TEMPORARILY INSANE: Author Interview with Vicki Batman
"Vicki Batman has done it again! Her quirky and endearing character Hattie Cooks has once again taken us on a wild ride full of romance, humor, and mystery." —Amazon Reviewer
FEATURED BOOK
No man. Bad job. And Murder. Hattie Cooks is still searching for her dream job and one might be available...in the Big Apple, far from friends, family, and Allan Wellborn, the man who still makes her heart race. In the meantime, she finds temporary employment at an accounting firm where two auditor friends turn up dead. Detective Allan Wellborn dropped Hattie for Blonde Bimbo who, coincidentally, is employed at NLB where fishy things are taking place. When Allan interviews Hattie, he must determine why all signs point to her as a suspect. Can Hattie discover why Allan dumped her and who is murdering auditors before death strikes again?
Series: A Hattie Cooks Mystery, Book 2 | Genre: Romance - Contemporary
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press | Content Rating: PG-13
Q&A with Vicki Batman
In a few words, what can you tell us about your newest release?
Temporarily Insane is a romantic comedy mystery, and the second in the Hattie Cooks mystery series. Can Hattie discover why Allan dumped her and who is murdering auditors before death strikes again?
Do you remember the moment when you first considered yourself a writer?
Yes! I began my writing career by writing a book, but was sidetracked into writing short stories. Not very many publishers were taking them then; so I submitted to the True magazines. Was I thrilled when they liked my work. I kept submitting and they published thirteen. This really taught me how to hone my craft and even today, I write and sell short stories.
What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment?
Early in my writing career, I submitted to contests as I didn’t have a critique partner to help me out. I received judges’ scores back and on one was written, “Why are you writing?” I told several fellow writers and they were appalled. Some said to turn the judge in, but I couldn’t do that. I was too shy. After two days, I pulled myself together and thought, “No one is going to determine my destiny but me.” I doubt the judge intended that response. And now, I can be grateful she wrote that.
One of the best compliments came for Temporarily Insane: Vicki Batman is a master at creating quirky characters. Hattie is a delight. Mix all of her quirkiness with an assortment of equally unusual characters and a hot hunk of a hero and you’ve got the perfect recipe for a good book. Add in a murder mystery and the story elevates to great.
What is your favorite scene in Temporarily Insane?
Hattie reluctantly agrees to take her co-worker, Stuart, to a party. In this scene, she sets the rules:
“We need to cover the ground rules.”
“Ground rules?” His brow vee-ed. “Is this normal?”
“Absolutely.” I nodded. “The ground rules are: No kissing. No hugging. No whispering lovey-dovey stuff in my ear. No nothing. Understand?”
“I understand, but I thought people in love do this.”
“Let’s set the record straight right now—we are not in love. And here’s another rule: don’t speak to anyone.”
“Don’t talk to anyone—why not?”
Noticing the bizarre look on his face, I relented. “Okay, you can talk. Just say one sentence.”
“Is this a weird family thing?”
“Nope. It’s a Hattie-who-is-being-nice thing.”
What appeals to you most about your chosen genre?
I’ve read mysteries since I was a kid. When I was fourteen, my mom introduced me to romance. Every now and then, I’d pick up a book and really enjoy laughing. I craved more. When I began writing, the humor flowed into my work naturally. To tell the truth, I didn’t know I was funny until a girlfriend told me so.
“Temporarily Insane,” Vicki Batman’s follow up to “Temporarily Employed,” is an unpredictable combination of humor, romance, and mystery. Hattie Cooks is smart and sharp-witted. The author takes the reader right into Hattie’s head from the very first page and readers are with her every step of the way." —Amazon Reviewer
THE AUTHOR
Award-winning and Amazon bestselling author, Vicki Batman, has sold many romantic comedy works to the True magazines, several publishers, and most recently, two romantic comedy mysteries to The Wild Rose Press. She is a member of Romance Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and several writing groups. An avid Jazzerciser. Handbag lover. Mahjong player. Yoga practitioner. Movie fan. Book devourer. Cat fancier. Best Mom ever. And adores Handsome Hubby. Most days begin with her hands set to the keyboard and thinking "What if??"
Visit the author at www.vickibatman.blogspot.com.
