Jean Harrington, Author of The Monet Murders, Talks Writing

My guest today is Jean Harrington. In her former life, Jean wrote advertising copy, and for 17 years taught English lit and writing at Becker College in Worcester, Massachusetts. Then she and husband Big John moved to Naples, Florida, and she's been writing ever since. In 2007 and 2009, her two historical romances were published. And the first in her Murders by Design Mystery Series, Designed for Death, was released. Currently working on the third in her mystery series, Jean is up to her knees in dead bodies and loving every minute of it.   

Anne - Welcome, Jean. It’s a pleasure to chat with you today. Let’s begin with something relatively simple, yet oh-so personal. Are you a glass half-empty or half-full kind of person?

Jean - Depends on what’s in the glass. If it’s wine then the glass always seems half empty. I can’t understand how that happens. Tea or cocoa lasts forever. Go figure. Actually, seriously, my glass of life is filled to the brim.

Anne – Fun answer! Okay, let’s get serious. Tell us about your most recent release. 

Jean - My most recent release, The Monet Murders, is the second in the Murders by Design Mysteries published by Carina Press, the electronic division of Harlequin. It’s due out today (June 11) in both e-book and audio format. Here’s the back cover blurb:

Interior decorator Deva Dunne never dreamed she'd see a Monet hanging on someone's dining room wall. Then she snags a client with two Monet seascapes. Her thrill lasts until she finds one of the paintings missing, cut from its frame, and the cook shot dead.

Rough-around-the edges, but gorgeous all-around Lieutenant Victor Rossi insists Deva leave the sleuthing to the police. But what could it hurt to come up with a list of suspects? Like the owner of the Monets, his trophy wife, and their frequent guests. Even the cook's husband is suspect. Then Deva finds another victim, clutching a very strange set of clues.

Desperate to save her business amid all the negative publicity, Deva helps Rossi investigate. And when he needs advice decorating his bedroom, she just might have found a client for life.  Unless the killer gets to her first.

Anne – It sounds just like my kind of book! Any words of advice for struggling, unpublished writers?

Jean - The magic bullet is to keep on writing. Every day. In 10-15 minute increments if necessary. On the bus, on the train, on your lunch break. At night. Early in the morning. While the children are napping. With persistence like that chances are some day you’ll be known not just as a writer but as an author.

Anne – Outside of writing, what accomplishment are you most proud?

Jean - Outside of writing, I’m most proud of my two children. Like my books, they’re not perfect, but I love them and all their--minor—imperfections. 

 

Anne - Complete this sentence: I will do everything to promote my books except (fill in the blank).

Jean – I will do everything to promote my book except take off my clothes. Actually I’m lying. I would take off my clothes in Macy’s window if one of the big NY publishers gave me a six figure contract. So I’m working out daily—just in case.

Anne – LOL, Jean! If you could snap your fingers where would you visit, return, or move to? Why? 

Jean - Where? Oh, I don’t know—many places fascinate. Now if the question asked WHO would I visit, return to or move to, that might make for a truly fascinating answer.  Ha!  I love a mystery.

Anne – So do I, but would you email me privately with your answer? I’d love to know WHO!

This has been so much fun I’m really sorry this is the final question. Where can readers find you online?

Jean - I invite everyone to visit my website: www.jeanharrington.com. First chapter excerpts of both Murders by Design books are posted there. And I lurk on Facebook at JeanHarringtonNaples and on Twitter at jeanharrington1. Also I blog with irregularity on the B & N Mystery Form, the Carina Press Authors Blog Site and NotYourUsualSuspects blog site.

Anne – Thanks so much for dropping by today, Jean. As always, it’s been a blast! I wish you every success with The Monet Murders and the Murders by Design Mysteries.

Readers, you comments are always welcome and appreciated. If you have a question for either Jean or myself, please ask away. Don’t be shy. To ensure you receive every post, update, giveaway, etc., subscribe to my updates. You won’t be sorry, plus, I offer a triple back guarantee of what it cost for you to sign up. ;-)

Until next time, happy reading!

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