|
 Every
summer, my husband and I take the boys to our
favorite destination, Charleston, SC. With each
visit, we discover another facet of the Holy City
that we never knew existed. Without a doubt, our
most memorable tour was in Charleston’s
Haunted Historic District. Lurking in one of the
country’s oldest graveyards after dark in
search `of ghostly beings is an indescribable
experience. Even if we hadn’t entertained
the idea of them existing before, afterwards we
were true believers!
This month’s Jen’s Jewels Carolyn
Hart knows exactly what I am talking about. In
her latest release MERRY, MERRY GHOST she continues
her highly popular Bailey Ruth Series incorporating
the holiday season with ghostly beings. A delightful
mystery perfect for this time of year, her jolly
good cheer brings much joy to her many devoted
fans.
As part of this interview, William Morrow has
generously donated five copies for you, my lucky
readers, to win. So, don’t forget to check
for the trivia question at the end. And without
a doubt, thanks for making Jen’s Jewels
a part of your holiday season! 
Jen: As a child, you were nipped by the
“writing bug” at the young age of
eleven. Since then, you have become an award-winning
mystery writer as well as a Pulitzer Prize for
Fiction nominee. So that my readers may have a
better understanding of the path that led to your
stellar career, please tell us about your educational
and professional background.
Carolyn: I was a child
during WWII and I quickly realized the importance
of newspapers. We received most of our news from
the newspapers or radio. I decided to be a reporter
when I grew up. I worked on school newspapers
and majored in journalism at the University of
Oklahoma. I never thought about being anything
other than being a reporter, but a funny thing
happened on the way to the newsroom. I married
a law student. I worked on the Norman Transcript
while he was in law school. After his graduation
and the arrival of our children, I decided not
to go back to work as a reporter. That was when
I first thought about writing fiction. I saw a
contest for a mystery for girls 8 to 12. I loved
Nancy Drew and I decided to write a book. The
Secret of the Cellars won the contest. It was
my first published book. My 43rd published book
is the just released MERRY, MERRY GHOST.
Jen: When you first launched your career
back in 1964, you began by writing teenage and
young adult mysteries. From there, you went on
to write some non-series books. Describe for us
what it was like for a woman in the publishing
business during that time in terms of establishing
a career as a mystery writer. What was the most
challenging part of the process?
Carolyn: I was a writer working in isolation in
Oklahoma. I had no knowledge of New York publishing.
At that time, New York publishing houses believed
there were two kinds of mysteries, the hard-boiled
private eye books written by American men with
male protagonists, and the traditional mystery
written by dead English ladies. There was no room
in this publishing world for mysteries by American
women. In the mid 1980s, the private eye books
written by Marcia Muller, Sara Paretsky, and Sue
Grafton were published. New York bought the books
because they fit the concept of the American mystery
even though written by women with women protagonists.
The success of these books persuaded New York
publishers that readers were interested in books
by American women with women protagonists. That
opened the window of opportunity for me and many
other women writers.
Jen: Now let’s fast-forward to 1987
with your first commercially successful series
called DEATH ON DEMAND. How did the series evolve?
Carolyn: I was a discouraged
writer. In 1985, I had written seven books in
seven years and at that time none of them had
sold. I decided to try one more time. I wrote
the kind of book I love to read, the traditional
mystery that celebrates goodness and justice.
I had no hope the book would sell so I simply
had fun. I created a young couple who truly loved
each other. That wasn't fashionable in books then.
Often a woman protagonist had no relationship
with a man or she was involved in a dysfunctional
relationship. I didn't think it had to be that
way. I am not romantic, but I believe in love.
