Monday, November 2, 2015

White Colander Interview & Giveaway


I'm so happy to welcome Victoria Hamilton back to Cozy Up With Kathy. Tomorrow is release day for Victoria's latest Vintage Kitchen Mystery, White Colander Crime!


Kathy: In White Colander Crime the Heritage Society wants to recreate a perfect Victorian Christmas for Queensville's Dickens Days Festival. Have you ever attended a similar event?

VH: I never have, though I think it would be awesome. But when I created Queensville I knew that their most viable local business would be tourism, and that they would use the town’s history, from the Victorian era, as the hook. So what could be more appropriate at Christmas for a town like that than Dickens Days? That idea was built in to the series right from the start. Their two anchoring events are Tea with the Queen on Victoria Day weekend (one weekend before Memorial Day weekend) and Dickens Days in December. I envisioned a small snowy town with strolling Victorian garbed singers, and a hot cider booth, etc. Since then I’ve researched many on the internet; the one in Wellsboro, PA is probably closest!


Kathy: What makes Victorian themed Christmases so special?

VH: I think we’ve all been steeped in the Victorian Christmas images, from Dickens to Currier and Ives, so when we sing songs like Jingle Bells, with the horse and sleigh dashing through the snow, we’re thinking of the Victorian era. Half the Christmas cards out there have Queen Anne style houses (like Jaymie Leighton’s, and the Queensville Historic Manor) with sleighs and horses in front of them, or Victorian garbed carolers or party goers depicting that time, too. It just seems so idyllic.


Kathy: Is there something special about writing a book set during the holidays?

VH: It’s special writing it, but it’s even more special promoting one. It allows me to give stuff away (which I love!) and really get in the spirit of it all while promoting my book! I’ve always adored Christmas-set romances and mysteries. In fact, I save a few to read every year in the one week I always take off from writing (when possible) between Christmas and New Years.


Kathy: What is your favorite Charles Dickens novel?

VH: I have to admit it: A Christmas Carol. I used to read it every single year the week before Christmas. I haven’t for a few years, but maybe I will again this season. I love other Dickens novels too, Great Expectations and David Copperfield, but not as much.


Kathy: Did you have a specific inspiration for White Colander Crime?

VH: I had a few that came together, but I can’t really talk about them because they’d be spoilers! LOL. I can say that in this case though I didn’t read a certain popular novel – you’ll know which when you read White Colander Crime - nor did I see the movie made from it, the idea of it triggered my ‘what if’ thoughts, and I just went with it.


Kathy: Are you able to share any future plans for Jaymie?

VH: That is tricky. For those who don’t know, the conglomerate that is Penguin, Berkley and Random House has gone through a bit of a shake up recently and not all of the bits and pieces have fluttered to the floor. As a result many of your favorite authors (I hope I’m one of them!) aren’t sure which of their mystery series will survive. At this point I don’t have a new contract for the Vintage Kitchen Mysteries, but that doesn’t mean an end for Jaymie! I’m still hopeful I can keep writing them. Heck, I love her and the town of Queensville so much, I’d probably keep writing the Vintage Kitchen Mysteries even if I didn’t get a contract.

In fact, I’d be truly interested to hear from readers where they see Jaymie’s story going after they read White Colander Crime. Drop me a line!


Kathy: Will you share any other upcoming books?

VH: As many know, I write two mystery series other than the Vintage Kitchen Mysteries. I write the Merry Muffin Mystery series, and I also write the Teapot Collector Mysteries as Amanda Cooper. Much Ado About Muffin, Book #4 of the Merry Muffin series comes out in July, and The Grim Steeper, Book #3 of the Teapot Collector Mysteries comes out in February!


Thanks so much, Kathy, for having me. I’d love to give away some books. This is open to Canadian and US address; whoever comments is entered to win Death of an English Muffin (Book #3 of the Merry Muffin Mysteries ) as well as a copy of White Colander Crime… and maybe some other goodies!!

To qualify, simply leave a comment on this post sharing your favorite aspect of a Victorian Christmas along with your e-mail address no later than 11:59pm EST Tuesday, November 3, 2015.

~::~


About White Colander Crime:

In the new Vintage Kitchen Mystery from the author of No Mallets Intended, the Heritage Society is re-creating a perfect Victorian Christmas—until good tidings go bad...

Queensville has great expectations for their Dickens Days festival. A tourist-trade boom means a big turnout for the opening of Queensville Historic Manor and for Jaymie Leighton, food columnist and vintage cookware collector, a chance to promote the manor and give away homemade goodies. At the end of a long day of festival fun, Jaymie discovers the battered body of local woman Shelby Fretter.

Shelby predicted her own murder in journal entries—and all clues point to Cody Wainwright, the troubled son of Jaymie’s beleaguered newspaper editor. But considering the entire Fretter family had its share of dirty secrets, Jaymie’s not convinced by the case against Cody. With twists all over, she’s going to have to work like the Dickens to wrap up this investigation before Christmas—especially with the real killer ready to kill again.

INCLUDES A RECIPE!

~::~

Victoria Hamilton is the national bestselling author of three series, the Vintage Kitchen Mysteries and Merry Muffin Mysteries as Victoria, and the Teapot Collector Mysteries as Amanda Cooper. She is also the bestselling author of Regency and historical romance as Donna Lea Simpson.

Victoria loves to cook and collects vintage kitchen paraphernalia, teacups and teapots, and almost anything that catches her fancy! She loves to read, especially mystery novels, and enjoys good tea and cheap wine, the company of friends, and has a newfound appreciation for opera. She enjoys crocheting and beading, but a good book can tempt her away from almost anything… except writing!

Find Victoria online!

