Today we are visiting with Ann Everett whose first book, Laid Out and Candle Lit, has been out a short time, and enjoying good sales, I might add. Welcome, Ann. Can you start by telling us a little about your book?
Ann: Laid Out and Candle
Lit is a humorous, romance, mystery, set in the real life town of Bownsboro, Texas. Tizzy Donovan, the protagonist, discovers a dead body in the cemetery and quickly becomes a suspect. The victim is Tizzy’s former sister-in-law and there was no love lost between them. Texas Ranger Ridge Cooper comes to town to investigate the murder and is immediately attracted to Tizzy. Adding some fun to the serious business of solving the murder is a skunk attack, a bar fight, and some down home wit and wisdom offered by Tizzy’s mom and aunt, Pattiecake and Sugarpie.
JRC: Sounds like fun. How did you pick Brownsboro, and how did you start it off in a cemetery?
Ann: I’d actually been at the cemetery in Brownsboro in 2007 picking out a burial plot for myself and my husband. The mowing crew was there that day and one of the workers struck up a conversation with my daddy. Everything the guy said was funny. Later, when I was recounting some of what the man said to family members, someone said, “You should write a book.” The next week, I sat down to write a short story and before I knew it, I had written 20,000 words and I wasn’t done! It became a novel on its own.
JRC: Did you use any “real” people. Did you step on any Brownsboro toes?
Ann: Some hometown folks tell me they recognize some of the characters in the book, but as far as I know, I haven’t made anybody mad…yet! Lots of my characters are modeled after people I know…or a combination of people. Pattiecake and Sugarpie are modeled after my sister and me, and in real life we really are good bakers. Tizzy’s brother, County Sheriff Dan McAlister, is based on my brother Dan, who worked in law enforcement. Saint, Tizzy’s dad, is based on my daddy, Saint. I’ve just always loved his name and wanted to use it. I’m not sure I disguised them much. Of course, I made all of us younger. I have Tizzy’s sass, Rayann’s fears, Dan’s fire, and Saint’s kindness. So, there’s a little of me in each character.
JRC: I’ve read the book, but I going to read it again to check you out. With the success of Laid Out and Candle Lit, I’m sure there’s another book coming. What can you tell us about that one. Do you have a title yet?
Ann: The second book, You’re Busting My Nuptials, is due for release this summer. I’m currently in first round edits. It revolves around a kidnapping. Tizzy and Texas Ranger Ridge Cooper are engaged at the end of Laid Out and Candle Lit, and the next book takes up where it left off. Tizzy is at the church waiting for her groom and he doesn’t show up. She decides he’s been abducted, so she, along with best friend, Rayann, and two new characters set out to find him. Along the way, they have run-ins with some clowns, gnomes, strippers, a Baptist Deacon, and an old fortune teller…just to name a few who keep the humor coming.
JRC: I guess I’ll have to wait until summer for it, but let me put in my order for a copy right now. Ann, thanks – not only for the interview, but also for an entertaining book that makes you laugh out loud in places and in others places worry that the killer will get away.
Ann has offered to give a copy of Laid Out and Candle Lit. I’m going to take all the names of those who comment over the next four weeks and select one at random to get a free copy of a fun read. Use the “Reply” button at the bottom, or the balloon at the top to leave a comment. You have a chance for a free book, and a sincere thanks from me.
I encourage all of you to visit Ann’s website at: www.anneverett.weebly.com. Her book is available on Amazon.com in either paperback or a Kindle edition.
Jim,
Thanks again for doing the interview about my book, LAID OUT AND CANDLE LIT. I appreciate it very much.
I’m just now getting caught up on replies to the nice comments everyone left.
Thanks so much….from the bottom of my heart.
~Ann
What funny, evocative names you’ve given your characters! I will certainly look for this book – thanks for letting us know what’s in store for us lucky readers.
Hi Catherine!
Thanks for taking the time to read this interview and leaving the kind words.
If you do read the book, I’d love to hear from you. I appreciate all feedback…positive and negative.
