisa Ann Richards


alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com

http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

blackroze37 AT yahoo.com said...

i think they all about cover the famous ones i like to talk to, jim morsion, jfk , elvis , marylyn monroe.
billy the kid, cleopatra !!

Gail said...

I think I would like to speak with Marilynn Monroe. I did a paper in college that supported the fact that she was murdered. I don't think suicide was ever a thought for her, maybe an accidental o/d. She was very smart and well read, it would be fun just to have a conversation with her.

Thanks for the giveaway.

wanda f said...

I would choose Jimmy Hoffa cause theres a big mystery there .If I had more than one chance to experience that ability Id also try to catch up with Jesse James and BlackBeard maybe they have some loot out there that theyd part with since they sont neeed it anymore lol

Heather said...

I would choose Tupac and Jimmy Hoffa. I would like to find out what really happened and who was responsible.

dwarzel said...

Glenn Miller

dwarzel at hotmail.com

Unknown said...

I would love to talk to Marilyn Monroe and clarify what happened

Cheryl said...

I'd like to talk to any one of Jack the Ripper's victims and see if they knew who he was...maybe I'd need a sketch artist with me so that I could get a picture too and compare it, if they existed, with photos/paintings of the suspects.

geoarchs(at)gmail(dot)com

Ellie Wright said...

I'd have to say Billy the Kid, also. Was he killed by Pat Garrett, or did he live to a ripe old age? And where exactly is his gravesite? I'd love to know.
eswright18 at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

I would want to talk to Lee Harvey Oswald and ask if he did shoot the President. Liek you on FB
teressaoliver at gmail dot com

Kristin said...

Thanks for the giveaway, I absolutely love this series and have all of the other books.

There actually isn't one person I'd want to talk to but a whole group. I'd like to find out what happend to the settlers of Roanoke, who seemingly disappeared without a trace.

Unknown said...

I have to go with marilyn Monroe. I have long wondered what truly happened to her.

Thanks for the great interview and awesome giveaway!

kristinaparmenter51(at)gmail(dot)com

blackroze37 AT yahoo.com said...

https://twitter.com/#!/tamibates/status/160391977270128641

Denise S. said...

I'd talk to John F. Kennedy's ghost to solve the mystery!

Valerie Taylor Mabrey said...

I would like to talk to Nichole simpson so we could hear that OJ did it.
vmkids3 at msn dot com

clynsg said...

There are quite a few disappearances that might be solved by talking to the ghost. Since several have already mentioned Jimmy Hoffa, how about Amelia Earhart?

cgclynsg0 at gmail dot com

tracey said...

amelia earhart
thanks
traceyj40@sbcglobal.net

Anonymous said...

i would love to talk to Jim Morrison

jim.coyne2@verizon.net

Anonymous said...

i tweeted

https://twitter.com/#!/JCoyne1031/status/160842982898143232

jim.coyne2@verizon.net

Anonymous said...

i shared on facebook

https://www.facebook.com/jcoyne1031/posts/270908346308108

jim.coyne2@verizon.net

saturdaynightfever said...

Resurrection Mary!

edgenemmers@gmail.com

Unknown said...

I'd like to chat for a bit with Princesses Di. Find out what really happened that night.

Heather said...

I think I would like to talk to either Abraham Lincon or JFK Jr.

Becky said...

I would like to talk to Elvis's ghost. Another ghost that I would like to talk to is Sarah Winchester. I don't know if she is considered famous, but she built an interesting house for the spirits in San Jose California after her husband passed away.

Unknown said...

It would be interesting to talk to O.J. Simpson's murdered exwife. garrettsambo@aol.com

Karen said...

Maryiln Monroe :)

ktgonyea at gmail.com

daveshir2005 said...

I would like to talk to Kurt Cobains ghost and once and for all know what really happened.

daveshir2005@yahoo.com

daveshir2005 said...

tweeted
https://twitter.com/#!/daveshir2005/status/161180260321329152

daveshir2005@yahoo.com

daveshir2005 said...

shared on fb
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=255442547860334&id=744980663

daveshir2005@yahoo.com