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

TCL- It’s the culmination of everything I have worked for since I was ten years old and wrote my first book of fairy tales!   I always dreamed of seeing a book of mine on the shelves at the bookstore, and Meow if it’s Murder, the first Nick and Nora mystery, was the realization of that dream.

IR- Can you tell us a bit about the story and its main characters?

TCL- When a local PI’s untimely death is ruled a suicide by the police, budding sleuth Nora Charles has no intention of letting sleeping dogs lie—or sleeping cats, for that matter. Certain it was a case of foul play, Nora rouses her trusty sidekick Nick and launches an investigation of her own. Then a second PI is murdered, and Nora knows the two men were on to something—and that she’s on to something too.

Following the enigmatic clues left by her late predecessors, Nora soon uncovers a plot that involves a local politician, missing campaign funds, and what could be a bogus real estate deal. But when hints of treason surface, what started as small-time thievery soon balloons into a matter of national security. With the uncanny Nick sniffing out—and spelling out—leads, Nora follows a trail that will take her to the heart of a shadowy conspiracy, and into a trap set by a conniving culprit that will have her wishing she had Nick’s nine lives . . .

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

TCL- That I possess more patience than I thought because several instances gave me a very hard time.

IR- Do you have any “side stories” about any of the characters?

TCL- Nick the cat is modeled after my own tuxedo cat, ROCCO.  Rocco inspired the book when he jumped up on my lap while I was watching The Thin Man on tv.  And yes, ROCCO is just as smart and inquisitive as Nick!  Sometimes the two of them are too smart for their own good. 

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

TCL- I’d like to be friends with Nora’s bestie, Chantal. We could go to psychic fairs and tarot card readings together!  (I wrote paranormal long before I wrote cozies!)

IR- How do you define success as an author?

TCL- When someone sends me a message or an email, telling me how much they enjoyed my book, and what it meant to them…that’s success to me.

IR- What difference do you see between a writer and an author?

TCL- Basically, an author is someone who has achieved publication status.  You can be a writer and write anything – a card, a letter, etc. But an author has a career.  In my opinion.

IR- How do you avoid or defeat writer’s block?

TCL- I’m going thru about right now with the beginning of Nick and Nora #9.  Basically, I  have to leave it for a few days, then go back. Hopefully, something will inspire me in the meantime.

IR- What are you working on in the near future?

TCL- My agent is shopping around some other manuscripts, but right now I’m working on Nick and Nora 9.  I just finished NN8.

IR- Who is your audience?

TCL- Anyone who loves a good mystery – and cats!

IR- How do you interact with your readers?

TCL- Via my website and Facebook. Also ROCCO’s blog, Cats, Books, and More Cats.  We host author interviews and giveaways each month and also review cozy mysteries.

IR- What are you reading now? 

TCL- A Three Book Problem by Vicki Delany

IR-  If your book were made into a movie, which actors would play your characters?

TCL- Oh wow!  I think Reese Witherspoon would make a good Nora!  Maybe ROCCO could play Nick?

IR- If you had a secret room that opened by pulling a book on a shelf, what book would you choose?

TCL- Gone with the Wind

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

TCL- I love watching old movies and musicals. One of my favorite movies is MUSIC AND LYRICS. Who knew Hugh Grant could sing?

IR- Describe yourself in as few words as possible.

TCL- A creative, albeit older, person.

IR- What would your dream library look like?

TCL- Every cozy mystery that was ever published, and also books by JD Robb and the entire Perry Mason series by Erle Stanley Gardner.

About The Book

Murder Faux Paws: A Nick and Nora Mystery

Dead men tell no tales, but in the riveting new Nick and Nora Mystery, they sure leave a lot of clues . . .

When a local PI’s untimely death is ruled a suicide by the police, budding sleuth Nora Charles has no intention of letting sleeping dogs lie—or sleeping cats, for that matter. Certain it was a case of foul play, Nora rouses her trusty sidekick Nick and launches an investigation of her own. Then a second PI is murdered, and Nora knows the two men were on to something—and that she’s on to something too.

Following the enigmatic clues left by her late predecessors, Nora soon uncovers a plot that involves a local politician, missing campaign funds, and what could be a bogus real estate deal. But when hints of treason surface, what started as small-time thievery soon balloons into a matter of national security. With the uncanny Nick sniffing out—and spelling out—leads, Nora follows a trail that will take her to the heart of a shadowy conspiracy, and into a trap set by a conniving culprit that will have her wishing she had Nick’s nine lives . . .

Purchase Link – Amazon –  B&N  – Google Play  –  Apple iBooks  –  Kobo  –  Smashwords 

About the Author

T.C. Lotempio is the national bestselling author of the Nick and Nora mystery series, as well as the Pet Shop Mystery Series and the Cat Rescue mysteries.  She lives in sunny Phoenix Arizona along with her two cats, Maxx and ROCCO, who is a talented blogger himself.  Cat-ch up with them at her website, tclotempio.net, or ROCCO’s blog, www.catsbooksmorecats.blogspot.com

• Blog: www.catsbooksmorecats.blogspot.com
• Website: http://www.tclotempio.net
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/toni.lotempio.5
• Twitter:  @RoccoBlogger

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