Today, I’m delighted to have mystery author, Anne K. Albert visiting with us. I recently read Frank, Incense and Muriel and I loved it! I’m looking forward to reading more books in her Muriel Reeves Mystery series.
Let’s get to know Anne.
Patricia: Where did you grow up? Did your childhood contribute to your desire to be a writer?
Anne: For a child growing up on the outskirts of a small town on the east coast in the 1950s (please don’t snicker, I really am that old!) it was a lonely existence. I looked forward to attending public school, and never once complained about the 1.5 mile walk there and back, even during the dead of winter. When I discovered the one-room public library was on route, and that I could have my very own library card, it was akin to fireworks going off on the Fourth of July! Books became my friends, and for that, I am eternally grateful.
Until I reached a ‘certain’ age, however, I never imagined ordinary people could be writers. It seemed like such an incredible occupation--this ability to create worlds with words!
Patricia: What inspired you to write a novel?
Anne: In the late 1980s, working as a display advertising sales representative for a small weekly newspaper, I came face-to-face with a computer. I fell in love with the music of fingertips flying across the keyboard, and wanted to create my own symphony!
Four manuscripts later, Frank, Incense And Muriel, book one of the Muriel Reeves Mysteries, received the 2011 Holt Medallion Award of Merit. I’m extremely proud of this story. As you may have guessed from the title, it takes place the week before Christmas when the holiday season is enough to frazzle anyone’s nerves. Add a missing woman, kidnapper, Muriel’s eccentric family, and it’s seasonal mayhem tied up in a luscious red and green bow!
Patricia: Did you plan to write a series before or after you wrote the first book?
Anne: Like so many readers, I enjoy revisiting intriguing characters and following their continued escapades. There’s something heartwarming about a series, and I knew instinctively Frankie and Muriel were destined to share more than a single adventure.
Patricia: Do you like to travel? If so, what are some of your favorite places to go?
Anne: I love to travel. Absolutely L-O-V-E to travel! I’ve been to the British Isles, Eastern Europe, South America, the Caribbean, and toured across America and Canada on numerous occasions. There are still many states and provinces I have yet to see, and Ireland and Paris are also on my bucket list.
Patricia: What’s your answer to this question – If I won a million dollars, I would ------
Anne: If I won a million dollars, I would pretty much carry on living as I am now, except I’d travel more. (Big surprise, huh?!) I’d also give our daughter the cash to repay her student loans.
Thanks so much for featuring me today, Patricia. It’s been such fun.
I’ve enjoyed it, Anne. Thank you! Oh, and by the way, I grew up in the 1950s too but I try to never use the “O” word. :)
Bio: Anne K. Albert’s award winning stories chill the spine, warm the heart and soothe the soul…all with a delightful touch of humor. A member of Romance Writers of America and Sisters in Crime, she credits Nancy Drew, the Hardy Boys and Trixie Belden for nurturing her love affair with a good mystery. When not writing the Muriel Reeves Mysteries series Anne loves to travel, visit friends and family, and of course, read using ‘Threegio’ her cherished and much beloved Kindle 3G.
Here’s the link to read more about and/or to purchase a copy of Frank, Incense and Muriel.
Readers can find Anne online
at her website: www.AnneKAlbert.com,
Anne K. Albert blog: http://anne-k-albert.blogspot.com,
Muriel Reeves Mysteries blog: http://muriel-reeves-mysteries.blogspot.com,
on Facebook: www.facebook.com/annekalbert,
Twitter: @annekalbert
and Goodreads: http://tinyurl.com/727vgs6
