Monday, October 15, 2012

Scene of the Crime with Author Laura Bradford!



After reading Hearse and Buggy, the first book in the cozy Amish Mysteries series, I knew I had to see if I could get an interview with author Laura Bradford. Laura may be familiar to you under another name as she also writes as Elizabeth Lynn Casey. As luck would have it, Laura said yes, so we have the opportunity to get to know this talented writer a little better.

Laura Bradford
Before we get to those questions, I thought I'd share a few "Laura Links" just in case you'd like to learn more about her and her books:




Now let's move on to the fun part-- the interview!




What was the very first book you remember reading and loving? What makes that book so special?

Wow. Love this question. If I reach back to the books that were read to me, I loved The Giving Tree, Corduroy, and Katy and the Big Snow. Something about all three of those spoke to me. I think if I came across a copy of Katy, now, I’d still trace the paths she made in the snow with my finger. 

Once I started reading myself, I loved the Little House books in my elementary school days and Mary Higgins Clark as I got into my early teens. It was her first book, Where Are the Children?, that made me realize just how much fun a suspense novel could be.


Outside of your writing and all associated commitments, what do you like to do in your free time?

I like to travel (although that doesn’t happen often), and I love to go hiking in the woods. Closer to home, I love hanging out with my family and reading.


If I were to visit your hometown, where would you recommend that I go? (I like seeing and doing things that aren't in all the guide books.)

Along the Katy Trail in Missouri
Although I live in a suburb county of NYC now, I consider St. Louis to be my real hometown. So, with that in mind, I’d tell you to bike the Katy Trail, visit old town St. Charles, and definitely hit the zoo (once of the best in the country and it’s free).



You have total control over casting a movie based on your life. Which actor would you cast as you?

Anne Hathaway
A movie based on my life? Hmmm. I think I’d go with Anne Hathaway simply because she’s a great character actor. My life, while certainly not book or movie-worthy, would demand an actor who can do a nuanced role justice.








Who is your favorite recurring character in crime fiction?

I’m going to go with Janet Evanovich’s Lula. She makes me laugh.


If you could have in your possession one signed first edition of any book in the world, which book would that be? Why that particular book?

A Cry in the Night by Mary Higgins Clark. It’s the book that made me want to be a mystery writer (as opposed to a children’s writer as I’d always envisioned).


How did you celebrate when you first heard you were to be published? What did you do the first time you saw one of your books on a shelf in a bookstore?

Back in 2004 when I got my acceptance from a small publisher for my very first book, my kids (then 6 and 9) made me cards and got me a balloon. Best celebration ever!

In 2009, when my first book with a big publisher (Berkley Prime Crime/Penguin) showed up on store shelves, my bliss quickly morphed into a major case of nerves when I realized how many books were probably out in the wild…and I didn’t have that many family members who could buy it. Fortunately, the book did great all on its own. Phew!


You've just received a $100 gift card to the bookstore of your choice. Which bookstore are you making a bee-line for and why?

Main Street Books, St. Charles, Missouri
Main Street Books in St. Charles, Missouri. Vicki Erwin, the owner, is a dear friend and I adore that store. It’s also where I’ve launched most of my books.










Name one thing on your Bucket List.

A Zamboni in action
I want to drive a Zamboni one day.














AVAILABLE NOW!



Thank you so much for spending this time with us, Laura. It was a pleasure to get to know you better.

May your book sales do nothing but increase!

4 comments:

  1. I love Main Street Books! Great interview and fun questions. But you forgot the Arch. LOL

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    1. I'm glad you enjoyed the interview, Lynn. I think that bookstore question is going to lead me to conduct my own Bookstore Tour of America! :-)

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  2. Replies
    1. I'm glad you enjoyed it because I have just as much fun putting them together!

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