Character Interview
Character Name: Lillian Warren
1) Tell us a little bit about yourself--both something we learn from [the story] and something that readers might not guess? I’m Lillian Warren, Samantha’s mother and a librarian who grew up in a small town in Texas. I am great at dancing and baking, and I’ve never met a stranger! You might not guess that I am petrified of horses, but that I had no problem riding a camel in Egypt once.
2) How did you first meet your writer? I first met my writer briefly in her first book, A Dash of Death. She’d practically tortured my darling daughter, Samantha, with everything from a canceled wedding to a job layoff. If that wasn’t enough, she even threw her into the middle of a murder investigation. Even though everything ended up OK for Samantha in that first book, I wasn’t sure I trusted the writer when she invited me back for a more central role in Murder Served Neat. But we came to an understanding, and I think we both had a little fun along the way.
3) Want to dish about him/her? My writer is nice enough, usually, but she likes to push me outside of my comfort zone, and frankly she puts her characters into a little too much danger for my taste. I’d traveled all the way to Houston for a nice visit with my daughter to see how she was getting along with her new business. I was looking forward to a relaxing visit, when all of the sudden, that writer drops another dead body into the picture, and sets my best friend up as the prime suspect! There were times I wasn’t sure the writer was going to be able to get us out of the situations she created for us, but finally, after a few too many close calls, she did give us all a nice happy ending.
4) Why do you think that your life has ended up being in a book? I’m a librarian, so of course I know books inside and out, but frankly I was a little surprised to find my life was exciting enough to be included in a novel. I was a bit out of my element having to chase clues and interview suspects. I know the “fish out of water” trope is pretty popular in some of these books, so I guess that attracted the writer. From there, I think all of my training as a librarian was useful for her. Researching is my specialty, so I do think the writer appreciated the expertise I can bring to the table.
5) Who's your favorite character? Why? My daughter Samantha is, of course, my favorite character. Not only is she smart and brave and wonderful at crafting cocktails in the kitchen, but she’s loyal to her friends and family. Even though she was hesitant to jump back into another murder investigation, she did it to help my friend out.
6) Who's your least favorite character? Why? I don’t want to give too much away – this is a murder mystery, after all – but my least favorite character is the murderer! That person caused my best friend a lot of heartache, and nearly killed my daughter!
7) What's next for you? After my rather eventful trip to Houston, I’m going to go home to Corpus Christi, get back to work at the library, and enjoy some relaxation time on the beach with my favorite cozy mysteries.
About Murder Served Neat
Reporter-turned-mixologist Samantha Warren has already thwarted one murder. Now, her world is shaken—definitely not stirred—once again as another killing throws her world into chaos.
Samantha is mixing up traditional cocktails at the German Texan Lodge’s Fourth of July festival—a gig she was roped into by her mother. But amidst the bratwurst and brass bands, trouble is brewing. Lodge loyalties are divided over a proposal to build a private, country-club-style tennis center on the lodge grounds. Her mom’s best friend Patty Davis is vehemently opposed to the plan. Society matron Angela Clawson is all for it. At the festival, they’re seen in a heated argument—and hours later, Angela is found dead, killed by one of the ceremonial shovels intended for the groundbreaking.
Samantha’s mother begs her to help clear her best friend’s name, but can she handle another murder case or will the whole investigation go bottoms up?
About Michelle Hillen Klump
Michelle Hillen Klump began her writing career as a newspaper reporter, traveling the back roads of central Texas and Arkansas, reporting on everything from natural disasters to crime and corruption. She’s interviewed former presidents, covered a midnight manhunt through the Ozark Mountains, and learned the finer points of how to break a car window from a looter while covering a hurricane. Now, she uses her experiences as fodder for fiction, writing a cozy mystery series about a former reporter turned craft cocktail caterer.
Michelle lives in Houston, Texas, with her husband and young daughter. When she’s not writing or working her day job, she enjoys gardening, reading, exploring Houston’s neighborhoods, hiking and biking, and creating craft cocktails for friends and family.
This looks like a great novel
ReplyDeleteThank you for featuring me on the blog! This was a fun interview!
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