Murderous Matrimony by Joyce and Jim Lavene

Interview

1) First, tell us about yourself – where  you live, your family, and those sorts of details.

My husband, Jim and I write together. We were married 40 years in April 2013. We live in North Carolina, right outside Charlotte. We have three children, all grown, and five grandchildren. We also have two kitties, Quincy and Stan, and our rescue dog, Rudi.

2) How long have  you been writing?

Together, since the early 1990s. Joyce has been writing since she came out of the womb. Jim is a late bloomer.

3) Do you have a favorite place to write?

We have a very nice office with a lovely view of the woods.

4) Why did you decide to write Murderous Matrimony?

Murderous Matrimony is the 6th book in the Renaissance Faire Mysteries. This may be our favorite book in the series because Jessie and Chase (our protagonists) are getting married.

5) Who is your favorite character in your book and why?

Tough call. We love the walking tree they call the Green Man. But we also love Robin Hood and the pirates. Jessie is great because she is a normal person in the midst of craziness. And Chase – well – he’s gorgeous and hunky.

6) How about your least favorite character?  What makes them less appealing to you?

Least favorite would probably be the king, King Harold. Or Queen Olivia. They have some redeeming values, but mostly they are all about the show.

7) Do you proofread/edit your own books or do you get someone to do that for you?

We edit and hire someone to do it as well. We also have a nice group of readers who help our pre-publication.

8) What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

Drive around in the car and take photos of cool stuff.

9) Do you read much and if so who are your favorite authors?

We read a lot, when not writing. Jim is reading Ender Game right now. Joyce just finished the first Dresden Files book.

10) What question do you wish that someone would ask about your book, but nobody has? Write it out here, then answer it.

Will Jessie and Chase have a child who grows up at the Renaissance Faire?

Maybe. It’s too early to say, but many children do live at the Faire with their parents. Huzzah!

Novel length supernatural mystery at about 55,000 words. 

In less than two short weeks, Jessie Morton will marry Chase Manhattan at the Renaissance Faire Village and Marketplace. But so much can go wrong in that short time. A man is murdered in Jessie's new Arts and Crafts Museum and her assistant is being scrutinized for the deed. Chase's brother and parents have arrived and are still against their marriage. Wanda's ghost is busy making Jessie's life miserable. The Ren Faire wedding of her dreams may never take place. Can she talk Chase into eloping before it's too late?

Bio:

Joyce and Jim Lavene write award-winning, best-selling mystery fiction as themselves, J.J. Cook and Ellie Grant. They have written and published more than 60 novels for Harlequin, Berkley, Amazon and Gallery Books along with hundreds of non-fiction articles for national and regional publications. They live in rural North Carolina with their family. Visit them at www.joyceandjimlavene.com.