Tell us about the book: In Petty Cash, Carly Turnquist, forensic
accountant, is headed off for another mystery. Or two. Or three.
She and hubby Mike head to Cape
Cod as emotional support for their daughter Denise and her dentist husband Don
who finds himself in the middle of a potential practice dissolution. But when
their host fails to make an appearance, and a tropical storm blows through the
area, things are topsy-turvy.
Then when their host's body washes
ashore, Don is suspected. After all, they'd had several arguments witnessed by
a number of people., not to mention a sizeable partnership life insurance
policy--with Don as sole beneficiary in the event Mo pre-deceases him.
Add into the mix a local ghostly
legend that keeps appearing in a haunted lighthouse, a local fisherman with a
costly secret, and a blossoming friendship between her grandkids and a local
named Sammy, and Carly has her hands full.
Have you always like to write? Yes. I was the kid in school
who wrote 3 pages when the teacher asked for one.
Just as your books inspire authors, what authors have
inspired you to write? Agatha Christie, Brandilyn Collins, Dee Henderson, Conan
Doyle. Anybody who ever wrote a cozy.
How did you decide upon the title of Petty Cash? Since the series is called “By the Numbers”, and my
main character is a forensic accountant, I wanted all the titles to include a
reference to accounting, money, or finances. This book is about a fellow who
started out counterfeiting money to cover his taxes, then he got into trouble
and had to make more. So in fact, he went from petty cash to major cash.
How important are names to you in your books? Do you choose
the names of character in Petty Cash
based on liking the way it sounds or the meaning? Do you have any name choosing
resources you recommend? Names are important and I always struggle to come up
with names. I use the old-fashioned method: I have 2 sheets of paper, one for
first names and one for last names. I write in the alphabet, and start filling
in lines. I try not to have more than one character name per line, although
sometimes that’s tough.
What were the challenges (research, literary, psychological,
and logistical) in bringing it to life? I visited Cape Cod about 15 years
before this story is actually set, so I used a lot of the information I
recalled from then. I also use GoogleMaps, and EarthView, so I can see what
things look like now, and then try to backtrack to 2004. I watch and read lots
of mysteries, travel shows, and visit places that might look like my setting. I
also make things up. Setting a story in a fictional town gives me lots of
leeway.
Share your bio: Leeann Betts writes contemporary suspense,
while her real-life persona, Donna Schlachter, pens historical suspense. She
has released six titles in her cozy mystery series, By the Numbers, and Petty Cash released in December. In
addition, Leeann has written a devotional for accountants, bookkeepers, and
financial folk, Counting the Days, and
with her real-life persona, Donna Schlachter, has published a book on writing, Nuggets of Writing Gold, a compilation
of essays, articles, and exercises on the craft. She publishes a free quarterly
newsletter that includes a book review and articles on writing and books of
interest to readers and writers.
Social media and buying links
Website: www.LeeannBetts.com
Receive a free ebook just for signing up for our quarterly newsletter.
Facebook: http://bit.ly/1pQSOqV
Twitter: http://bit.ly/1qmqvB6
Book: Amazon http://amzn.to/2m5Yxdp
7 comments:
Hi Laura, thanks for letting me visit with your readers again. It's always fun!
Nice to hear more about Leann Betts. Petty Cash sounds intriguing. Thank you for the giveaway. marilynridgway78[at]gmail[dot]com
Let's try again, Petty cash sound intriguing to me. I visited Cape Cod last May and I do accounting work. Shadowblossom222@comcast.net
Hi Marilyn: You're welcome. Hope you'll check out the rest of the series, too!
Hi Gina: Thanks for stopping by. Interesting -- Cape Cod AND accounting. Small world! Good luck in the drawing, and I hope you check out the rest of the series.
congratulations to Gina
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