Character Interview
Character Name: Marla Vail
1)
Tell
us a little bit about yourself--both something we learn from [the story] and
something that readers might not guess?
I’m a hairstylist who likes to
solve crimes when I’m not at work in my salon or caring for my police detective
husband, Dalton, and his teenage daughter. When I have time, I like to cook.
Quick and easy recipes are for me. I was
sharing so many recipes with friends and family that I decided to compile them
into a cookbook. It truly was a labor of love, because what does it mean to
feed others? We are expressing our need to care for them and nurture them, and
we do this by providing sustenance.
2) How
did you first meet your writer?
She was getting a perm at my
salon while thinking about writing a mystery series. As she waited for her hair
to process, she looked around at the other ladies staring into space and
waiting for their timers to go off. We
need something gripping to read to kill time, she thought. Why not kill off one of these women? She
had the nerve to pick my client, grumpy Mrs. Kravitz, for the first book in her
series titled Permed to Death.
3) Want
to dish about him/her?
Aside from the fact that she
needs a better haircut? Seriously, she works hard to share our adventures and
to publicize my salon. We both like to cook, although I have less spare time
than she does. It was her idea to put all my recipes into a cookbook. It was a
fun, albeit time-consuming, project and I am proud of the results.
4) Why
do you think that your life has ended up being in a book?
I believe it’s because I’ve
discovered a part of myself that I hadn’t known existed. My only goal in my
earlier days was to open and manage my own salon. I’d never expected to end up
solving crimes. And after my marriage to Stan broke up, I didn’t expect to
marry again. Nor did I ever want to have kids. My life has changed in so many
ways. I’ve remarried, acquired a teenage stepdaughter, and gotten pregnant for
the first time. Things have gone in unexpected directions. I’ve made mistakes,
and I learned to accept them and move on. People can relate to these issues.
Life is full of surprises. Who knows what’s around the next corner?
5) Who's
your favorite character? Why?
Of course, my husband Dalton is
very special to me. As a homicide
detective, he’s learned to accept my sleuthing and even relies on me to help
him get the answers. I can’t say that he is as skilled as I am in the kitchen, however.
You’ll read about some of his fumbles in A
Bad Hair Day Cookbook.
6) Who's
your least favorite character? Why?
My brother Michael annoys me
because he doesn’t keep my mother or me in the loop about what’s going on in
his life. We’ll only find out about it after he’s in trouble. I wish he would
be more communicative.
7) What's
next for you?
Coming next is Easter Hair Hunt, due out in March 2020.
I’m at an Easter egg hunt looking for my friend dressed as the Easter bunny,
but she seems to have disappeared. Or at least it appears so, until I stumble
across her costumed figure lying on the grass. The adventure begins, and once
again, I am chasing after a killer who doesn’t want their secrets revealed.
It’s an EGGcellent story, and I hope you’ll look for it in the spring.
About the Book
A Bad Hair Day Cookbook: Recipes from Nancy J. Cohen's Cozy Mystery Series
Cozy Cookbook
Orange Grove Press (November 19, 2019)
Paperback: 324 pages
ISBN-10: 099979325X
ISBN-13: 978-0999793251
Digital ASIN: B07XSH6C7B
Are you having a bad hair day? Whip out your whisk, snatch up your spoon, and prepare your palate. Inside the pages of this cookbook are recipes that will bring you good cheer.Enjoy 160+ tasty recipes from Nancy J. Cohen’s popular Bad Hair Day cozy mystery series. Included in this cookbook are excerpts, cooking tips, and anecdotes written by hairstylist and savvy sleuth Marla Vail. From appetizers to desserts, Marla offers cooking tips and tricks along with commentary about the dishes she prepares for her family. Whether you’re a skilled cook or an eager novice, this cookbook will unravel the mystery of cooking. Put on your apron and plan to make some killer recipes. Bonuses Include:•Meet the Sleuth •Introduction by Marla Vail •Cooking Tips •Excerpts from Series Titles •Themed Menu Suggestions •“A Sabbath Dinner” by Nancy’s Mother For Home Cooks, Food Lovers, Mystery Fans and Cookbook Collectors Recipes are listed in these categories: APPETIZERS BEVERAGES BREADS SAUCES SOUPS ENTREES – BEEF ENTREES – LAMB ENTREES – POULTRY ENTREES – FISH ENTREES – VEGETARIAN SIDE DISHES DESSERTS
“Reading through this cookbook has revived my interest in getting back in the kitchen.” Rhonda Gilliland, Author and Editor of the Cooked to Death Series“Designed for busy cooks who may not be out solving crimes, but whose time is equally challenged.” Diane Donovan, Midwest Book Review“Mysteries and cookbooks belong side by side on readers’ shelves. A Bad Hair Day Cookbook serves up both food and justice.” Christine A. Jackson, Ph.D., Author of Myth and Ritual in Women’s Detective Fiction
About Nancy J. Cohen
Nancy J. Cohen writes the Bad Hair Day Mysteries featuring South Florida hairstylist Marla Vail. Titles in this series have been named Best Cozy Mystery by Suspense Magazine, won a Readers' Favorite gold medal, placed first in the Chanticleer International Book Awards and third in the Arizona Literary Awards. Nancy’s instructional guide, Writing the Cozy Mystery, was nominated for an Agatha Award and won a gold medal at the President’s Book Awards from the Florida Authors and Publishers Association. When not busy writing, Nancy enjoys cooking, fine dining, cruising, visiting Disney World, and shopping.
Author Links
Website: https://nancyjcohen.com
Blog: https://nancyjcohen.com/blog
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NancyJCohenAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nancyjcohen
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancyjcohen
Instagram: https://instagram.com/nancyjcohen
Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/njcohen/
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/nancy-j-cohen
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/nancyjcohen
Purchase Links -
TOUR PARTICIPANTS
November 20 – Paranormal and Romantic Suspense Reviews – GUEST POST
November 20 – Island Confidential – SPOTLIGHT
November 21 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT
November 21 – View from the Birdhouse – SPOTLIGHT
November 22 – Baroness' Book Trove – REVIEW
November 22 – Hearts & Scribbles – SPOTLIGHT
November 22 – The Book Diva's Reads – SPOTLIGHT
November 23 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
November 23 – Cassidy's Bookshelves – SPOTLIGHT
November 23 – Ruff Drafts – RECIPE, SPOTLIGHT
November 24 – I Read What You Write – GUEST POST
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November 25 – Laura's Interests – SPOTLIGHT
November 25 – This Is My Truth Now – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
November 26 – StoreyBook Reviews – REVIEW, RECIPE
November 26 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW
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November 27 – eBook addicts – REVIEW
November 27 – Diary of a Book Fiend - REVIEW
November 28 – THANKSGIVING - OFF
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November 29 – Celticlady's Reviews – REVIEW
November 30 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
November 30 – fundinmental – SPOTLIGHT
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ReplyDeleteThank you for the interview with Marla Vail and for being part of the book tour.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait for the opportunity to read "A Bad Hair Day Cookbook" by Nancy J. Cohen and read more about Marla and to read and try some great recipes.
2clowns at arkansas dot net
Thanks, Kay! I hope you enjoy the cookbook as well as the mystery series.
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