Getting to know Evelyn Cullet

I’d like to welcome mystery author, Evelyn Cullet. I recently read Masterpiece of Murder and I loved it. So much so that I added it to my “Best Of Mystery/Suspense Novels” on Shelfari. (See the link to the left.) 

Now, let’s get to know Evelyn.

Patricia: Evelyn, what are your favorite things to do when you’re not reading or writing?

Evelyn: In the spring, summer and fall I spend most of my time in my organic garden, feeding, watering, planting, pulling weeds, and harvesting veggies to cook for lunch or dinner. In the winter, I work on making cabochons out of stone, to put into jewelry settings. I reason I  say 'work on' is because I'm only an amateur lapidary, and sometimes my cabochons don't turn out exactly the way I want, but it's always a lot of fun to see if I can get one that's close to perfect.  

Patricia: What’s your favorite color? Why?

Evelyn: My favorite color is lemon yellow. I once took a "Color Test" that told me I chose that color because I needed excitement and constant stimulation, that's why I willingly participate in activities that are thrilling and offer adventure. I don't know if that's true, but I recently went digging for diamonds in Arkansas. If that's considered exciting and stimulating, than I guess that's why I must like yellow. Actually,  I like it because it's such a warm color. It makes me feel good, and it complements the color of my hair and my complexion.

Patricia: How would you describe yourself, personality wise?

Evelyn: I'd say I was forty-four percent extrovert and fifty-six percent introvert. I've always been imaginative and creative. I'm good at communicating and I focus on facts and try to see others’ points of view before I make a decision. I'm even-tempered, and I have a great sense of humor which I hope comes through in my writing. Although sometimes readers laugh at things that I don't intend to be funny.   

Patricia: Do you like to travel? If so, what are some of your favorite places to go and/or what was your favorite vacation?

Evelyn: Actually, I don't like to travel. I hate the whole airport experience, and if those airplane seats in coach get any smaller, we'll all be sitting in each other's laps. But I have to admit, my favorite vacation was my trip to the UK with my daughter and son-in-law, who is British. They took me to see all the usual tourist traps in London. But the best part of the London experience was that I got the chance to see one of the very last performances of Agatha Christie's Play, The Mouse Trap. And then we were off  to Nottingham, where we toured Nottingham castle and its beautiful grounds, and had lunch at the oldest Pub in existence, established in 1189 A.D.  And then to Guildford for a street fair, a local beer tasting, and a tour of the ruins of Guildford castle. After we left Guildford, we took a plane to Belfast to visit my son-in-law's parents in Northern Ireland. That's a trip I would like to take again, because there is still so much I want to see.    

Patricia: How would you complete this sentence? If I won a million dollars, I would  ------

Evelyn: move to a mansion, hire a cook, a maid, and a gardener, and spend all my time writing. I'm only joking. Or am I? Actually, That's a difficult question to answer because there are so many things I'd like to do if I only had the money, like support my favorite charities and help my immediate family members. So that's what I'd probably do, and then I'd move to a mansion, hire a cook....

Bio:

Evelyn Cullet has been an aspiring author since high school when she enjoyed writing short stories. She began her first novel while attending college later in life, and while working in the offices of a major soft drink company. After taking early retirement, she finally has the chance to write full time. As a life-long mystery buff, she's a former member of the Agatha Christie Society, and is a current member of Sisters in Crime. When she's not reading mysteries, reviewing them or writing them, she enjoys playing the piano, is an amateur Lapidary, and an organic gardener

Blurb:

Heartbroken American art student Charlotte Ross is so intent on locating her errant fiancé that she submits someone else’s painting as her own in order to gain access to a Master art class being held in the resort city of Bariloche, Argentina—the place her lost love was last seen. When the painting gets her accepted into the class given by a world-famous artist and womanizer, being a novice makes keeping up with the others nearly impossible as she struggles to fake her way though, while trying to win back the man she loves. But her fiancé has his own reasons for being in Bariloche that complicate Charlotte’s life and threaten her very existence as she stumbles into a downward spiral of deceit, art forgery, and murder. When circumstantial evidence begins to mount against her, the local police think she is the killer. Now, using the detecting skills she learned from her mystery writer friend, and with the help of two fellow art students, she must prove her innocence before she's arrested. Not an easy task with a military police officer dogging her every step.

Masterpiece of Murder is available in print and ebook versions from Wings ePress, Amazon.com, and at Barnes and Noble.com for the Nook.

 

Mystery of the Month by J.R. Lindermuth

It’s the summer of 1898. The nation, just coming out of an economic slump, has been at war with Spain since April. And Sylvester Tilghman, sheriff of Arahpot, Jordan County, Pennsylvania, has a murder victim with too many enemies.

There’s Claude Kessler, who is found standing with a knife in his hand over the body of Willis Petry.

There’s Rachel Webber, Petry’s surly teen-aged stepdaughter, who admits an act intended to cause him harm.

Then there’s the band of gypsies who claim Petry is the goryo who stole one of their young women.

If this isn’t enough to complicate Tilghman’s life, add in threats to his job by McClean Ruppenthal, former town burgess; a run-in with a female horse thief; scary predictions by a gypsy fortuneteller, and the theft of Doc Mariner’s new motorcar.

There’s plenty of good eating, church-going and socializing along the way. And, before all is over, Sylvester solves the crime and even comes a little closer to his goal of finally marrying longtime girlfriend Lydia Longlow.

