BOOK CLUB FRIDAY GUEST AUTHOR LOIS WINSTON

Author Lois Winston, she who writes those books about moi, is here today to talk about Revenge of the Crafty Corpse, the newest book in the critically acclaimed Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mysteries. I thought I’d hit her up with some tough questions. After all, she deserves it, given all the caca she constantly dumps on me. So welcome, Lois, and here’s your first question: Why? What did I ever do to you?

Lois: Hmm...I think that’s actually two questions.

Anastasia: A minor technicality. It doesn’t get you off the hook, though. You still have to answer.

Lois: The answer is pretty obvious. I write an amateur sleuth mystery series. If I didn’t throw you into the middle of murder and mayhem, how could you solve the crimes?

Anastasia: I’m not talking about that. Here I was, minding my own business, living a comfortable middle-class life with a devoted husband, two great kids, money in the bank until you sat down at your computer one day and stole it all away from me. So again, I ask, what did I ever do to you?

Lois: You popped into my head.

Anastasia: And that gives you the right to destroy my life?

Lois: Hey, you’re a figment of my imagination. You didn’t exist until I created you.

Anastasia: Would it have killed you to let me go on living a happy life?

Lois: Who wants to read about a character with no problems? Bor-ing! You needed goals. Motivation. Conflict.

Anastasia: Which you gave me in spades.

Lois: I created a complex and interesting life for you.

Anastasia: Complex and interesting? You saddled me with Lucille, the communist mother-in-law from hell!

Lois: Goals. Motivation. Conflict.

Anastasia: You sound like a broken record. Anyway, I’ve read some of your fan mail. I know there are readers out there who want you to kill off that Bolshevik. Why didn’t you when you had the chance? You had the perfect opportunity at the end of Death By Killer Mop Doll.

Lois: Because there are also many readers who love Lucille.

Anastasia (offering a huge cyber-sigh): Love to hate her, you mean.

Lois: True.

Anastasia: So why don’t you tell everyone what you’ve cooked up for me in Revenge of the Crafty Corpse.

Lois: I thought you’d never ask. Anastasia Pollack’s dead louse of a spouse has left her with more bills than you can shake a crochet hook at, and teaching craft classes at her mother-in-law’s assisted living center seems like a harmless way to supplement her meager income. But when Lyndella Wegner—a 98-year-old know-it-all with a penchant for ruffles and lace—turns up dead, Anastasia’s cantankerous mother-in-law becomes the prime suspect in her murder. Upon discovering that Lyndella’s scandalous craft projects—and her scandalous behavior—made her plenty of enemies, Anastasia sets out to find the real killer before her mother-in-law ends up behind bars.

Anastasia: And I understand the book has already received some great reviews.

Lois: Yes, that’s right:

"Winston peppers the twisty and slightly edgy plot with humor and plenty of craft patterns. Fans of craft mysteries will like this, of course, but so will those who enjoy the smart and snarky humor of Janet Evanovich, Laura Levine, and Laura DeSilverio." -- Booklist



"Winston's entertaining third cozy plunges Anastasia into a surprisingly fraught stew of jealousy, greed, and sex..." and a "Sopranos-worthy lineup of eccentric characters..." -- Publishers Weekly 



“Winston provides a long-suffering heroine, amusing characters, a...good mystery and a series of crafting projects featuring cloth yo-yos.” -- Kirkus Reviews



"A fun addition to a series that keeps getting stronger." -- Romantic Times

Anastasia: And where can people find this newest book about me?

Lois: Here are some Buy Links:

MIDNIGHTINKBOOKS.COM


BARNESANDNOBLE.COM


AMAZON.COM


BOOKS-A-MILLION.COM


INDIEBOUND.ORG

Anastasia: Before we end, I also wanted to thank you for that lovely Christmas present you gave me recently.

Lois: Christmas present?

Anastasia: The Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mini-Mystery, Crewel Intentions

Lois: Why do you call it a Christmas present?

Anastasia: Well, the short story debuted right before the holidays, and you sent me on a trip, which was a nice change of pace. Of course, it was only to Western Pennsylvania, not Paris...

Lois: You enjoyed that?

Anastasia: I would have enjoyed Paris more. Any chance of a European vacation in the future?

Lois: You don’t have money for a vacation.

Anastasia: Thanks to you. I don’t care what you call it or how you get me there.

Lois: Hmm...Paris might be a stretch, but in the spirit of the holidays and the New Year, I’ll see what I can do.

Anastasia: Hope springs eternal. Can Zack come with me?

Lois: Don’t push your luck.

Anastasia: Or what?

Lois: I’ll send Lucille with you.

Anastasia (moans): Well, I think that about wraps up this interview. Lois is doing a blog tour throughout the month of January. Check the sidebar for locations where she’ll be popping up. And stop back on Monday for a craft project featuring the craft highlighted in Revenge of the Crafty Corpse.

And if you'd like a chance to win a copy of Revenge of the Crafty Corpse, leave a comment. Please also include your email address so we can get in touch with you, or be sure to check back on Sunday to see if you've won.