Monday, January 2, 2017

Welcome the New Reds!

HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN:  This is SUCH a big deal—it’ll take three days this week to celebrate it! And a fourth day next week.

Ta dah: we are so thrilled to welcome our new Reds! The fabulous friends and fabulously talented authors Jenn McKinlay and Ingrid Thoft.

I will pause now while you give them a standing ovation.

Since they’re now officially Reds, it’s only fitting that I bring out my Jungle Red Questions, right?  (They have not seen each other’s answers!)
Jenn at Poisoned Pen

HANK:  When was the first moment you thought: I could be a mystery writer?

INGRID: Honestly, I don’t remember an exact moment, but I can identify a turning point when I was first shopping for an agent and got positive feedback.  It’s transformational when someone other than a family member or close friend reads your work and asks to read more.  I always wanted writing to be my career, but things shift when someone else sees that in your future, too.
      
JENN:  Honestly, it was when I had nothing left to lose as I had failed at all other types of writing. I avoided writing mysteries for years because I didn't think I was clever enough. Life lesson: Failure is good!

HANK: I love that you both started with “Honestly.”
Okay, what’s the book from your childhood that most affected or inspired you?

Ingrid and Hank 
INGRID:  You really have to ask?  Nancy Drew had a big effect on me, as did the Encyclopedia Brown series.  I remember loving “The Phantom Tollbooth,” by Norton Juster, “Meet the Austins” by Madeleine L’Engle and “The Westing Game,” by Ellen Raskin.  All of the Judy Blume books were favorites, and I still have my copy of “Just the Beginning” by Betty Miles.

JENN: Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier was a game changer for me when I was eleven. It opened up the world of suspense and I never looked back.

HANK: When and where are you happiest?
Jenn
INGRID: I’m happiest with the people I love when they are happy and healthy.  The deal is sweetened by a good book, a beach, and a healthy coral reef to snorkel over or scuba dive.  Good food and a good cocktail are also important ingredients in the happiness recipe.

JENN: At my family's summer cottage on the Bay of Fundy in Nova Scotia. Truly, the most beautiful and peaceful place on earth.

HANK: So, the new Reds are water/beach people!
Where do you live? And give us… one sentence about your family.

Ingrid signs
INGRID: I live in Seattle with my husband, Doug.  I’m from Massachusetts and make frequent trips back for research purposes and to see family.  I was responding to these questions in my family’s presence over Christmas, and my niece Zoë suggested the following sentence: Zoë is the greatest niece ever.  Hmmm…not the sentence I would choose.  My one sentence would be that my family is funny, and we get stuff done.

JENN: I live in sunny Arizona in a house overrun with kids, pets, and my husband's guitars. I'm the lone girl so I call it the frat house.

 HANK: West Coasters!  So does that make us…four east, four west?
You can tell I like to organize. But NOT outline! How about you?

INGRID:  I’ve been an outliner for the Fina books, and I’m currently outlining a stand alone.  I am trying to be a little more open-minded about not outlining too strictly this time around, but just typing that makes my skin start to itch with the possibility of hives.  I’m a planner, in life and in my books, but I’m intrigued when I hear other writers talk about a less regimented process.  We’ll see how it turns out!

JENN: Yes, I work from a ten-page outline and I rarely deviate from it. Writing, for me, is much easier with a map.

HANK:  When I first read that answer, Jenn, I thought it said “nap.” That writing was easier with a nap. Also true. So when’s your next book out—and what is it?

INGRID: My next book, DUPLICITY, will be out on January 10th.  It’s the fourth book in my Fina Ludlow series.  Fina is a private investigator in Boston, who works for the Ludlow family firm of personal injury attorneys.  She breaks the rules and the law when it suits her, and she has a strong code of ethics.   In DUPLICITY, she is hired to investigate the activities of an evangelical church and the hold it seems to have over its members.


JENN:  ASSAULT AND BERET comes out on Jan 3rd. The fifth and final in the London Hat Shop mystery series. London milliner Vivian Tremont and her American cousin and partner, Scarlett Parker, tip their caps to their beloved shop on Portobello Road in Notting Hill and set off for Paris, where Viv can’t wait to teach a hat-making class. But she has another reason to travel to the City of Light: to find the man she impulsively eloped with years ago and have their marriage annulled.


HANK: What’s the most dangerous thing you’ve ever done?
INGRID: We’ve taken a helicopter to the top of a glacier in Alaska and climbed ice cliffs with ice axes and crampons, but I didn’t find that particularly dangerous.  Maybe scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef?  We didn’t do the shark dive during which they chum the waters, but we encountered sharks on other dives during the trip.  It’s their ocean, after all! 

