Sunday, August 14, 2016

Mystery Author of the Month: Cindy Sample



Author, Cindy Sample

Cindy Sample is the Mystery Author of the Month. I'm a big fan of her very humorous Laurel McKay mystery series. I've read all of her books to date and I'm looking forward to the next one.
Patricia: Cindy, when did you know that you wanted to be a writer?
Cindy: When I was in the third grade, I took my spelling assignment and turned it into Nancy Drew and the Haunted Mansion. It was sixteen pages long and the teacher gave me an A+. I knew that day that I wanted to be a mystery author when I grew up. I just didn’t expect it to take a half a century before my next literary masterpiece was released.
Patricia: Wow! That sounds a lot like my career path. The first thing I had published was a poem in my Sunday school magazine when I was ten years old and, like you, it was half a century before my first mystery novel was published. Have you ever considered this? If, for some reason, you couldn’t be a writer, what profession would you choose?
Cindy: Since I’m as klutzy as my protagonist, I would never make it as a police detective although I love being an armchair detective. With a background in the mortgage industry, I think it would be fun to become a forensic accountant. Probably not most people’s choice of a fun career, but it would be intriguing to sift through the numbers and discover fraud. My second passion would be to become a chocolate taster. Preferably in Belgium.
Patricia: I’ll admit I can’t relate to the forensic accountant job (I’m terrible at math) but the chocolate taster position appeals to me too. So, tell us, do you have a bucket list, things you still want to do and/or places you want to visit?
Cindy: I have a very long bucket list including multiple stories I want to share with the world either in book form or screenplays. I’ve traveled a fair amount, but I still want to visit South America, New Zealand and as much of Asia as possible. And I’d like to write and produce a Broadway musical. It’s my bucket list, so why not? I guess I should add “win Powerball” to my bucket list!
Patricia: Interesting. Win Powerball is on my bucket list too. :)

Cindy Sample is a former corporate CEO who decided plotting murder was more entertaining than plodding through paperwork. Her national bestselling mystery series, described as Erma Bombeck meets Agatha Christie, features single soccer mom, Laurel McKay. The series, set in the California Gold Country, includes Dying for a Date, Dying for a Dance, Dying for a Daiquiri, Dying for a Dude and Dying for a Donut. Cindy is a four-time nominee for the LEFTY Award for Best Humorous Mystery and winner of the NCPA Best Fiction Award. Cindy describes Dying for a Donut as a lip-smacking mystery. It definitely involved the most dangerous research! 



 
Overview of the series: 
Laurel McKay is a multi-tasking mocha-drinking single mom whose size nine feet manage to stumble over one dead body after another. Whether she’s at her office at Hangtown Bank, located in the Gold Country of Northern California, or on vacation in Hawaii or the Caribbean, Laurel’s life is never dull.

Although her initial encounter with Detective Tom Hunter, AKA Detective Hunk, was less than amicable due to her being his # 1 suspect in Dying for a Date, their romance has slowly progressed from simmering to sizzling.
Check out Laurel’s humorous and chocolate-filled adventures, but beware - you may die laughing.

"Once again Sample presents a very entertaining mystery featuring a relatable and likable heroine. The family interactions with the McKay women are a delight, as their love for one another always overrides their frustrations. The characters are the reason readers will return to this series, and the twisty plot surprises and fun dialogue will engage new fans."
-Cynthia Chow, Kings River Life Magazine



To learn more about Cindy and her books:  
Visit her author’s page:
Her website: 
And her newsletter subscriber page:

DYING FOR A DIAMOND will be released in January, 2017.

Cindy is giving away a $10 Starbucks giftcard to someone who leaves a comment on this post. The winner will be announced Saturday.

55 comments:

  1. Fun author interview! If she wins Powerball I claim BFF rights...

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  2. I've read Cindy Sample's complete series. I can only say, I wish there were fifty more! Ms. Sample writes real, complex characters, a whacking good mystery, and some of the funniest chase scenes I've ever read. A total package for the mystery fan.

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  3. Aw, Heather, you are so sweet. I do have fun writing those crazy chase scenes!

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  4. I haven't read any of your books yet, Cindy, but thanks to this post I just ordered my first Laurel McKay book.Can't wait to dig into it.

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    1. Thanks Marja. Much appreciated. I hope you enjoy it!

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  5. Forensic accountant? Good grief! (I'm allergic to math.) Love, love your covers!!!

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    1. I may have a more glamorous description of forensic accountant in my mind than I should:-) And perhaps glamorous and forensic accounting should never be placed in the same sentence! My cover artist is awesome! Thanks for commenting.

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  7. I'm probably showing my age, but I'm of the Deep Throat "Follow the money" school of investigative journalism (was a reporter at the San Jose Mercury News). Forensic accounting tells a LOT of tales!
    Looking forward to Laurel's escapades in Dying for A Diamond!

