A Conversation with Author Debra Sennefelder

Food blogging is turning Hope Early into a household name. But the dead body down the block makes her a #1 suspect . . . The Corpse in the Gazebo (A Food Blogger Mystery) by Debra Sennefelder

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What inspired the idea for your book? 

I wanted to write a story about neighbors and secrets. 

What was the most surprising thing you learned in writing this book? 

I think it was the fact that I really enjoyed putting Hope through the wringer. Yeah, it was really fun. 

If you were friends with a character in this book, what kinds of things would you do together?

 Hope and I would definitely go to a farmer’s market together and then whip up lunch later.

What does it mean to you to be called an author? 

It represents what I worked so hard at for so many years to achieve.

How do you define success as an author? 

Being able to write stories that readers want to read.

What comes first for you — the plot or the characters? 

It depends. If I’m creating a new series, then I’m focused on creating the characters first because I need to populate the word with characters who can sustain the long run of the series and characters who are only there for one book. Then I start thinking about plot. If I’m working on a new book in an existing series, then the plot is what comes to mind first. It usually begins with the “what if” question or maybe even a title idea. 

Aside from writing or reading, what are your hobbies or interests?

I love to bake and cook. When I’m not writing, I’m in the kitchen. Several years ago I started a food blog while I took a hiatus from writing fiction. And when I was ready to get back to writing, I used my experience from food blogging to write my first series. 

What advice would you give to a writer working on their first book?

There’s so much advice to give but I’d have to share the tip of putting your head down and write. While you’re writing your first book, don’t worry about promo, about social media, about which path to publication to choose. Focus on writing the best story you can. All the rest will come in due time and you’ll be able to learn all those other skills. 

What are you reading now? 

I’m reading The Sanatorium by Sarah Pearse.

Describe yourself in as few words as possible. 

That’s easy. Capricorn.

_{For more about Debra Sennefelder and her Food Blogger Mystery Series Check out these other posts:
*Spotlight – Three Widows and a Corpse by Debra Sennefelder
*Review: The Corpse Who Knew Too Much (A Food Blogger Mystery) by Debra Sennefelder}

Food blogging is turning Hope Early into a household name. But the dead body down the block makes her a #1 suspect . . .

It seems everyone loves Hope’s blog these days, and she’s busier than ever volunteering to help other women create their own paths to success. So she’s shocked when a neighbor petitions to run Hope right out of her small Connecticut town! Set in her ways, apparently Birdie Donovan doesn’t like the chaos Hope’s sleuthing creates, the police activity and crime scenes, and it’s happening way too often lately. Eager to make amends, Hope bakes Birdie a batch of her best muffins. The delicious treats might have smoothed things over—until Hope discovers Birdie dead in her gazebo the very next day . . .

Now instead of worrying about holding on to her beloved home, Hope is trying to stay out of jail. Because suddenly she’s the lead suspect in the case. Not even her boyfriend, Police Chief Ethan Cahill, is promising he can clear her name, much less discuss the investigation with her. It’s up to Hope to get to bake new ground on the case before the lifestyle brand she’s created—and her whole life—crumbles . . .

Includes Recipes from Hope’s Kitchen!

Purchase Links – AMAZON – BARNES & NOBLE – KENSINGTON – KOBO – GOOGLE – INDIEBOUND

Debra Sennefelder is an avid reader who reads across a range of genres, but mystery fiction is her obsession. Her interest in people and relationships is channeled into her novels against a backdrop of crime and mystery.

Her first novel, THE UNINVITED CORPSE (A Food Blogger mystery) was published in 2018.In addition to writing the Food Blogger mystery series, she writes the Resale Boutique Mystery series. When she’s not reading, she enjoys cooking and baking and as a former food blogger, she is constantly taking photographs of her food. Yeah, she’s that person.

Born and raised in New York City, where she majored in her hobby of fashion buying, she now lives and writes in Connecticut with her family. She’s worked in retail and publishing before becoming a full-time author. Her writing companion is her adorable and slightly spoiled Shih Tzu, Connie.

Author Links

• WEBSITE: http://bit.ly/2lQwSNi
• NEWSLETTER: http://bit.ly/2jBx9oV
• FACEBOOK AUTHOR PAGE: http://bit.ly/2qjwHyT
• GOODREADS – http://bit.ly/2DpMPE8
• INSTAGRAM: http://bit.ly/2EQh6da
• BOOKBUB: http://bit.ly/2mkLpnz

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

September 21 – Author Elena Taylor’s Blog – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

September 21 – Novels Alive – GUEST POST

September 22 – Cinnamon, Sugar, and a Little Bit of Murder – REVIEW, RECIPE

September 22 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

September 23 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW

September 23 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

September 24 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

September 24 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW

September 25 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW, GUEST POST

September 25 – Baroness’ Book Trove – REVIEW

September 26 – Brooke Blogs – RECIPE POST

September 26 – Lisa Ks Book Review – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW

September 27 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT

September 27 – I Read What You Write – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

September 28 – I’m All About Books – SPOTLIGHT

September 28 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

September 29 – Hearts & Scribbles – SPOTLIGHT

September 29 – Christa Reads and Writes – SPOTLIGHT

September 30 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

September 30 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

October 1 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

October 2 – Laura’s Interests – GUEST POST 

October 3 – Cassidy’s Bookshelves – GUEST POST

October 3 – Reading Authors Network – SPOTLIGHT

October 4 – BookishKelly2020 – SPOTLIGHT  

October 4 – Melina’s Book Blog – REVIEW