JENN: My dad was a glider pilot, so I took some lessons and flew the ship. I even managed to steer it through a wingover! It didn't occur to me that crashing was very real possibility until my feet were back on the ground -- probably a good thing. 


HANK: Yeah, I had a boyfriend who was a glider pilot, and I was so proud of myself for going up with him. (The things we do….)  At one point in the flight he said “Damn!” 
I was terrified! “What?” I yelped.  “Oh nothing,” he said. “I  was just thinking I could have done that maneuver more perfectly. I said: “That’s not ‘Damn!’ That’s ‘Hmm.’ Or—tell me later.”

But wait—there’s more! Tomorrow, we’ll hear much more about Jenn’s new book. And on Wednesday—more revealing answers. We’ll discover which new Red is a singer. Which Red cannot for the life of her make banana cake, and which new Red has galeophobia.

Welcome to the Jungle, sisters! And we are so thrilled you are here!  (And happiest of New Years and much love to Reds emeritae Jan, Rosemary and Susan—once a Red, always a Red!)

Also! In the comments tell me what questions YOU’D like us to ask! And later in the week, we’ll have the answers from Jenn and Ingrid!


184 comments:

  1. How exciting to welcome two new Reds, Ingrid and Jenn! And with new books coming out so soon . . . we readers are very lucky indeed.
    Don’t know as I have a question at the moment . . . I thought you were doing just fine with that, Hank!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Very excited to learn more about the newest Reds.

    Questions for Jenn and Ingrid:

    Jenn: It boggles the mind to me but how do you juggle writing the three series? As a reader, I enjoy reading all of them but find it hard to keep up! And I heard you are starting a new series with a dog?

    Ingrid: Love the Fina books...it's nice to read a modern female PI series, and congratulations on winning the Shamus! Were you a PI in a former life? If yes, do you have a story to tell about a former case/investigation?

    ReplyDelete
  3. Welcome to the gang, ladies. I met Jenn at Left Coast Crime in Monterey, and look forward to meeting Ingrid in person. A Boston-based female PI? Adding your books to my list!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Welcome Ingrid and Jenn! I've read Jenn's books, but Ingrid is a new-to-me author and I will check out her work.

    Thanks for the introduction.

    Dru

    ReplyDelete
  5. We've been anticipating your arrival, Ingrid and Jenn! Hmmm, question...

    Are we more likely to find you in your kitchen or garden?
    Can you listen to music and write at the same time?
    And a question from the original Jungle Reds quiz:
    Audrey Hepburn or Katharine Hepburn?

    ReplyDelete
  6. Welcome welcome welcome! Don't answer any of the reader questions yet, Jenn and Ingrid, we will do that Friday…

    But I do love the original jungle ride questions: so yes, Audrey or Katharine ? Pizza or chocolate? Poirot or Marple?
    I'll put up more as the day goes by…

    ReplyDelete
  7. Jiggling with excitement--welcome Ingrid and Jenn!! I won't ask any questions because I know you've got lots coming. xox

    ReplyDelete
  8. Question for both Jenn and Ingrid: When and what was the basis for that first story idea that came to you--the moment when you committed pen to paper or fingers to keyboard and began to write a mystery novel?

    ReplyDelete
  9. Nice to meetcha, Ingrid and Jenn, even though we've all been here at the same party for awhile now. I've seen you both hanging around the punch table, and even overheard a few conversations, as I'm sure you've heard some of mine. Looking forward to getting to know you, and your books, much better.

    My question: Before you started writing your mystery series, did you do any other kind of writing, and was it professionally or as a hobby?

    ReplyDelete
  10. Great interviews. Saddest thing I read is that Assault and Beret ends one of my favorite series!!!!!! Start another one Jenn!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. So happy to see Jenn here! She is one of my favorite cozy authors.

    ReplyDelete
  12. It would be an honor and of course a great pleasure to win books from the highly esteemed Reds—and WELCOME to the newest Reds; you both are amazing writers joining other amazing writers! My question: What fiction book do you love so much that you re-read it over and over again?

    Cheers & Happy New Year!

    Sheila K.
    skkorman AT bellsouth DOT net

    ReplyDelete
  13. Love the interviews. Please don't let Assault and Beret be the last. I love this series. Please say it isn't so.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Audrey or Katharine - you are killing me. I'm from CT and my uncle lived down the street from Katharine so there is home girl loyalty there, plus, I adore her. But, whenever I doubt myself in fashion or life, I ask myself WWAD (What would Audrey do?) I even used it in a book. So...after I go have a small nervous breakdown, I might be able to answer this question. LOL!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Fun answers welcome to you both. Jenn any new series coming to replace the series ending?
    lhxp73@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. I loved the interviews. Congratulations Jenn! Love your books.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I haven't read any books by these authors but I'm excited to start!
    njcar22@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. Ann in Rochester, another nasty womanJanuary 2, 2017 at 10:21 AM

    Welcome Jenn and Ingrid. I am a reader, not a writer and an enthusiastic fan girl. Looking forward to hearing the answers to all the questions here and reading your books. Happy secon day of the new year.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Welcome Ingrid and Jenn. I am looking forward to learning about you and your work. I have so much to look forward to exploring your books!

