I'm so pleased that Ava Gruiex, BFF to Carmela in Laura Childs' Scrapbooking Mystery series is able to spend time with us today. We're celebrating the paperback release of
Crepe Factor, the fourteenth book in the series! Below you'll find a reprint of the review I wrote when the the book was originally published.
Kathy: What makes you and
Carmela Bertrand such good friends?
AG: Dawlin’, we just get along even though we’re polar
opposites. Carmela’s this nice sweet gal who keeps getting dragged into trouble.
Me, I just slip into my four-inch stilettos and go looking for trouble.
Kathy: You and Carmela have
had lots of adventures together. Why do you think she keeps getting involved
with murder?
AG: Carmela hates to say no. If somebody asks her for help she’s
there, no questions asked. And I’m talking about ex-husbands, ex-boyfriends,
and even ex-ex-boyfriends. Carmela is so loyal and sweet and dear that she’ll
bend over backwards to help. Plus, she’s smart. So even when the cops get all
bogged down in their investigations, Carmela’s got this super human focus that
can often cut through the clutter.
Kathy: In addition to
dangerous escapades, you two also enjoy regular outings like the Winter Market,
Zombie Crawl, and Ghost Train. Well, regular outings which often become
dangerous. In any case, what’s your favorite type of outing to enjoy?
AG: There’s only one proper answer – Mardi Gras! This is the one
celebration that folks in New Orleans live for. I mean, the city basically
shuts down for this all-important event. Have you ever seen ten-story, lighted,
animated floats with sea monsters? Flambeaus and masked riders? Float krewes
tossing out doubloons and beads? Well, you need to put that on your bucket
list!
Kathy: How did you decide to
own a shop like Juju Voodoo?
AG: I was a former Alabama beauty queen who came to New Orleans
and immediately fell in love with this magical, seductive city. From the
antiquated charm of the French Quarter to the graceful homes of the Garden
District, I was enchanted. So I decided to set down roots and open my tiny little
voodoo shop. Lucky me, the tourists just started pouring in.
Kathy: What’s your favorite
item to sell at Juju Voodoo?
AG: Love potions, of course. I have these adorable little colored
bottles filled with oils and essences. Harmless, but so very powerful. I also have
some tiny little stitched bags that contain love charms. Put one of those under
your sweetie’s pillow and he’s yours for life!
Kathy: What do you say to
people who consider you a bit over the top?
AG: I say come visit New Orleans and I’ll look like one of the
normal people. I mean, this is a city that comes with a warning label. The Big
Easy prides itself on haunted hotels, above-ground cemeteries, hot jazz,
Bourbon Street, flickering gaslights, hidden courtyards, and sinful food and
drink. What are you waiting for, come on down!
Kathy: Do you have any advice
for Carmela or the readers here?
AG: Do not pass go, do not collect $200 (well, maybe grab that
money) and rush to the nearest bookstore and grab a few Scrapbook Mysteries.
Because here’s the thing – they’re not exactly about scrapbooking. Carmela’s
scrapbook shop is kind of ground zero for crazy good old-fashioned mystery. So
if you’re at all enchanted by New Orleans, if you love the idea of music (jazz,
Cajun, and blues) pouring out of every door, if you want to sip the sights and
sounds of New Orleans, then you’re going to love the New Orleans Scrapbooking
Mysteries!
Kathy: Thanks for taking the
time to chat with me.
AG: The pleasure was all mine!
Love and kisses,
Ava
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Laura Childs is the USA
Today and New York Times
bestselling author of the Scrapbooking Mysteries, Tea Shop Mysteries, and
Cackleberry Club Mysteries. In her previous life she was CEO of her own
marketing firm, authored several screenplays, and produced a reality TV show.
She is married to Dr. Bob, a professor of Chinese art history, enjoys travel,
and has two Chinese Shar-Pei dogs.
Find out more at www.laurachilds.com
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Review
CREPE FACTOR by Laura Childs with Terrie Farley Moran
The Fourteenth Scrapbooking Mystery
Carmela is making the rounds of more New Orleans events with gal pal Ava
in their 14th outing. They get more than they bargained for at the
Winter Market when they witness an ugly fight between Quigg Brevard,
restaurateur and recent vintner, and Martin Lash, food critic and
environmentalist. While exploring other tents they are surprised by Lash
staggering in, throwing items into disarray, as he falls to his death-a
huge serving fork protruding from his neck! The testosterone gets
flowing when Detective Edgar Babcock, Carmela's boyfriend, arrives on
the scene and other vendors share information about the fight between
the victim and Quigg, who happens to have dated Carmela. Quigg, of
course, asks Carmela to investigate while Babcock warns her off. Carmela
has to deal with an ex who may want more than just her sleuthing
skills, an overworked and unhappy boyfriend, the antics of her party
friend, running her scrapbooking store as well as teaching crafting
classes, and a murder! At least she has Boo and Poobah.
It's always fun to be back in New Orleans, especially with Carmela and
Ava. CREPE FACTOR brings us New Orleans and all of the fun activities of
Winter Market. It also brings us relationship issues with a too busy,
and worried, Babcock and a Quigg in trouble and perhaps wanting to
rekindle his old romance. He certainly wants more than Carmela's
investigative skills. In getting Quigg off the hook is Carmela risking
the loss of Babcock? Ever one to help others, Carmela finds herself in a
bind. There's an emotional tension which is released by bouts of comic
relief from over the top Ava to my favorite scene which had me laughing
out loud thanks to scene stealer Cooter!
Childs brings the fun and excitement of New Orleans to readers in
her latest Scrapbooking Mystery. A murder with plenty of possible
motives, new characters on the scene as well as returning favorites, and
scrapbooking hints and recipes make for a memorable chapter in this
entertaining series.
Scrapbook, Stamping, and Craft Tips along with Recipes are included.
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