Welcoming Diana Orgain!

Meow! My guest today–Diana Orgain!

About Diana:

Diana Orgain is the NY Times Bestselling co-author of the Scrapbooking Mystery Series with Laura Childs. Diana is the also the bestselling author of the Maternal Instincts Mystery Series. Diana’s A FIRST DATE WITH DEATH the first in her Love or Money Mystery series is available now. She lives in San Francisco with her husband and three children.

To keep up to date with the latest releases visit Diana at www.dianaorgain.com or sign up for the newsletter http://bit.ly/1exLAg9

R:  Welcome Diana! Tell us a bit about yourself and how you became interested in writing.

I grew up performing in local theater. I loved being onstage and acting out the story for the audience, but when I got University I realized that in order to get a Bachelor’s degree in acting, I’d have to take all the class related to putting on a show (i.e. Shop, Costume, Makeup etc). I knew mostly I was interested in the “story” not specifically the “production” – someone encouraged me to take Playwriting – And after the class I was hooked.

R: How did you get the idea to base a cozy mystery series based on a reality dating show?

I wrote the book because like many of you, I’m a huge fan of some reality TV programs. I especially love those shows that deal with dating or a love story. I’m riveted by the human dynamics of watching one girl/boy go after the person that is unavailable while completing shunning the contestant that proclaims ever-lasting love. And yes, I’ve been known to yell at the TV. And also, it’s got the all the elements of  a “production” and “story” – Ah, wait – I see a theme here!

R: Tell us about your book, FIRST DATE WITH DEATH

Reality TV meets murder in the first in a new mystery series from the author of the Maternal Instincts Mysteries and co-author the New York Times bestselling Scrapbooking Mysteries.

When brokenhearted Georgia Thornton goes looking for romance on reality TV, she has nothing to lose—apart from a good man, a cash prize, and maybe her life…

What was Georgia thinking? Sure, some cad ditched her at the altar, but can she really find love on TV? Her best friend—and producer of the reality show Love or Money—thinks so. Ten men. Ten adventure-filled dates. What can go wrong? For starters, a faulty bungee cord that hurls Georgia’s first date into a tragic spiral off the Golden Gate Bridge.

He’s replaced by Paul Sanders, Georgia’s former fiancé. But the cop isn’t looking for a TV gig. Suspecting that the lover’s leap was no accident, Paul’s going undercover. When another bachelor gets a fatal kiss-off, the reality is that someone has killer new plans for the show—and for Georgia herself. Now, under the threat of permanent cancellation, Georgia fears that the only man on the set she can trust is the one man she just can’t count on…

R: You also write the Maternal Instincts series. Tell us a bit about that.

First-time mom Kate Connelly is bringing up baby- and bringing down a killer.

Kate Connelly may have found the perfect work-from-home Mommy job: private investigator. After all, the hours are flexible, she can bring the baby along on stake-outs, and if you're going to be up all night anyway, you might as well solve some crimes. But when a body is pulled from San Francisco Bay that may be her brother-in-law, Kate must crack the case faster than you can say "diaper rash" in order to keep her family together.

R: Which of (your character)  adventures was the most fun for you to write? Were any of them the least amount of fun?

Each book I write gets to be more fun. I think I defiantly lived vicariously through Georgia in her escapades on the reality show!

R: What’s a must have for you when you are writing? What aids the creative process?

Long walks aid the process and brainstorming with other author friends.

R: If you had access to a time machine, which historical moment would you travel to and why?

Signing of the declaration of independence.

R:  If a movie were to be made of one of your books, which one would you want it to be and who would you pick for the lead roles?

A FIRST DATE WITH DEATH. But for the lead – I have no clue – any ideas? Strong female lead…we’ll need some help with this one – suggestions?

R: What is one thing your readers would be most surprised to know about you?

Spanish is my first language.

R: What is the craziest thing you've ever done? 

Does giving birth three times count as crazy?

R: What do you hope readers will most take away from your writing?

Enjoyment!

Just for Fun:

Night or Day?  Night

Dog or Cat? (answer carefully)  Cat

Beach or Pool?   Pool

Steak or salad?  Steak

Favorite Drink?  Coffee

Favorite Book?  -too tough to pick one – but I’ll say Pillars of the Earth

Favorite TV Series?  Downton Abbey

Favorite Movie?  The Outsiders

Favorite Actor: Will Smith

Favorite Actress: Maggie Smith

Dirty Martini or Pina Colada? Pina Colada

Hawaii or Alaska? I haven’t been to Hawaii yet, but would love to go. I have traveled to Alaska and loved it.

Finish this sentence:  If I could meet anyone in the world, past or present, it would be _Einstein__________________

Thanks for a great interview, Diana! 

You can find out more about Diana at:

www.dianaorgain.com

https://www.facebook.com/DianaOrgainAuthor

Diana will give a copy of FIRST DATE WITH DEATH to give 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, May 14!