    You've joined an awesome group of women. This is going to be fun.

    ReplyDelete
  20. I'm so sad this is the last of the Hat Shop mysteries, Jenn!! But I know you'll keep creating and writing!

    Ingrid, I'll have to check out your books. Always great to discover a new author to me!

    Happy New Year's to everyone!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Welcome to the group! I look forward to both of your new book and learning more about you in the days ahead. Happy New Year to all of the Jungle Reds Writers!

    ReplyDelete
  22. A huge CONGRATULATIONS to amazing authors and friends Jenn McKinlay and Ingrid Thoft who are being welcomed into the fold of the Jungle Red Writers! What a fantastic accomplishment, ladies!!!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Jungle Reds is my favorite blog, and I'm so happy to welcome Jenn and Ingrid! Hank, you did a wonderful job of introducing the two newest members ~ I really enjoy Jenn's books and look forward to Ingrid's!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Welcome Jenn and Ingrid! Jenn is one of my favorite authors. This looks so fun!

    ReplyDelete
  25. This is amazing! Congrats to Jenn and Ingrid
    Thanks,
    Jessica Friday

    ReplyDelete
  26. Love Jenn McKinlay's books. Have been a fan for a long time. Haven't read anything by Ingrid but I'm sure that will change shortly.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Anxiously awaiting Jenn's new book.
    I've kept up with the series and
    really enjoy it.
    this is a new blog for me.
    Glad I found it.
    thanks for sharing
    Happy New year
    .

    ReplyDelete
  28. Congratulations on joining the Wonderful Reds!!! I am looking forward to adding more books to that ever-growing t-b-r mountain.

    ReplyDelete
  29. An amazing accomplishment. Congrats to Jenn and Ingrid! I loved this intro!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Love reading Jenn McKinlay's books. I haven't read any of Ingrid Thoft's but I now have a new author to discover!!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Welcome to both of you. I'm familiar with Jenn and have read all her books but Ingrid is new to me. I'll have to look for the start of her series and add it to my mile-high TBR pile, or list since it's all in my Kindle app.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Can't wait for Jenn's newest. Now I'm off to look up Ingrid's books!

    ReplyDelete
  33. No questions at this time, just a hearty Welcome and glad to see you both join Jungle Red.

    ReplyDelete
  34. I have read Jenn's Cupcake Series but I am excited to try the other series and Ingrid's books. hannah03@bellsouth.net

    ReplyDelete
  35. Congratulations Jenn and Ingrid. Can't wait see you here at the Junge Red Writers

    ReplyDelete
  36. I'm a huge fan of Jenn's books and love that now I have a new author to read, and look forward to checking out Ingrid's series of books!!! Congrats to you both!!!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Excited to read the books by the new Reds. Where do you write?

    ReplyDelete
  38. I love your adventures, all 3 of you! I wonder if mystery authors are adventurous by nature. Glad you have joined the group!

    ReplyDelete
  39. That's awesome two new members!! Congrats!! And some new authors to read!! So exciting.
    Della at deepotter@peoplepc.com

    ReplyDelete
  40. Welcome Jenn and Ingrid! I'm always excited to hear of new books coming out and being introduced to new authors. I'm a longtime fan of Jenn's book :) Great article/Q&A, too.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Welcome to the show! I really hate to read that the Hat Shop series is coming to an end. Say it isn't so. What's next for you both? Dmskrug3 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  42. Welcome to Jenn and Ingrid, and congratulations!

    ReplyDelete
  43. Lovely to learn more about you both. Look forward to seeing more of your blog comments.

    ReplyDelete
  44. Glad to read about both new authors I'm new here too
    I love Jenn's library and cupcake bakery series
    (library is my fav)

    ReplyDelete
  45. So great to see all of you! Hooray! For anyone new to jungle read, we have something new absolutely every day, fun and fabulous and interesting and revealing and we love hearing from you!
    Check out the masthead-- we are all here every day, and it is a wonderful place to meet and greet and learn and laugh.

    ReplyDelete
  46. So much for dictating my comment! Of course I meant Jungle RED . But it's actually fine either way, right?

    ReplyDelete
  47. New authors - this is bad for the TBR! Second day of the year and I have already broken my resolution to not add to the TBR but read what I have. - just put 4 books on hold st library!!

