Monday, September 5, 2016

Welcome Mary Kennedy





Meow! Today my guest is author Mary Kennedy!

Mary Kennedy is a practicing psychologist and is the author of the Talk Radio Mysteries and the Dream Club Mysteries. She's written nearly 50 novels and has sold over four million books worldwide.   Mary lives with her husband and six neurotic cats in the northeast.  She has tried unsuccessfully to psychoanalyze both husband and cats, but she remains optimistic.You can visit her at www.marykennedy.net. She blogs every Monday with the Cozy Chicks.  www.cozychicksblog.com 


R: Welcome Mary!  Tell us a bit about your latest release!

MK:  A Premonition of Murder is book 3 in the Dream Club Mysteries. An elderly Southern heiress’s nightmare becomes a real case of murder in the latest Dream Club Mystery from the national bestselling author of Dream a Little Scream.

When Abigail Marchand, Savannah’s famously reclusive heiress, invites the Dream Club ladies to lunch at her Beaux Reves mansion, Taylor and Ali hope for an invitation to join the distinguished Magnolia Society. But Abigail has a more pressing concern: a recent dream that seems to foretell her death. 

Taylor reassures Abigail that there are many ways to interpret a dream, but at the next meeting of the Dream Club, their discussion is cut short by a call from Detective Sam Stiles. She's at Abigail's mansion, where the elderly woman appears to have been pushed to her death down a flight of stairs. Now Taylor, Ali, and the Dream Club need to catch a killer before someone else is laid to rest. 

R:  You mention the “Dream club” What is that, exactly?

MK: When Taylor Blake moves to Savannah to help her sister, Ali, run her vintage candy store (Oldies But Goodies), she's introduced into the Dream Club. Al, who has always been fascinated by dreams, started the dream club so that her friends could meet weekly to discuss and analyze their dreams. (and eat some fabulous Southern desserts. The candy store now includes a cafe and Ali loves to try out new recipes on the group.).  It started out as a fun way for some Southern ladies to meet and chat, but when murders occur in Savannah, it suddenly takes on a new meaning. The Dream Club members start finding clues in their dreams that might help solve the case. Is it just coincidence, or are there really signs ad symbols in dreams that could help the police solve a real life crime?  I leave it to the reader to decide...
All three books in the series include a Dream Symbol guide at the end. 

R: What do you think sets this series apart from other cozies?

MK: I'm a psychologist in private practice in the northeast and my clients love to talk about their dreams. Freud believed that all dreams are significant, and offer a "window into the unconscious." Many dreams are symbolic and reveal what we desire and what we fear. Dream clubs started here in the northeast and are spreading to other parts of the country. Whether you're a "believer" or not, it's a fun way to socialize with friends and share some insights. 


R:  You’ve written other series. Can you tell us about those?

MK: I have another cozy mystery series, The Talk Radio Mysteries, set in a fictional town in Florida. My agent sold it on the basis of five words: Frasier Meets Murder She Wrote.  It's about a psychologist, Dr. Maggie Walsh, who closes up her Manhattan practice ("sick of the cold, sick of the traffic,sick of listening to people's problems") and moves to sunny Florida to be a radio psychologist at WYME-RADIO.  And she solves a murder in every book! It's a fun series, full of eccentric characters at WYME, her star-struck mother, Lola and a hunky detective named Rafe. DEAD AIR is the first in the series. 
I also have a teen series, the Hollywood Diaries, that are based in the world of film. All three are stand-alone books. Golden Girl is set in south Florida (known as Hollywood East, because of all the films that are set there). Movie Star takes place on a film set in the northeast and the sequel Confessions takes place in Hollywood. 

R:  Are there any cats in these books, heh heh

MK:  Of course.  The Dream Club series features two cats! I love cats. Actually I love all animals, but because of allergies, we just have cats. Six of them! Writing can be a solitary profession, but you're never alone when you have a cat. 

R: How do you construct your plots? Do you outline or do you write “by the seat of your pants”?
MK: Oh, definitely an outline. At PRH, we're required to turn in a detailed outline of our mysteries with all the suspects, the main characters, the twists and turns. I don't mind doing it, it's nice to have a road map to follow.

R: Which do you consider more important, plot or character?
MK:Definitely plot for the mysteries, and character for the Hollywood Nights series and the Crazy Love series.

R:What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced as a writer and what inspires you and keeps you motivated?
MK:Probably time management is my biggest hurdle. I'm a practicing psychologist and sometimes it's a juggling act seeing clients and making writing deadlines.

