Interview with MaryAnn Kempher, Author of Mocha, Moonlight, and Murder

For many years, MaryAnn Kempher lived in Reno Nevada where most of her stories are set. Her books are an entertaining mix of mystery and humor. She lives in the Tampa Florida area with her husband, two children, and a very snooty Chorkie.

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Did you like mysteries when you were growing up?

Yes, absolutely.

What was the first story in that genre that you wrote?

Mocha, Moonlight, and Murder, book one of a seven book series. It’s considered a romantic suspense, but I think romantic/comedy with a touch of mystery is more accurate description. Books two through seven are mysteries with little to no romance, but a lot of humor.

What is your favorite part of writing in this genre?

With Mocha, Moonlight, and Murder, my favorite part to write was the dialogue between the two main characters. For the mystery element of my writing, I like giving clues, but also red herrings. I love when my readers say they thought they’d figured out who the killer was, but were wrong.

What do you find most difficult about writing in this genre?

Writing the middle of the book. Usually, the beginning and ending write themselves, but the middle—getting from A to C, always gives me grief.

Is there an author in this genre, mystery, that you admire most?

I’ve always been a fan of Agatha Christie; Hercule Poirot is my favorite literary character.

What is up next for you?

I just published my seventh book, so I’m taking a short break. After my break, I’ll start writing a new series. Sort of a spin-off, with two very beloved characters from the first series.

Do you have anything to add?

My books can be read out of order, but I don’t recommend it. Most of the characters from book one are in all the books, so they become like family.

About the Book:

Title: MOCHA, MOONLIGHT AND MURDER
Author: MaryAnn Kempher
Publisher: Independent
Pages: 248
Genre: Romance Mystery

One night, 28-year-old, Katherine O’Brian, decides to walk to an all-night diner. The only problem? It’s midnight, but Katherine lives in Reno Nevada, a city that never sleeps; she can clearly see the diner’s lights in the distance. It’s no big deal, until she passes someone’s garage where a man is loading a dead body into the trunk of his car.

And now, she’s in trouble. She outran the man that night, and while she has no idea who he is, he knows who she is. And he wants her dead.

As if attempts on her life weren’t stressful enough, Katherine has gone back to college. She’s determined to finally finish her degree, but her lab partner is driving her crazy. He’s hot, but annoying. And she’s not sure which she wants more—a night of mad, passionate sex or a new lab partner. It varies from day to day.

Will Katherine give in to her lust for her partner or will she give in to her desire to throttle him? If she’s in the ground before graduation, it won’t matter.

Not your typical romance, not your typical mystery.

ORDER YOUR COPY

Amazon → https://amzn.to/2OkHlii

Book Blast & Giveaway: Paragon by Shauna Alderson

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Shauna Alderson will be awarding a $20 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stopson the tour.

Now that high school is over, Randi just wants to live her quiet life in her little town, but it doesn’t feel right without her friends there. Ever the daredevils, they’ve gone to seek adventure in the capital city of Grandin, and Randi can’t help but feel left behind. Not to mention she definitely can’t stop thinking about that kiss she and Eddy shared before he left.

When Randi discovers a mysterious mark on her skin that matches an illustration in “A Handbook on Paragonhood”, she’s thrown into a world of powerful gods and ancient magic that she thought only existed in the myths. She’ll have to step out of her comfort zone—and into the dangerous streets of Grandin—to find a way to protect herself and the people she loves.

Randi’s not the only one with a secret, though, and she finds herself questioning who she can trust. Randi will have to wrestle with what it means to be a Paragon and how far she’s willing to go to do what’s right.

With the fate of the world on the line, can she live up to being one of the chosen?

Read an Excerpt

Granite floor, walls like black static, and out of the moving darkness looms a door. I push its handle down, opening the door to a huge space.

A man and a woman circle each other like raptors, each brandishing a knife. The static-fuzz wall to my left is covered in weapon racks—everything from maces to swords to guns—and stone braziers, while the wall to my right is lined with punching bags and benches. A seemingly spaced-out old man sits on one of the benches, and a middle-aged guy fiddles with something on the furthest bench.

