Author Talk – Mary Anne Edwards

Today we are sitting down with Mary Anne Edwards, full-time novelist and extraordinary cinnamon roll maker. Mary Anne is going to tell us about her book series and about a new book in the series that will be coming out at the end of April. Please enjoy getting to know her and her work.

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DM: What is the title and genre of the book you want to tell us about? I write the Charlie

MAE: McClung Mysteries, traditional mysteries with a touch of romance. I have three books published, Brilliant Disguise, A Good Girl, and Criminal Kind.

DM: Can you summarize your books in one short sentence?

MAE: The Charlie McClung Mysteries are well researched, fast paced mysteries with hint of romance, but without graphic gore and sex.

DM: Who is your intended audience and why should they read your books?

MAE: Anyone, 16 and up, will enjoy reading my books because they’re believable and will put you right into the action.

DM: How did you come up with the titles?

MAE: I get my inspiration from music, mainly, Tom Petty

DM: Tell me about your cover art. Who designed it? Why did you go with that particular image/artwork?

MAE: The first two book covers were designed by Jasmin Woodworth. They are the only two book covers she has ever designed. Brilliant Design won an Honorable Mention in the 2015 InD’tale Magazine Rone Awards. The third book was designed by Michael James Canales. Pieces of the book are incorporated into each book cover.

 

 

DM: What are your biggest writing influences (another author, another book, a movie, etc.)

MAE: I adore Elizabeth Peters, Caroline Graham, and Anne Perry’s writing styles.

DM: Who is your favorite character from your book and why?

MAE: I love all of them. If you twist my arm, I’d have to say Charlie McClung because he’s, as one reviewer said, “dreamy.” My second choice is Ma, Charlie’s mother, because she’s funny and a great cook.

DM: How about your least favorite character?  What makes them less appealing to you?

MAE:Hmm, tough question. For now, I would say my first villain, a mean and nasty character.

DM: If you could change ONE thing about your novel, what would it be?  Why?

MAE: Nowadays, it seems most cops in books or on screen are broken. I would paint a broader history of Charlie’s past so readers would know why he’s the way he is, a good cop and a good man.

DM: Give us a fun fact or a few about your book or series

MAE: They are set during the early 1980s in a small town in Georgia. The two main characters are in their late 40s. Charlie and his family are Irish-American. And there is a slight sense of humor woven into the books. Oh, food is important in the books.

DM: What other books are similar to your own?  What makes them alike?

MAE: I would have to say Elizabeth Peters’ Amelia Peabody Mysteries because of the relationship between Emerson and Amelia, and the style of writing. And Caroline Graham’s Midsomer Murder Mysteries with the twists and turns, and multiple suspects.

DM: Do you have any unique talents or hobbies?

MAE: I make cinnamon rolls from scratch. I’ve been told people would kill for them. LOL

DM: How can we find out more about you and your books?

MAE: You can visit my website, www.maryanneedwards.com.

I also have a Pinterest board for each book, www.pinterest.com/maryanneedwards.

I have an author’s page on Amazon, www.amazon/author/edwardsmary.

All of my books can be found on Amazon.

DM: What can we expect from you in the future?

MAE: The fourth book, Sins of My Youth, will be released the end of April. There will be at least six more books in the series.

DM: What can readers who enjoy your book do to help make it successful?

MAE: Leave a review on Amazon and Goodreads. Reviews are precious, the lifeblood of an author. Plus, I’d love for them to add my books to their Goodreads shelf, and tell everyone about my books any way they can.

 DM: Do you have any advice for other writers trying to get published?

MAE: Network with bloggers, reviewers, and readers before you get published. Get them excited about your book before it’s released. And find a really good editor.

DM: Can you give us an excerpt from your books?

MAE: I’ll give you a sentence or two from each book that represents the kind of mystery, danger, dry humor, and romance that is found in each book.

Brilliant Disguise – Time stood still as Marian stared at the black heaving silhouette. Its dark malevolent shape reminded her of an angry grizzly bear. She saw the intruder’s arm swing up. The outstretched hand was holding a gun. It swung side to side searching the room for its prey.

A Good Girl – “Ah, now my pet, you’ll be callin’ me, Ma. Me gynecologist calls me Mrs. McClung,” Charlie’s mother instructed a blushing Marian.

Criminal Kind – Marian stood at the foot of the bed, interrupting Charlie’s contemplations, a thick bathrobe was loosely tied around her waist. “I’ll be ready to go in about five minutes.”

“Hmm, I see someone poking out there that needs some lovin’.”

“What?”

Charlie pointed to her robe hanging open, partially exposing her chest.

Sins of My Youth – “You stupid heifer! Do you honestly think I’m afraid of you?” The tall, aging David Cassidy wannabe with a stupid grin on his face, swaggered toward Joan Delaney, as her hand rested on a slightly curved fillet knife.

About Mary Anne Edwards

Mary Anne Edwards is the author of The Charlie McClung Mysteries, traditional mysteries with a touch of romance. Brilliant Disguise, is the first book in the series. Its cover received an Honorable Mention in the InD’tale Magazine Rone Cover Awards. A Good Girl, the second book, was voted one of the 50 Best Indie Books 2014 by ReadFreely and was a finalist in the Tybee Island Book Festival. The third book, Criminal Kind, was also voted one of the 50 Best Indie Books 2015 by ReadFreely. She is currently working on the fourth book, Sins of My Youth. There will be at least six more books in the series. Mary Anne was born in Mercedes, Texas. She now lives in Georgia with her husband of 35+ years and her Tuxedo cat, Gertrude. With the encouragement of her husband, she left the accounting world to write full-time. When Mary Anne isn’t writing, she loves watching crime dramas and traveling with her husband.