    ReplyDelete
  48. In another life, I was a children's librarian in Seattle. In library school, we were taught that Nancy Drew was "trash" and Encyclopedia Brown wasn't much better. How refreshing to read that these were inspirations for a successful author, Ingrid!
    Jenn, that's a life lesson worth the learning!

    ReplyDelete
  49. Well you really put me on the spot. I can't think of any questions to ask but I can say congratulations! Also I think I may have found my favorite blog of the year!

    ReplyDelete
  50. So happy for you Jenn. Love all of your series. Excited to learn about Jungle Red and new stories to read.

    ReplyDelete
  51. Welcome Ingrid and Jenn. I'm so happy to have you join the Reds. I'm also glad to have fellow West Coasters. I've felt left out because all the other Reds are a couple of thousand miles east of where I live. I know Jenn and have done events with her when I'm in Arizona. And she is funny and witty and delightful. Now I look forward to meeting Ingrid. Are you guys coming to Left Coast Crime in Hawaii?

    ReplyDelete
  52. Glad to see Ingrid in the group. Enjoyed meeting her at Bouchercon a few years ago and looking forwarding to seeing her again this month at B&N

    ReplyDelete
  53. Welcome! And thank you to all the Reds for so much good reading!!

    ReplyDelete
  54. Jenn, I love the Hat Shop series and am sorry to hear that Assualt and Beret will be the last.

    ReplyDelete
  55. Hi, Rhys! Wonderful to "see" you here. We have done a lot of events together! I will be at Left Coast in Hawaii and Bouchercon in Toronto. This is looking to a fun year! Can't wait to see you and catch up! XO

    ReplyDelete
  56. Welcome Jenn and Ingrid! Congrats! I love reading mysteries.

    ReplyDelete
  57. Potagere - I hear you. I did a six year tour of duty as a children's/teen librarian. It was the graphic novels and manga that were taking the "trash" beating when I was there. In central Phoenix if I could get a gangsta kid hooked on Scott Pilgrim or Naruto, I didn't care what the critics said. Reading is reading is reading...

    ReplyDelete
  58. Welcome Jenn and Ingrid! I know Jenn's books well-so sad to see the hat Shop Mystery series end-it's one of my all time favorites. I look forward to learning about Ingrid and her work!

    Happy New Year everyone!

    ReplyDelete
  59. How fun to find a new "to me" group of authors!! I enjoy Jenn McKinlay's books and look forward to reading new books of hers and others!

    ReplyDelete
  60. Welcome to the new Reds! I've been reading and loving Jenn McKinlay's books for years. Also, Loyalty, Ingrid Thoft's first Fina Ludlow book, was my favorite book of 2013. I am looking forward to hearing more about them both.

    ReplyDelete
  61. Thanks for the sympathies about ASSAULT AND BERET, everyone. It is hard to let a series go, but like decluttering your closet, it makes room for new and wonderful stuff. Right? Plus, those characters might be doing a cameo in an upcoming book in another series because I clearly have attachment issues. LOL. Shhh, don't tell.

    ReplyDelete
  62. I'm so excited to see the very talented Jenn McKinlay join your group! I look forward to discovering the new-to-me authors who are also part of the Jungle Red Writers!

    ReplyDelete
  63. Welcome to the newest Reds! It is so much fun to see the team growing - and so wonderful to have whole new series to explore.

    ReplyDelete
  64. So awesome! I had the pleasure of meeting Jenn McKinlay at the ALA Annual Conference two years in a row. =) I've read many of the books in the Library Lover's mystery series as well as Loyalty, the first in Thoft's Fina Ludlow series (just started that series not too long ago!)

    Congrats to the both of you!

    ReplyDelete
  65. Welcome to you both and Happy New Year to all the Reds! And a special congrats and a great big smooch to my buddy Jenn. So happy to see you here!!

    ReplyDelete
  66. Can't wait to read some new books in the new year! Welcome to the new Jungle Red authors. I've read Jenn Mckinlay, and I'm looking forward to reading books by Ingrid Thoft! Love all of the Jungle Reds!

    ReplyDelete
  67. Jenn, Rebecca by Daphne DuMaurier is my favorite book of all time. I read it at about the same age as you did. It was the first "grownup " book that I remember reading and I was incredibly enthralled by it. I love the monie too. Please say hi to your mom for me. I was director of the Middletown Library Service Center for many years and she was one of our favorite customers. Love your library series. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  68. How wxciting!!! I love Jenn's books and now I'll have to check out Ingrid's. You all are awesome!!

    ReplyDelete
  69. Welcome to Jenn and Ingrid! Not familiar (yet) with Jenn's books but love Ingrids Fina Ludlow series. Great reads!

    ReplyDelete
  70. Love Jenn's books, now to try Ingrid's

    ReplyDelete
  71. Congrats Jenn and Ingrid!! Both of you are amazing writers!! I always look forward to reading them. Congratulations again!!

