Muriel Reeves Interview from Frank, Incense and Muriel
Today I’m interviewing Muriel
Reeves from Frank, Incense and Muriel, written by author Anne K.
Albert. The story takes place the week before Christmas when the stress of the
holidays is enough to frazzle anyone’s nerves. Tensions increase when a friend
begs Muriel to team up with a sexy private investigator to find a missing
woman. Forced to deal with an embezzler, kidnapper, and femme fatale is bad
enough, but add Muriel’s zany yet loveable family to the mix and their desire
to win the coveted D-DAY (Death Defying Act of the Year) Award, and the
situation can only get worse.
Marilyn - Tell us a bit about
yourself, Muriel. Where were you born and raised?
Muriel – I grew up in and
around Niagara Falls, New York, and still live there.
Marilyn – So does Frankie
Salerno. I understand you weren’t exactly thrilled when he showed up at your
front door one cold December morning.
Muriel - It’s not that I don’t
like Frankie. It’s just that he complicates things.
Marilyn – How so?
Muriel - It started in high
school when he wrote me a note. I have no idea of its contents. Nor do I care.
All I know is the teacher intercepted it, read it, raised an eyebrow, and
zeroed in on me.
“I believe Frankie had
you in mind when he wrote this,” she said, then began to read it aloud. She got
as far as the salutation he’d printed on the outside of the folded sheet of
three-ring notepaper. “To the Brian.”The class erupted into hysterics. The teacher returned the note to Frankie and resumed her lesson. From that day forward, I was the girl named Brian, and Frankie became my sworn enemy.
Marilyn – He called you Brian?
Muriel - He’s dyslexic.
Marilyn – I see. I think. But
hang on a minute. Frankie’s a private investigator. How does an intellectual
type like you get involved in a missing person’s case?
Muriel - A very close friend
asked for my help. I couldn’t say no.
Marilyn – That doesn’t explain
why Frankie agreed to let you tag along.
Muriel – Like I said, it’s
complicated.
Marilyn – Right. From what I
understand, so is your family. Is it true they compete for a trophy and that
it’s awarded to the winner on Christmas Eve?
Muriel – Yes.
Marilyn – Details, Muriel. I’m
a writer. I need details!
Muriel - (Long sigh) It’s a
tradition that began with my parents. My father was a real live action figure.
Always on the go. Always in search of that next adrenalin rush. My mother
shared his sense of adventure, and in some ways was even more of a daredevil.
My brothers went on their first adventure trip when they were still in diapers.
Me? Riding the merry-go-round makes me nauseous.
I’ve always held the conviction
that if humans were meant to race down snow covered mountains, scuba dive on
ocean floors, or jump out of airplanes, we’d have been born with skis for feet,
gills for lungs and had wings attached to our backs.
Fortunately, or unfortunately,
depending on how you look at it, the only time of year the family gets together
is December. On Christmas Eve we vote for the family member who took the
greatest risk during the past year and lived to tell the tale. The winner
receives the D-DAY trophy. The letters stand for Death-Defying Act of the Year
Award.
Now, can we please talk about
something else?
Marilyn – Of course, but you
didn’t mention if you’re entering this year’s contest.
Muriel – Me? Why would I?
Nothing earth-shattering ever happens to me.
Marilyn – Somehow, I doubt
that’s true!
Now, about the author, Anne K.
Albert. Anne’s award winning mystery and romantic suspense stories chill
the spine, warm the heart and soothe the soul…all with a delightful touch of
humor. When not at the keyboard she loves to travel, walk on a beach, visit
friends and family, and of course, read using ‘Threegio’ her beloved and much
cherished Kindle 3G. She can be found online at Facebook, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn, Goodreads, Pinterest, Amazon and
her blog.
Readers
who leave a comment will be entered in her giveaway contest. Up for
grabs is an e-copy of FRANK, INCENSE AND MURIEL. The
winner will be chosen at random and announced on Anne’s blog on
December 12, 2012. Good luck!
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Comments
Wendy
W.S. Gager on Writing
Madeline
Thank goodness Muriel isn't quite as lethargic! It'd make for a rather lengthy investigation!
Thank goodness Muriel isn't quite as lethargic! It'd make for a rather lengthy investigation!
Marja McGraw