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Wednesday, January 10, 2018

INTERVIEW WITH JULIANNA DEERING



JULIANNA DEERING has always been an avid reader and a lover of storytelling, whether on the page, the screen or the stage. This, along with her keen interest in history and her Christian faith, shows in her tales of love, forgiveness and triumph over adversity. A fifth-generation Texan, she makes her home north of Dallas with three spoiled cats and, when not writing, spends her free time quilting, cross stitching and watching NHL hockey. Her series of Drew Farthering mysteries set in 1930s England debuted from Bethany House with Rules of Murder (2013) and is followed by Death by the Book and Murder at the Mikado (2014), Dressed for Death (2016), Murder on the Moor and Death at Thorburn Hall (2017). Also, as DeAnna Julie Dodson, she has written a trilogy of medieval romances (In Honor Bound, By Love Redeemed and To Grace Surrendered) and several contemporary mysteries for Annie’s Fiction and Guideposts. She is represented by Wendy Lawton of the Books & Such Literary Agency (www.booksandsuch.biz). Find out more about Julianna by visiting her website.

INTERVIEW


What made you decide to be a writer in the first place?  

I think it’s what I was created to do. I never even thought about writing when I was growing up, though I always loved to read. But I got to the point where I wasn’t finding the kind of stories I was looking for on the bookstore shelves. I wanted something romantic and set in a historical time period as well as something that didn’t go against my Christian principles. At the time, I particularly wanted something medieval, and I just couldn’t find it, so I began writing it myself. That eventually became my first book, In Honor Bound (written as DeAnna Julie Dodson). I haven’t stopped writing since.

What is the hardest part about writing?

Thinking of new things for my characters to do and new places for them to go. Readers (and publishers) usually want something brand new but just like what you’ve done before. Yes, I know that seems contradictory, but it’s true. They want something just as entertaining as your previous books, something that involves the characters they’ve come to love, but something new and different, but not too different. It’s quite a task to keep figuring out what to do, but it’s also a challenge I enjoy.

Which author’s work do you admire most?

Oh, there are so many! But I’ll narrow it down to just the cozy mystery shelf and choose Dame Agatha Christie, the writer of my most favorite mystery books: And Then There Were None and Murder on the Orient Express. I can never decide which one is my favorite, so I always choose both. My favorite mystery series would have to be Margery Allingham’s Albert Campion books. They’re all so amazingly plotted. I want to write like her when I grow up!

Why did you choose to write about a male main character?

I like to read historical romance and historical mystery with a Christian worldview. For some reason, that seems to almost always mean a female main character. I like doing something a little different. Plus, if I create a swoon-worthy main character, then I get to swoon over him as a reader. And, since I created him, he’ll be just the kind of guy I want to spend time with. Jackpot!

I do love Drew Farthering. He’s handsome and charming and has an Oxford education and the lovely British accent to go with it. He loves to read, especially mysteries, and has a natural interest in solving puzzles, namely the unsolved murders he’s always running into. He has a good sense of humor and sometimes uses it to help him find the truth, but he’s also humble enough to admit when he’s wrong and that he has a deep need for God. I wish I could meet him in real life.

If you weren’t writing historical cozy mystery, what would you write?

I think, at least for now, it would be Regency romance. I’m a great fan of Georgette Heyer’s Regencies (with a few exceptions), and I’d like to try my hand at one. I have a brief outline done, and I plan to start work on it as soon as I have time. I also have plans for a fantasy, too, but that has to wait as well. For now, I have contracts that will keep me busy until the spring of 2019.

Do you ever think about quitting the writing business?

All the time. Not because I don’t love it (or, at least, I love having written), but because I am such a slow writer. There are so many things I’d love to write and read and watch and sew and experience, but it seems I’m always rushing just to meet my deadlines. I could never quit writing though. All I need are paper and pencil to create any kind of world I want to visit and any kind of person I want to visit it with. How fun is that?


DEATH AT THORBURN HALL

Drew Farthering arrives in idyllic Scotland for the 1935 British Open at Muirfield hoping for a relaxing holiday, but he soon finds a mystery on his hands. Lord Rainsby, his host at Thorburn Hall, fears his business partner may be embezzling and asks Drew to quietly investigate. Before Drew can uncover anything, Rainsby is killed in a suspicious riding accident.