    ReplyDelete
  72. Congrats to you both. An exciting day

    ReplyDelete
  73. Looking forward to reading some new authors. I have read all of Jenn's but none of Ingrid's. Something to look forward to in the new year....

    ReplyDelete
  74. Congrats, welcome to Jenn and Ingrid!

    ReplyDelete
  75. Congrats to both of you! Looking forward to reading these! Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  76. Congratulations! So excited for you, Jenn!

    ReplyDelete
  77. Already a fan of the Lindsay Norris & God Buy Girls series by Jenn....will definitely be checking out Fina Ludlow.....because one can never read too many series, right? Right?

    ReplyDelete
  78. How can Nancy Drew be trash when she taught so many of us how to think? Thank you, Potagere!

    And thank you Jenn and Ingrid, for introducing us to so many of your pals.

    Welcome all to Jungle Red!

    if you click on our photos in the masthead, it takes you to our pages. Come like us on Facebook, too!
    https://www.facebook.com/Jungle-Red-124219617626731/?fref=ts

    (Mine is: https://www.facebook.com/HankPhillippiRyanAuthor/ )

    ReplyDelete
  79. Welcome to Ingrid and Jenn! I've been happily reading my way through Jenn's library series and just added Ingrid's "Loyalty" to my Kindle. And the TBR mountain grows and grows!

    ReplyDelete
  80. I always worry that the protagonist will get killed. I would like to know if they enjoy putting them in danger & how do you decide on how much danger. Mary Craig

    ReplyDelete
  81. I had never heard of your blog until a friend posted it.. now going to spend time reading it..

    ReplyDelete
  82. Hello to Ingrid and Jenn. I'm familiar with Jenny and her works. Ingrid is a new to me author and I look forward to learning more about her books and interests.

    ReplyDelete
  83. Hurray, Bobbin' with Terrie! Yay!

    Ladybear, that is a GREAT question!

    ReplyDelete
  84. Love Jenn's writing. Looking forward to reading Ingrid's. Congratulations on becoming a "Red."

    ReplyDelete
  85. What fun news. I love Jenn's books and her fabulous humor. Cannot wait to read more about both authors. Love the questions and answers so far!

    ReplyDelete
  86. Congrats to both of you! Awesome news!

    ReplyDelete
  87. Thank you for the giveaway. ...I love Jenn's books and I look forward to reading Ingrids.

    ReplyDelete
  88. Congrats Jenn and Ingrid, and thanks for introducing me to this interesting group!

    ReplyDelete
  89. Welcome to the new Reds. I'll look forward to reading your posts and your books. I love the giveaway stack. They all look very interesting.

    ReplyDelete
  90. Well, I confess that my own favorite as a kid was Enid Blyton's "The XXX of Adventure " series.
    Currently working my way thru Andrew Greeley's Blackie Ryan series and Susan Macneal's Maggie Hope Series.
    All caught up on Charles Todd's Inspector Rutledge series and anxiously awaiting the latest one from Deb!

    ReplyDelete
  91. Welcome! Loved the question about childhood books that inspired them. Would also like to know if the girls have any special food that they must have close-by when writing.

    ReplyDelete
  92. Jenn, did your father fly gliders in the military? Glad you are both joining the group. Janngrogan@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  93. Hi Jenn and Ingrid! I can't wait to hear the answers to all the great questions.

    Jenn, I am so sad about the Hat Shop series--it is one of my favorites. (As you know:-)) There is some comfort in the possibility of cameos, but how I will miss Portobello Road...

    Potagere, thank you! Not long to wait now! When my daughter was growing up I brought her back a stack of Enid Blyton books every time I went to England. And, yes, I have saved them for another little reader.

    ReplyDelete
  94. Welcome to both new Reds! And thanks Ingrid for your New Year's Eve toast to our improving backs. I guess you've had issues there too? Best wishes for improvement.

    ReplyDelete
  95. Congrats on becoming Jungle Red Writers! Happy New to you All! Can't wait to read your upcoming books. I am rather sad that this is to be the last in the Hat Shop Mysteries, it is one of my favorite series, Jenn.

    ReplyDelete
  96. Welcome new Reds. I'm already familiar with Jenn's work and I look forward to reading Ingrid's.

    ReplyDelete
  97. Congrats on being a Jungle Red Writer that is simply wonderful!

    ReplyDelete
  98. Victoria Smith! Special food--great question. That's on the list!

    Keep them coming!

    ReplyDelete
  99. Welcome to the Jungle, Jenn and Ingrid!

    ReplyDelete
  100. I am so happy to see two more great authors were added. An awesome group of authors.