Annie and Max understand how to love. They are
young, enthusiastic, and genuine. I set Death
on Demand in a mystery bookstore because I revere
mysteries. I wanted through Annie to share my
joy in books that celebrate goodness. I set
DEATH ON DEMAND on a fictional version
of Hilton Head Island. We started vacationing
there in the mid 1970s. I love the South Carolina
lowcountry. In my view, anything can happen in
a land where Spanish moss quivers from the limbs
of live oaks and alligators rest on the banks
of lagoons. To my great joy, readers liked Annie
and Max and their idyllic sea island. Annie and
Max will embark on their 20th adventure in LAUGHED
'TIL HE DIED (April 2010).
Jen: In the early 90’s, you began
your next series called HENRIE O. Please describe
for us its premise as well as its unique appeal.
Carolyn: Henrietta O'Dwyer (Henrie O) Collins
is a retired newspaper reporter, a smart, capable,
sophisticated woman who has known joy and sorrow
and roamed the world. She is my tribute to older
American women who are often dismissed as negligible
by our culture. Henrie O expects to be treated
with respect. I have always explained that Henrie
O is taller, smarter, and braver than I, but she
very much reflects my attitudes and interests.
Jen: Your latest endeavor is the BAILEY
RUTH RAEBURN mystery series which mixes the supernatural
with murder! Quite a novel concept! This month,
the second title called MERRY, MERRY GHOST hits
bookstores. For those readers unfamiliar with
the premise of the series, please give us some
background including a description of the quirky
Bailey Ruth Raeburn.
Carolyn: I grew up loving
the Topper books and movies. Blithe Spirit is
one of the most delightful plays ever created.
I love good-humored, fun ghost stories. For many
years, I toyed with the idea of a novel with a
ghost. In fact, I touched a bit upon ghosts in
Southern Ghost in the DEATH ON DEMAND
series. A few years ago, I told my editor I wanted
to do a ghost book. This was before the explosion
in paranormal publishing so I wasn't trying to
be part of a trend. My editor encouraged me. I
started thinking about ghosts. Who was my ghost?
Someone who had died. Where was she? In Heaven.
I thought about Heaven and suddenly a fun, energetic,
lively redhead came swinging around a cumulous
cloud. She was Bailey Ruth Raeburn. The name came
to me immediately. I looked at Bailey Ruth with
interest. Where was she going? To The Department
of Good Intentions. What was that? I followed
her around a curve and up to an old-fashioned
train station and I learned that the Department
of Good Intentions dispatched emissaries to return
to earth to help people in trouble. That was my
introduction to Bailey Ruth, who never met a rule
she wouldn't ignore and who has a heart as big
as Texas.
Jen: In MERRY, MERRY GHOST, Bailey must
find out who murdered a rich dowager. Of course,
the plot thickens with the arrival of an unexpected
heir. Let’s start by talking about the supporting
characters. Susan, the old woman, has no family
until her grandson shows up on her front porch.
How does his arrival breathe new life into her
soul?
Carolyn: Susan Flynn has known great heartbreak
in her life, the death of a beloved daughter,
a son who has been missing for some years. She
is widowed. Her health is failing. She has nothing
to live for. Everyone she has loved the most is
gone from her. Those around her, some of whom
are kind and supportive, are the relatives of
her late husband. She has no family of her own.
When Keith, the little four-year-old boy, is left
on the front porch of her home shortly before
Christmas, she discovers he is her grandson. His
father, Susan's son, was killed in Iraq. Keith's
mother died from pneumonia. Susan's joy in Keith
makes Christmas once again a cherished holiday.
Jen: Her sister-in-law Jake stands to
inherit the family estate upon Susan’s death.
Their relationship seems quite strained. What
is the cause behind the tension? Is it jealousy?
Carolyn: Jake is very fond of Susan and has always
been kind to her. Since Susan's illness, Jake
has served as mistress of Susan's stately home,
Pritchard house. Susan appreciates Jake and has
made it clear that Jake will inherit the house.
Jake has enormous pride of possession in the house.
The possibility that Susan will change her will
and leave her estate to Keith shocks and upsets
Jake.
Jen: Besides the obvious familial connection,
how are these two women similar? Who is the stronger
person and why?
