Reading, Writing, and Murder
Series: Chocolate Martini Sisters Mystery #2
Author: Brenda Whiteside and Joyce Proell
Genre: Cozy Culinary Mystery
Pages: 273
Release Date: September 19, 2023
Summary:
At the writers’ conference, murder tops the program.
Aspiring mystery author Emma Banefield and travel writer Nicole Earp are excited to attend a writers’ conference during their latest sisters’ getaway. Nic’s birthday should be all about relaxation, writing, and a chocolate martini to toast another trip around the sun, but the climate at the gathering rumbles like a sudden desert thunderstorm.
When sparks fly between the keynote speaker and her timid assistant over a handsome mystery author, the subtitle on this anticipated tranquil weekend spells drama. If a heated love triangle, bruised egos, and betrayal aren’t enough to upset the atmosphere, the conference banquet erupts into a drunken brawl and sends the place spinning. After a body is discovered, Nic and Em do what they do best—snoop—and become embroiled in a mystery that jumps off the pages of a true-crime bestseller.
With more than enough suspects and little time, the amateur sleuths have their hands full finding the killer. But can the competitive Chocolate Martini Sisters solve the crime before the prickly chief detective does, or will a murderer outwit them all?
Character Interview with Nicole Earp
How did you and your author meet?
My name is Nicole Earp, but everyone calls me Nic. Brenda frequents the town I know as Wyatt, Arizona and she knows as Prescott. She has a chocolate martini twice a year with her sister in the Peacock Room to celebrate their birthdays. I do the same with my sister Em. We were bound to meet.
Why did this writer decide to feature you in a whole series of books?
The Peacock Room is attached to a restaurant in an historical inn situated in the western town of Prescott where Brenda and her sister often visit. That of course strikes a remarkable resemblance to the Azul Restaurant and Saloon in the famous Dulce Inn of Wyatt where my sister and I often visit. After a couple of years of celebrating with chocolate martinis, and when I crossed paths with her, she realized that the adventures Em and I were having would make great cozy mystery books.
Do you have any friends or family helping you out?
Em is my older sister and a great friend. She’s analytical and grounded where I tend to rush to conclusions and rely on gut instinct. We complement each other nicely when it comes to sleuthing and solving the murder mysteries ahead of the chief homicide detective.
Do you have a regular job and investigate on the side or are you a full-time detective?
I’m a freelance travel writer. The Western Writers’ Conference should be great fun in the latest book, Reading, Writing and Murder. Investigating, as you call it, is a fun side activity with my sister—not to say murder is fun, but diving into a murder mystery caper is great fun!
What is the funniest thing that happens to you or another character in this story?
There is a very obnoxious character who is involved in a fight and I run into in the elevator. This is how it went:
The elevator chimed, and stepping into the cubicle, she touched the button. The doors slid toward closure. A large hand thrust between them, shoving the panels aside enough for a smiling Art Chambers, half his lip swollen, to invade her space.
“Oh, hello, Nic. How perfect to see you.” He held a drink in one hand.
She would describe the encounter differently. The instigator of the skirmish had ruined her appetite and caused her to pass on creamy strawberry cheesecake. An image of pushing the desert into his cocky face tickled her. Then again, that would be a waste of what was probably a tasty delight. She wished she’d taken the dessert to go, along with a cup of decaf. Hopefully, the man had little energy left after his disgusting display at dinner. She really didn’t want to engage in conversation. Arthur Chambers, travel writer, had toppled off the pedestal she’d created once upon a time.
He glanced at the console of floor buttons. “I see we’re on the same floor.” He winked and slithered closer, crowding into her personal space. “Are you on the way to your room?”
No, I just like elevator rides, you dunce.
“Yes, at last. Tonight certainly wasn’t one of those dinners you wish could last forever.”
“Could I interest you in a nightcap?” As if she required a demonstration, he jiggled his glass, ice cubes sloshing in an amber liquid. “I keep a bottle of fine brandy in my room. We could…discuss the travel industry. I’d be happy to share some pointers.” He dipped his head closer, licking at the swollen knot on his bottom lip. “Among other things.”
Oh, yuck. There was no misreading his meaning. Her dinner threatened to spew all over his rumpled corduroy jacket.
The elevator chimed, and the door slid open.
Oh, thank the universe. “No thanks. I’m looking forward to climbing into bed with a good book.”
When she exited and made a sharp right, he somehow managed to whip around in front of her, braced a hand on the wall with his arm at chin level, and ground her to a stop.
“Would you be snuggling up with one of mine?” His tone teased revoltingly.
“Oh, hell no.” She ducked under his barricade, purposely knocking the hand at his chest holding the drink.
“Oof.” He jumped when the cold beverage doused his shirt.
She threw him an over-dramatized wink. “As a matter of fact, I’m cozying up with an Eric Tuckerman book tonight.” Practically skipping to her room, her parting zinger filled her with satisfaction. Take another one to the chin, Chambers.
Have you solved other cases or is this your first one?
This is our second. Our first, Candy, Cigarettes, and Murder, really got us rolling on sleuthing.
Do you have a gift or a special talent?
Hmm, I am creative. I mentioned my candle making, but I also design my own ring in this story. Actually, I think when I combine my people skills with my inquisitiveness and Em’s talent, I’m good at solving mysteries.
Who is the most important individual in your life?
My daughter Chloe is number one. She’s a lovely young woman who lives with her husband in Camp Verde, Arizona.
What is your ideal vacation?
I love to travel. I think hitting the road, by car, headed in any direction is perfect.
If you could change anything about your life what would it be?
Well, my first marriage ended rather badly, but I wouldn’t want to change marrying Ethan since that union produced Chloe. Rodney Earp, my second husband, supposedly a distant relative of the infamous Earp brothers, was great fun for awhile, and we’re still friends. So, let’s leave that alone. I enjoyed teaching, and my life is great now in my forties with my travel writing. Wyatt is a beautiful, historic town, and I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. Gosh, I guess if I could think of something that might have brought me more income, I’d go that direction, but I can’t think what.
Chocolate Martini Sisters Mystery
About the Author
Joyce Proell
Joyce Proell is the award-winning author of Amaryllis, Eliza and the Cady Delafield mysteries: A Deadly Truth, A Burning Truth and A Wicked Truth. Along with her husband and little dog, Nellie, she lives in Minnesota in her very own little house on the prairie. She loves to hear from readers.
Brenda Whiteside
Brenda Whiteside is the award-winning author of romantic suspense, romance, and cozy mystery. After living in six states and two countries—so far—she and her husband have settled in Central Arizona. They admit to being gypsies at heart and won’t discount the possibility of another move. They share their home with a rescue dog named Amigo. While FDW fishes, Brenda writes.
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