    ReplyDelete
  101. Welcome! This is such a wonderful source for feeding my reading addiction; can't wait to read the works of these newest members!

    ReplyDelete
  102. I am one of Jenn's biggest fans and hope to be one of Ingrid's too! Welcome!
    My question? If you could have lunch with any three authors- past or present, who would they be? Present company excluded, of course. Or, which three characters?
    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  103. I love this format for introducing New Reds����
    Jenn, I have a pair of earrings designed after the Bay of Fundy waves (designer from Maine) . Excited to read your books ladies!!!������

    ReplyDelete
  104. Welcome to a new blog! Can't wait to read some of Ingrid's books and I love Jenn's writing!!

    ReplyDelete
  105. So many terrific questions . . . I’m looking forward to reading all the answers!
    Jenn and Ingrid, How do you choose the books you read for pleasure? Do you browse in bookshops, read reviews, or depend on recommendations from others? Do you have a favorite “for pleasure reading” genre?

    ReplyDelete
  106. How do you keep several series at one straight? Welcome to the blog!

    ReplyDelete
  107. What an exciting blog to start following, I found this site through Jenn McKinlay's Facebook page. I'd love to learn more about Ingrid's books, she is a new author to me. Thanks for the information today, lilflynracer at msn.com.

    ReplyDelete
  108. Loving these questions... the lunch author choice is SO TOUGH! We'll see who they pick. (and J Cochran, you and I would have to be included, too, right?)

    ANd yes, how to choose a book--great one!

    ReplyDelete
  109. Congrats Ingrid and Jenn on becoming a Red!! Look forward to seeing more of you!

    ReplyDelete
  110. Jenn Mckinlay is one of my favorite authors. I'm sure I'll find more great recommendations from here!

    ReplyDelete
  111. Congrats on joining the Jungle. Love Ingrid and look forward to reading Jenn.

    ReplyDelete
  112. I have a question for all of you, including you Hank. "Do any of you have a program that lets your fans become characters in your books?"

    ReplyDelete
  113. Hi, I'd like to know how you feel about Canadians, eh?

    ReplyDelete
  114. WOW!!! What an incredibly warm welcome from the Jungle Red community! I'm so honored to officially be a Red and so glad we're letting the cat out of the bag!

    Jenn and I were both guests at a dinner with Barnes & Nobles folks a couple of years ago at the Bouchercon in Long Beach. It was a small affair, but in a loud restaurant with awkward seating so we didn't really get to chat. Amazing that two years later, we're finally getting the opportunity to talk!

    I look forward to diving into your great questions later this week!

    ReplyDelete
  115. Congratulations, Jenn. And congrats to Jungle Red Writers for gaining a stellar new addition.

    ReplyDelete
  116. So cool to discover this blog at the beginning of the year. My question: would you ever be tempted to take on the Kennedy assassination or the lost Anastasia or other major real life messy story?

    ReplyDelete
  117. Yay! New authors to me. Need to get reading. So very glad you are here.

    ReplyDelete
  118. Wow! This is so so cool to have Jenn & Ingrid here! Ingrid is a new-to-me author, so, I'll need to do some research. Jenn I know. Love her writing! Happy New Year Everyone!

    ReplyDelete
  119. Ingrid and Jenn,

    Welcome to JRW!

    Diana

    ReplyDelete
  120. Welcome to you both! Looking forward to reading your posts.

    Happy New Year to everyone!

    ReplyDelete
  121. You are in very good company, ladies. I'm looking forward to your comments here and to your books.

    ReplyDelete
  122. Just want to say again that it's exciting to have two new authors at my favorite blog!

    I didn't realize, Jenn, just how many series you have written! More books for me to read. I've been enjoying the library series.(And as a CT resident, I try to identify the fictitious places in the books!) I knew you'd written other books but didn't realize how many.

    Because of Jenn and Ingrid joining the Reds, I'll need to postpone retirement indefinitely so I can afford to buy more books. For books written by non-Reds, I use the library. I prefer to purchase books by the Reds, either in print or on Kindle. (The Kindle version enables me to carry dozens of books on vacation with me.)

    Deb Romano

    ReplyDelete
  123. Hello, Ingrid! Thank you for letting me know about this great group, some familiar to me and some not. I look forward to reading some great posts!

    ReplyDelete
  124. What an awesome addition to your group Jenn McKinlay will be! She's one of my favorite writers and seems to be a really nice gal with a somewhat wacky sense of humor (the best kind, don't you think?) It's great to have found your blog as well.

    ReplyDelete
  125. Well, we are thrilled you all are here! And happy we ordered enough champagne for everyone...

    LaLa, that is SO tempting! We'll see what they say.

    ReplyDelete
  126. Congrats to the new members! Enjoyed the interviews since both authors are new to me. Thanks and I don't have any questions at this time.

