Death of the Kona Man
Aloha Lagoon Mysteries Book 9
by
Catherine Bruns
Catherine Bruns
Genre:
Cozy Mystery
Cozy Mystery
INTERVIEW WITH CATHERINE BRUNS
What are your top 10 favorite books/authors?
Agatha Christie, Sue Grafton, Janet Evanovich, Louisa May Alcott, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Stephen King, Harper Lee, Mary Higgins Clark, KM Peyton.
What inspired you to write this book?
My publisher had the idea for a multi author series in Hawaii. I've been there twice and it's a favorite vacation destination so of course I was definitely in!
What can we expect from you in the future?
My next book scheduled for release is Silenced by Sugar and it comes out January 16, 2018. It is the fifth book in my USA Today best selling Cookies & Chance series about a woman who runs a bakery in Western New York that serves up fortune cookies with a side of foreshadowing. There's yummy recipes in that series as well as the Carrie Jorgenson books too!
Do you have any “side stories” about the characters?
Not about the characters per say but the concept for this particular series came from a play I wrote and directed for my senior project in college, over twenty something (mumble) years ago, lol.
Where were you born/grew up?
I grew up in Upstate New York and have lived there my entire life.
What makes a good story?
A writer needs to be passionate about their work and connect with their characters. A good plot is necessary as well.
How to find time to write as a parent?
I'm fortunate that I didn't start writing aggressively until my children were grown. I admire writers who can do it with small children in the house - I'm not sure that I could!
What made you want to become an author and do you feel it was the right decision?
Since I was eight years old, I have always wanted to be a writer. I think it's just something that you're born with.
Advice they would give new authors?
Build your platform so more readers can find you.
What are they currently reading?
The Marriage Lie by Kimberly Belle.
How long have you been writing?
Since I was eight years old.
sWhat is your writing process? For instance do you do an outline first? Do you do the chapters first
I do a rough outline and revise it a few times. I pretty much write by the seat of my pants, so to speak. My mind tends to go in a different direction during the actual writing process so things don't always stay the same.
Can you tell us a little bit about the characters in DEATH OF THE KONA MAN?
DEATH OF THE KONA MAN is the second book in my Carrie Jorgenson Aloha Lagoon series. The first book is DEATH OF THE BIG KAHUNA but they can be read as stand alones. Carrie's from snowy Vermont and in the first book, she's just arrived on the island of Kauai. She's followed her boyfriend in an attempt to save their floundering relationship. She gets a job waitressing but has no previous experience. Her dream is to be an actress some day. Carrie's had a rough life so far but is determined to persevere. While waitressing at Loco Moco Café, she meets the hot assistant manager Keanu Church. Keanu has an enormous heart and sparks fly between them from the beginning. In DEATH OF THE KONA MAN, their relationship grows closer.
Do the characters all come to you at the same time or do some of them come to you as you write?
Always at different times. Some are outlined before, and some come to me during the actual writing process.
What kind of research do you do before you begin writing a book?
I hate research, lol! I'm fortunate that I have several contacts who help me out, a retired police Captain, my former real estate manager and a few people in the medical field. Even though these are cozy mysteries and you can suspend belief somewhat, I like my books to be accurate and realistic.
Describe yourself in 5 words or less!
Impatient, passionate, stubborn, determined (sensing a pattern here, lol?)
What did you enjoy most about writing this book?
The fact that the Aloha Lagoon series is set in Hawaii makes it so much more fun. I love my characters so every time I write a book in this series it feels like I'm coming home.
Who designed your book covers?
The entire Aloha Lagoon set of covers was designed by Estrella Designs but I have another artist for my two separate series.
Do you see writing as a career?
Absolutely.
Anything specific you want to tell your readers?
I love to hear from readers. It's such a joy to know that my book has provided entertainment for a few hours so thank you so much for taking the time to read my work!
From USA Today bestselling author Catherine Bruns
comes the next deadly
delicious Carrie Jorgenson adventure in paradise...
comes the next deadly
delicious Carrie Jorgenson adventure in paradise...
Carrie Jorgenson is living the dream in Hawaii.
She has a steady job as a
waitress at the Loco Moco Café, a hot new love interest in her
manager, and the curtain’s about to rise on her role in a local
theater production. But when she's asked to deliver food to a guest
at the Aloha Lagoon resort—who then drops dead!—her dreams
quickly become the stuff of nightmares.
waitress at the Loco Moco Café, a hot new love interest in her
manager, and the curtain’s about to rise on her role in a local
theater production. But when she's asked to deliver food to a guest
at the Aloha Lagoon resort—who then drops dead!—her dreams
quickly become the stuff of nightmares.
World renowned food critic Randolph Cremshaw
has no shortage of enemies.
He's rude, patronizing, and famous for his one-star reviews. After
the coffee Carrie delivers is discovered to have been poisoned, she
and the café quickly rise to the top of the suspects list. A jealous
co-worker, thefts at the restaurant, and a performance that threatens
to blow up in Carrie's face only make things worse. With an already
full plate, Carrie is also forced into making a decision that may
change everything for her. But this all pales in comparison when she
comes face to face with Randolph's killer and what might be the final
curtain call…of her life.
has no shortage of enemies.
He's rude, patronizing, and famous for his one-star reviews. After
the coffee Carrie delivers is discovered to have been poisoned, she
and the café quickly rise to the top of the suspects list. A jealous
co-worker, thefts at the restaurant, and a performance that threatens
to blow up in Carrie's face only make things worse. With an already
full plate, Carrie is also forced into making a decision that may
change everything for her. But this all pales in comparison when she
comes face to face with Randolph's killer and what might be the final
curtain call…of her life.