Carolyn: I don't see them as very similar. Susan
has always been confident, her status assured
because she is a Pritchard. Jake had to scramble
for security. The house matters more to her because
she spent so many years beholden to Susan and
her husband for support. Susan takes her wealth
and position for granted. She automatically assumes
leadership.
Jen: Jake’s daughter Peg is the
not only the peacemaker of the family but also
the strong-willed daughter who stands up for what
she believes. Why then does she allow her boyfriend
Dave to walk all over her?
Carolyn: Dave is one of the golden young men who
have great charm. Peg was flattered that he cared
for her though it becomes increasingly clear that
Dave's interest depends upon whether Peg can further
his career and ambitions through her connection
to Susan. At first Peg is shocked when he begins
to reveal his true nature. When she understands,
she chooses the right path over pleasing Dave.
Jen: Police Chief Sam Cobb is the only
character privy to existence of Bailey, the celestial-being,
although he is not quite certain what to make
of her. Why does he so readily accept her “help”
along the way in the solving of the murder case?
And, at some point will he choose to confide in
someone as to where he receives his tips? Why
or why not?
Carolyn: Sam Cobb is
old enough to know that there is more to this
world than we can always readily explain. He first
encountered Bailey Ruth in GHOST AT WORK
so her appearance in the events at Pritchard House
does not come as a complete shock. He may wonder
why he is visited by a helpful ghost, but he is
willing to take assistance where he finds it.
I don't know whether he will ever share this knowledge.
Jen: Finally, as for Bailey herself,
it seems a challenge for her to remain unseen
due to the fact that she is in her hometown. Do
you think her being a ghost is a blessing or a
hindrance, and why so?
Carolyn: Definitely, her status as a ghost is
helpful. It makes it possible to employ an omniscient
viewpoint. However, her unseen presence observing
a character can only occur when Bailey Ruth decides
on a course of action prompted by her own reasoning.
Jen: Now that the novel is complete,
what’s next for Bailey? And, when can we
expect to see the third installment in bookstores?
Carolyn: GHOST
IN TROUBLE will be published in fall
2010. Bailey Ruth returns to earth when a woman
undertakes a dangerous course of action to try
and prove a murder occurred.
Jen: Let’s switch gears and talk
about your promotional plan. First of all, please
take us on a tour of your website.
Carolyn: It is www.CarolynHart.com.
The website includes information about both current
and past books, recent blogs and essays, reviews
and interviews.
Jen: Secondly, do you participate in
author phone chats? And if so, how would my readers
go about scheduling one? Also, do you have Reading
Group Guides available for your books?
Carolyn: I would be delighted
to take part in a phone chat. To schedule, please
contact my publicist at HarperCollins (Danielle.bartlett@harpercollins.com).
I don't have Reading Guides. I know they would
be helpful but right now I am trying to write
two books a year and I haven't found time to develop
Reading Guides.
Jen: Thank you so much for stopping by
to chat with my readers. I absolutely loved MERRY,
MERRY GHOST! What a perfect book for the holiday
season!
Carolyn: Thank you very much, Jen. I hope your
wonderful readers agree. Bailey Ruth and I send
our warmest Christmas greetings.
I hope you have enjoyed my interview with the
prolific writer Carolyn Hart. I highly recommend
all of her series. Believe me, if you have never
read any of her books before, you’re in
for a treat! Please stop by your favorite bookstore
or local library branch today and pick up a copy
of MERRY, MERRY GHOST.
Then again, how would you like to win one instead?
Okay, be one of the first five readers to e-mail
me with the correct answer to the following trivia
question and it’s yours!
What is the name of the 20TH title of
the DEATH ON DEMAND series due out in April 2010?
In December, I will be bringing to you my interview
with romance writer Lori Wilde. You won’t
want to miss it.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Jen
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Meet
the Author: featuring Jen's Jewels