A couple early review snippets:

“A sneaky, twisty murder mystery filled with colorful and intriguing characters and enriched by precise period detail.” W.D. Dundee, author of Dismal River and Reckoning at Rainrock.

“Welcome to Arahpot where Sheriff Sylvester Tilghman keeps the peace in his little town…you’ll appreciate his wry humor and keen intelligence.” Carol Crigger, author of Two Feet Below and Three Seconds to Thunder.

Buy links:

http://www.amazon.com/Sooner-than-Gold-J-Lindermuth/dp/1610090837/ref=pd_rhf_gw_p_t_1_GKB3

http://www.oaktreebooks.com/Wild%20Oak-Westerns.htm

-------------------------------------------------------------

 

J.R. Lindermuth is the author of 12 novels, including two in the Tilghman series and five in his Sticks Hetrick mystery series. J.R. is a retired newspaper editor and currently serves as librarian for his county historical society where he assists patrons with genealogy and research. His short stories and articles have been published in a variety of magazines. He is the father of two children and has four grandsons. He is a member of International Thriller Writers, the Short Mystery Society and EPIC.

Mystery Author of the Month, Rosemary Gard

Patricia: Welcome, Rosemary! Tell us, where did you grow up? Did your childhood contribute to your desire to be a writer?

Rosemary: I was born and raised in Gary, Indiana.  My siblings were 17 and 18 years older than I, so I spent a good amount of alone time in the Library where I devoured books and magazines.  Being in the Croatian community, I was different, so I spent a good deal of time day dreaming.

Patricia: Where do you live now? Do you use that locale for settings in your novels?

Rosemary: I live in Crown Point, IN.  The settings of my first two Destiny books take place in Croatia and Trieste, Italy.  I lived in Italy for a year and spent three months in a primitive Croatian Village.  

Patricia: What inspired you to write your most recent novel?

Rosemary: The Destiny series came about because my adult children wanted to know more about their grandparents and their heritage.  The Dowry part in the first title came about because the dress on the cover of “Destiny's Dowry” was actually part of my own dowry.  I am now working on the last of Destiny Series which will take place in Gary, Indiana in 1910 when the largest ethnic population was Croatian.  

Patricia: When did you “know” that you wanted to be a writer?

Rosemary: I believe I always knew it.  On my twelfth birthday, when a Croatian girl is considered on her way to being a woman, my mother wanted to gift me with a sewing machine.  I cried until my father agreed to buy me a portable Royal typewriter.  It started there!

Patricia: Name three of your favorite authors in the mystery/suspense genre. What makes them your favorites?

Rosemary: John Grisham, David Baldacci, and Clive Custler - I like a story that is not predictable and has good strong writing.

Biography:

Rosemary Gard was born and raised in Gary, IN. Her first language was Croatian. She grew up in what was the melting pot of cultures in Gary during the mid-20^th century. Within the Croatian community she heard the stories of the ‘Old Country’ and in time was sent to stay with relatives in a village outside of Zagreb, Croatia for a period of three months where she learned more stories and the villagers’ way of life.

Links to purchase books:

Booklocker.com

Destiny’s Dowry: http://booklocker.com/books/3719.html

Destiny Denied: http://booklocker.com/books/6462.html

Amazon.com

Author page: http://www.amazon.com/Rosemary-Gard/e/B002RT3W66/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_3?qid=1361321136&sr=8-3

BarnesAndNoble.com

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/rosemary-gard

Link to YouTube video trailer of Destiny’s Dowry:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0Je3y0LxNc

Naming Characters

When I choose names for the characters in my novels, I want to use names that suit the image I have of them in my mind. I’m not talking about physical characteristics, although they’re important too. I’m talking about personality traits, including the little idiosyncrasies that make each character a unique person. 

The process is interesting. Lots of times, I’ll use a name that I associate with someone I’ve known. That can be a positive or a negative thing. For example, when I chose the name for the main character in my Malone mystery series, I decided on “Ann” because the personality and qualities of that character reminded me of my Aunt Ann, a kind and gracious woman. On the other hand, when I decided to name Ann’s mother-in-law “Louise,” I did so because someone from my past had that name and, let’s just say, she was “difficult” to deal with. 

Sometimes, I want to use a name simply because I like it. I have a third cousin named “Marnie.” I liked the name the minute I heard it. Although I’ve known her mother all my life, I didn’t meet Marnie until a few years ago, long after I decided to use her name. In my series, Marnie is Ann’s older sister, an attorney who lives in South Carolina. Here’s an excerpt about her from Mixed Messages: “Marnie said that the ocean gave her something nothing else could: a sense of peace and serenity; that she felt closer to God there than anywhere else.” 

I often look up names in my “Name Your Baby” book to see if the meaning of the name accurately describes the character. I'm not sure what I'd do if the name didn’t “fit” but, fortunately, the names I chose for my series have worked out so far. Here are some of the names I used in Mixed Messages and Unfinished Business. (Check out the definitions for Ann, Louise and Marnie in particular.)

Ann – Graceful one or Gracious one

David – Beloved one or Friend

Marnie – From the sea

Olivia – Olive tree or olive branch; symbolic of peace

Lawrence - Laurel-crowned

Bernard (Bernie) – Bold as a bear

Louise – Famous warrior-maid; famous in battle

See what I mean? 

How do you decide on names for your characters?