Victoria Hamilton Mysteries: http://www.victoriahamiltonmysteries.com

Victoria Hamilton Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorVictoriaHamilton

VKM Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VintageKitchenMysteries

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/vintagekitchenm/vintage-kitchen-mysteries-by-victoria-hamilton/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MysteryVictoria - or - @MysteryVictoria



37 comments:

  1. I attended a Charles Dickens Christmas Faire enjoying marvelous Victorian costumes, English meal, and my favorite carols. I loved every minute of the tradition for a culture and era I've always been partial to. Thanks for the interview, and introducing me to a great read. kat8762@aol.com

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  2. My favorite aspect of a Victorian Christmas is the decorations, carols, and food. There is something warm and inviting about it. Thank you for the interview and giveaway.
    myrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com

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  3. The decorations are just stunning for a Victorian Christmas . I wish I were able to decorate for one my self , but alas my budget isn't big enough ! kathambre@yahoo.com

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  4. My favorite aspects of a Victorian Christmas are the carolers and decorations. Thank you for the interview and this chance.
    peggyhyndman(at)att(dot)net

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  5. My favorite parts of a Victorian Christmas is that feeling of nostalgia that comes with all the visual cues. The smells! The food! The gathering of loved ones! nungwa@hotmail.com

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  6. I love the fancy decorations and colors. jchizmar01@windstream.net

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  7. I love the images of homes with candles lit in all the windows (non-flame ones of course) - especially after a new snowfall. kuzlin at aol.com

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  8. I love most the decorations with lots of candle light and the food.
    michaela_strauch@yahoo.com

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  9. Thank you for the chance to win . Christmas has always been my favorite time of the. year.

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  10. I Love the beautiful old Victorian house with all the different details, the Christmas Trees, the ornaments on the trees & everything that goes with it. Thanks for this giveaway, I appreciate it, Linda May - lindamay4852@yahoo.com

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  11. I love the Victorian decorations. The Christmas carols, the way they decorate their tree. Thank you for the chance to win.
    angelbear19662000@yahoo.com

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  12. I love Victorian Christmas decorations and the costumes. It all seems so warm and positive. lkleback@hotmail.com

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  13. The food and the decorations. Thanks for the chance to win. doward1952@yahoo.com

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  14. I love a beautifully decorated tree and carolers dressed in Victorian costumes. Thank you for the giveaway!

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  15. The singing of Christmas carols and hazelnut s roasting mama2bulls@gmail.com

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  16. I love the Victorian decorations on my tree!
    littleone AT shaw DOt ca

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  17. The lovely carolers singing all the beautiful Christmas carols, the costumes and the food all contribute to a memorable Christmas. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

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  18. Thanks for this lovely post and giveaway. I imagine myself partaking of the food in a beautiful Victorian setting with fireplaces giving the warmth of the season, and decorations which are part of that period. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  19. Enjoyed the interview! And I love to start the season by reading holiday themed books. Not quite ready for decorations but a Christmas story is perfect.
    sallycootie@gmail.com

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  20. The food & decorations
    mamorr69(at)gmail(dot)com

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  21. I would love to be your lucky winner. I've read the first Merry Muffin mysteries but our library doesn't have the new one. I'd love to add that and White Colander to my home library.

    NoraAdrienne (at) gmail (dot) com

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  22. Hello! Great interview... I really love the Victorian decorations! They are so beautiful and I just love Vintage/Antique :)
    Have a great day!
    Kelly Braun
    My e-mail is: Gaelicark@yahoo.com

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  23. My favorite parts of a Victorian Christmas: the beautiful handcrafted wreaths of fruit and greens that adorn the front door and the horse drawn carriages bedecked with greens and red ribbons - especially if it's a white Christmas!

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  24. A Victorian Christmas displays such elegance and warmth in a home. Thanks for sharing the book, White Colander Crime, on your blog. robeader53@yahoo.com

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  25. The menus always sound so wonderful for Victorian Christmas's.
    Theresa N
    weceno(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  26. I love the descriptions of the elegance of a Victorian Christmas---the clothes, the parties, the decorations----and the food, of course.
    suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

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  27. The gathering of loved ones and what some had to go through just to come.

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  28. Dickens On The Strand, Galveston, TX. I try to go every year. With no snow it would be perfect. Won't happen most years.
    http://www.galvestonhistory.org/events/dickens-on-the-strand/dickens-on-the-strand

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  29. I like the baking involved. My granny used to make a Victorian style Christmas cake, that maybe kind of bordered on fruit cake, but not quite!

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  30. Looks like great cozy mystery. Love the Book Cover. Love Victorian Decorations. So warm and cozy.

    xzjh04@ gmail.com

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  31. The cover says it all. Vintage Christmas memories are my favorite. I love places like Williamsburg, and a few local places that take you back to Christmas when it was warm and simple.
    nukpapa1@gmail.com

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  32. My favorite part would be the dinnerware and don't forget the tea cups! Great interview Kathy. Congratulations Victoria on your newest release!
    sxygrndma48{at}yahoo{dot}com

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  33. I think the decorations have to be my favorite. Then again, I absolutely love decorating for Christmas. I don't do many outside (I am a dork and ladders seem to invite a problem) but the inside is always decked out. sarakgrotz at gmail dot com

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  34. My favorite part of a Victorian Christmas is the spirit of family and friends gathering to celebrate. Dear friends come for a visit and sit in front of a warm fire and have special Christmas goodies. It just sounds so warm and inviting.

    Jill Daniel
    jilldaniel_wv@yahoo.com

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  35. I think Victorian Christmas decorations are very beautiful. I love this book series, thanks for the chance to win. musiqmom@yahoo.com

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  36. PoCoKat, congratulations! Random.org picked your name. Be on the lookout for an e-mail from me!

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