R: Do you have an “How I got my agent” story you want to share?
MK: Well, I have a great "how my agent sold my series" story. I wrote a proposal for a mystery series about a New York psychologist who moves to Florida to become a radio talk show host. And she solves a murder in every book. My agent got me a three book deal with Penguin with the phrase, "Frasier Meets Murder She Wrote."

R: What are you working on now and what are your future writing plans?
MK: The Crazy Love Diaries, a trilogy of stand-alone novels for young teens, is going up even as we speak! They're fun, exciting and squeaky clean. 

 Thank you, Mary!
Folks you can find Mary at: www.marykennedy.net. She blogs every Monday with the Cozy Chicks.  www.cozychicksblog.com

Mary will give away a copy of DREAM A LITTLE SCREAM and LOVE SIGNS to one lucky commenter!


To enter, leave a comment on this blog post with your name and email address (entries without email will be disqualified). For extra entries, you can do any or all of the below:


* Follow my blog (+ 1 point)
* Follow me on Twitter (+ 1 point) (Link: https://twitter.com/RoccoBlogger)
* Tweet about the contest (+ 1 point)
* Friend me on Facebook (+ 1 point) (Link: https://www.facebook.com/ToniLotempio)#!/
* Mention the contest on Facebook (+ 1 point)
* Mention the contest on your blog (+ 1 point)

Winner will be chosen at random using random.org.  Don’t forget to mention all you’ve done in your comment. Good luck! Contest ends midnight Saturday, Sept. 10!


57 comments:

  1. Rocco, thanks for another one of your fascinating interviews.
    It's interesting how often authors turn out to be physiologists.
    I visit here regularly
    We are FB friends and I linked this to FB i don't tweet or have a blog.
    libbydodd at comcast dot net

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  2. Hi Toni and Rocco, happy to be here, thanks for having me!

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  3. Very interesting interview! I love getting to know more about Mary Kennedy's writing process and background! I love the Dream Club mysteries and I can't wait to read the new one! Thanks for the chance! I follow on Facebook and shared this post!
    edtercross7304@yahoo.com

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    1. Hi Terri, the giveaway is actually book 2, very kind of you to share it, thanks so much! (in book 2, DREAM A LITTLE SCREAM, a celeb chef visits Savannah and does a book signing at the candy store. And guess what--she's murdered. Lots of fun and part of the plot revolves around a "treasured family cookbook." Did the celeb chef steal someone's family recipes? Or is something else going on? It's a mystery....

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  4. Mary Kennedy is an awesome author.
    I would love to win this giveaway. I found and liked Toni Lotempio on Facebook. I also shared and mentioned the contest on my Facebook page.
    marlene.ezell@gmail.com

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    1. Hi Marlene, you are too kind@ Thanks so much for sharing, I really appreciate it, mary

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  5. Dream club on my list to read so would love to read!!!! Follow on Facebook, follow on Twitter, shared on Facebook, friend on Facebook.
    Oneponychick66@hotmail.com

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  6. I am a big fan! Thanks for hosting a fun giveaway of Mary Kennedy books. I've SIX points. kat8762@aol.com
    * Commented (+1 point)
    * Follow my blog (+ 1 point)
    * Follow me on Twitter (+ 1 point)
    * Tweet about the contest (+ 1 point)
    * Friend me on Facebook (+ 1 point)
    * Mention the contest on Facebook (+ 1 point)

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  7. Not sure where my comment went but thank you for hosting this i have lets see commented 1 point Follow blog 1 friend on fb 1 point and also mention the contest one point. So i am crossing my toes as i am disabled and can't tweet or cross fingers so excited to see this.

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  8. Great interview, Rocco. Dreams fascinate me, however, I rarely remember my dreams, I wonder why that happens. I follow your blog, we are friends on Facebook, following on Twitter, commented on blog and will.share on Facebook.
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Rocco does amazing interviews!!! I love being a guest on his blog.

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  9. What a great interview. I sometimes remember my dreams. Usually at least once or twice a week I will remember them.

    I follow via twitter, facebook friends, and blog email.

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    1. H Brookes, dreams are really fascinating. I always tell my clients to write them down, if they wake up in the night.

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    2. Sorry, that should be Brooke, not Brookes! That what happens when you have a cat (or two) on the keyboard.

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  10. This series about the Dream Club is right on top of TBR pile soon as I get them.
    Thanks again Rocco and Dr. Kennedy for a wonderful chance for these books.

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    1. Hi Janet, hope you like the Dream Club, if you have any dream questions, I can tackle them! Thanks for stopping by.

