Mystery We Write Blog Tour: A Conversation with Anne K. Albert




A conversation with Anne K. Albert:

It’s a pleasure to visit with you today, Marilyn. When we first chatted, you asked what inspired me to write FRANK, INCENSE AND MURIEL, first book of the Muriel Reeves Mysteries. The short answer is snakes. The long answer, well, the long answer will take at least the rest of the week, but I’ll try to keep it short!

When my husband retired, we downsized and moved out of the city to a quiet condo complex near a lake, aimed specifically at seniors. The first year was wonderful. Then, the neighbor from hell moved in next door – literally. Only our shared living room and upstairs bedroom walls separated him from us.

In his early 30s, with shaved head, tattoos, two massive guard dogs and a surly attitude, we soon realized he was involved in the drug trade. As bad as that was, he delighted in telling everyone about his assortment of 40 large snakes and a few hundred rats (the snake’s food). It is truly amazing how one unscrupulous individual can turn a community upside down.

After several months of utter and complete turmoil, including the ever present patrol of police cars, I was an emotional wreck. A friend took me aside and suggested I write. Write?! I was so unhappy, how could I write? My friend said, “Write something funny.”

The result was Frank, Incense and Muriel. A cozy mystery with comedic elements, and not a single snake or rat in sight!

I’m so proud of this book. For so very many reasons, and on so many levels, as you might imagine. Released in e-book format November 2010, the print version arrives July 2011. Oh, and that horrid neighbour? He finally sold his unit, but not before my husband and I had moved out of the complex.

Story Blurb for FRANK, INCENSE AND MURIEL: It’s the week before Christmas when the stress of the holiday season is enough to frazzle anyone's nerves, but when a friend asks for their help Frank and Muriel drop everything to find a missing woman. They cross paths with an embezzler, femme fatale, kidnapper, and of course, Muriel's eccentric, but loveable family. They mean well, but their antics and desire to win the coveted D-DAY (Death Defying Act of the Year) Award might just make them all crazy.

Night Owl Reviews gave FRANK, INCENSE AND MURIEL 5 stars and a Reviewer Top Pick Award. “Ms. Albert has a way of telling a story that pulls you in from the very first sentence and holds your attention to the very last line. Her voice is melodic and her writing style is refreshing. This author knows how to entertain her readers and keeps them wanting to turn the page to see what happens next. If you’re looking for a story with a little bit of humor, a whole lot of suspense and plenty of insanity, then you’ve found the perfect story.” ~ Diana Coyle, Reviewer

or from my publisher, Vanilla Heart Publishing. http://www.vanillaheartbooksandauthors.com

Thank you so much, Marilyn, for hosting me on this stop of the Murder We Write Blog Tour. I’d like to invite readers to visit my website http://www.AnneKAlbert.com/ or my main blog http://anne-k-albert.blogspot.com.

If they drop by my Muriel Reeves Mysteries blog http://muriel-reeves-mysteries.blogspot.com and leave a comment mentioning this interview, I’ll enter their name in a draw to win a pdf copy of FRANK, INCENSE AND MURIEL. I’ll announce the winner at the conclusion of the tour, sometime during the week of August 22, 2011.


Comments

Jean Henry Mead said…
What a terrible experience! The old addage is true. One bad apple can spoil the barrel. But it certainly turned out well. Congratulations on your Virginia writing award. A great way to start your series. (I love the title as well.)
Anonymous said…
Anne, first I want to say I love your photo. It's gorgeous! And I love your whole book concept. Another one for my TBR list.

I sure know how you feel about neighbors like that. They can make your life miserable, can't they.

Very nice blog, interesting and fun. We could all use more of that.

Cheerio!
Vivian Zabel said…
I so enjoyed this post. I needed something to make me smile.

I would enter your contest for a chance at a PDF copy of your book, but reading on the computer is getting harder and harder. And I have to do my business on the computer. Ish.

Vivian
Jackie King said…
Another fun post! Great story concept, I'm adding your book to my TBR pile.
Hugs,
Jackie
Anonymous said…
Thank you, Jean. Sadly, that bad apple addage is so true, yet I would not change that experience for the world. It taught me so much about humanity...all sides of it!
Anonymous said…
Hi Beth. In grade school we studied a poem about fences making good neighbors. I didn't understand it at the time, but I sure do now!!
Anonymous said…
Hi Vivian, I understand completely about spending so much time in front of the computer. This past winter I felt as if I lived in front of the screen, and sadly feel as if my eyes paid the price. Still, I'm investing in a Kindle very soon, and I'm writing my next novel longhand. Hope that helps my eyesight! Take care of yours...
Anonymous said…
Thanks Jackie, for dropping by. I really do try to make people smile. (Must be why I've always admired stand up comedians!!)
Anonymous said…
Marilyn, thank you so much for featuring me on the Mystery We Write Blog Tour. It's much appreciated!!
Sharon Ervin said…
Whatever happened to your neighbor from hell? You give meaning to the adage about what a person is to do when given a lemon. Your book may never have been born without his provocation. Congratulations on "making lemonade."
Marja McGraw said…
Anne, Frank, Incense and Muriel was one of the funniest books I've read in a while. I can't wait for your next one. Good blog, good book.

Marja
Karen said…
Great Post, I love to read articles that are informative and actually have good content more about this topic. Thank you for sharing your experiences and I look forward to reading more. You may also can check and visit my website at http://arkansasrehabcenters.com/
Great post I would like to thank you for the efforts you have made in writing this interesting and knowledgeable article.

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