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WORK TITLE: Purr M for Murder
WORK NOTES:
PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE:
WEBSITE:
CITY: Clifton
STATE: NJ
COUNTRY:
NATIONALITY:
http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/245483/tc-lotempio * http://sleuthcafe.com/2016/06/18/interview-cozy-mystery-author-t-c-lotempio-cozymystery/
RESEARCHER NOTES:
LC control no.: no2015146339
LCCN Permalink: https://lccn.loc.gov/no2015146339
HEADING: LoTempio, T. C.
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370 __ |a New York (N.Y.) |2 naf
372 __ |a Detective and mystery stories |2 lcsh
374 __ |a Authors |a Journalists |2 lcsh
375 __ |a female
377 __ |a eng
400 1_ |a LoTempio, Toni
670 __ |a Claws for alarm, 2015: |b title page (T.C. LoTempio) copyright statement (by Toni LoTempio) about the author page (b. in New York City; author of the Nik and Nora mysteries; she has been a staff reporter at the YA magazine Susabella passengers and friends for more than a decade)
PERSONAL
Born in New York, NY.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Writer and journalist. Susabella Passengers and Friends, Pebble Beach, CA, staff reporter; Night Owl Reviews website, reviewer/columnist.
WRITINGS
Also, author of the novels, Ebony, No Rest for the Wicca, and My Superhero Sister.
SIDELIGHTS
T.C. LoTempio is a writer and journalist. Born in New York, New York, she has worked as a staff reporter for Susabella Passengers and Friends and a reviewer and columnist for Night Owl Reviews. LoTempio has released standalone novels, including Bound by Blood, Ebony, No Rest for the Wicca, and My Superhero Sister. In an interview with Morgan Kincaide, contributor to the Sleuth Cafe website, LoTempio was asked which authors were major inspirations to her. She responded: “Without a doubt, Nancy Drew! I was hooked on mysteries from the moment I read my first one! And I’d also have to say Erle Stanley Gardner and Agatha Christie.” In the same interview with Kincaide, LoTempio discussed her writing process. She stated: “The most challenging part of writing is keeping to my outline. The finished product is NEVER as it starts out. The most rewarding is holding the actual book in my hands and saying: ‘I created this.'”
Meow If It's Murder and Crime and Catnip
In 2014, LoTempio released the first book in her “Nick and Nora Mystery” series. In that book, Meow If It’s Murder, she introduces the series’s protagonists, LoTempio told Cynthia Chow, writer on the Kings River Life website: “My first traditionally-published novel was Meow If It’s Murder, the first in the ‘Nick and Nora Mystery’ series. It’s about an ex-crime reporter who returns to her hometown to manage her late mother’s sandwich shop. Along the way she adopts (or maybe it’s the other way around) a tubby tuxedo cat who belonged to a PI who’s now MIA. The cat, like his former owner, has a flair for detection.” In the same interview with Chow, LoTempio remarked: “I have to admit my goal is to entertain, and the first person I have to entertain is myself. I figure if I’m not enjoying myself writing these stories, no one else will.”
In Crime and Catnip, the third book in the “Nick and Nora Mystery” series, Nora is still the manager of the Hot Bread sandwich shop. After another catering company unexpectedly closes down, the organizers of the Cruz Museum fundraiser approach Nora to provide food for the event. Though she does not have much time to prepare, Nora agrees to cater the gala, which will have over 200 attendees. Meanwhile, the Cruz Museum is gearing up to present an exhibition featuring the magic textbook of Morgan Le Fay. The text, which is owned by Sir Rodney Meecham, has endured multiple attempted thefts. Security at the museum is heightened in order to protect the work. Nora considers writing about the text for Noir, a true crime magazine. At the gala, representatives from the local police and the FBI are on hand. Nora’s pseudo-boyfriend, Daniel Corleone, is among the FBI agents there. Also present is Leroy Samms, a police detective with whom Nora attended college. Leroy knows how to get under Nora’s skin, and she eventually cannot determine whether she hates him or is in love with him. Despite the heightened security, the recently-hired administrator of the Cruz Museum is killed during the gala. Nora worries about this murder, as well as the disappearance of a private investigator named Nick Atkins. Nick previously owned Nora’s cat, Nick. Nora works with her friend Ollie J. Sampson to determine what has happened to Nick. In order to solve these mysteries, Nora puts herself into dangerous and compromising positions. Doreen Sheridan, critic on the Criminal Element website suggested: “It’s pretty great how T.C. LoTempio makes Nick so compelling that you want to believe he’s smart enough to, for example, learn how to play chess, much less help his owner solve crimes.”
