Mitch Malone Interviews Pastor Christine

Mitch Malone here. I’ve been following a hot story and my remains were almost found in a compromising situation but I can’t say more. You will have to read it in A CASE OF VOLATILE DEEDS, my latest exclusive. Today I have Pastor Christine visiting. Seems she doesn’t have any secrets. We will have to see about that. I’m happy to do the interview on account of Elsie Dobson from A CASE OF ACCIDENTAL INTERSECTION set it up and also sent a plate of cookies. She is one of the best bakers, but I digress. Pastor Christine, it is a pleasure to meet you.  Correct me if I’m wrong, but you are the leading character from J.Q. Rose’s latest release called CODA TO MURDER.  You made headlines recently because you killed somebody at your church. Could you tell me about that?

PCH: God bless you, Mitch Malone. <chuckling>  Your reputation precedes you. I know you’re always trying to get your stories on the front page and garner awards to add to your resume. But, sorry, no headlines about me killing anyone!  

Unfortunately our talented Director of Music, William White, was found dead in our church basement the morning after our Wednesday night dinner and studies. I cannot believe anyone would murder this vibrant young man. But Detective Cole Stephens certainly considers our custodian, Dutch, and myself to be “persons of interest.”  You might want to dig around for some information so you could help clear Dutch and me.  Now that would be an amazing headline if you could solve this murder.

I’ve been known to solve a crime or two but have to give the credit to the police. Reporters are supposed to be unbiased.   It is a bit unusual to have a female pastor. Can you tell me how you came to minister to the people at Dayspring Church?

PCH: I love being the spiritual leader of the folks at Dayspring. I have been there about a year now, but I’ve been in the pulpit for five years at another church. I was happy to move away from the area, not because I had problems at the other church, but because I could put distance between my ex-husband, Brad, and me.

I have enjoyed meeting so many wonderful people at Dayspring. We are becoming a family. Of course, there are always conflicts that arise when dealing with so many personalities. The president of the women’s group is not exactly happy that I am caring for a pig and kangaroo in the back yard of the church parsonage or that I have taken in Mrs. Whitcomb’s cat, Bitsy, to care for until I can find a family who wants this darling tabby cat. Bitsy is litter trained and absolutely no accidents on the church owned parsonage floors. Now the backyard is another story…you know pigs like to root up the ground and eat everything in sight. I keep telling President Jewell, it is just temporary, and I will replace all the bushes, trees, flowers, and grass when their owner re-claims the animals.

You have a pig and a kangaroo in the back yard? That would make one good photo op. The book is called CODA TO MURDER. Did the dead guy get hit with a Coda? Is that another exotic animal? What is a coda and why is it in the mystery?

PCH: Coda is a musical term. I’m an accomplished organist. William and I are both known for our musical abilities at the organ and knowledge of church music.  I guess J.Q. chose a musical term because of our background in music. Coda is the sign that signifies the final section in a musical piece.  Unfortunately murder was the final ending to William’s life.

Now I understand you have a single friend that might want to date a single reporter? She has a penchant for coming up with some rather lawless ideas to solve crimes. Tell me about your friendship.

PCH: Oh yes, Lacey has become a valued friend. You can hang around awhile, Mitch, and you may get to meet her. She’s a florist and well, you know, weddings and funerals at our church. She’s always delivering flowers to the church, so we have time to talk and get to know each other. Although we are completely opposites in looks, she’s a petite strawberry blonde and I am six feet tall and with brown hair, we have lots in common. We are both single, career women, and survived bad marriages. 

So you are single too? I’m not sure you want to be seen with a reporter who might not always follow the right spiritual path.  Can you date being a minister and all?

PCH: Hey, Mitch, I’m not a monk! I’m a real person who likes to enjoy a date, a movie, friends, these delightful cookies, and beer with my pizza!

Okay, no more tough questions. I think we are done here. If you want to find out more about Pastor Christine or better yet purchase CODA TO MURDER check out these websites:

MuseItUp Publishing- http://tinyurl.com/anax9x7

Amazon.com http://tinyurl.com/ap376tb

bn.com and major online booksellers.

Thanks for coming by and make sure you pass along that I did the interview to Elsie. Better yet, maybe you shouldn’t. You seem pretty upset and I don’t want to lose my cookie connection. 

