Our visiting author this month is Michele Lynn Siegfried with her newest book Community Affairs. This is the second book I’ve read in the series and I have to say they just keep getting better. What I like about Michele’s writing is definitely the pacing. You can’t put it down. The characters are engaging and funny and the scene with the flaming dog poop on the porch? Is this a Jersey thing? That is a ONE BAD NEIGHBOR.
Michele was kind enough to answer some questions about her writing and after you read that don’t forget to scroll down and find the prize guy! Enter to win a $50 Amazon Gift Card, a signed copy of Community Affairs, and an ebook copy!
Here’s Michele…..
- Tell us a little about yourself.
Hi Teresa! Thanks for hosting me on your blog today!
I guess I’ll start with telling you about my books! I have written three mystery novels for adults and seven children’s picture books. The mystery novels are all part of the Jersey Shore Mystery Series and include Red Tape, Tax Cut and Community Affairs (in that order). The children’s books I write are inspired by my toddler, who just turned three this month. I was an art minor in college, so I love to illustrate as well as write. Writing and illustrating for me are an escape from reality! I find both to be relaxing and fun.
Other than being a mom, I also work full-time in a government job. I was born and raised in New Jersey, and though I travel a lot, I’ve never lived elsewhere. I come from a very large Italian family and I have a beautiful adopted English Setter puppy too!
What inspired the idea behind your book? Or should I ask, what are your neighbors really like?
I knew I wanted to write a third book in the Jersey Shore Mystery Series, and I just loved Bonnie’s character so much that I wanted to give her a leading role. Yes, I have had some crazy neighbors—not quite with the antics Lyla Spratt pulled in Community Affairs! I also get inspiration from current events or even not so current ones, like the anthrax scare at a major post office in the town where I grew up.
Who is your favorite character to create scenes for in the book?
Boy, it is hard to pick just one. Bonnie is fun to write because she can be so crazy. Tex’s sarcasm is a lot of fun as well. Here is one of their exchanges:
I dialed Tex’s cell phone. I wasn’t sure if he’d be at work on a Saturday. He answered on the second ring.
“Speak to me.”
“That’s a rude way to answer your phone.”
“Well, well, well, if it isn’t the whore who lives next door.”
“And I’m talking to the prick who was hit with the Entenmann’s stick.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means you’re cruel and overweight. It also means you’re not too bright, being that I had to explain it to you.”
“Hey. That wasn’t nice.”
“And I didn’t appreciate you calling me a whore.”
“Fine. Truce?”
“Truce.”
“So, let me guess. You are calling about your neighbor.”
“Yes, but I’m not complaining. I called to tell you my neighbor sent the envelope with the powder in it to my work.”
“Yes, dear. I’m already aware.”
“Oh. How did you know? Cop code? You guys are worse than little old ladies with the way you gossip.”
“No, Ms. Know-It-All. I got a call from Homeland Security.”
How can readers find your books and what other books are in this series?
Readers can find my books on Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, and many other retailers. They can also find out more information about each on my website www.michelelynnseigfried.com
The books in the Jersey Shore Mystery Series are:
Red Tape
Tax Cut
Community Affairs
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Community Affairs Prizes
$50 Amazon gift card
An autographed copy of Community Affairs
A Kindle copy of Community Affairs
My Review of Community Affairs- 5 Stars
Michele Lynn Siegfried does it again with her city clerk, Bonnie Fattori who sometimes can’t keep her mouth shut or her sense of flirtation down to a respectable level. This time Bonnie encounters a crazy new neighbor with a husband who just loves to flirt. Miss Siegfried peppers the story with some wonderful descriptions that had me laughing out loud like “he lit up like a teenager with a fistful of ones at a nudie bar.” This is a fun, fast-paced mystery to read with a plot twist you won’t see coming. Just excellent!