Suede to Rest by Diane Vallere – Review, Interview, Giveaway

Suede to Rest by Diane Vallere - Review, Interview, Giveaway

I received this book for free from . This review is voluntary. My opinion is not influenced in any way.

Suede to Rest by Diane Vallere – Review, Interview, GiveawaySuede to Rest on November 4, 2014
Pages: 304
Format: Paperback
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five-stars

When Poly Monroe was little, she loved playing in her family’s textile store. But after a fatal family tragedy, Land of A Thousand Fabrics was boarded up and Poly never expected to see the inside again. Now, as inheritor of the long-shuttered shop, she’s ready to restore the family business. However her two new kittens, Pins and Needles, aren’t the ones causing a snag in her plans…

Not everyone wants Poly back in San Ladrón, especially a powerful local developer pressuring her to sell—and leave town fast. But even when the threats turn deadly, she’s not ready to bolt. Because Poly is beginning to suspect that the murder behind the shop is tied to a mystery in her family’s unsettled past that she’s determined to solve…before her own life is left hanging by a thread.

bookreview
Suede to Rest by Diane Vallere is the first book in the brand new Material Witness Mystery series. Oh my goodness, I loved this book. From the moment I saw the cover, with the two cutest kitties ever, I knew I needed to read this book. (Can you tell I’m a cat person? 😉 ) Poly Monroe (short for Polyester) inherits a fabric store after the death of her uncle. She comes to town, thinking it’ll be a quick trip to sell the store, but she doesn’t count on feelings of nostalgia taking over…or on discovering a dead body behind her store.

This is a fast paced story that has entertaining characters, great dialogue and a well-written cozy mystery. I was drawn in right from the beginning. There are a couple of mysteries going on that Poly is trying to figure out. I really enjoyed the fashion and fabric info throughout the book. I could picture Poly with her cranberry lipstick and all-black wardrobe. Diane does an excellent job of keeping the story on pace while writing a satisfying mystery that left me wanting more. I look forward to the next Material Witness Mystery. Suede to Rest by Diane Vallere gets 5 stars from me!

authorinterview

1) Where is your favorite place to write?
I am most productive when I write at the library–and it doesn’t matter which branch. I think it has something to do with getting out of the house!

2) How much time do you spend writing each day? Do you stick to a schedule or just write whenever inspiration hits?

When I’m writing the first draft of a book, I write to a word count goal (either 2500 or 3000 words, which is around 10 pages). That can take a couple of hours first thing, or it can take all day. On a very productive day, I’ll hit over 5,000 words, and on an extremely rare day, I’ll hit over 10,000.

3) What are the best and worst parts of the writing process?

My absolute favorite part is discovering the story. Often I’m discovering some clues as my characters are discovering them, occasionally I realize a surprising direction where I can take my story. That always propels me into a higher word count day.
Worst part is when I think I’m all done and a critique partner or early reader comes back and says, “here are the questions you didn’t answer.” And the list is more than one or two things…

4) I know you love fashion! What fashion trend would you love to see come back…and which one do you never want to see again?

I absolutely love the look of the sixties, and I especially enjoy watching movies from that time that capture the style so well. I wish wigs and crazy hair pieces would come back into fashion. Imagine how much time we’d save every morning! (and as someone blessed/cursed with naturally curly hair, I would love to not worry about humidity).
Worst: Early 90s, I remember wearing baby doll dresses over colorful bike shorts. Even in my very subjective memory, I do not remember this being particularly flattering.

5) Sum up Suede to Rest in 3 sentences or less:

Polyester Monroe inherits the fabric shop where she was born, only to discover a murder victim behind the store. In an effort to find answers, she exposes secrets that residents of her new town want kept quiet. Now this material girl has to risk alienation from the community in order to expose a killer.

6) What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

I love to read and watch old movies. Lucky for me, I live in Hollywood, California, where I can see some fantastic old movies on the big screen! I also like to sew, go to the beach, study mid-century modern design, and frequent antique stores.

7) Finally, what are you working on right now?

There are three projects on my plate right now: finish revisions on CRUSHED VELVET, (book 2 in the Material Witness series), turn in WITH VICS YOU GET EGGROLL, (book 3 in the Mad for Mod series), and then turn in the first in my new Costume Shop series that will come out in December 2015 (book is currently untitled).

And then I might take a few days off!

Thanks so much for answering my interview questions, Diane! It sounds like you have a lot on your plate and definitely deserve a day off. I’m looking forward to your upcoming releases!

book giveaway
How would you like to win your very own paperback copy of Suede to Rest by Diane Vallere courtesy of the author & publisher? Enter below for your chance to win. All entries are optional and only increase your chances of winning. Be sure to come back each day for daily entries. Giveaway is open to US residents and ends 11/5/2014 at 11:59PM EST.

Rating Report
Characters
five-stars
Writing
five-stars
Pacing
five-stars
Cover
five-stars
Overall: five-stars

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12 comments / Add your comment below

    1. You’re welcome, Diane! Thanks for writing another great book. 🙂 I’m so sorry my blog was down most of this weekend so you couldn’t see my post.

        1. Thank you for being so understanding. I feel awful about the delays and issues with my blog over the weekend! I’m happy it’s back up and I can share your awesome book, though. 🙂

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