Lisa Haselton's Reviews and Interviews: Interview with mystery author Heather Weidner

My special guest today is mystery author Heather Weidner. We’re chatting about her new traditional mystery, Secret Lives and Private Eyes.

During her virtual book tour, Heather will be awarding one (1) set of 4 Nancy Drew Wine Charms (US addresses only). To be entered for a chance to win, use the form below. To increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit her other tour stops and enter there, too.

Bio:

Heather Weidner’s short stories appear in Virginia is for Mysteries and Virginia is for Mysteries Volume II. Currently, she is President of Sisters in Crime – Central Virginia, and a member of Guppies and Lethal Ladies Write. Secret Lives and Private Eyes is her debut novel.

Originally from Virginia Beach, Heather has been a mystery fan since Scooby Doo and Nancy Drew. She lives in Central Virginia with her husband and a pair of Jack Russell terriers.

Heather earned her BA in English from Virginia Wesleyan College and her MA in American literature from the University of Richmond. Through the years, she has been a technical writer, editor, college professor, software tester, and IT manager.

Welcome, Heather. Please share a little bit about your current release.

Business has been slow for Private Investigator, Delanie Fitzgerald, but her luck seems to change when a tell-all author hires her to find rock star, Johnny Velvet. Could the singer whose career purportedly ended in a fiery crash almost thirty years ago, still be alive?

And as though sifting through dead ends in a cold case isn’t bad enough, Chaz Wellington Smith, III, a loud-mouthed, strip club owner, also hires Delanie to uncover information about the mayor’s secret life. When the mayor is murdered, Chaz, is the key suspect. Now Delanie must clear his name and figure out why landscaper Tripp Payne, keeps popping up in her other investigation. Can the private investigator find the connection between the two cases before another murder – possibly her own – takes place?

Secret Lives and Private Eyes is a fast-paced mystery that will appeal to readers who like a strong, female sleuth with a knack for getting herself in and out of humorous situations.

What inspired you to write this book?

I have been a fan of mysteries since Scooby Doo and Nancy Drew. I wanted story to have a strong, female sleuth. Delanie Fitzgerald is sassy and fearless, and she gets herself in and out of humorous situations. And she gets into way more trouble than I do.

Excerpt from Secret Lives and Private Eyes:

“Hey, do you want another drink?” slurred the man on the barstool next to Delanie Fitzgerald.

Delanie leaned in closer. “No, but I’d like to go somewhere and get to know you better. What do you think about that?” she asked, winking at the fifty-something sitting next to her. She tossed her long red curls to one side and tilted her head toward him. She hoped the black dress showed enough cleavage to do the trick.

He smiled. He looked like he was expecting her to kiss him. When she didn’t, he waved to the bartender for the tab.

The man placed two twenties on the bar next to his glass. Delanie slid off the barstool, careful not to cause her micro-dress to creep any higher. Flipping her shiny purse strap over her shoulder, she made her way out through the crowd. Delanie felt his ragged breaths on the back of her neck, huffing and puffing like he’d run three or four laps. He reached out and touched her shoulder, trying to steady himself.

When they arrived at the parking lot, she said, “I’m over there. I’ll follow you. Where to?

“I dunno. I’m not from this part of town.”

“We could go to your place,” she suggested.

“Uh, no. Too far. It wouldn’t be any fun.”

“Well, I’m all about fun. Okay, where then?” She shivered and wished she had brought a jacket, but it would have ruined the effect.

“Uh, I dunno,” he stammered. “I think they’re some places over near the interstate a couple of blocks from here.”

“Okay. I want somewhere nice with a Jacuzzi.”

“I didn’t bring a swimsuit.”

“Neither did I,” she said.

He leered at Delanie, taking in her long legs and short skirt, while fishing through his pockets for his keys.

“I’m in the beige Corolla down there,” he said.

She climbed in her black Mustang and watched him stagger to his car.

Delanie felt a tinge of guilt for letting him drive drunk, but she needed to get him at a motel. She started the engine. He still hadn’t made it to his car. After turning on the lights and the radio, she kicked off the four-inch heels that pinched her feet and made her calves burn. She threw them in the backseat and settled in to watch what he would do next.

He finally backed out, and Delanie followed behind him until he pulled into a small motel at the entrance ramp to I-95. The sign under the neon vacancy advertised Jacuzzis and free breakfast.

He parked and walked over to her car. Rolling down the window a crack, she waited. He leaned forward but didn’t say anything.

“Why don’t you get us a room?” she asked. “I’ll pull around back and wait for you to get everything ready.”

“Okay,” he smiled again and wandered off in the direction of the office. It was twelve thirty-five according to the radio display.

What exciting story are you working on next?
I am working on the sequel to Secret Lives and Private Eyes. I also have a short story, “Par for the Course” coming out in March of 2017 in a wine-themed, mystery anthology called 50 Shades of Cabernet.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I’ve been a writer for a long time. My first full-time job was a technical writer. I think I thought of myself a mystery writer when I had my first short story, “Washed up,” published in Virginia is for Mysteries.

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?

I try to write every day, but I do work full-time. I am an IT QA Manager by day. I write in the mornings, at lunch, in the evenings, and on my days off. It’s busy, but it’s a lot of fun.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I binge write. I try to write every day, but life gets in the way sometimes. I am also a plotter, one who likes to outline and plan. Then I start writing, and often the story takes on a life of its own. By the end of the book, I’m a pantser, one who writes by the seat of her pants.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
It changed frequently. Usually it was actress, ballerina, teacher, or astronaut.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

I share my home with my husband and two crazy Jack Russells. They’re great writing company. I bounce ideas and dialog off the JRTs frequently.

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