Terri L. Austin author of Diners Dives and Dead Ends Blog Tour

Hi Terri, it is a pleasure to have you with us today. Thank you for stopping by.

Tell us about yourself?

First of all, thanks so much for having me on Shelley’s Bookcase today. I’m happy to be here!

My name is Terri L. Austin. I’m a wife and mom of two kids, both in college. I love to write, bake when I have the time, and I’ve recently started to play with beads. I like to string them, loop them, and embroider with them. No one told me how addictive the shiny beads are!

Where did you get your ideas for this book?

 I wanted a heroine who was likable and a bit of an underdog. Rose Strickland fit the bill. She’s smart and funny, but as a former rich girl turned waitress, Rose doesn’t have her life figured out. She keeps trying though.

I wanted her friend to go missing and I knew I wanted a sexy villain. That was about all I had in mind when I started writing Diners, Dives and Dead Ends. Nothing else.

I’m a pantser, not a plotter. I like to be surprised by what my characters will do next. I feel that if I plot out the book, I might miss something along the way. Something that might take the book in a completely different direction. So I don’t overthink. I just write and see where the characters take me.

What are you working on next?

I’ve just finished the second Rose Strickland Mystery, Last Diner Standing. It will be released December 3, 2012. I’m excited about the next chapter for Rose and her gang of quirky friends.

Right now, I’m working on a paranormal set in Tulsa, OK. I used to live in Tulsa, and I love that town. So it’s fun to set my characters there and turn them loose. Add a mystery and some supernatural shenanigans and I call that a good time.

Can you tell us about your challenges in getting your book published?

Of course I went through the whole rejection thing. This is a tough biz and you start to doubt yourself. But I’m always working on something, so when I would get a rejection, I’d send out another query and keep writing. I make goals for myself—both daily and weekly. I try to stay focused and moving forward. You either toughen up or quit. I love writing, so quitting was not an option for me. I’m so happy and blessed to be with Henery Press. I’ve met some great people and have gotten to work with a wonderful editor. 

What Authors have influenced you to write?

There are so many authors I have a huge fangirl love for. Janet Evanovich—of course. Karen Marie Moning—her Fever series rocked my world. Kresely Cole—Immortals After Dark—the heroes make me swoon, the heroines are funny and hardcore. Gena Showalter—everything the woman writes is amazing. Carolyn Crane and her Disillusionists series—so unique. Christina Faust writes the gritty Angel Dare series. Charlaine Harris—both her mysteries and the Sookie books.  

Diners, Dives and Dead Ends

A Rose Strickland Mystery

By Terri L. Austin        

978-1938383007

Henery Press

Overview:

As a struggling waitress and part-time college student, Rose Strickland’s life is stalled in the slow lane. But when her close friend, Axton, disappears, Rose suddenly finds herself serving up more than hot coffee and flapjacks. Now she’s hashing it out with sexy bad guys and scrambling to find clues in a race to save Axton before his time runs out.

With her anime-loving bestie, her septuagenarian boss, and pair of IT wise men along for the ride, Rose discovers political corruption, illegal gambling, and shady corporations. She’s gone from zero to sixty and quickly learns when you’re speeding down the fast lane, it’s easy to crash and burn. 

Amazon, Kobo, B&N

Terri L. Austin lives in Missouri with her funny, handsome husband and a high maintenance peekapoo.  She loves to hear from readers. Find her on Twitter, FB, TerriLAustin.com, Goodreads and Henery Press. She and her writer friends have a book chat every Wednesday on Little Read Hens. Check it out and join in the conversation!