    ReplyDelete
  127. Congratulations to the new members. I look forward to reading your books.

    ReplyDelete
  128. William Mackela, yes, I often auction character names..let's see if we can do that here on the blog so you can enter!

    Chevy Stevens--whoa. Fan girl moment for me. And Canadians? Im coming to Toronto twice this year! Yay. Cannot wait.

    And everyone knows Rosemarie Keenan, right? As Rene Patrick, she and her husband write an old-Hollywood series with Edith Head as a main character! The first one is Design for Dying.

    ReplyDelete
  129. How exciting...welcome!!

    parkeremma2003 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  130. Wow, I just learned a new word--galeophobia. Glad to have discovered Jungle Red and the wonderful new books to read.

    ReplyDelete
  131. Welcome, Welcome, Welcome. I love the library series by Jenn. I'll have to read all the other series as well. I love finding new authors to read. Nothing like a good cozy mystery.

    ReplyDelete
  132. Welcome and congratulations to Jenn and Ingrid!!! You guys get to join Jungle Red so I most definitely will follow. Love your series Jennifer, which one you ask why of course all of them!!!

    ReplyDelete
  133. Potagere, Library School said Nancy Drew was trash?! That's blasphemy! Without Nancy Drew we wouldn't have V.I. or Kinsey or Fina!

    Roxanne, I didn't know the meaning of galeophobia, either. I think I know the answer to Hank's question, however!

    Chevy, Jungle Reds love Canadians, and you're one of my favorites! Can't wait for you to do a guest blog here!

    ReplyDelete
  134. Ingrid mentioned that she's working on a stand alone at the moment—which allows me to ask about the larger trend in mystery writing. I grew up reading the many mysteries that my dad had on the shelves around the house, and most came from series. Authors like Robert B Parker faithfully churned out a Spenser book each year, and you knew as a reader that you would have a yearly reunion with your favorite character. Maybe once every 15 years an author would write a stand alone or introduce a 2nd character. Now, however, it seems like even those who write series, like Ingrid, put that character aside every 4-5 books, if not more frequently. Many others write predominately stand alone books. What changed? Is this a business side of the industry thing? Is it something where characters get put through much more of a ringer than the characters of yore, and need more breaks? Is it something else?

    ReplyDelete
  135. Wow! I had to wait to read the blog this afternoon, and I find 137 comments already! Is that some sort of record? I don't think I have time to read through all the comments right now (on a reading and reviewing deadline for a book out tomorrow), but I will eventually get through them all.

    Ingrid and Jen, I am so loving the Q & A. Ingrid, The Westing Game is one of my favorite books of all time, even though I didn't read it until I was an adult. Of course, Ellen Raskin didn't write it until 1978, and I was 24 year old and a newlywed at that point in my life. Jen, Rebecca is another life-time favorite of mine, and I did manage to read it in high school. Two of the very best books ever. So, I'm already fans of both of you. Of course, I am looking forward to reading your books in the near future. One thing I like to keep up with in my reading is the books of my Jungle Red authors. Deb Romano, I'm with you on buying the Reds' books, too.

    So, welcome Ingrid and Jenn to the big Red blog, where life and reading are at their most vibrant!





    ReplyDelete
  136. Welcome. What's the one food you'd never try and what's the strangest thing you have eaten?
    sgiden at verizon(.)net

    ReplyDelete
  137. Welcome, Ingrid and Jenn! Excited to meet you and had you to my list of authors to read. No,questions. I just love to get involved in the mysteries you write.

    ReplyDelete
  138. How exciting! It really is the cool kids table.

    ReplyDelete
  139. Welcome! Loved reading the questions and answers. Love that you're doing a starter library giveaway. I see that Ingrid and Jenn are water/beach people. I wonder if Jenn misses Nova Scotia. It's so far away from Arizona. Seattle looks like a good place to live---not too far from water.

    ReplyDelete
  140. Congratulations to you both! Looking forward to hearing more from you. (And yay, west coast! *throws up awkward, incorrect west-coast gang sign*)

    ReplyDelete
  141. I thought of a question, one that I need to start including in my interviews because it is something that got me interested in murder solving early on. When I was around thirteen or so, a big-time farmer in our community lost his wife to murder. The wife's mother, the man's mother-in-law was charged with shooting the victim, who died instantly. There are so many aspects of this case that don't add up, and the man was a friend of my father's. I've always wanted to write about the case, and I still might. My question for Ingrid and Jen is this. Was there a murder case while you were growing up or in your young adult life that captured your attention and made crime/mystery writing even more alluring to you?

    ReplyDelete
  142. Oh, so excited to have new Reds, my only question--shall we celebrate with wine- or tea?

