Tristi Pinkston's Blog

So far, "Dearly Departed" is going over well. Now, you have to keep in mind that the persons I've heard from consist of my twelve-year-old son, my fourteen-year-old daughter, my ageless husband, and my even more ageless mother. But I'm sure that their adoration of my little story can only be symptomatic of the onslaught of praise I'm going to get from other, non-related readers, right? Because it's not like my own family would be biased or anything...

But the cover is getting a ton of rave reviews, and I have to say, it is pretty darn cute. My publisher did a great job with the packaging.

And little by little, the book is starting to trickle into stores. It's so exciting ...

Last March, I started a new series called "The Secret Sisters Mysteries." The first book, titled "Secret Sisters," was a lot of fun to write, and the little ladies who are the main characters in the story quickly became some of my best friends. I've written the entire series now, and I'm delighted to announce that the second installment will be released in January. Keep your eyes peeled for more information about "Dearly Departed," and I will definitely keep you updated as the rest of the series is slated for publication.

I’ve participated in many a virtual book tour as a host, and I’ve also taken a virtual tour myself, when “Season of Sacrifice” came out. However, I have never functioned as both host and author at the same time. Given my fun-loving nature and my desire to experience all life has to offer (within reasonable legal limits) I decided to give it a try.

Tristi the Blogger: Tristi Pinkston, thank you so much for joining me today on my blog. I appreciate the time you’ve taken out of your busy schedule to join me here.

Tristi the Author: Well, I do talk to myself quite a bit as it is, so this really wasn’t that much of a stretch.

Tristi the Blogger: I understand you’ve just had a book released.

Tristi the Author: You should know. You were there when I wrote it.

Tristi the Blogger: Just work with me here, okay?

Tristi the Author: (sighing) All right. Yes, I just had a book released. It’s called “Agent in Old Lace” and it was published by Cedar Fort in mid-May.

Tristi the Blogger: So essentially it’s just been out for half a month, then.

Tristi the Author: That would be correct.

Tristi the Blogger: How have sales been so far?

Tristi the Author: Honestly, I think it’s a little gauche to talk about money in such a public forum. And they won’t have the numbers figured out for a little bit yet. It really hasn’t been that long.

Tristi the Blogger: It’s sure seemed like a long time. Didn’t you write that book … forever ago?

Tristi the Author: No, not forever. I wrote the book in 2004.

Tristi the Blogger: But that was five years ago. That’s forever in the book-publishing world.

Tristi the Author: I just had to find the right home for it. That’s all.

Tristi the Blogger: Okay, let’s change subjects. (under her breath) She does get a little testy when her blood sugar is low. Now, let’s see here. You have previously published three novels.

Tristi the Author: Yes, I have. My first two books are set during World War II, and my third novel deals with the colonization of southeastern Utah. The Hole in the Rock, you know.

Tristi the Blogger: Hole in the Wall? You mean, Butch Cassidy and all those guys?

Tristi the Author: (shaking her head) No, of course not. Although, not a half-bad idea. (she thinks for a minute) Maybe later. I’m talking about the Hole in the Rock. You know, blasting a way for the wagons to come down the face of the cliff … the true story of my great-great-grandfather and his two wives … oh, come on. You remember that book.

Tristi the Blogger: Of course I do. But if I didn’t ask questions, and if you didn’t answer them, this would be a really boring interview.

Tristi the Author: Right. I forgot about that.

Tristi the Blogger: It would just be some insane woman sitting here, talking to herself, online.

Tristi the Author: Point taken.

Tristi the Blogger: It would be pathetic, really.

Tristi the Author: (starting to squirm) So, back to the interview?

Tristi the Blogger: Oh, yeah, right. Um, so, tell me about the new book.

Tristi the Author: It’s my first contemporary mystery, about a girl who learns her boyfriend is a criminal, and then he tries to kill her. It’s all very exciting. And there’s some romance, too.

Tristi the Blogger: Now, I have to say, I read this book last night and couldn’t put it down. But I did have the mystery solved before the end of the book.

Tristi the Author: And?

Tristi the Blogger: And … isn’t that a bad thing?

Tristi the Author: No, not at all. You see, with my mysteries, it’s not so much about who did what, but going along with the characters as they find out who did what. If you guess before the last page, it shouldn’t be a letdown. You’re still on the journey with the character.

Tristi the Blogger: I note you said “mysteries,” as in, plural. Are you writing more mysteries, then?

Tristi the Author: Yes, I’m starting a new series this fall. Those books are also character-driven, which is something a little bit new for the mystery genre. Mysteries are usually driven by the plot. Not so much with mine.

Tristi the Blogger: Do you think people are going to get confused between your historical novels and now your contemporary novels? Are they going to think you have a split personality or something?

Tristi the Author: Split personality? Like, maybe I think I’m two different people? Now, where would they get an idea like that?

Stay tuned for updates as bloggers all over the Internet join my virtual blog tour.