1–What is the title of your latest release?
2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?
Half-goblin, half-witch Dionne Cruz is a street-smart private investigator working in the magical shadows of Philadelphia. Sent to investigate what should have been a simple robbery, she is thrust into a world of intrigue, abduction, and murder. Needing a man on the inside, she teams up with Liam Wells, a non-magical friend from the police academy she’d once kissed but had ultimately kept at arms-length. Any unfinished business between them must be put aside while together they track down a wily killer. If they’re too late, the feuding goblin gangs will drench the streets of Philadelphia in blood. Including their own.
3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place?
I live near Philadelphia and often thought the historical elements of the city would lend well to a fantasy story. All those iconic cobblestones and historical architecture – just ooooh.
4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life?
Absolutely. Dionne’s no shrinking violet and though she has a sensitive side, she’s not afraid of saying exactly what she thinks and all-too-often does. And though she sees some terrible things in her world, she retains a love of life and sense of humor that anyone would love. I would totally be her bestie.
5–What are three words that describe your protagonist?
Resourceful, clever, and a tad sardonic. And maybe green, but that’s four.
6–What’s something you learned while writing this book?
Imagining and creating fantastic things that haven’t been done before is like a workout for the brain. Tough but very rewarding.
7–Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done?
My process is to edit as I go. I always begin by reading the chapter I finished in the last session, just to submerge myself back into the story and while I’m there, where the story needs it, I edit.
8–What’s your favorite foodie indulgence?
Oh no, you whispered the magic word. Fooood. I have some in the kitchen now and they are calling my name. Eclairs….
9–Describe your writing space/office!
My office is the only space in my home that is mine all mine. No one else is permitted in there. Not ever. It’s my sanctuary, my haven, and the only tidy spot in the house.
10–Who is an author you admire?
Generally – every single one. Committing to and writing a novel is a great achievement. I grew up with the classics and Oscar Wilde will always have a special place in my heart. I still sob when I read The Happy Prince.
11–Is there a book that changed your life?
The Hobbit. I used to babysit my nieces and to keep them quiet would invent little Hobbit stories for them. One day, someone suggested perhaps I should jot some of my stories down. And now here I am.
12–Tell us about when you got “the call.” (when you found out your book was going to be published)/Or, for indie authors, when you decided to self-publish.
I’ll share the moment my agent called and told me they were interested in representing me. I think I came close to a heart attack that day. I stopped breathing and began to hyperventilate. In the back of my head, the sensible angel was whispering for me to calm down, there’s a very important person at the end of this line, but the wicked angel laughed and told me to just enjoy the moment. So, I did.
13–What’s your favorite genre to read?
Fantasy mysteries.
14–What’s your favorite movie?
Oh, that’s tricky because it has changed over the years. I suppose I still have a special spot in my heart for Working Girl, with Melanie Griffith and Harrison Ford. It’s a fabulous ‘determined girl against the wicked world’ kind of tale, which resonates a lot with me.
15–What is your favorite season?
Spring. I have pale Irish skin and although I love summer, I burn easy so spend a lot of the summer hours hiding in my hole. Maybe I was a vampire in my past life?
16–How do you like to celebrate your birthday?
I’m a foodie, so there must be a dinner and a slice of cake. I prefer to be wined and dined in a restaurant rather than a romantic table for two because in my house, that would mean a burnt offering not fit for a starving goblin. As I typically do most of the cooking, I feel I deserve something special on my big day!
17–What’s a recent tv show/movie/book/podcast you highly recommend?
Last night I watched ‘Where the Crawdads Sing,’ which I really enjoyed. I loved the setting, and the female lead was unique and highly relatable, even though the author portrayed her as an oddity.
18–What’s your favorite type of cuisine?
I was raised in England and although I like most things, my mother’s roast beef and Yorkshire pudding is always the first thing that comes to mind. A close second spot goes to Thai food.
19–What do you do when you have free time?
I love to create things. Depending on the day, that could mean writing, or gardening, or simply baking a pie. In fact, I wish I had more time for cooking, because it takes me away from all the pressures of the world to a happy place. In my kitchen I can do anything I want to, and no one really cares about how things turn out, so I can relax and just enjoy it.
20–What can readers expect from you next?
Dionne and Liam are wonderful characters and I think they deserve a sequel or two. Their relationship is a slow burn, and like the villains in Witchy Way, I have no intention of making their path to love an easy one. All I must do is decide how wicked I want to be. And I can be very, very, wicked. With my characters, I mean!
WITCHY WAY TO MURDER by Adrienne Blake
Dark Encounters
In the magical shadows of Philadelphia, every creature has an angle. Goblin witch Dionne Cruz is ace at sniffing them out. When her goblin partner and a local magic shop owner are abducted, the trail of clues leads her deep into the underworld, ruled by the murdering capo di tutti goblin, Redcap.Turns out Redcap was looking for a djinn who can grant him anything he wishes for. His notorious pub, The Rotting Corpse, is the last stop before the bottom of the Delaware river for any creature foolish enough to cross him. But when Dionne and her cop buddy scout the place, her missing friends are nowhere to be found.When Redcap himself turns up dead, she must track down a wily killer before feuding goblin gangs drench the streets of Philadelphia in blood. Who can she trust? Only her own gut instinct, and her wand.
Paranormal Romance [City Owl Press, On Sale: July 1, 2023, Paperback, ISBN: 9781648983115 / eISBN: 9781648983122]
Buy WITCHY WAY TO MURDER: Amazon.com | BN.com | Apple Books | Kobo | Google Play | Powell’s Books | Books-A-Million | Indie BookShops | Ripped Bodice | Love’s Sweet Arrow | Walmart.com | Target.com |
About Adrienne Blake
Adrienne Blake is a USA Today bestselling author of mystery and paranormal romance. She is also an Amazon Top 100 bestselling author. Her stories blend plot, humor, and love, all in one sizzling cauldron.
No Comments
Comments are closed.