Today we have Melissa Bourbon here on Books-n-Kisses to talk about her new book, A Killing Notion. She is also the author of the Lola Cruz mystery series, so please give her a warm welcome. 🙂
1. Tell me about your new release.
A Killing Notion is the 5th book in A Magical Dressmaking mystery series. If you know anything about Texas homecoming, you may have heard about big Texas mums. Homecoming and mums set the stage for the latest mystery Harlow Cassidy needs to solve.
2. Where did you come up with the idea for this series?
I live in Texas and wanted to create a small, quaint town that would be one I’d like to live in (minus the murders!). When creating Harlow, I wanted her to have an interesting history. Making her a descendent of Butch Cassidy gave her a unique background and also allowed her, and all the Cassidy women, to have charms. The magical element is very light… just enough to add a little twist of fun to the stories!
3. What was the most interesting thing that you had to research as a writer?
With the Lola Cruz mystery series, I researched nudist resorts. There was one about ten miles from our house which I actually went to. I interviewed people who worked there, and people who were members. To say it was interesting is an understatement! I haven’t done anything quite as bold or crazy since them. I don’t foresee any nudist resort mysteries in Harlow Cassidy’s future.
4. Which authors do you feel have influenced you to become a writer?
I would have to say Agatha Christie. During high school I read all of her mysteries and loved every one of them. I remember going to the library with my mom so she could check out Curtain, Hercule Poirot’s last case. So while she’s not a writer, my mom also greatly influenced me.
I also love magical realism, so Alice Hoffman and Sarah Addison Allen are two contemporary authors I like. Practical Magic is one of my favorite books.
5. What are you working on now?
I just finished the 6th Magical Dressmaking book, A Seamless Murder. It’ll be released in January 2015. I’m in the process of the fourth Lola Cruz mystery and a proposal for a new series. Details to come!
6. Favorite TV guilty pleasure? Downton Abbey, True Detective, and House of Cards. LOVE them all!
7. Favorite Food? Warm chocolate chip cookies straight from the oven, baba ganoush (crazy love!), and spanakopita (spinach and feta strudel made in fila dough) – not all in the same meal, of course. 😉
About the Author:
Melissa Bourbon, who sometimes answers to her Latina-by-marriage name Misa Ramirez, gave up teaching middle and high school kids in Northern California to write full-time amidst horses and Longhorns in North Texas. She fantasizes about spending summers writing in quaint, cozy locales, has a love/hate relationship with yoga and chocolate, is devoted to her family, and can’t believe she’s lucky enough to be living the life of her dreams.
She is the Marketing Director with Entangled Publishing, is the author of the Lola Cruz Mystery series with St. Martin’s Minotaur and Entangled Publishing, and A Magical Dressmaking Mystery series with NAL. She also has written two romantic suspense novels, a light paranormal romance, and is the co-author of The Tricked-out Toolbox, a practical marketing guide for authors.
Harlow Jane Cassidy is swamped with homecoming couture requests. If only she didn’t have to help solve a murder, she might get the gowns off the dress forms….
Harlow is doing everything she can to expand her dressmaking business, Buttons & Bows—without letting clients know about her secret charm. When she has a chance to create homecoming dresses with a local charity and handmade mums for several high school girls—including Gracie, whose father, Will, has mended Harlow’s heart—she is ready to use her magical talents for a great cause.
But when Gracie’s date for the dance is accused of murder, Harlow knows things won’t be back on course until she helps Gracie clear the football player’s name. If Harlow can’t patch up this mess before the big game, her business and her love life might be permanently benched.
Jennifer’s Review of A Killing Notion
Review (4.25 Stars): I love books that deal with magic and this series is definitely a winner. In A Killing Notion, Harlow is enjoying the success of her business and is in the middle of creating homecoming dresses for the local high school girls. When the boyfriend of one of the girls is accused of murdering his father, Harlow decides to use her investigating skills once again to help clear his name.
I’ve always liked Harlow and I was glad to see that her relationship with Will was still going strong in this book. I love spending time with these characters and enjoy the shenanigans of Harlow’s ghostly grandmother, Loretta Mae, who always makes an appearance when least expected. This clever mystery had me guessing until the very end and I have to say this series keeps getting better and better. Looking forward to reading the next book in the series, A Seamless Murder, which will be out early next year.
Both of Melissa’s series are moving to the top of my TBR list. Looking forward to reading them.
Congrats to Melissa on the newest release! Looks and sounds awesome 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much for featuring A Killing Notion!