An Interview With Leeann Betts ~ Win a copy of Petty Cash!

Today Suspense Sisters welcomes cozy author, Leeann Betts, who has a new release, Petty Cash. If you leave a comment after the interview, you'll be entered in the drawing for a free copy. 

If you had to describe yourself in one sentence, what would you say?  I am cute and perky and all the things my real-life persona, Donna Schlachter, isn’t. (At least, that’s what she always says J)

What do you do when you’re not writing? Any interesting hobbies? I wear several hats, including wife, mom, grandmother, accountant, and proofreader. I also love to help writers move their story to the next level, so I judge in writing contests, facilitate a critique group, and offer editing/critique/publishing services.

What was your favorite book as a teen or child? Anything with animals, particularly horses. Think Misty of Chincoteague, Black Beauty, Call of the Wild.

Tell us three things about yourself that might surprise your readers. I am a Canadian by birth, an American by choice, and I once danced with a gold medal figure skater.

What genre did you start out writing? Have you changed course? Why or why not? I started out writing children’s stories, because I stupidly thought that would be easier. Not. Then I started writing devotions and greeting cards for the same reason. Not. Short stories. Not. Once I asked myself if I had at least one book in me and set out to prove or disprove that, I found my favorite writing place.

What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment? I was once told nobody wanted to read about accountants because accountants are boring. The best compliment was one of my recent books, Hidden Assets, reminded the reader of Agatha Christie on her best day.

Any other genres you’d like to try? If yes, what and why? I’ve written contemporary suspense, cozy mystery, and historic suspense. I’d love to try my hand at an historical mystery series a la Murdoch Mysteries.

If you could go back in time and do something differently at the start of your career, what would it be? If I could go back in time, I’d start writing sooner and listen less to the critics.

What is the most important piece of advice you’d like to give to unpublished authors? Keep writing. Keep submitting to contests and critique groups. Listen to what folks are saying. Don’t take it all to heart, but look for a pattern.

Tell us about Petty Cash

Carly Turnquist, forensic accountant, is headed off for another mystery. Or two. Or three. She and hubby Mike head to Cape Cod as emotional support for their daughter Denise and her dentist husband Don who finds himself in the middle of a potential practice dissolution. But when their host fails to make an appearance, and a tropical storm blows through the area, things are topsy-turvy. Then when their host's body washes ashore, Don is suspected. After all, they'd had several arguments witnessed by a number of people, not to mention a sizable partnership life insurance policy--with Don as sole beneficiary in the event Mo pre-deceases him. Add into the mix a local ghostly legend that keeps appearing in a haunted lighthouse, a local fisherman with a costly secret, and a blossoming friendship between her grandkids and a local named Sammy, and Carly has her hands full. 

Tell us about yourself:

Leeann Betts writes contemporary suspense, while her real-life persona, Donna Schlachter, pens historical suspense. She has released six titles in her cozy mystery series, By the Numbers, and Petty Cash released in December. In addition, Leeann has written a devotional for accountants, bookkeepers, and financial folk, Counting the Days, and with her real-life persona, Donna Schlachter, has published a book on writing, Nuggets of Writing Gold, a compilation of essays, articles, and exercises on the craft.

Website: www.LeeannBetts.com Receive a free ebook just for signing up for our quarterly newsletter.

Blog: www.AllBettsAreOff.wordpress.com Facebook: http://bit.ly/1pQSOqV

Twitter: http://bit.ly/1qmqvB6   Books: Amazon http://amzn.to/2dHfgCE 

Leave Leeann a comment for a chance to win a signed print copy of Petty Cash. You must leave your email address in order to win the drawing.

Thanks, readers, for dropping by Suspense Sisters.   ~  Mary Ellis