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  8. You journalists know what I'm talking about. Lots of secrets on those spread sheets! I'm looking forward to typing THE END to DYING FOR A DIAMOND!

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  9. Cindy,

    I'm also a fan of your humorous mystery novels. Wishing you much success with the latest one.

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  10. I agree, Cindy writes a great series.

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    1. Thanks, Maggie. I'm glad you're enjoying Laurel's adventures.

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  11. As one of your first fans, I am pleased to say that you started out funny and got better and better. Love these books. Forensic accountant? You can be the next chapter treasurer.

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  12. Cindy, love your books AND your bucket list!

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    1. Thank you, Linda. And that bucket list just keeps growing!

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  13. Sounds like you need to add South Africa to your travel bucket list if looking for info about diamonds. Or am I thinking about the South Sac jewelry store? Hummm... Either one should do the trick.

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    1. You're right, Elaine. They both qualify. And silly me, I've been doing my research in the Caribbean!

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  14. Forensic accounting?? And you seem so normal!

    LOVE your books!

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    1. Ha ha. I'm a closet accountant. Who knew? And thank you. Love your books as well!!!

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  15. Ah yes--Cindy is a talented writer. I love her flawed heroine Laurel and her wonderful sometimes accidental sleuthing. Nice interview!

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    1. Thanks, Susan. Laurel and I are both accidents waiting to happen. Hers are usually funnier though!

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  16. I really like Laurel and I just enjoy reading this series because I read for enjoyment. Thanks Cindy for this wonderful series! Lynn Mann

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  17. Thank you Lynn. I'm so glad you're enjoying Laurel's adventures which are never-ending!

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  18. Cindy is a new-to-me author, but you've convinced me to check out her books! They sound great, and I love books with humor and mystery. If you need an assistant chocolate taster, let me know and I'll give you my email address.

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    1. Thanks for commenting. I know you'll love Cindy's books.
      Be sure to stop back on Saturday because, if you're the winner, Cindy will need your email address. :)

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  19. I've not read your books yet, but they're on my list now. Thanks for sharing!!! And I'm totally in on the Powerball. :)
    awilcox1182@gmail.com

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    1. If I win Powerball, everyone who commented is in on the prize! Thanks, Amanda.

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  20. Love your books, Cindy, continued success! Looking forward to your Broadway Musical! (Of course I expect a good seat1 (smile))

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  21. i love a humorous read! Amy (Guillaume) Linderman

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    1. Thanks, Amy. These books are so much to write. Sometimes they practically write themselves!

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  22. This series is new to me, but it sounds good. Winning the lottery is on my bucket list, too. 😁 Dianne
    jademoss17@gmail.com

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    1. I certainly hope one of us wins the lottery, but at least someone will win the $10 Starbucks card! Thanks, Dianne.

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  23. Thanks for this lovely feature and giveaway. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

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  24. I originally saw your posts on my good friend and neighbor's, Connie Shelton, FB. I emailed her today and told her I just bought all 5 of your books on Kindle last night (using up the remainder of my Amazon GC). Can't wait to get started on them after reading the synopsis of your character. P.S. my bucket list is long, too, but a Panama Canal cruise next year should strike one of those items off. susanbadar@gmail.com

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    1. Susan, thank you so much for beginning your journey into Laurel's adventures. I hope you love them! Congrats on your upcoming Panama Canal Cruise. I need to add that to my overly long bucket list.

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  25. Cindy's books have such fun covers and they look like really fun reads. I haven't read any of her books, but I look forward to reading them.

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    1. Thanks Dianne. My goal is to entertain the reader and I try to start with my covers. Hope you love them, too.

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  26. Thank you for sharing this interview and introducing me to Cindy. :) I am adding her books to my TBR.

    brookeb811@gmail.com

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    1. Thanks for commenting, Brooke. I am dying to be on your TBR list!

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  27. Humorous mystery hardly does justice to the hysterics and hijinks in Cindy's Laurel McKay Mysteries. I still think my favorite scene of all time was Laurel facing down a mountain lion using her Zumba moves! Aching with laughter!

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    1. I loved writing that scene, Clare, and it's based on fact. Fortunately my life gives me a lot of material!

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  28. I love a mystery...definitely my favorite reads! parkeremma2003 at yahoo dot com

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    1. Thanks for commenting Jennifer. I hope you have time to check out Laurel's adventures! Stay cool.

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  29. I can't believe it has taken me so long to discover this great series! I just finished the first one and I loved it.

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    1. Brittany, thanks so much for commenting. I'm thrilled you enjoyed DYING FOR A DATE!

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  30. Item on bucket list: Hike Machu Picchu ...

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  31. I apologize for posting this a day late. The winner is Dianne Casey. Congratulations!

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  32. Congratulations to Dianne. And thank you, Patricia Gligor, for this very fun interview. I loved your questions.

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