Masked to Death by Christina Freeburn – Interview + Giveaway

Masked to Death banner

Masked to Death cover

Masked to Death by Christina Freeburn

A Faith Hunter Scrap This Mystery #5

A Caribbean cruise is the perfect setting for a Roget wedding, and Faith meeting Ted’s family. She also hopes the vacation gets their stalled romance moving, but it doesn’t take long for that dream to capsize. Ted’s daughter hates her. The ex-wife is adored. Odessa Roget is surly. And the banned father of a groom, John Roget, requests Faith’s assistance in bringing down a jewel theft ring masterminded by his ex-wife.

Having had a man she loved accuse her of a crime, Faith won’t let Odessa travel down the same path and agrees to help. Faith sets her course on uncovering the true criminals—which might be a groom’s best friend. The romantic week turns disastrous as a wedding is interrupted, suspicious deaths point to murders, and Ted’s daughter schemes to reunite her parents. Instead of diamonds being a girl’s best friend, Faith finds they’re cruising toward Davy Jones’ Locker.

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes | Kobo | Hen House

1) What influenced you to write the Faith Hunter Scrap This mystery series?

I began scrapbooking almost eighteen years when my youngest was two as I wanted to tell some of the stories of our family. Around the same time, I started writing again with a goal of being published. The first books I wrote were police procedurals and while I liked writing them I didn’t enjoy researching and writing the graphic details I felt needed included for the books to sound authentic. So I started wondering if I write a cozy series that had scrapbooking in it. It took about two years to get the right fit for the story. The first draft had Faith (with a different name) a lot more angsty and Steve had a sister who hated Faith. The story came across depressing to me so I dumped it and restarted striving for a more humorous tone and Faith having chosen to be single rather than feeling it was thrust upon her.

2) What research do you do for your books?

One of the fun things about writing a new book is learning something new. I’ve enjoyed trying a new scrapbooking tool or a new (or new to me technique) to ensure I describe Faith doing it properly, and once I scraplifted a design from Faith to make sure it would be pleasing to the eye. I’d do anything (well just about there are some things in a murder mystery we only write about (like the murder parts) to make sure I’m getting the details right. I’ve researched arson investigation procedures, fire fighting terms, in Masked to Death, I went on a non-Disney cruise to make sure I got feel the right. I had been on two Disney cruises but knew a “regular” cruise would be different. For the book I’m currently writing, I’ve looked into genealogy researching and also the history of West Virginia in the Eastern Panhandle area so I can tweak and borrow some as the town of Eden’s history plays a role in the story.

3) If you could write from anywhere in the world, where would you like to write from and why?

I had to think about this question a lot and I’d have to say it would be at home in my office. I envisioned myself in a lot of places writing and then I’d realized that I’d prefer to be out exploring my new environment and engaging with it then writing at that moment. Now, maybe if I lived on a beach I’d feel differently as I’d have all the time to visit the area. My office right now is the best choice because I know I’d actually write and not be so distracted about what’s around me or being a little sad on what I’m missing out on because I’m writing instead of adventuring.

4) What does a typical writing day look like for you?

Since tax season has started, my typical weekday writing day is I spend about half hour checking email and my calendar to make sure there’s nothing I missed. Over the holidays, I had gotten out of the habit of writing my daily to-do’s on my planner and a few items almost (and there might be one or two that have) slipped through the proverbial cracks. After I make sure all of the must do’s of the day are done, I write anywhere from two to four hours before it’s time for lunch and then head off to the tax office. On the weekends, one day I’ll write about four hours, household chores, then read or craft, and then the other day is for fun where I’ll read, craft, or if the weather holds up and our daughter who lives in Morgantown isn’t working, we’ll go down and visit her.

5) What are you working on right now?

I’m working on Altered to Death which is the 6th book in the Faith Hunter Scrap This Mystery Series.


About the Author

Christina Freeburn, author of Masked to DeathThe Faith Hunter Scrap This Mystery series brings together Christina Freeburn’s love of mysteries, scrapbooking, and West Virginia. When not writing or reading, she can be found in her scrapbook room or at a crop. Alas, none of the real-life crops have had a sexy male prosecutor or a handsome police officer attending.

Christina served in the JAG Corps of the US Army and also worked as a paralegal, librarian, and church secretary. She lives in West Virginia with her husband, children, a dog, and a rarely seen cat except by those who are afraid or allergic to felines.

Author Links –

Webpage: www.christinafreeburn.com
Blog: www.theselfrescueprincess.wordpress.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Christina-Freeburn-Author/245592138834150
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChristinaFreeb1
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/ChristinaFreeburn


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Loading

9 comments / Add your comment below

  1. Looks like a great read. The books are all on my TBR. Do hope this will be a start. Thanks for the chance to make it so

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.