~Ann
Jim I enjoyed reading this blog, Ann’s book sounds like a crack-up, I’m looking forward to reading it. Thanks for sharing. Augie Hicks
Augie!
Hopefully by now you’ve received the book. So, congratulations on being the winner. I hope you enjoy it. I’d love to hear from you…good or bad.
Thanks so much for taking the time to read this interview and leave a comment.
~Ann
Great interview. Makes me wanna head right on over an’ kindle me that book. So move aside ’cause I wanna be readin’ it at bedtime.
I will be tweeting this – everyone needs to say they know a Pattiecake’, Sugarpie, Tizzy an’ Saint.
Hi Susan!
Thanks so much for taking the time to read this interview and leave a comment. It means the world to me.
~Ann
Great interview. Makes me wanna head right on over an’ kindle me that book. So move aside ’cause I wanna be readin’ it at bedtime.
Thank you Susan for taking time to read this interview and the kind comments you left.
~Ann
I haven’t read Laid Out And Candle Lit….. But have read “Your Busting My Nuptials” and that was enough for me! Enough to tell me this is one professional and hysterical writer!
I will be purchasing this novel with full confidence I am going to be fully entertained!
She is a jewel when it come to humor with an ornery edge.
The Texas thing didn’t bother me either ;0
Hi Patti!
Thanks so much for reading this interview and leaving a comment. I appreciate it very much.
Thanks also for all your critique help with YBMN. It’s gone to the publisher…hope to have it out this summer.
~Ann
How can a murder mystery be hysterical? Only Ann Everett can figure that out! I’ve read Laid Out and Candle Lit and completely enjoyed it, and read the next one while workshopping. Very consistently funny, great reads. Congrats on the book and the interview, Ann!
Linda!
Thanks, my friend, for taking the time to read my interview and leave a comment. I appreciate it so much.
~Ann
I enjoyed the lovable characters on my first edit of the manuscript; enjoyed not only the characters but the WHOLE story on my final line edit of the book. I didn’t “know from Texas” when I first read the work, but now feel that I could fit in very comfortably there. GRAND first book!!!
Phyl!
Thank you so much for reading my interview and leaving such a kind comment.
In addition, I want to thank you again for all your hard work editing the book. You rock!
~Ann
Hmmm, what to say? Everyone stole my words! Real life is full of enough drama and woes to warrant a good dose of humor to get you through. Sounds like a fun read. And Jim, nice blog!
Brenda,
Thank you so much for taking the time to read my interview and comment. I truly appreciate it.
If you read the book, I’d love to hear from you and your thoughts about it.
~Ann
Ann Everett is so supercool, the whole Texas thing doesn’t even bother me. 🙂
Johnny…Johnny…Johnny!!
I cannot tell you how happy it made me to see your name here. As one of my critiquers…and you were a tough one, I owe you a lot for helping make LOACL better than it was during the first draft.
You know I’ll always have a soft spot in my heart for you, having adopted you as my cyber child!
Thank you so much, John, for taking the time to read this interview and leave a comment. It means the world to me.
~Ann
I saw an interview with Ann on TV in Tyler, TX and read the book on my Kindle the next week. I even read parts of it to my husband on a trip. We laughed out loud. I have recommended it to everyone I know and we all can’t wait for “You’re Busting my Nuptials” to be released! Please keep writing more books, Ann! Just write faster!!!
–night reader in TX
Margie!
Thanks for taking the time to read this interview and leave a comment. Your kind words mean so much. I’m always delighted when I get an email out of the blue from someone who has read the book and liked it. Your email, from a few weeks back, came that way and made my day.
I hope to meet you sometime. Thank you so much for your support of my book.
~Ann
I have read both of Ann’s character-driven books, and would recommend them to everybody. They are wonderful slices of Americana, Texas style, that leave the sweet taste of chocolate in your mouth.
Of all the praises I could shower the author with, it’s her feel for this tight-knit community in Texas that stands out as her biggest hook, and she brings it home to every page.
