Featured Interview With Tammy L. Grace
Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was raised and still live in my hometown in rural northern Nevada. My husband and I have one grown son and a very spoiled golden retriever, who is the inspiration for the canine companions in all my books. After a career in local and state government, I retired and finally have time to dedicate to writing. I have completed three books in the Hometown Harbor Series, a women’s fiction series set in picturesque Friday Harbor. My new book, Killer Music, a private detective novel releases on April 7, 2015.
I’m addicted to chocolate and books, especially those with memorable characters. I walk several miles a day and find most of my ideas for novels while I’m walking or visiting a new place. When I’m not writing or dreaming up new ideas, I enjoy spending time with my friends and family.
At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
As a small child I was fascinated with books and enjoyed reading from a very young age. My favorite book from childhood is Little Women and after reading it, I wanted to be like Jo March and become a writer. I started writing in middle school, where I was inspired by my English teacher. He introduced to creative writing and with his help I started writing for our local newspaper. I wrote a column related to school and reported upon events and athletics through junior high. I was focused on other careers in high school and the path I chose led me to pursue my MBA.
I have always devoured books for pleasure and entertainment, reading hundreds each year, but my writing was focused on my character–translation–boring and technical. I became interested in creative writing again when I was in a class a few years ago and we were asked what we would like to do if we could do anything. My immediate answer was to write books and I knew when I retired being an author would become my new passion.
Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
My favorite books are usually thrillers. I love to read David Baldacci, Lee Child, John Sanford, and Harlan Coben. I also enjoy women’s fiction, such as Kristin Hannah and Nicholas Sparks. I have been inspired by all of these authors, all of whom have a gift in delivering remarkable books. Maeve Binchy sticks in my mind as an author who created characters I wanted to know. I’m always drawn to books where the characters come to life and I want to spend time with them. She did a wonderful job of weaving a variety of characters into her stories and with her style in mind, I strive to develop the characters in my books.
Tell us a little about your latest book?
My new book, Killer Music: A Cooper Harrington Detective Novel, is set in Nashville. I took a trip to Nashville a few years ago and got the idea for the book while driving through the exclusive Belle Meade neighborhood. My main character is a bachelor who lives with his wealthy aunt in Belle Meade. This book took me about a year to complete. I actually set it aside and completed a third book in my other series, before returning to it early this year.
When private detective Cooper “Coop” Harrington meets record label mogul Grayson Taylor at a swank gathering of country music artists and politicians he never imagines he’ll be investigating his brutal murder less than twenty-four hours later.
The suspects are plentiful. More than a handful of people could have wanted him dead. Retained by Taylor’s widow, Coop works alongside his best friend and Chief of Detectives, Ben Mason. The investigation leads them to visit luxury mansions, navigate the murky undercurrents of the political world, and probe complicated family matters. Scandals, secrets, and hints of corruption swirl in the midst of their pursuit of the killer.
Coop’s faithful friend and assistant, Annabelle and his loyal golden retriever, Gus, both lend a hand during the investigation. Even his Aunt Camille mines the local gossip mill to unearth potential killers with motive. Yet the case seems hopeless until a crucial piece of evidence emerges and sends Coop and Ben on a race to catch the killer before someone else dies.
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