Interview and Giveaway with Laura Childs

I am so thrilled to have the delightful Laura Childs here. She has a fantastic new book in the Tea Shop Mystery series out called Ming Tea Murder. Just released on May 5th.  Laura is giving away two copies of Ming Tea Murder. Do you tea? What is your favorite tea? Do you have a favorite Tea dessert? Have a favorite teapot and cup? Post a picture if you like. Leave a comment with email for a chance to win.

Grab a pot of tea and your favorite tea cup and join us for an amazing interview.

Don't you just love the cover?

My review:

Murder and mayhem takes place in the newest yea shop mystery that has Theodosia Browning and her crew steaming.  There is a lot to do before the Chinese Gala and the last thing they need is a murder. Theo wants to try and find out who the killer is before they find her. Some one is determined to stop her from sleuthing. 

This fast paced page turner will have you steeped from the beginning. A Cast of characters and a story so well written you won't want it to end. I love this series and am eagerly waiting to see what Theodosia will find herself into next. 

http://www.amazon.com/Ming-Murder-Shop-Mysteries-Book-ebook/dp/B00NMPN1N8/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=&qid=

Grab a pot of tea and your favorite tea cup and join us for an amazing interview. 

It is such a pleasure to have you with us today Laura. I am a huge fan of this series and Loved this book.

S.G. Tell us about yourself?

L.C. I’m a Diet-Coke addicted workaholic who loves chocolate, books, French wine, and movies.  I live with Dr. Bob (my professor husband) and my 2 Chinese Shar-Pei dogs on 2 acres of woods and ponds.  We travel, collect art, and enjoy fine dining.  (Well, maybe not the dogs.)

S.G. Book 16 in the Tea Shop Mystery series is soon to be released.  What inspired you to write this series from book one?

L.C. It was the perfect storm.  Tea was becoming amazingly popular, tea shops were popping up like errant mushrooms, and a tea mystery had never been done before.  My entire background is in marketing – helping clients launch new products and figure out timing – so I knew this was clearly the moment to jump in.

S.G. What has been the most fun throughout the years of writing these books?

L.C. The most fun is when the books are released and my fairly long, solitary days are interrupted by a flurry of excitement.  I love doing the book signings, appearances, guest blogs, tea parties, etc.  When I do a book launch, I even bake scones and make tea sandwiches for my guests!  Oh, and it’s always a kick when one of my books makes the New York Times bestseller list.

S.G. Can you give us a sneak peek on what you are working on next and will there be more Tea Shop Mysteries to come?

L.C. Right now I’m working on DEVONSHIRE SCREAM.  It’s the next Tea Shop Mystery, so, yes, there will be lots more Tea Shop Mysteries to come.  Besides, I have all these wonderful book titles that incorporate different tea varieties and I need to use them!

S.G. How did Theodosia Browning come to life?

L.C. For some reason, the character of Theodosia sprang to life with barely a second thought.  She just emerged in the first paragraph of the first book, practically fully formed.  I knew what she looked like, what her literary “voice” would be, what her background was.  That’s the amazing thing about fiction writing – you sit down, move your hands over the keyboard and magic happens.  Sometimes, writing for me is like watching a stage play – I just see it all happening in front of me.  My job is to write it down as fast as I possibly can!

S.G. I know you write other series as well, can you tell us a little about them?

L.C. My Scrapbook Mysteries are slightly edgier books that take place in New Orleans.  Carmela, my main character, owns Memory Mine scrapbooking shop in the French Quarter and is always getting in trouble with her friend, Ava, who owns the Juju Voodoo shop.

The Cackleberry Club Mysteries, set in the Midwest, are a tale of three forty-plus women who have all lost their husbands and run a cozy café called the Cackleberry Club.  Eggs are the morning specialty here and they also have a Book Nook and Knitting Nest.  There’s lots of humor and a dash of spirituality.  

S.G. When you aren’t writing wonderful books for us to enjoy, what takes up your time?

L.C. I’m writing other books for you to enjoy.  Right now I’m working on FINDERS CREEPERS, the first book in a new hard-edged thriller series, as well as a children’s book and a movie script.

S.G. What three things do you want your readers to know about you?

L.C. I’m the former CEO of Mission Critical Marketing, a firm I started and headed for 15 years.  I wrote and produced 2 reality TV shows.  I’m addicted to Chanel bags and jackets.

S.G. Do you have a favorite tea and why is it your favorite?

L.C. I adore a good Japanese green tea.  The emerald color, the vegetal taste, and the elegant history of that particular tea – it all comes together for me.

Laura Childs is the New York Times bestselling author of the Tea Shop Mysteries, Cackleberry Club Mysteries, and Scrapbook Mysteries, and a recent recipient of the Romantic Times Book Review’s Award for Best Amateur Sleuth.  In her previous life, she was CEO/Creative Director of her own marketing firm and authored several screenplays.  She is married to a professor of Chinese art history, loves to travel, and enjoys fund-raising for various non-profit organizations.