Out of Temper by Amber Royer ~ Character Interview

Posted February 4, 2022 by karenbaron in Blitz, Blog Tour, Character Interview, Contest - Giveaway, Mystery, Series / 0 Comments

Out of Temper

Series: Bean to Bar Mysteries #3

Author: Amber Royer

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Pages: 264

Release Date: February 1, 2022, by Golden Tip Press

Summary:

Felicity Koerber’s bean to bar chocolate shop on Galveston’s historic Strand has been the scene of two murders – both of which she has been instrumental in helping solve. So when she gets invited to demo her chocolate skills aboard a cruise ship sailing out of the local port, she’s excited at the chance to get away from the shop long enough to regain her equilibrium. She even brings her best friend along and makes plans for time at the spa. But when she gets on board, she finds out that she’s been booked for a mystery-themed cruise, and said best friend, Autumn, has to finally deal with the real reasons she quit writing mysteries. Only – if that wasn’t stressful enough – it doesn’t take long before there’s a real murder on the cruise, and someone Felicity knows becomes the prime suspect. When said suspect asks her for help, she can’t exactly say no, can she?

Felicity finds herself surrounded by cruise goers who all had connections to the victim – and finds that both Logan (her business partner, whom she recently kissed) and Arlo (the cop who was once Felicity’s first boyfriend, before she moved away from Galveston) are dealing with the case until more official help can arrive. How will Felicity survive the ensuing awkwardness?

One thing that helps: the retired police dog turned therapy dog she meets on board. Satchmo helps Felicity deal with being back on the water after tragedy in her past – and also helps her uncover a vital clue to the case. Can Felicity unmask the killer and keep a friend from being framed before all the suspects leave the ship?

Interview with Felicity Koerber

How did you and your author meet?

She was giving a class on writing about food, and mentioned that someone should write a cozy mystery starring a bean to bar chocolate maker. I was just there wanting to learn how to write better product descriptions for my website. I had no idea I was going to wind up solving multiple murders.

Why did this writer decide to feature you in a book?

I have a good heart, and a need to help others. Sometimes that gets me into trouble. But I’m also curious and good at solving puzzles, and I try to solve the problems I get myself into. I’m also starting to realize that I needed a change in my life, which being in these books has helped me to begin.

Do you have any friends or family helping you out?

I have a strong group of friends, and they are there for me no matter what. I want to give a shout-out to Tiff, Sandra, Sonya, and my Aunt Naomi. And without my pastry chef Carmen to take over the shop, I wouldn’t have been able to get away to track down clues. But a far as helping me solve these murders – my best friend Autumn has been a huge help. She used to be a mystery writer, so it’s not surprising she has had a few theories. And both Logan and Arlo have helped me along the way. Logan is a puddle jump pilot, but he has a complicated past that left him with connections in law enforcement. And Arlo was my boyfriend back in high school – long before he became a cop. My relationship with both of them is complicated.

Do you have a regular job and investigate on the side or are you a full time detective?

I’m not a detective. I’ve only gotten involved with these murders because they happened at my shop. And for the one that has happened here on the cruise ship – one of the people I know has been accused of the murder, and specifically asked me to help.

I run a bean to bar craft chocolate business. I have the coolest shop. It is in a historic building on the Strand in Galveston, Texas. I did it all in pink and gray, with a shabby chic vibe. You should stop in and check it out. Tell Carmen I said to give you one of our sample packs, so you can try our chocolate.

What is the funniest thing that happens to you or another character in this story?

The cruise I’m on is a murder mystery themed cruise, and part of the entertainment was last night’s LARP (Live Action Roleplaying Game), where we were all supposed to be detectives solving a jewel heist. So they put me, Arlo, Logan and Bea (who is a police dog handler) together on a team. We guessed the answer to the puzzle without even having to go through the game. You should have seen the look on the organizer’s face. You should probably read it in the book, though. It’s not as funny as a summary.

Have you solved other cases or is this your first one?

I’ve actually solved two other murders. The one involving my shop assistant, Emma, who died at my grand opening party was documented in Grand Openings Can Be Murder. And the one where the rich college kid got shot outside my door was documented in 70% Dark Intentions.

Do you have a gift or special talent?

Not really. I’m just an ordinary person. But I am a really good chocolate maker.

Before I became a chocolate maker, I was a physical therapist, which helped me to develop a strong sense of empathy.

Who is the most important individual in your life?

There are at least half a dozen people who are important to me. How could I choose just one? I mean, I can’t choose either Arlo or Logan, because I haven’t figured out yet which one means the most to me. I think I’ll have to play it safe and say Autumn. She’s getting married, and I’m her matron of honor.

What is your ideal vacation?

Take me somewhere where I can experience good food and sit on the beach. I know that sounds a lot like home, since Galveston is an island, but every beach town I’ve been to in places around the world has its own personality. I love getting to know new places.

If you could change anything about your life what would it be?

I would take away some of the loss I’ve experienced, so that I could be more self-confident and open to change.

Bean to Bar Mysteries Series

About the Author

Amber Royer writes the CHOCOVERSE comic telenovela-style foodie-inspired space opera series, and the BEAN TO BAR MYSTERIES. She is also the author of STORY LIKE A JOURNALIST: A WORKBOOK FOR NOVELISTS, which boils down her writing knowledge into an actionable plan involving over 100 worksheets to build a comprehensive story plan for your novel. Amber blogs about creative writing techniques and all things chocolate at her website (the link is below). She also teaches creative writing for both UT Arlington Continuing Education and Writing Workshops Dallas. If you are very nice to her, she might make you cupcakes.