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  12. I enjoyed reading this interview. Mary Kennedy sounds like an author I need to read ASAP! I also recommended her to my cousin. She loves both tv shows that were mentioned. Thanks for the giveaway.
    bwilhoite87@gmail.com

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    1. Hi Becky, thanks for stopping by. I was happy when my agent came up with the clever line "Frasier Meets Murder She Wrote."

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  13. I've already read one of the Dream Club books and enjoyed it, so I am looking forward to reading more. Thanks for the interview and the giveaway. kuzlin at aol.com
    I follow this blog, am friends on Facebook and shared the contest, follower on Twitter and tweeted about this contest, and of course, commented.

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    1. Hi Kuzlin, glad you liked the first in the series! Book 2, (the giveaway) is all about a celeb chef who visits Savannah, does a book signing at Oldies But Goodies--and--you guessed it--ends up murdered. Lots of fun.

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  14. Oh,I really want to read these! Dianne
    jademoss17@gmail.com

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    1. Hi Dianne, I think you would like them, thanks for stopping by!

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    1. Teresa, that is music to my ears! Thank you, thank you.

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  16. Sounds fascinating and such an unusual combination...please enter me. Thank you for the contest.
    Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com

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    1. Thanks, Marilyn. Yes, normally, I just use one of my cozy mysteries as a prize, but since LOVE SIGNS just came out, I wanted to celebrate. I figured a lot of cozy readers might have a young relative or friend who would enjoy it. It's squeaky clean (originally published by Scholastic, so it had to be approved by teachers and librarians.).

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  17. Wonderful review I'm looking forward to this, thanks
    Penney penneyw(at)sbcglobal.net

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    1. Hi Penney, thanks so much for stopping by. Rocco makes everyone look good!

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    2. Thanks for sharing. I love to read!

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    3. Hi Kristi, thanks so much for stopping by. I am so happy Rocco invited me to on his blog!

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  18. I have heard that dreams are the windows to our soul. Well if this is true my soul is sure warped. Sometimes I can remember parts of my dreams especially when members of my family are involved. Thanks for the interview. robeader53@yahoo.com

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    1. Hi Robin, dreams are fascinating, no doubt about it. Thanks for stopping by!

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  19. Dreams are awesome!! This sounds like a great series and has been on my list to read. After reading this great interview though it has jumped to the top! I have 3 points...shared about the contest on Fb, friended you on Fb, following the blog now. Thanks for a great giveaway! Susan. My email address is: pucsbride13@gmail.com

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    1. Thanks so much, Susan, I really appreciate it! I hope the friend request went through, I'll check right now.

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  20. Dreams are awesome!! This sounds like a great series and has been on my list to read. After reading this great interview though it has jumped to the top! I have 3 points...shared about the contest on Fb, friended you on Fb, following the blog now. Thanks for a great giveaway! Susan. My email address is: pucsbride13@gmail.com

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  21. Have read the first book in each series & love them. Thank you for the chance to win. doward1952@yahoo.com

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    1. Hi Doward, thank you so much for your kind words!! You are a wonderful friend to writers.

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  22. A new to me series! Thanks for the chance. Donamaekutska7@gmail.com

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  23. Thanks for the opportunity! Can't wait to read it! cheers@marjimmanor.com

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  24. I hadn't heard of this series before. I'll have to check it out now! kapw at iquest.net

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  25. What a great interview, and all of Mary's books are sooo good!

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  27. More books for my TBR list, especially the Dream Club. They sound fascinating. Thanks for the interview and the chance to win copies of Mary's books. I thought all cats are neurotic, all of mine are or have been. vlhcats@gmail.com

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    1. I think you're right, a huge percentage of my cats have been neurotic. I think I've had one or two "normal" over the years, but they are the exception. I should probably write a blog on why cats are neurotic. I bet I would hear some interesting theories.

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  28. Dreams are awesome !! It seems like a great series and has been on my list to read. After reading this great interview, although it has jumped to the top! I have 3 points ... after a joint blog about the contest on FB, you befriend on FB. Thanks for a great price! Susan
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  29. This was really a great interview and so happy that she is giving away print books ! ptclayton2@aol.com I think i have 3 points as i shared the contest on facebook and also follow you and like you and made a comment

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    1. Thank you so much for stopping by and for sharing, I really appreciate it!

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  30. Friended on F.B., followed on Twitter, and tweeted. May be following blog.
    catbooks72(at)gmail(dot)com

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  31. This sounds wonderful...and thank you very much for the chance to read these books.
    Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com

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