Welcome Home to Murder...
Introducing veteran and military spouse author, Rosalie Spielman, published through Gemma Halliday Publishing.
Her Hometown Mysteries series features four books with a female veteran/retiree as the main character. The first in the series recently won a gold medal from the Military Writers Society of America!
Rosalie, where did you get the idea for Hometown Mysteries?
Welcome Home to Murder went through many, many versions and drafts before settled I on “New Oslo” and an Army retiree MC! I spent a long time debating (and rewriting) where my Hometown Mysteries should be set, state-wise since I've lived in several. Then I went to visit my parents, who had moved back to my birthplace, and it was like a slap upside the head! lol The tiny town where my family lived when I was born would be a perfect "New Oslo." I've described Troy, Idaho, very accurately, so much so that people from the town immediately recognized New Oslo as Troy - but without the murder.
As for my character, it was only natural for me to make her an Army retiree. I am an Army veteran and spouse of an Army retiree, and my father and sister are both Air Force retirees. (Adding in my brother, our combined service adds up to over 105 years.)
Tessa Treslow is the character I feel like I could have been had I taken a different fork in the road.
The mystery aspect is a different story. I originally wrote several urban fantasy/paranormal stories, and was getting nibbles from agents, but no bites. Then I got the courage to try writing a mystery, which is the genre I read the most of. I didn't think I was clever enough to plot a mystery, plus, I'm a pantser writer - and was happily surprised. (And I'm still a pantser!) I chose to stay in the cozy sub-genre since it is what I read the most of. I'm not comfortable reading (or writing) anything too violent or sexual. I love the way cozies are an escape from reality. Yes, there is a murder, but cozies focus on community, family, and humor, and we always get our guy in the end.
Tell us a little bit about yourself…
Originally from a tiny town in the Palouse region of Idaho, as a military brat, Army officer, and military spouse (retired), I've moved more times than I have fingers to count on! Only very recently did I officially break the record of six years in a single house.
Somewhere along the way, I discovered that I could make other people laugh with my writing. I enjoy reading to escape from the real world and hope to give you the same with my stories, providing an escape...one page at a time.
What are some things you love to do?
I love to go for walks (especially in this great fall weather!) and spend time with my family. Of course I read a lot, but I also cross-stitch and love watching baking competitions. I never met a Reese's Peanut Butter cup I didn't like.
What’s next for you?
The next release in the series, Home for the Homicides, came out on 10 December and is Christmas-themed! In addition to the Hometown Mysteries, I contribute to the multi-author Aloha Lagoon mysteries and have several published short stories. I’m very excited that the first two Hometown books are being released in mass market format by Harlequin Worldwide Mystery in the coming months!
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Thank you so much Rosalie for meeting with me to discuss your book, I have already added your series to my TBR!
To find out more about Rosalie and everything she is working on checkout her website and storefront at...
www.Rosalie-Spielman-author.com
https://bookshop.org/shop/YouKnowTheSpiel
or visit her socials at...
insta: Rosalie Spielman (@rosalie.spielman) • Instagram photos and videos
fb: Rosalie Spielman author | Facebook
She also has two Facebook reader groups, You Know The Spiel and a group “blog” Murder, They Write. Her public author Facebook page and Instagram are linked above, plus she has a monthly newsletter you can sign up for at www.Rosalie-Spielman-author.com.
Happy Reading, everyone!