Monday, August 2, 2010

Interview with Best Selling Mystery Author Betsy Brannon Green



Betsy Brannon Green, from Alabama, has always loved writing but decided to do something about it in 1999. Two years later, May 2001, a publisher finally accepted her works and she became a published author. Betsy’s writing is strongly influenced by all the Southern hospitality around her. She says the greatest accomplishments of her life are marrying her husband and having eight children. Betsy is the author of seventeen mystery romance novels. 

"Betsy Brannon Green skillfully weaves a rich tale of intrigue and romance in a small Southern town."

 Murder By the Book: The librarian, Kennedy Killingsworth, thought that Midway, Georgia was the dullest place on earth until a fateful day that begins with a speeding ticket and ends with a suicide. The ticket comes from Kennedy's ex-husband, Deputy Cade Burrell, who seems desperate to find any reason to talk to her. And the victim is Foster Scoggins, the leathery-faced resident who applied for a library card, just hours before his gruesome death. Rumors fly that Foster took his life after being jilted by a mysterious love interest. But why would he apply for a library card if he were going to end his life? 

Hello Betsy, my dearest friend! To those who may not know, Betsy has read several of my novels, gave me a few blurbs, and even wrote the foreword to my second book, Edith and the Mysterious Stranger. You can read one of her blurbs on my sidebar. The first book Betsy wrote, Hearts in Hiding and the sequel Double Cross, just happen to be my favorites. After reading the “Duty” series (Hazardous Duty, Above and Beyond, and Code of Honor), I was taken into her story right away and it instantly became another favorite. Okay, enough about my thoughts! Betsy, please tell us about your new book.

Murder by the Book is the beginning of a spin-off series. My first book, Hearts in Hiding, began my writing career and the “Haggerty Mystery Series”. I loved working with familiar characters in the town of Haggerty but occasionally I’d get a request from someone to do something new. So I wrote the Duty Series – which was a nice vacation from Haggerty. But then I wanted to go back – but I wanted the new book to be fresh and a little different – within the confines of the series. So I came up with the idea to write a story based in a town that neighbors Haggerty (Midway, Georgia). This gave me the opportunity to create all new characters and then introduce some of the Haggerty favorites into the story. It was a lot of fun to write and came out in October of 2009. The sequel, Murder by Design, will be released in October of 2010.

Very mysterious! Where do you get your inspiration for your novels?

I get a lot of inspiration from the people and places around me. There are a lot of characters in the South. Many people ask me if Miss Eugenia is based on a real person. She is actually a composite of many amazing southern women I have known. She got her name from Mrs. Eugenia Akin – our landlady when my father was in medical school in Birmingham. And Haggerty is based on the beautiful little town of Headland, Alabama. It is truly an inspiring place.

I love Miss Eugenia. She is such a busybody and that makes her endearing. Do you know the outcome of each story before beginning a mystery? Or is it a mystery to you, too? Do you ever surprise yourself?

I always THINK I know the outcome of a book when I begin, but often the characters and the plot takes on a life of its own and things change as we go along. Sometimes I am surprised by the growth the characters experience during the course of a book – or my attachment to some characters – especially the bad guys – by the end. An example of this was my bad guy in Double Cross. By the end I hated to kill him – but I had to.

I loved Double Cross. It was so intriguing. You really fooled me on that one. What does your family think about your writing?

My family loves the fact that I write twice a year when my royalty checks arrive. The rest of the time they endure it. I got more complaints about the time I spend at the computer in the beginning – but now my books and the time it takes to write them are something they accept. My daughters all read my books and my husband listens to them on CD (although he’ll tell you they are not his genre – actually nothing is except the scriptures). But my sons don’t read them. My oldest son said it was the love scenes that made it impossible for him to read. My second son read Hearts in Hiding recently and said he loved it and wants to be just like Mark Iverson. So maybe they will eventually come around!

I have to laugh because I know exactly what you mean. Out of six daughters, only two have read all of my books. The rest are either too busy with college or children or it isn’t their genre such as fantasy. So yes… I understand completely. Okay, tell us something about the real you that we’ll never forget.

I have been trying for over a week to think of something unforgettable about myself and I’m afraid I’ve come to the conclusion that there isn’t anything! It was always my goal to have 10 children and I wanted to name my first three daughters Faith, Hope, and Charity (only had 8 children and didn’t name any of them the above).

Hilarious! I love it! Now I know the real Betsy who wanted ten children but ended up with eight and didn’t name them her 3 favorite names. Awesome!!!

45 comments:

karenk said...

a great posting/interview...thanks for the opportunity to read this novel of suspense :)

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

Mozi Esme said...

Sounds interesting!

We posted about this giveaway at Winning Readings: http://winningreadings.blogspot.com/2010/08/murder-by-book.html

janemaritz at yahoo dot com

Judylynn said...

Sounds like a great book! Looking forward to this series.

seizethebookblog(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

Loved your interview especially the one about not using Faith, Hope & Charity as names for your daughters - maybe someday you will have granddaughters with those names.

I HOPE to win your book and have FAITH that I will do that thanks to your CHARITY.

Helen Kiker
hdkiker@comcast.net

Susan Helene Gottfried said...

No need to enter me, Linda. I'm dropping in to say thanks for the e-mail. I've got this posted at Win a Book for you.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful intereview, now I really want to read this book. Thank you so much for the chance.


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Charleydog said...

Please enter my name in the giveaway.

pboylecharley@hotmail.com

holdenj said...

Betsy sounds lovely, what a nice interview! The mystery looks great, thanks for the chance to win.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

Cindy W. said...

I always love a good suspense. Thank you for the chance to win a copy.

Smiles,
Cindy W.

countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

Linda Kish said...

I love a good murder mystery.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Trinity Rose said...