PCH: Heaven forbid you lose your cookie connection, Mitch. You don’t beat around the bush with your questions, but actually it’s been fun meeting you. I just wanted to add a thank you to W.S. Gager for swapping blogs with J.Q. Rose http://www.jqrose.com

More about J.Q. Rose - After writing feature articles in magazines, newspapers, and online magazines for over fifteen years, J.Q. Rose entered the world of fiction writing with her first published novella, Sunshine Boulevard, released by MuseItUp Publishing in 2011. Her latest mystery, Coda to Murder, was released in February. Blogging, photography, Pegs and Jokers board games, and travel are the things that keep her out of trouble. Spending winters in Florida with her husband allows Janet the opportunity to enjoy the life of a snowbird. Summer finds her camping and hunting toads, frogs, and salamanders with her four grandsons and granddaughter.

Connect with J.Q. Rose online at

J.Q. Rose blog http://www.jqrose.com/

Girls Succeed blog http://girlssucceed.blogspot.com/

Author website http://jqrose.webs.com/

J. Q.  Rose Amazon Author Page http://tinyurl.com/aeuv4m4

Goodreads- http://www.goodreads.com/jqrose

Pinterest http://pinterest.com/janetglaser/

TAGLINE: Pastor Christine Hobbs never imagined she would be caring for a flock that includes a pig, a kangaroo, and a murderer.

More about CODA TO MURDER:  Pastor Christine Hobbs has been in the pulpit business for over five years. She never imagined herself caring for a flock that includes a pig, a kangaroo, and a murderer. 

Detective Cole Stephens doesn't want the pretty pastor to get away with murdering the church music director. His investigative methods infuriate Christine as much as his deep brown eyes attract her.

Can they find the real killer and build a loving relationship based on trust?

Mitch Malone Mondays: Terry Ambrose's Roxy Tanner

Mitch Malone here to find the inside story for my exclusive on those who scam others for a living. I’m talking about con artists. Those who can make any outrageous lie sound like a good deal and part people with their hard earned cash. I’ve got a line on one who might be a little hesitant to come forward. From my research and sources, there is a woman named Roxy Tanner who has the skills and experience to make a good source. She is featured in LICENSE TO LIE by Terry Ambrose. Her story is unique and I will have to use all my skills as a reporter to get the goods.  Let’s get started. Roxy Tanner. Thank you for agreeing to be interviewed today. Can you tell me a little bit about your childhood?

Roxy: Sure Mitch, my childhood was shaped by an event that took place when I was eight. My mom tossed a fake Rolex in the garbage and told me the watch was stolen. She implied that she was worried she might get in trouble if anyone found out she’d purchased stolen goods and, since I was eight and precocious, I assumed the worst. I knew “trouble” was an adult code word, at least in our house, for jail. The minute Mom said that word, I knew I just couldn’t let that happen.

The writer-types you’ve interviewed sure like to wax on about plotters and pantsers, well, even at eight, I was a doer. I took charge and stole the watch from the trash and sold it to a guy in a suit. That’s when I learned my first lesson about reconnaissance.

Reconnaissance, like spy work? What do you mean?

Roxy: It means I’m not talking about that incident anymore. It’s too painful and I had to work through it in LICENSE TO LIE.

One of life’s defining moments, huh? Okay, I get it. Let’s move on. So you always had an ability to, shall we say, put a shine on the truth?

Roxy: Truth can be such a vague concept, Mitch. As a reporter, I’m sure you’ve had occasion to make some of those you’ve interviewed sound smarter or funnier. Right? Maybe you left out a nugget here or there—we’re both in the same game. My stakes might just be a little higher than yours.

I’m not sure I like what you are saying. I’m an honest reporter. I don’t shade the truth. I get the goods, the whole story. Maybe we should change subjects. Family is important to you. You would go to great lengths to protect someone close to you. Tell me how your father got into a fix?

Roxy: My dad was always interested in what I did from the time I was little. When he retired, he started spending an inordinate amount of time following my new business. Dad made the mistake of letting his emotions take hold and got drunk when he saw how big my business was getting. I had $5 million in the bank and I guess that worried him. He got drunk and started talking to some guy in a bar and the next thing I know, he’s been kidnapped and is being held for ransom.

 

Is that when you asked for help? I’ve been trying to get an interview with this do-gooder who helps people. His name is Skip Cosgrove. You’ve had some experience with him. I’ve been hearing rumors about you two. Are you changing sides of the law?

