1--What is the title of your latest release?
DEATH IN BLOOM (Book 1 in the Flower House Mystery series)
2--What is it about?
It’s about flowers, dreams, mishaps, and mystery… Or, as the back cover says:
Sierra Ravenswood is the new part-time employee of the Flower House, a flower shop in Aerieville, Tennessee. It's true she didn't expect to be back in her hometown at twenty-eight years old, but after her dream of making it as a singer in Nashville crashed and burned, she's just grateful to have found a soft place to land.
Because, after all, Sierra firmly believes in being optimistic and positive about life, so she's sure she won't have to work at the Flower House forever. But things take a decidedly negative turn when a customer drops dead in the middle of her new bouquet-arranging workshop at the store. When it's discovered he was poisoned by a snack at the event, everyone at the workshop, including Sierra, is on the suspect list. To make matters worse, her boss has gone AWOL and left the store to her for the cost of one dollar, leaving Sierra in charge of both his store and his high-energy Corgi puppy, Gus.
The town is on edge, and Sierra knows that murder is something that an upbeat attitude and a bouquet of sweet-smelling roses can't fix. She's determined to figure out whodunit before anyone else in town meets an untimely reason for needing funeral flowers.
3--What do you love about the setting of your book?
The nearness of the mountains, with all their wildness and natural beauty. After I’d already written the book, I came across an article with a line that summed it up for me. Writer Justin Kirkland said, “When it comes to stories of Appalachia, I'm still waiting for more tales that depict the pride of living in such a lush and mysterious area.” Drop in a charming little town, and it’s the perfect setting for a cozy mystery.
4--How did your main character(s) surprise you?
As a discovery writer, rather than a strict outliner, I encounter lots of surprises as I write. I plan some of the general plot points, and I know the outcome, but the specific actions and reactions of the characters are often revealed to me as I’m writing.
5--Why will readers relate to your characters?
Like most of us, Sierra is doing the best she can, in spite of challenging situations. I think her desire to try to be positive and to keep working to improve her life is relatable, because, ultimately, we all want to be happy.
6--What was one of your biggest challenges while writing this book (spoiler-free, of course!)?
Without firsthand experience working as a florist, I had to do a lot of research on flowers—how to arrange them, which ones go best together, and when they’re in season, as well as research on the business of running a flower shop. If I made any mistakes, at least I can chalk it up to Sierra’s newness at the job!
7--Do you look forward to or do you dread the revision process?
I look forward to it because that means the first draft is written. A blank page can sometimes be daunting. Revisions, on the other hand, are all about refining and improving. It’s a chance to fix problems.
8--What’s your favorite snack to have on hand while writing?
If I get the munchies while writing, I usually go for tortilla chips… even better with cheese… and EVEN better in the form of loaded nachos.
9--Where would you go for an ideal writer’s retreat?
A cabin in the woods with all the comforts of home and none of the distractions.
10--What’s the best piece of writing advice you’ve received?
I’m far from alone in this, but I have to cite Anne Lamott’s famous essay Shitty First Drafts. It’s all about letting go of perfectionism and allowing yourself to write messy, clunky, childish drivel because you have to start somewhere. I think of this advice often—like almost every time I sit down to write.
11--Who is the fictional character you want to hang out with the most? (anyone in literature!)
Nancy Drew. She’s always traveling to interesting places and having adventures wherever she goes; plus she’s brave, resourceful, and curious—good traits to emulate!
12--What’s one of your earliest book memories?
Visiting the public library with my mom and younger siblings. We were lucky to have a Carnegie library in a fantastic old classical-revival limestone building. The children’s books were in the lower level, down a winding narrow staircase. We’d visit every week or two and come home with big stacks of books that Mom would read to us, doing all the characters’ voices and making every book exciting. Thanks to my mom, my love of books started early.
13--If you had to write in a different genre, what would it be and why?
I’d choose fantasy because I think I’d have fun creating an entirely new world and playing with fantastical elements. I’d probably have to stick a mystery in it, though.
14--What song will automatically put you in a good mood?
“A Little Less Conversation” by Elvis Presley. It never fails to get me dancing at my desk. :)
15--What is your favorite way to practice self-care?
Allowing myself to just lie down and take a nap. Sometimes that’s all my body and mind need to reset and recharge.
16--What can you eat and never get sick of?
I want to say pizza, but the truth is I could probably eat pizza only once or twice a week. Cereal with blueberries, however, I eat every single morning and still love.
17--Will you share a favorite, recent-ish book you recommend?
I recently started the Sarah Booth Delaney Mysteries by Carolyn Haines. From Book 1 (THEM BONES), I was hooked. I appreciate the high-quality writing, the laugh-out-loud humor, the sassy Southern charm, and, of course, the compelling mysteries. Book 23 (!), INDEPENDENT BONES, just came out this month.
18--Do you have any hobbies?
My at-home hobbies include reading, journaling, and studying tarot cards. My when-I-have-more-time hobbies include hiking and yoga.
19--Are you an early bird or a night owl?
I’ve always been a night owl. It takes a while to wake up in the morning, and I’m never ready for the day to end.
20--What can readers expect from you next?
Book 2 in the Flower House Mysteries, PETALS AND POISON, will be released on November 30, 2021.
At the Flower House, every rose has its thorn . . .
Sierra Ravenswood is the new part-time employee of the Flower House, a flower shop in Aerieville, Tennessee. It's true she didn't expect to be back in her hometown at twenty-eight-years-old, but after her dream of making it as a singer in Nashville crashed and burned, she's just grateful to have found a soft place to land.
Because, after all, Sierra firmly believes in being optimistic and positive about life, so she's sure she won't have to work at the Flower House forever. But things take a decidedly negative turn when a customer drops dead in the middle of her new bouquet-arranging workshop at the store. When it's discovered he was poisoned by a snack at the event, everyone at the workshop, including Sierra, is on the suspect list. To make matters worse, her boss has gone AWOL and left the store to her for the cost of one dollar, leaving Sierra in charge of both his store and his high-energy Corgi puppy, Gus.
The town is on edge, and Sierra knows that murder is something that an upbeat attitude and a bouquet of sweet-smelling roses can't fix. She's determined to figure out whodunit, before anyone else in town meets an untimely reason for needing funeral flowers.
Mystery Private Eye | Mystery Cozy [St. Martin's Paperbacks, On Sale: May 25, 2021, Mass Market Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9781250769510 / eISBN: 9781250769510]
JESS DYLAN is an environmental attorney by day and author by night. As Jennifer David Hesse, she wrote the Wiccan Wheel Mysteries, a cozy series, with Kensington Publishing. Born and raised in Central Illinois, Jess now makes her home in Chicago with her musician husband, college-bound teen, and high-spirited Corgi. In her spare time, Jess enjoys yoga, hiking, reading, and movie night with her family.
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