Author Interview and Book Giveaway: Nancy Lynn Jarvis

Hi all. Today author Nancy Lynn Jarvis is stopping by for an interview and giveaway. Please read on for details about her latest book in her PIP Inc Mystery Series called Dearly Beloved Departed and also for info on how to win an e-copy.

About the book:
Ms. Jarvis presents a fun and engagingly written mystery in Dearly Beloved Departed, the fourth book in the PIP Inc. Mysteries. This intriguing story lures the reader forward with plot twists and the intriguingly convergent thinking of Pat Pirard, not to mention her ensemble of endearing friends. ~ Dannye Williamsen, author of Brita Madison Paranormal Mysteries

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Q: Welcome to my blog Nancy, please tell us a bit about yourself.
A: I’m a registered Gezzerette who didn’t start writing until I was fifty-eight. I don’t want any of you out there reading this who think you’re too old to start a writing career to give up. Once I started writing, I had so much fun doing it that it became an addiction. So far I‘ve written a seven-book series, Regan McHenry Real Estate Mysteries, a stand-alone novel, Mags and the AARP Gang, and a little insider’s book called The Truth About Hosting Airbnb. I also gave editing a try, publishing two wildly different books, Cozy Food: 128 Cozy Mystery Writers Share Their Favorite Recipes and an anthology titled Santa Cruz Weird.

The cookbook and anthology were great fun to do and introduced me to many delightful fellow writers, but editing isn’t one of my strengths so right now I’m working on a new series, PIP Inc. Mysteries. Book four in the series, Dearly Beloved Departed has come out recently and I’d like to give one of you a free e-copy of it.

Do I write from life? Sort of. I was a realtor for many years so the real estate stories in my mysteries are fact-based even if the murders aren’t. I was an Airbnb host for a little more than three years and received over fifty emails from all over the world asking if I was okay after the CZU Fire which ended that adventure. For the PIP Inc. Mysteries, which stands for Private Investigator Pat, I borrowed a friend’s identity. The only really different book was Mags. She is an imaginary character who more or less dedicated her story as I typed it. (Characters talking to their writers is a common occurrence and does not mean we’re crazy.)

Q: What would you say is your strength as a writer?
A: I still feel odd referring to myself as a writer. I’m a storyteller, a skill I learned from my Irish grandmother and perfected making up bedtime stories for my children when they were young. Telling stories and seeing how they piece together is my greatest strength.

Q: How long does it take you to write a book?
A: Except for The Corpse’s Secret Life which I wrote during the time I was displaced and then living in a house undergoing reconstruction post-fire, books usually take about five months to get ready for beta readers. After that it takes another couple of months to work with editors and make changes and corrections.

Q: Who are your favorite authors and what strikes you the most about their work?
A: I read broadly so I’m going to narrow your questions down to just mysteries, if I may. I like classic British authors like Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers and my new favorite, Richard Osman. They rely more on intrigue, subtle clues, and complex relationships rather than graphic violence and action which, as a cozy mystery writer, appeals to me.

Q: What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?
A: Hands down rocky road.

Links:
– Amazon Author Page
– Facebook
– Goodreads

About the author:
Nancy is a happily former Realtor. Without a license to hold her back, she is free to share her opinions about all things real estate especially in Regan McHenry Real Estate Mysteries. She’s had a checkered career past: she’s worked for the San Jose Mercury News, been a librarian, photo archivist, and been the business manager of Shakespeare/Santa Cruz.
Her work history reflects her philosophy: people should try something radically different every few years.

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Thank you for stopping by Nancy! I enjoyed this interview. That’s great advice about not thinking it’s too late to begin writing. Best of luck with your books!

Giveaway Details *now closed*
To enter to win an e-copy of Dearly Beloved Departed leave a comment on this post and please include your email address. A winner will be announced here on April 4th. Good luck!

Thank you all for commenting! The winner is Martha! You’ll be hearing from the author soon. Happy reading!