Got this question yesterday in the comment section and thought it might just make a good post, since I haven't talked too much about my new series lately.
Kelly D. said...
I have a question. Looking back over your blogs, I see that you finished the Nina Quinn series because your publishing house no longer did "cozy" mysteries. You have started a "romance-mystery" series. What is the difference?
The Nina Quinn series felt like a Romance-mystery. I love mysteries, but don't know the difference in those. Thanks!
Hi Kelly,
I'm actually not sure how to describe the new series! LOL. It's not going to be published as a mystery (or a romance), but as mainstream fiction (you'll find it in your fiction section). It does have some mystery. It does have some romance. And it has some supernatural (Lucy is psychic), but the story is mostly about Lucy trying to find her place in her family and the world.
The new title (it was Truly, Madly, Deadly) is Lucy Valentine, and it will be pubbed under my name (not a pen name) and will be released in February. It's getting a ton of great feedback, and I'm really excited to see it on the shelves.
As for your question, a lot of mysteries are straight mysteries: dead body, hunt for whodunit, interesting characters. The mystery is the main plot. Of course I broke this rule with Nina Quinn, which made those books more of "chick lit" mystery, where her crazy family and love life also took on big roles in the series. The Lucy series has equal romance (hello, sexy PI) and mystery (one of Lucy's matchmaking clients might be tied to a murder) and chaos (unusual family, a lost little boy, a best friend running away from her life)--which might explain why it's headed toward the fiction aisle--doesn't quite fit anywhere else.
Not sure I answered your question, but I hope this helps!
Hi Heather,
ReplyDeleteSo glad you're filling us in with Lucy Valentine news. It's going to be so exciting to count down the months,weeks, days until its release!
I have to say I'm glad you changed the design. I like this format much better than April 14th's!
Shelley
Thanks, Shelley! Yeah, I like this one better too. I'm a simple girl at heart. But I won't tell you how long it took me to get that header the way I wanted it. (yikes!)
ReplyDeleteCongrats on getting to write under your own name! I'm finally getting that chance myself, and I'm over the moon.
ReplyDeleteLove the new color on the blog!
Thanks for the answer Heather! I kinda-sorta knew the difference, but wanted to clarify. I'll look for your new series. I have really enjoyed the Nina Quinn series. I love the interaction between Nina, her family and friends. I have the last 2 Nina Quinn books to read, so I'm going to go buy them, pop a Dr. Pepper (my fav also), and enjoy. Thanks again, good luck with your new series!
ReplyDeleteHi Heather,
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to the new Lucy Valentine book. That has got to be pretty exciting.
I do miss Nina Quinn and I think of her when I'm munching on Almond Joys. Seriously though, your Nina Quinn series got me through some pretty stressful doctor appointments in the past year. Such a joy to be able to have a chuckle or two while waiting for tests and such. :-)