I don’t think I’m supposed to be here.

The middle-aged man lifts his head to watch the fight and sees me. “New girl,” he tells the others.

Everyone stops. The other two men simply seem bewildered, but the lady-predator with the knife might just kill me, judging from her glare.

“Uh, sorry, I'll just go,” I stammer. I pivot on my heels, but behind me, I only find blackness. No door.

My gut drops.

“Don’t be afraid,” the male fighter says. “We won’t hurt you.”

I peek over my shoulder as he discards his weapon onto the floor. That's not a hazard at all. “Where am I?” The words come out in a squeak.

He scratches the side of his head. “It’s—well, it’s hard to explain.”

“We call it the dreamscape,” the woman says. “We Paragons come here to hone our skills. You being here means you found out.”

She must be referring to the mark and the myths. I found out what I am, and now I show up here. Makes sense in a dream-logic sort of way.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Paragon-Shauna-Alderson-ebook/dp/B0851YGGTW/

Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/paragon-shauna-alderson/1136514085?ean=9781643901275

Chapters: https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/paragon/9990058018816-item.html

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/paragon-8


Shauna Alderson began writing teen fantasy even before she was a teen. After she “grew up", she completed creative writing courses (and a BA in Development Studies) at the University of Calgary. When not reading or writing, she can usually be found teaching ESL, composing on the piano, creating art, or volunteering abroad. She also enjoys dessert, Studio Ghibli films, and being the silliest person she knows.

Website: https://shaunaalderson.com

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/AldersonShauna

Shauna Alderson will be awarding a $20 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? - March 30

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a place to meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week. It's a great post to organize yourself. It's an opportunity to visit and comment, and er... add to that ever growing TBR pile! So welcome in everyone. This meme started with J Kaye's Blog and then was taken up by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at the Book Date.

What a week it has been. I accomplished a lot and had two accepted offers this week. Looks like real estate doesn't even stop for a virus. Our pantries are organized. Our shed is cleaned out. I prepped the vegetable garden for planting. One must look at the positives right now.

As far as books go, I finished ...

I started this one ...

I will crack open this one on Wednesday ...

Then this is my next book for review ...

Here are some others I plan to read ...

Hope you'll share what you have been reading. Hope you have a blessed week.

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Top Ten Tuesday:Ten Books to Inspire and Uplift You

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

Happy Tuesday! I know it's not a very happy world right now, but I need to try and stay positive. It's too easy for me to dive down into the rabbit hole of like sucks right now. So, for today's genre freebie, I have chosen books to inspire and uplift you.

Top Ten Books to Inspire and Uplift You

I hope you'll share a book that has uplifted or inspired you.

Praying you all stay safe and healthy.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? - Mar 23

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a place to meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week. It's a great post to organize yourself. It's an opportunity to visit and comment, and er... add to that ever growing TBR pile! So welcome in everyone. This meme started with J Kaye's Blog and then was taken up by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at the Book Date.

My, oh, my. How are you all hanging in there? Stir crazy yet? Hubby and I are working from home--I'm showing a few homes here and there, but certainly not as much as I planned to--and both girls are home (possibly until fall). The Lil' Diva's job is up in the air since it depends on the kids returning to school.

The up side is that we are spending more time together and have even gone back to family dinner time most evenings. The other great thing is that I finished one editing project and started another one, plus I sent over the extra content for the re-release of one of my Christmas books to the publisher. Maybe before all this is over I'll even get some writing done.

On the reading front, I'm not accomplishing as much as I thought I would. Still, some reading time is better than no reading time.

Finished these books.

I am three-quarters of the way through this one.

Then I owe a review on these two next.

Charlotte Hubbard is touring with a new book I signed up to review.

After that, I need to dig into something Little House related. Maybe this one I recently bought.

Hope you'll share what you have been reading. Praying all of you stay safe and healthy.

Smashwords Authors Give Back Sale Underway Through April 20, 2020

From Smashwords:

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