Greetings,
This sounds like a super book. My favorite kind mystery. Thanks for the giveaway.
Have a blessed day,
Trinity Rose

wandaelaine at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

Betsy's book sounds like a fun read even though it's a mystery. I like to laugh, because it is so healthy and healing - and this will undoubtedly be a keeper. Linda mentioned wanting to name her 3 daughters Faith, Hope and Charity. I crocheted 3 angel dolls for my granddaughter's birthday which is right before Christmas. They were to hang on the tree, and their names were Faith, Hope and Charity.
Great interview ladies!! Thank you for having this giveaway. I'd love to win.

Grace & Joy in Christ,
Barb Shelton
Arlington, TX
barbjan10@tx.rr.com

Cheryl said...

Fabulous interview ladies. This book sounds superb. Mysteries have always been a favorite genre of mine.

Thanks for the chance to win.

Cheryl

cg20pm00(at)gmail(dot)com

wmmahaney said...

What a wonderful interview.
wmmahaney(at)att(dot)net

Katie said...

The book sounds great!!! Please enter me! :)

God bless!

~Katie G.

katiegalyean (@) yahoo (.) com

Vidisha said...

Great giveaway!!
Follower
vidishamun@gmail.com

Benita said...

What an engaging interview! So much fun to read. Please include me in the giveaway. I would love to read this book.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Unknown said...

Thanks for the wonderful interview I would love to have a chance to read this book
tanyainjville@yahoo.com

Bakersdozen said...

I would love to read this. Thanks for the interview and the giveaway. vidomich(at)yahoo(dot)com

Margie said...

Please count me in. This sounds like an intriguing book. Thanks for the giveaway.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

fredamans said...

I would love a chance at winning this book, thank you.

freda.mans[at]sympatico.ca

Rhonda said...

Interesting interview. I am an avid mystery reader and would love to read this book. Thanks for the giveaway.

rhondastruthers atyahoo.ca

Linda said...

I enjoy mysteries, and I love a Southern setting. Sounds like my kind of book. Thanks for the giveaway.
lcbrower40(at)gmail(dot)com

PoCoKat said...

Sounds like a great book...would love to win.

littleone AT shaw DOT ca

Lene and Bry Family said...

I love her books. I've read every one. They are all wonderfull. CAN'T WAIT UNTILL THE NEW ONE COMES OUT!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the interview and giveaway. This sounds like a good mystery I would enjoy reading.
peacelily_2006(at)yahoo(dot)com

Katie Nicole said...

Great interview! I love Besty Brannon Green's books!
katydid.nicole@gmail.com

grannyvon said...

I loved the interview. I would love to win this book. Thanks for the chance. ybutler@oppcatv.com

LAMusing said...

Excited to hear it's the beginning of a spin off series :)

adrianecoros(at)gmail(dot)com

Norma said...

Enjoyable interview! Her sons like the royalty checks, they should read the books! LOL
bingomamanorma(at)gmail(dot)com

Cassandra said...

Sounds like such an awesome author. Great interview!

princesslife101 AT gmail DOT com

Carole Spring said...

I really enjoyed reading the interview with author Betsy Brannon Green and now I would love to read Murder By The Book. Thanks for the chance!
blondie_31971(at)yahoo(dot)com

Carole said...

Thanks for posting about Betsy's book because I would never have noticed it otherwise. I love a good mystery and I live in Georgia, so fiction with a southern flavor is a favorite of mine. Will Murder by the Book ever be available in the Kindle format?

I really enjoyed this interview and appreciate the chance to win a copy.

cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net

doreen lamoureux said...

I love how you take pieces of many people and compile them into one character. Awesome interview.

dorcontest at gmail dot com

brendajean said...

I love Betsy's books and hope everyone reads them. She's fabulous!
Don't enter me, I already bought this book and would love someone else to get it:)

bchild5@aol.com

Anonymous said...

Please enter me in the giveaway. Sounds like a great book; would love to win it. A great interview.
Cathy M.
grannymackenzie@gmail.com

Kim said...

Book sounds great. Thanks for the opportunity to win!
kimwhite62@gmail.com

angie said...

This sounds like a great book. I love books that become series so would love to have this one and start out with number 1.
Thanks for the great interview and giveaway!
bangersis(at)msn(dot)com

Allison said...

Love the interview, and I'd love to win!

allisonsbj3(at)gmail(dot)com

Ruthie said...

It sounds like a really fun book to read. Please enter me, thanks.
ruthiekb72@yahoo.com

Diana D said...

Nice review and the book sounds very good. Thanks for the wonderful giveaway.

dianad8008 AT gmail DOT com

lag123 said...

I too am from Alabama and can't wait to read these books! Thank you for the giveaway!

lag110 at mchsi dot com

Anonymous said...

My husband doesn't read either, he only wants to read the Bible. He will listen to something if he finds it interesting.

I don't blame her son for not wanting to read love scenes his mother wrote. I don't even want to watch anything with love scenes on tv if my children are watching with me, and the are grown too.

Thanks for the chance to win this book~

readingatthebeach(@)gmail(.)com

Terrymac said...

Enjoyed the interview! Interesting that all her daughters haven't read her books....I know that if my mother was an author, I would read everything she wrote, just as another way to get to know her better!
Murder by the Book sounds like a great read, and would truly enjoy winning a copy!
Thank you for posting her interview and for this giveaway.

terrymac1a at hotmail dot com

Linda Weaver Clarke said...

Congratulations, Helen Kiker! You are the winner of Betsy's new book. I loved your comment: "I HOPE to win your book and have FAITH that I will, thanks to your CHARITY." It was great! I laughed and laughed. Thanks, everyone, for participating in this book give away. Don't forget to check my site each Monday because I try to have an author interview and book give-away each week.