Character Interview – SASHA SILVERMAN
1) Tell us a little bit about yourself--both something we learn from [the story] and something that readers might not guess?
I’m Sasha Silverman, and I manage my family’s teddy bear shop in southeast Michigan. In the latest adventure of the “Shamelessly Adorable” Teddy Bear cozy mysteries, Bear A Wee Grudge, I have to reveal a secret from long ago—and boy, was that hard for me! Gut-wrenching, in fact. I can’t give it away here, however, but let’s just say it has to do with the “grudge” in the title between a rival teddy bear business and the Silver Bear Shop & Factory.
2) How did you first meet your writer?
Meg Macy began plotting out the first book, Bearly Departed, about five years ago. I sure appreciated “coming to life” in Silver Hollow, although my pesky ex-husband keeps popping up at the worst times. I’ve also been called a “dead body magnet,” and “Nancy Drew” or “Jessica Fletcher” in these books. First I found our company’s sales rep dead as a doornail in book one, then a murdered shop assistant in Bear Witness to Murder, the fried village parade mascot in Have Yourself A Beary Little Murder, and a wedding party’s dead best man in Wedding Bear Blues. It hasn’t been all fun and games!
3) Want to dish about him/her?
Yeah, only twice did Meg have someone else find the murder victims. Thanks a lot! Come to think of it, I was also too close at hand both times. But Meg has come up with exciting events for me to plan or participate in—a teddy bear picnic, an Oktobear Fest with “Bears on Parade” (fiberglass sculptures designed by artists), a Cranbeary tea party, a church Bearzaar, a Christmas Open House with a cookie contest, a charity fundraiser to set a Guinness World Record with teddy bears, and in the latest adventure, selling kilted bears at the Highland Fling.
4) Why do you think that your life has ended up being in a book?
I’d say my family and I are pretty normal, as Midwesterners go, but I’m grateful that Meg chose us. And she’s included my grumpy Uncle Ross and his classic Thunderbird, my Aunt Eve who loves to dress up in 50s fashions, my besties who help staff the Cat’s Cradle bookstore and Fresh Grounds, a coffee shop and bakery.
5) Who's your favorite character? Why?
That’s simple—my boyfriend, Jay Kirby! He’s sweet, talented,
thoughtful, fun, funny, talented… oh, I said that already, but he’s wonderful
at woodcarving. He carved several teddy bears for me, in fact, my favorite
being a special lamp that helps me read in bed at night. Jay is so different
from my ex-husband, who cheated on me on our wedding night, and is a genuine
narcissist. Jay also once saved my life, so I wouldn’t be here without him.
6) Who's your least favorite character? Why?
I’d have to say Teddy Hartman, the former owner of Bears of
the Heart, a rival teddy bear company back in the east. He first showed up at
the Labor Day parade in book one, handing out fliers for his bears (and
produced overseas, unlike our own teddies made right here in Silver Hollow),
and then was so jealous when our company won a national contest with our Beary
Potter teddy, he produced a rip-off wizard bear too similar to Mickey Mouse
dressed as the sorcerer’s apprentice. That got him into hot water, so he dumped
his business—and then moved to Silver Hollow! Needless to say, he’s definitely
here to cause trouble, and does.
7) What's next for you?
I’m really hoping not to find another corpse! But somehow I’ll keep managing the family business, planning events for the Silver Bear Shop, and help my mom win again as mayor of Silver Hollow in the next election.
About Bear A Wee Grudge
Teddy bear shop manager Sasha Silverman must step fast to find a murderer before an upcoming Scottish festival . . .
It’s springtime in Silver Hollow, Michigan, and Sasha is looking forward to the village’s inaugural Highland Fling weekend. Plans are underway for a Kilted 5K, athletic competitions, dancing, live music, and even a Hurl-the-Haggis contest. Meanwhile, Sasha’s staff is busy crafting custom teddy bears in kilts for the Silver Bear Shop’s vendor booth. But trouble’s brewing behind the scenes, as the obnoxious Teddy Hartman, former owner of a rival teddy bear company, sows seeds of discord about town, targeting Sasha’s family and their business.
Things go from plaid to worse when—just a week before the festival kicks-off—the disgruntled gossip is found murdered with an ax buried in his back. Sasha’s dad is arrested, since he’s a champion ax-thrower. But she doesn’t give a dram what it looks like—Sasha knows that despite the old business rivalry with Hartman, her father is innocent. So with a spot of help from her friends, Sasha must bag the real killer before her first Fling also becomes her last.
About Meg Macy
Award-winning mystery author Meg Macy lives in Southeast Michigan, close enough to Ann Arbor, Chelsea, and Dexter -- the setting of her "Shamelessly Adorable Teddy Bear" cozy mysteries for Kensington. She is also one-half of the writing team of D.E. Ireland for the Eliza Doolittle & Henry Higgins mysteries; two books, Wouldn't It Be Deadly and Get Me to the Grave On Time were Agatha Award finalists for Best Historical. Meg's first published book, Double Crossing, won the 2012 Best First Novel Spur Award from Western Writers of America. Meg loves reading historical and cozy mysteries, gardening, crafts, and watercolor painting.
Thank you for having me on your blog, and thanks for the wonderful review! So glad you enjoyed Bear A Wee Grudge.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a fun read. I love murder mysteries. The cover is adorable. Thanks for the chance.
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