Interview with Leann Betts and #Giveaway

 Today we welcome Leann Betts to my blog. Leann is very graciously giving away one copy of her new book Petty Cash to one person who comments.  Readers choice of format, but print would be USA only.   Leave contact information and ask Leann a question to enter. 

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.

Blog: www.AllBettsAreOff.wordpress.com

Facebook: http://bit.ly/1pQSOqV

Twitter: http://bit.ly/1qmqvB6

Book: Amazon http://amzn.to/2m5Yxdp