Recipes
included!
included!
**Suggested
to Read DEATH OF THE BIG KAHUNA first!**
to Read DEATH OF THE BIG KAHUNA first!**
**On sale from Oct 10th - 17th!**
About Aloha Lagoon:
**Books can be read in any order and they're from multiple authors!**
There's
trouble in paradise...
trouble in paradise...
Welcome
to Aloha Lagoon, one of Hawaii's hidden treasures. A little bit of
tropical paradise nestled along the coast of Kauai, this resort town
boasts luxurious accommodation, friendly island atmosphere...and only
a slightly higher than normal murder rate. While mysterious
circumstances may be the norm on our corner of the island, we're
certain that our staff and Lagoon natives will make your stay in
Aloha Lagoon one you will never forget! visit us at
www.alohalagoonmysteries.com
to Aloha Lagoon, one of Hawaii's hidden treasures. A little bit of
tropical paradise nestled along the coast of Kauai, this resort town
boasts luxurious accommodation, friendly island atmosphere...and only
a slightly higher than normal murder rate. While mysterious
circumstances may be the norm on our corner of the island, we're
certain that our staff and Lagoon natives will make your stay in
Aloha Lagoon one you will never forget! visit us at
www.alohalagoonmysteries.com
The
Aloha Lagoon Mysteries:
Aloha Lagoon Mysteries:
Ukulele Murder (book #1)
Murder on the Aloha Express (book #2)
Deadly Wipeout (book #3)
Deadly Bubbles in the Wine (book #4)
Mele Kalikimaka Murder (book #5)
Death of the Big Kahuna (book #6)
Ukulele Deadly (book #7)
Bikinis & Bloodshed (book #8)
Death of the Kona Man (book #9)
Randolph stepped back so that I could roll the cart inside. He was dressed in a dingy white undershirt and black slacks that dragged on the floor, his long, narrow bare feet poking out from underneath. I tried hard not to stare at the crusted-over toenails that screamed fungus at me.
"Welcome to my parlor, said the spider to the fly."
Yikes. For some reason, the word icky popped into my head. "Please enjoy your breakfast, sir. You can place the cart in the hallway when you're done, and one of our staff will pick it up later."
I began to walk away, and he grabbed me by the wrist. "Not so fast."
Startled by his action, I shook myself loose. "Don't touch me again."
"Sorry." Randolph gave a small smirk that said he was anything but sorry. He looked me up and down. "I'd like you to wait a moment until I'm sure the meal is to my liking."
I had news for this man—no meal was ever going to be to his liking. He lifted the covers off the plates one by one, examining the food while he grunted in apparent satisfaction. Finally, he picked up the white coffee carafe, poured himself a cup, and sniffed. Like the other day at the café, he took a small sip, grimaced, then shook his head at me. "Not quite, doll."
"Sir?" I was confused. Poncho had used his precious Kona beans this time, so what could be the problem?
"It's cold. Bring me another carafe right away."
I couldn't believe my ears. Anger bubbled at the surface and threatened to boil over any second. What I really wanted to do was throw the entire carafe in his face, but then I'd be out of a job and, knowing Randolph, looking at a lawsuit.
"Is there a problem, dear?"
The man clearly enjoyed the fact that he was goading me, but I was determined not to let him get under my skin. "No, sir. I'll be back in a few minutes."
"Text Chef Paunch ahead of time," Randolph taunted, "so that the coffee will be ready when you get back. That's a good little girl."
I bit into my lower lip to temper my reply. "His name is Poncho."
"Whatever. He's got quite the paunch on him, so my name fits. And do hurry up. I haven't got all day." He sat down and started to eat, dismissing me with a wave of his hand.
Could the man be any more pretentious? I counted to ten and compressed my lips together, afraid a nasty comment might slip out between them. As I started toward the door, I spotted two half-filled mimosa glasses sitting on the table on the balcony. I wondered if good old Randy might have had a girl over last night—or perhaps his estranged wife had joined him.
"Are you deaf?" Randolph bellowed. "I want my coffee—now!"
With great effort, I opened the door to the suite and managed to refrain from slamming it behind me. On my way back down the hallway toward the elevator, I grabbed my phone out of my jeans pocket. My fingers flew as I texted Vivian.
Tell Poncho that the jerk said the coffee's not hot enough. Have a new carafe ready to go when I get back. It's a wonder no one has killed this guy yet.
Catherine
is the USA Today best selling author of the Cookies & Chance
mysteries. She lives in New York with her very patient husband, three
sons, and assorted cats and dogs. Catherine has a B.A. in English and
is a former newspaper reporter and press release writer. She also
writes the Cindy York and the Aloha Lagoon (Carrie Jorgenson)
mysteries. Her next Cookies Chance mystery, SILENCED BY SUGAR,
releases in January 2018.
is the USA Today best selling author of the Cookies & Chance
mysteries. She lives in New York with her very patient husband, three
sons, and assorted cats and dogs. Catherine has a B.A. in English and
is a former newspaper reporter and press release writer. She also
writes the Cindy York and the Aloha Lagoon (Carrie Jorgenson)
mysteries. Her next Cookies Chance mystery, SILENCED BY SUGAR,
releases in January 2018.
1 comment:
I love Hawaii as a setting.
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