Flora Flowerdew has a secret. The former Florrie Gubbins, music hall dancer, is now Madame Flowerdew, one of London’s most renowned spirit mediums. But it’s actually her beloved Pomeranian dog, Chou-Chou, who can see the ghosts.
One of her most lucrative seances, for the wealthy Petrie family whose daughter is about to marry a handsome young duke, goes chaotically awry. The duke’s late, and very irate, grandfather demands Flora and his grandson Benedict find the long-missing family diamonds—even the search becomes littered with mayhem and murder! Can Flora discover the jewels before she loses her career, her sanity—and her heart?
Sparks fly as Flora, Benedict, and Chou-Chou pursue the truth of the diamonds’ disappearance in this lighthearted, cozy historical mystery set in foggy, gas-lit London
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Q&A
Have you already started writing a new book?
Yes, I always seem to start a new one before the “old” one is done! (or at least researching a new one..) I’m working on a Christmas novella set in 1797, and a 1920s mystery
Can you start writing a new story immediately after finishing the previous one or do you need a break first?
t always seems to depend on the book! Some of them really take it out of me, and then I need a few weeks to read, watch TV (usually bingeing BritBox!), let my mind wander. And some books demand I start them immediately (or my deadlines demand that…)
Do you prefer researching certain locations or do you like inventing your own?
I’ve found I really enjoy doing both! I just don’t have a chance to build my own worlds so much, I may have to write a fantasy novel someday. But I love researching setting, getting the atmosphere just right, finding the place where my characters belong.
How do you come up with a title for your book?
I admit, I am terrible at titles! Luckily my publisher usually comes up with one (or changes mine). Once in a while, I’m really lucky that the “right” title just presents itself. I did come up with the title “Flora Flowerdew and the Mystery of the Duke’s Diamonds,” but that’s really just what the story is about so it was easy!
How do you pick a cover for your book?
That’s another thing my publisher usually does for me! I’m a little disappointed about that, because I love browsing through image websites
Do you sometimes get up at night to write because the perfect idea suddenly popped up?
Sometimes! I learned that when an idea comes to me at night, I had better get up and write it down or I’m sure to forget it. Walks and baths are good for that, too.
Which book is the next one on your ‘to read’ pile?
I’ve been reading lots of research books lately, so I will probably have to pull the next one off the shelf! But I am reading a non-research non-fiction right now, about the Pre-Raphaelites, as well as “The Murder of Mr. Wickham” for fun.
Do you finish every book you start reading?
No, no any more! I used to think I “had” to, then I realized my reading time is sadly finite!
Do you always read the blurb before you start reading a new book or do you want to be surprised?
I read the blurb! And a few pages. I can usually get a good idea of whether I will like something or not.
What makes you choose a book in a bookstore : the catching title, the name of the author, the fascinating cover or a combination?
Genre first (what am I in the mood for?), new titles by authors I know I like, or (I admit it!) a gorgeous cover will usually catch my eye
Thank you
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About the author
Amanda McCabe wrote her first romance at the age of sixteen–a vast historical epic starring all her friends as the characters, written secretly during algebra class (and her parents wondered why math was not her strongest subject…)
She’s never since used algebra, but her books (set in a variety of time periods–Regency, Victorian, Tudor, Renaissance, and 1920s) have been nominated for many awards, including the RITA Award, the Romantic Times BOOKReviews Reviewers’ Choice Award, the Booksellers Best, the National Readers Choice Award, and the Holt Medallion. She lives in New Mexico with her lovely husband, along with far too many books and a spoiled rescue dog.
When not writing or reading, she loves yoga, collecting cheesy travel souvenirs, and watching the Food Network–even though she doesn’t cook. She also writes as Amanda Allen…
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Author Links
https://www.facebook.com/amandamccabebooks/
https://www.instagram.com/amandamccabeauthor/
https://www.pinterest.co.uk/amandamccabe/_saved/
https://twitter.com/AmandaMcCabe01
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Book Links
UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Flowerdew-Mystery-Diamonds-Victorian-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B09ZSWGXYS/
US – https://www.amazon.com/Flowerdew-Mystery-Diamonds-Victorian-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B09ZSWGXYS/
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Giveaway
Win an e-copy of Flora Flowerdew and the Mystery of the Duke’s Diamonds & a Victorian necklace
*Terms and Conditions –US entries welcome. Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below. The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/33c69494520/?
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