    ReplyDelete
  143. Sincerest congratulations, love your hat shop series, Jenn!

    ReplyDelete
  144. Congratulations! If you could go back in any of the series that you have written, would you change the direction you took early on so you could have different outcomes later in the series?

    ReplyDelete
  145. Kathy, such a good question, and a particular case came to mind immediately! Stay tuned for my answer!

    Tammy, I'm throwing the awkward West Coast sign right back at ya!

    I just happened to flip through "Rebecca" yesterday and re-read the opening pages. You always go back to the greats.

    ReplyDelete
  146. I can't wait to read the last hat shop mystery. Are you starting a new series? I love your books!

    ReplyDelete
  147. I am really interested in this blog, I learned of it through on of you new Reds, Jenn McKinlay. I am excited to learn about the other Reds and give their books a read. I am really bummed this is the end of Jenn's Hat Shop Mystery series, but my question for Jenn and Ingrid would be what do you both enjoy doing when you have some down time?

    ReplyDelete
  148. Congrats to you New members! I am so looking forward to New books!!!

    ReplyDelete
  149. Loved reading about when you are the happiest. I live in Nova Scotia, so very familiar with the Bay of Fundy and the kind Nova Scotia people. Glad you are getting to sit at the big peoples table. Looking forward to buying some of your books to read now that Nova Scotia has settled into a long winter.

    ReplyDelete
  150. Hello Ingrid Thoft. Love your books...
    Judith Snivley-Lewis

    ReplyDelete
  151. Congrats on being new members! I loved the interview.
    moonbay7399@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  152. So excited to discover Jungle Reds and to read the interviews with the two new Reds! I love Jenn's Hat Shop Mysteries so am bummed that the new book will be the last. My question - How do publishers make the decision to to discontinue a series and can the author take the storyline to a new publisher?

    ReplyDelete
  153. I just burst out laughing, Tammy! A west coast gang sign. Ahhh...

    And these are SUCH good questions--maybe two days worth! Whoa.

    ReplyDelete
  154. Brian, that is SUCH a big question--maybe its a whole blog...

    And Kathy, I don't even remember hearing about real murders when I was a kid. Let me think about that!

    SO pleased to hear from each and every one of you!

    (Tomorrow, more about Jenn's new book--and Wednesday--more fun questions and another giveaway!)

    ReplyDelete
  155. What a wonderful start to the new year! I am delighted to see all of the cool kids posting here :) Thanks for making me feel welcome! I am really looking forward to getting to know all of the Reds.

    ReplyDelete
  156. Congratulations, ladies. It couldn't happen to two more deserving writers!

    ReplyDelete
  157. I don't know Ingrid's work but I love Jenn's writing! Assault and Beret will arrive tomorrow! I've also never heard of Jungle Red Writers, so I need to check you out! My question is, What is the number one thing that causes you to NOT write?

    ReplyDelete
  158. Sue, welcome! Please come back and visit--and it's so great to meet all of you!
    Your question is definitely on the list!

    ReplyDelete
  159. Can't wait to read more about Jenn and Ingrid.

    ReplyDelete
  160. Thanks, Dianne! YAY! COme back often...xoo

    ReplyDelete
  161. Jen is one of my very favorites. Looking forward to reading Ingrid's work!

    ReplyDelete
  162. I'm curious, what theme of book would be top on your list to conquer writing?

    ReplyDelete
  163. Welcome to the Jungle. I've enjoyed reading the authors here and adding you adds more books to the TBR pile - oh, HORRORS :) (Sara annefitza [at] yahoo)

    ReplyDelete
  164. Welcome to Ingrid and Jenn! I am currently reading Jenn's Library Lovers series, and I have the Hat Shop series queued up next. I have now added Ingrid's series to my TBR pile.

    My question for you is: What place would you most like to visit on vacation that you have never been to before?

    ReplyDelete
  165. Always looking for new writers to read and I have been reading Jenn for years. Great company to keep.

    ReplyDelete
  166. Great new additions, great opportunity to win some books 📚

    ReplyDelete
  167. Love Jenn's books. Looking forward to reading Ingrid's. Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  168. Congratulations Jenn & Ingrid ! For those who don't know either of them, prepare to have more friends (aka characters) in your life!

    ReplyDelete
  169. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  170. What an exciting way to start the new year! Congrats Jenn!!

    ReplyDelete
  171. So exciting! Congratulations and Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
  172. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  173. Sounds fabulous! What do you all have in common, other than leaving dead bodies by the wayside? :D -Julie

    ReplyDelete
  174. I read Encyclopedia Brown, Nancy Drew, the Hardy Boys, Trixie Belden, and the Three Investigators when I was a kid. I'm very familiar with Jenn's books but not Ingrid's. I don't like doing dangerous things.

    ReplyDelete