Passport to Murder - An Interview & Giveaway

I'm happy to welcome Mary Angela to Cozy Up With Kathy today. Mary writes the Professor Prather Mystery series. PASSPORT TO MURDER, the second book in the series, was released September 15th.

Kathy: In PASSPORT TO MURDER Professor Prather's dream of going to France almost comes true. Was traveling to France a dream for you?

MA: I’d always wanted to go to France ever since taking French in college. My teacher was a native of France and made Paris sound terribly romantic. So it was a dream come true when I was able to see many of the places I’d learned about. My favorite tourist destination was the Louvre museum. I could have spent days looking at all the works of art. But what I really loved about Paris was the lifestyle. Sipping coffees in outdoor cafés, Parisians seemed to take time to enjoy the moment.


Kathy: In order to solve the murder, Emmeline must put her research skills to use. Do you enjoy doing research? What's your favorite aspect to it? What do you like least?

MA: I enjoy doing research, especially about other writers. I read lots of biographies and have visited many writers’ houses or hometowns. But research for my novels usually comes from firsthand experience. For instance, when conducting research for PASSPORT TO MURDER, I toured the airport police in Minneapolis and also interviewed a lieutenant. I love talking to people about what they do. That’s my favorite part of research. My least favorite part is Internet research. It might be convenient, but a quick fact might take hours to confirm online, which can be frustrating.


Kathy: What first drew you to cozy mysteries?

MA: My favorite cozies have a strong sense of place and plot. So I thought the cozy mystery would be the perfect genre for a mystery series set in South Dakota. It allows me to show readers my beautiful home state while adhering to the rules of a traditional mystery.


Kathy: Do you write in any other genres?

MA: I also write short stories. In the future, I would like to pursue children’s books as well as historical romance.


Kathy: Tell us about your series.

MA: The Professor Prather Mystery series is an academic series that takes place on a small college campus in the fictional town of Copper Bluff, South Dakota. The amateur sleuth, Emmeline Prather, is an English professor and a major Francophile. Her sidekick, Lenny Jenkins, is also an English professor. But that’s where their similarity ends. Their differences are advantageous, though, when it comes to solving crimes.


Kathy: Do you have a favorite character? If so, who and why?

MA: No, I don’t. Mrs. Gunderson, Emmeline’s nosy neighbor, is starting to grow on me, however. Many readers comment on her in their reviews, so I think she’s growing on them, too! She can be downright brutal, but she’s a lot of fun to write and read.


Kathy: Did you have a specific inspiration for your series?

MA: Yes, I was inspired to write the series by my own time at college, a university located in a lovely little town in South Dakota. After working at a call center right out of high school, I knew college was a privilege I couldn’t waste. While obtaining my English degrees, I read everything assigned and not assigned. Later, when I became a teacher, I realized my love for education started in those early formative years.


Kathy: What made you decide to publish your work?

MA: I thought others would enjoy reading about this world within a world, but not from an academic point of view. It had to be fictional and fun. A college campus turned out to be a wonderful place to set a mystery series!


Kathy: If you could have a dinner party and invite 4 authors, living or dead, in any genre, who would you invite?

MA: I would invite Edgar Allan Poe, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Virginia Woolf, and Agatha Christie.


Kathy: What are you currently reading?

MA: I’m reading CALAMITY AT THE CONTINENTAL CLUB. It’s a fantastic mystery set in Washington, DC. I’m also reading a nonfiction book, THE HARVEY GIRLS: THE WOMEN WHO OPENED THE WEST. I never knew about the Harvey Girls until my family and I took a vacation to the Grand Canyon this summer, so the book has been very educational.


Kathy: Will you share any of your hobbies or interests with us?

MA: I love to bake, and because I love to bake, I also do Zumba. I also enjoy teaching and spending time with my family.


Kathy: Name 4 items you always have in your fridge or pantry.

MA: I’m a coffee fiend. I always have it in the house, and if I don’t, I will get it—before I go to bed. Waking up without coffee is not an option. I’m also a big fan of Hot Tamales, M&Ms, and popcorn; those are my go-to movie snacks when I’m watching the Hallmark channel.


Kathy: Do you have plans for future books either in your current series or a new series?

MA: I’m working on my third book in the series, A VERY MERRY MURDER. I love Copper Bluff at Christmas time, and I think readers will, too.


Kathy: What's your favorite thing about being an author?

MA: I love the act of creation, the writing itself. I like having another world to go to all day where people are generally happy (well, except for the murder victim!). Also, writing challenges me in a way that other work doesn’t. I find it so engrossing that some days I have to remind myself to pick up the kids from school!

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Author links:

www.MaryAngelaBooks.com

www.facebook.com/maryangelabooks

www.twitter.com/maryangelabooks

https://www.amazon.com/Mary-Angela/e/B01GPB96CK/

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/passport-to-murder-mary-angela/1126605280


Bio:

Mary Angela is the author of the Professor Prather academic mystery series, which has been called “enjoyable” and “clever” by Publishers Weekly. She is also an educator and has taught English and humanities at South Dakota’s public and private universities for over ten years. When Mary isn’t writing or teaching, she enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her family. For more information about Mary or the series, go to MaryAngelaBooks.com.

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