Raquel V. Reyes's Blog, page 8

To Live & Write in FLA- JD Daniels

JD Daniels writes a mystery series set in Florida. I had the pleasure of interviewing her, Joyce, soon after the series’ debut,Through Pelican Eyes. Find that one here – Miami Interviews #6. The third in the series Mayhem in Matlacha will be available in December, 2016. Joyce is also a poet with various publications under her belt.

How long have you lived in FLA?

I’ve lived off and on in Florida since the late 60s. My first child was born in Key West. My ex-husband studied for a graduate...

To Live & Write in FLA- Debbie Reed Fischer

I love meeting YA & MG authors. They are usually always ebullient and their writing often has activism in it. Be it the “we need diversity” call or the “we need more female main characters” call or “stand up to bullies” call— YA & MG reads have a message with a mission. Debbie Reed Fischer‘s This is NOT The Abby Show is no different. It is about a GIRL! navigating the perils of middle school with ADHD.

I met Debbie at a romance writers event. We share a connection to downtown Miami and so we...

To Live & Write in FLA- Lesley Diehl

Lesley Diehl is one of my favorite Florida authors and I’m not just saying that because she blurbed my book. Beyond the belly laughs her humorous mysteries gift us, she pays it forward as a source of encouragement and solid advice to novice writers.

The Eve Appel series about a sassy & snoopy country girl, is set in rural Florida. The third book , A Sporting Murder was awarded a Readers’ Favorite Five Star Award. The fourth ,Mud Bog Murder, will be released September 1st. I recommend you r...

To Live & Write in FLA- Elaine Viets

It is a joy to welcome back best selling author, Elaine Viets to Cozy in Miami. She has written 30 mysteries in four series. I interviewed her in March of 2015 for my Miami series. If you want to read about her love of Cuban coffee and fried plantains then read Miami Interview #9.

A lot has happen in Elaine’s life since that 2015 interview. Most notably her return to the darker side of mysteries. With Brain Storm, her first Angela Richman Death Investigator mystery, she returned to her hardbo...

To Live & Write in FLA- Michael Haskins

I never give up an opportunity to talk to Michael Haskins. You will certainly get the chance to if you attend the Mystery Writers Key West Fest. He is one of the organizers behind the two day event that happen every summer. I went to the fest in its inaugural year and had a blast. (Pub crawl.) I learned a lot, too. Michael has a generous spirit and is full of Irish wit and fun.

Actually, he is just back from his annual research trip to Ireland. I can’t wait to read what new adventure Michael...

To Live & Write in FLA- Susan Cox

I am so very excited to introduce you to my fellow Mystery Writers of America (MWA) chapter member, Susan Cox. When I am lucky enough to get her as a tablemate at our chapter meetings, the conversation is always sparkling and sometimes revolves around shoes. She has a wonderful collection of stylish shoes that I truly envy. This interview revealed more of her good taste to me. It might be a her English roots, but her beverage choice is spot on and a favorite of mine. (psst….Susan, we must s...

To Live & Write in FLA-Georgette St. Clair

I met Georgette in a hotel bar. Sounds like the start of a great noir story. Doesn’t it?!

Actually, it was the hotel bar of the SleuthFest writer’s conference. We have a mutual friend that insist we must meet. I am very happy I detoured through the bar that evening as now I get to introduce my followers to the wonderful Georgette St. Clair. She is a NY Times and Amazon Top 20 best-selling author living and writing in Central Florida. Georgette writes shifter romances. A shifter for those th...

To Live & Write in FLA- Ruth Hartman Berge

If you are a faithful follower of this blog you might remember my next guest, Ruth Hartman Berge. She was # 16 in the Miami Interviews series. A rare native Floridian, Ruth is owned by three cats, one of whom is disabled and was the inspiration for her children’s book,Betty Tales: The True Story of a Brave Bobblehead Cat. Her second book,Growing Up in Northern Palm Beach County: Boomer Memories from Dairy Belle to Double Roadswas published by The History Press. A paralegal by trade, she enjoy...

To Live & Write in FLA— Janet Franks Little

Janet Franks Little writes romance with a splash of levity. I got a sense of her humorous take on life when she told me about her first “teaching in Hialeah” experience. For those of you that are not South Floridians, Hialeah is a Cuban stronghold and unlike any other place in the world. (I love Hialeah, my father lived there for many years.) Janet’s tale of ‘you’re not in Ohio anymore’ ended with her student telling her about his Santeria church. Instead of freaking out and running home to t...

To Live & Write in FLA — Victoria Pinder

Hello to my faithful readers and welcome to all the new readers. I am excited to introduce you to the first author of my new interview series. As always, I am Florida focused. If you haven’t gotten the pun of the series’ title just search “to live and die in LA” and remember mystery writers love punny titles. Forgive me for my sins. Onto the interview!

Victoria Pinder grew up in Irish Catholic Boston before moving to the Miami sun. She worked in engineering, then became a lawyer. But after pa...