Roxy: There you go again spouting platitudes. I mean, really, Mitch, “sides of the law?” You and Skip would get along great because he does that quite a bit too. He’s all, you know, “that’s not right, Roxy” or “that’s against the law, Roxy.” Maybe you two should pal around or get drunk. Just don’t go making up things for me to say, I’ve got a red belt in karate and a black belt in tongue lashing. So tread lightly.

 

Whoa. Don’t shoot the messenger, err questioner. You are a bit testy when it comes to Mr. Cosgrove. Anything going on between you two?

Roxy: What is this, high school? You really expect me to kiss—or not—and tell? Skip and I have our ups and downs, so to speak. We didn’t get off to a very good start, but we’re sorting things out. Besides, I’m definitely not a girl that likes to spoil the surprise. Get my drift, Mitch?

Okay, I get the message.  No need to threaten.  You are one tough lady. I think this interview is over. To find out more about Roxy and Skip, check out Terry Ambrose’ s website at  terryambrose.com

Web: terryambrose.com

Facebook: suspense.writer

Twitter: @suspense_writer

More About LICENSE TO LIE:

With $5 million and their lives on the line, can a determined criminologist and a beautiful con artist learn to trust each other?  Or themselves? Roxy Tanner lies for a living. Skip Cosgrove uncovers the lies others tell. Now they have twelve hours to meet a ransom demand or her father will die. When Roxy reveals she has the money, Skip is sure of one thing: his way-too-attractive client is lying to him. As events unfold, these two loners discover that for those living on the edge, trust is a luxury they can’t afford. There’s only one thing left for them to do. Never trust a soul…even your own.

 "License to Lie is fast and well written, almost sure to satisfy discerning readers of thrillers.  There’s a verve to Ambrose’s language and the story moves with assurance, defying easy predictions.  Bravo to this writer.  I hope there’s more to come."

—T. Jefferson Parker, Author of The Jaguar and The Border Lords

Terry Ambrose started out skip tracing and collecting money from deadbeats and quickly learned that liars come from all walks of life. He never actually stole a car, but sometimes hired big guys with tow trucks and a penchant for working in the dark to “help” when negotiations failed. A resident of Southern California, he loves spending time in Hawaii, especially on the Garden Island of Kauai, where he invents lies for others to read. His years of chasing deadbeats taught him many valuable life lessons such as—always keep your car in the garage.

Extra, Extra First Mitch Book Only 99 Cents

A Case of Infatuation now only 99 cents until the end of 2012. The first in the Mitch Malone Mystery Series. Get started now and then read A Case of Accidental Intersection and A Case of Hometown Blues before A Case of Volatile Deeds comes out in February!

 

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A Case of Infatuation Synopsis

Crime Beat Reporter Mitch Malone's rules are simple: He never lets the blood and guts he covers bother him. He always works alone. And he hates kids. Mitch breaks all three rules when he unwittingly agrees to smuggle a potential witness out of a suburban Michigan home while police investigate a mob-style hit that's left two dead bodies. Mitch sends his intern (a real hottie, but nonetheless an interloper) to interview neighbors, hoping to throw her off, but when he finds the pint-sized survivor the killer overlooked, he decides she might be helpful. When the FBI accuses him of the murder, Mitch goes into hiding with the bombshell intern who doesn't talk and the precocious preschooler. Mitch works his contacts to regain his freedom from his roommates only to find they each hold keys to a bizarre story of disappearances, terrorists and the perfect hamburger recipe.

Awards-

First place in the 2008 Dark Oak Mystery Contest

Second Place - Public Safety Writers Association Writing Contest – Published, Fiction - 2010

Reviews
“Great combination of gritty prose and sparkling dialogue along with a most intriguing and unusual plot makes W. S. Gager's debut crime novel a true page-turner. Highly recommended!”

F. M. Meredith, author of No Sanctuary

“A Case of Infatuation was refreshingly fun, yet still suspenseful. I absolutely loved the main character, newspaper reporter Mitch Malone. The writer did such a good job of making him a likable guy, despite his quirks, that I was in his corner, and by the end of the novel, wanted to read more.“

“The plot moves along at a good pace, revealing just enough details and facts to keep you from putting the book down. The writer has a unique writing style, reminiscent of the Hollywood film noir of the 40's and 50's in keeping with the plot and characters, and kept me entertained and reading along until the very end.”

“This is an excellent first novel by W.S. Gager, and I can't wait to see what crazy antics and trouble Mitch gets himself into in the next one.”