Thorburn Hall is filled with guests, and as Drew continues to dig, he realizes that each might have had a motive. Together with Madeline and Nick, he must sort through shady business dealings, international intrigue, and family tensions to find a killer who always seems to be one step ahead.

For a chance to win a print copy of DEATH AT THORBURN HALL, leave a comment, along with your contact information. U.S. only, please. 


 

 

29 comments:

  1. Thanks for the interview. I only read one Drew story and I loved it. Needless to say, I added the rest to my TBR list. I'd love to win this latest installment. By the way, I can see a bit of Agatha Christie's influence, at least the cover style. Lol.Thanks.

    Annie
    justcommonlyATgmailDOTcom

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    1. I hope you'll get to read more, Annie. I'd love to know what you think of them. :D


      Julianna Deering

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  2. I have not read any of Drew’s stories. I thought I might have one of them on myself, but I checked and I don’t see it. Sounds like a charming fellow.

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Hi, Patty! I hope you'll give Drew a try. I've had a lot of fun writing him. You can read any of the books and not be lost, but if you want the best experience reading about his love affair with Madeline, start with Book One, Rules of Murder. Enjoy!

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  3. Recently watched Murder on the Orient Express but haven't actually read any of Agatha Christie's books. Is the movie similar to the book?


    arletta(DOT)boulton(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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    1. I haven't seen the new movie, but I've heard they made a lot of changes to what Agatha Christie wrote, and that makes me sad. You can't go wrong with the book. It's perfection. If you want to watch a (mostly) faithful, all-star movie version, try the one made in 1974. It's greatness!

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  4. This is one of my favorite series! I think I may behind a book or two though.
    Jubileereviews@yahoo.com

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    1. You must catch up! ;)

      Thanks for reading, Melanie!

      Julianna Deering

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  5. I have not read any of the books in the series but would love to.
    mindyhoung AT msn DOT com

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    1. Hello, Mindy! I hope you get to spend some time with Drew and Madeline. If you like old-fashioned cozy mystery, you'll find yourself right at home. :)

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  6. This sounds like a great book!
    CRPrairie1(@)imonmail(dot)com
    Martha T.

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    1. I'd love for you to give it a try, Martha!

      Julianna Deering

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  7. I have some of these books but not this one. Cozy mysteries are my favorite type of book. I love British ones too and Agatha Christie.
    catbooks72(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Hi, Michelle! Isn't Dame Agatha great? Poirot is my favorite of her detectives.

      Julianna Deering

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  8. I’ve heard and read some great things about this book!
    tumcsec(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Thank you, Gail. I hope you enjoy the series. :)

      Julianna Deering

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  9. Great interview, I have not read any of your books yet. Looking forward to read them. Thank you. rose Blackard (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. Hi, Rose! I hope you get a chance to spend some time with Drew and his friends. They're a lot of fun. :)

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  10. Enjoyed reading the interview. I enjoy cozy mysteries and also am a fan of Dame Agatha.
    betsylu2@msn.com

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    1. Isn't she great, Beth? I especially love Poirot, and especially as portrayed by David Suchet. He IS Poirot! :)

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  11. Great interview! I have never read any of the Drew Fathering books. Actually, you are a new author to me. I'd love to start reading about this guy.
    duellonlysis(at)aol(dot)com

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  12. I'd love to try this book!
    Rosalyn
    allofakindmom at gmail dot com

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  13. wow this does sound interesting. the cover is interesting. cool.
    quilting dash lady at Comcast dot net

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  14. I really love the synopsis of the book. Historical fiction is one of my favorite genre. Would love to read "Death at Thorburn Hill".
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

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  15. Not entering to win, as I read and reviewed the book already..... just want to say I really enjoy this series.

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  16. Greatly appreciate the interview with JULIANNA DEERING. I always love learning more about authors of books I want to read. I'd very much love to read DEATH AT THORBURN HALL. Thanks for the chance to win a copy!
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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  18. I enjoyed meeting Dashing Drew in Rules of Murder! I'd love to read Death at Thornburn Hall.

    Great interview with Julianna! Thank you for the chance.

    psalm103and138atgmaildotcom

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  19. I have one of these books and have read all but Thornburg Hall! Would love to win it! I love Drew, Madeline and Nick! paulams49ATsbcglobalDOTnet I love Poirot, too!

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