Nathan!
My dear friend and critiquer…thank you so much for taking the time to read my interview and leave a comment. It made me happy to see your name in the replies.
To make you happy, I should include two words which need a hyphen!! LOL
~Ann
Okay, last try to leave a comment, threes the charm, right? I can’t wait to read this. The title alone had me laughing, can’t wait to read.
Linda!
Thanks so much for trying so many times to leave a comment! I appreciate your dedication!! If you read the book, I’d love to hear from you and any feedback you might offer.
Thanks so much.
~Ann
I posted the above comment for Marja. For some reason, she couldn’t get it to post. If you have trouble posting, please let me know. Thanks.
jim@jamesrcallan.com
Great interview, and I can see that I’ll be reading an Ann Everett book soon. If your interview is anything like your writing style, I know I’ll enjoy your book.
Thanks, Marja
Marja McGraw
Bogey Nights
Old Murders Never Die
Bogey’s Ace in the Hole (Feb. 2012)
http://www.marjamcgraw.com
Hi Marja!
Thanks for taking the time to read my interview and leave a comment. If you do read LOACL, I would love to hear from you. I appreciate all feedback, both positive and negative. It helps me become a better writer.
~Ann
Jim,
Great interview!
Humor, romance and mystery! Sound like a winning combination to me, Ann. Best of luck with “Laid Out and Candle Lit.”
Patricia,
Thank you so much for taking the time to read my interview and leave a comment. I truly appreciate it.
~Ann
Sounds like a fun read! I haven’t read your work yet, but I intend to. Keep up the good work, Ann!
I always love when I get a male reader! Even though there is romance in the book, I hope you find the humor and mystery just as enjoyable.
If you do read it, I’d love to hear from you. Please email me and let me know what you think…good or bad. All reviews help me become a better writer.
~Ann
The book sounds like a hoot. I love small town heroes/heroines and if you add some humor, all the better. The best ideas often come from places and people familiar to us.
Thank you for taking the time to read this interview and leave a comment.
If you read the book, I’d love to hear from you.
~Ann
Ann sounds like someone it would be fun to have as a friend . . . as well as in my Word Weavers writing critique group! Most of my co-writers are working on sci-fi, fantasy or thrillers. Not many laughs there! Ann, if you’re ever in New Hampshire . . .
Oh my goodness! My publisher is in NH!! I’ve never been there but a visit is on my bucket list. I also have a wonderful reader/critiquer from NH…Nancy DeMarco. She has a new book , Saving Sara, coming out soon, so check it out.
I’m a sucker for a fun title and both of Ann’s make me grin.
Terrific website, Jim. I love the Puerto Vallarta skyline and how dramatic is that lightening bolt? Will be looking forward to seeing more on your site. This is one to monitor.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read my interview and leave a comment.
~Ann
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You don’t have to give me a free book, I have it in hard back AND on my Kindle. I’ve also read Your Busting My Nuptials in the workshop stage and plan to buy it as soon as it comes off the presses. I love Ann, and I love her humor, honesty and I admire her efforts to preserve small town Texas life. She says she created these characters, but I swear you can find them in any small community in Texas, they’re so realistic. Ann has actually created a new literary genre, Mystery/humor/romance. The mystery will keep you guessing, the humor will lift your spirits better than Positive Jesus, the romance…well, let’s just say it had this fifty seven year-old woman fanning herself and reaching for sweet tea. I love this book and recommend everyone reading this comment BUY IT.
dagnee:)
Dags,
I can always count on you to read anything concerning me!! I thank you from the bottom of my heart for such loyal readership.
~Ann
Enjoyed the interview and finding out how the story idea was developed. You just never know when and where an idea will strike. Enjoyed Laid Out, and look forward to the next book.
Maryann!
I’m about half done with your book and I LUV it. Thanks so much for reading the interview and leaving a comment.
~Ann
I’ve read this book and highly recommend it! Well written and humorous with a twist! You will not be able to put it down!
Patty!
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this interview and leave a comment.
~Ann