Goldstein's #4 is in the Bookstores! Chat with the Author...

Good Morning, Booklovers!
 
Now that it’s officially summer, we’ll be holding the chat on the deck depending, of course, on storms choosing other paths or other times. So, pull up your deck chairs, grab your favorite beverage, and help me welcome author Debra Goldstein with her latest cozy, Four Cuts Too Many.
 
Nice to see you, Debra. How would you like your coffee?
 
DG:  If I’m making it, I drink it black, but I tend to buy flavored coffees like Kahlua. If I’m purchasing it from Starbucks, it will be something iced, preferably with whipped cream. If I want a hot drink, my go to is a skinny white chocolate mocha, but don’t hold the whipped cream.
 
Ally: Since it’s a hot morning, how about something iced with whipped cream? While I’m fixing our drinks, please tell readers about yourself.
Bio:
 
Judge Debra H. Goldstein writes Kensington’s Sarah Blair mystery series (Four Cuts Too Many, Three Treats Too Many, Two Bites Too Many, One Taste Too Many). She also authored Should Have Played Poker and IPPY Award winning Maze in Blue. Her short stories and novels have been named as Agatha, Anthony, Derringer, and Silver Falchion finalists. Debra serves on the national board of Mystery Writers of America and is president of SEMWA. She previously was on Sisters in Crime’s national board and president of SinC’s Guppy Chapter.
 
Something unique/unusual that isn't in your regular bio: “I took eleven years of piano lessons and occasionally relax by playing the piano that my parents bought for me when I was six years old.”
 
Contacts:
Website – www.DebraHGoldstein.com
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/DebraHGoldsteinAuthor/  
Twitter - @DebraHGoldstein
Instagram – debrahgoldstein  
Bookbub – https://www.bookbub.com/profile/debra-h-goldstein INTERVIEW :
 
Ally:  Are you self-published or traditionally published? How did you make the decision?
 
DG:  I am a hybrid writer, but that isn’t by choice. My first publisher went out of business and returned my files to me so that I could put the book, which was still in demand, back up on Amazon through what was then Createspace. In that instance, I had the files and cover art, so I didn’t have to go through the various steps of self-publishing. My choice, and what I have done in all other instances, is to seek traditional publishing house contracts. Although self-publishing would give me more control of all aspects of a work, I don’t want nor do I have time to write, promote, volunteer, and juggle my everyday activities with handling formatting, cover art, and all the other logistics necessary to be a successfully self-published author. Early on, I realized my limitations and immediately sought a traditional publisher.
 
Ally: What do you consider to be the hardest part of writing?
 
DG:  To be disciplined enough to do it. When an idea or phrase is triggered, I write with a total abandonment of time. My focus is directed, and I am in the zone. Sadly, which has been more noticeable this past year, is that when I’m not motivated, anything can be a distraction. Ironically, I thought when I walked away from my day job, I’d treat writing like I had my job instead of as that thing I did between two and four a.m. It didn’t happen. Instead, I am a sprint writer, who does best when faced with a deadline.
 
Ally:  Why did you choose writing as a career?
 
DG:  I walked away from my day job as a judge a few years ago to follow my passion to write. At the time, I had had one book published and had just sold a second book. Although I had no idea if my writing career would take off, I knew it was something I wanted to give my full attention to no matter what happened. I haven’t looked back since.
 
Ally: Are people you know models for your book characters?
 
DG:  Yes and no. For me to copy a friend or someone I know isn’t possible because I could never capture them in their entirety. Instead, I steal bits and pieces of people I know to create complex new characters.
 
Ally:  What's the best writing/marketing advice you’ve been given?
 
DG:  The best writing/marketing advice I was given was to “invest in yourself.” As the person explained, sometimes you have to put out money and effort to succeed. This may mean underwriting something, giving out free or discounted books, or being willing to have something function as a loss leader for others to be introduced to your work. Investing in myself also meant taking classes, reading books, and putting in the time to improve my writing and skills. Finally, it meant taking what I’ve learned or succeeded with and paying it forward because the return is an investment in “yourself” that can’t be measured.
 
Which of the trivia questions did you choose to answer?
 
DG:an author (living or dead) you'd love to take to lunch: Leonard Elmore, Jr.most watched tv show: Perry Mason f you were a color, what would it be? Blue What type of music do you prefer? Show Music favorite quote: “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try. and try again.”Ally:  A pleasure to chat with you, Debra. Before we finish up for today, please show us your featured book.
Four Cuts Too Many (A Sarah Blair Mystery)
Genre: cozy mystery
 
Sarah Blair gets an education in slicing and dicing when someone in her friend’s culinary school serves up a main corpse in Wheaton, Alabama . . .
 
Between working as a law firm receptionist, reluctantly pitching in as co-owner of her twin sister’s restaurant, and caretaking for her regal Siamese RahRah and rescue dog Fluffy, Sarah has no time to enjoy life’s finer things. Divorced and sort-of dating, she’s considering going back to school. But as a somewhat competent sleuth, Sarah’s more suited for criminal justice than learning how many ways she can burn a meal.
 
Although she wouldn’t mind learning some knife skills from her sous chef, Grace Winston. An adjunct instructor who teaches cutlery expertise in cooking college, Grace is considering accepting an executive chef’s position offered by Jane Clark, Sarah’s business rival—and her late ex-husband’s lover. But Grace’s future lands in hot water when the school’s director is found dead with one of her knives in his back. To clear her friend’s name, there’s no time to mince words. Sarah must sharpen her own skills at uncovering an elusive killer . . .
 
Includes quick and easy recipes!
 
Buy Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Four-Cuts-Sarah-Blair-Mystery/dp/1496732219
Barnes & Noble: Four Cuts Too Many by Debra H. Goldstein, Paperback | Barnes & Noble® (barnesandnoble.com)