Purr M for Murder
Purr M for Murder: A Cat Rescue Mystery is the first novel in a second series by LoTempio. Kat and Sydney McCall are sisters and coworkers at Friendly Paw, an animal rescue in their small hometown in North Carolina. Kat has been a longtime employee of the rescue, while Sydney is a recent hire. Sydney had been living in New York City and was engaged. When she found out that her fiancé had been unfaithful, she left him and returned to North Carolina. Friendly Paws has been running at a loss, and the two sisters determine to make it financially viable. Kat takes on the rescue’s management, while Sydney deals with marketing. She proposes opening a cat cafe, but Trowbridge Littleton, a local businessman, opposes her plan. After a heated conversation, Kat tries to smooth things over with Littleton, but she finds him dead. Kat becomes the main suspect, and Sydney must prove her sister’s innocence.
A reviewer in Publishers Weekly described Purr M for Murder as “sprightly.” Referring to the book’s characters, the same reviewer added: “You needn’t be a cat person to get caught up in their drama.” “LoTempio’s latest series follows her sweet, simple pattern … of cat-focused cozy with uncomplicated characters who are broadly defined,” noted a Kirkus Reviews critic.
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Kirkus Reviews, January 1, 2017, review of Purr M for Murder: A Cat Rescue Mystery.
Publishers Weekly, January 23, 2017, review of Purr M for Murder, p. 58.
ONLINE
Criminal Element, https://www.criminalelement.com/ (January 25, 2017), Doreen Sheridan, review of Crime and Catnip.
Escape with Dollycas, http://www.escapewithdollycas.com/ (November 1, 2017), author profile.
Kings River Life, http://kingsriverlife.com/ (December 23, 2016), Cynthia Chow, author interview and review of Crime and Catnip.
Night Owl Reviews, https://www.nightowlreviews.com/ (November 1, 2017), author profile.
Sleuth Cafe, http://sleuthcafe.com/ (June 18, 2016), Morgan Kincaide, author interview.*
QUOTED: "Without a doubt, Nancy Drew! I was hooked on mysteries from the moment I read my first one! And I’d also have to say Erle Stanley Gardner and Agatha Christie."
"The most challenging part of writing is keeping to my outline. The finished product is NEVER as it starts out. The most rewarding is holding the actual book in my hands and saying: 'I created this."
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You are here: Home / Cozy Mystery / Interview with cozy mystery author T.C. LoTempio #CozyMystery
JUNE 18, 2016 BY MORGANKINCAIDE
Interview with cozy mystery author T.C. LoTempio #CozyMystery
51YKZeSoFRL._SX308_BO1,204,203,200_
SC: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
TCL: I’m a New Yorker, born and bred. J I’ve been making stories up in my head ever since I was ten. I published thrillers with a small press and then self-published some paranormal suspense novels, but did not get traditionally published by Penguin until December of 2014 with the first book in the Nick and Nora series, MEOW IF ITS MURDER. Right now I live in Clifton with my two cats!
SC: Was there a certain time in your life you knew you wanted to write?
TCL: I think probably when I came out of the womb LOL
SC: What are you currently working on?
TCL: Right now I’m working on Book 2 of my new Cat Rescue series with Crooked Lane Publishing ! J
SC: Of the books you’ve written, which one is your favorite and why?
TCL: OMG, that’s like asking a parent which is their favorite child. If I had to pick one, I’d pick one that’s not even published yet, Nick and Nora #4, which I titled HISS H FOR HOMICIDE.
SC: What books have most influenced you as a writer?
TCL: Without a doubt, Nancy Drew! I was hooked on mysteries from the moment I read my first one! And I’d also have to say Erle Stanley Gardner and Agatha Christie.
SC: What do you find to be the most challenging part of writing? And the most rewarding?
TCL: The most challenging part of writing is keeping to my outline. The finished product is NEVER as it starts out. The most rewarding is holding the actual book in my hands and saying, “I created this”
SC: What book is on your nightstand?
TCL: A DARK AND STORMY MURDER by Julia Buckley
SC: What can we look forward to seeing from you in the future?
TCL Hopefully, more Nick and Nora’s. J Book 3 comes out in December: Crime and Catnip. And I have a new series coming out from Crooked Lane next spring, the Cat Rescue mysteries. The first volume in that series is entitled PURR M FOR MURDER.
SC: Is there anything you’d like to share with your readers?
TCL: I and my cat ROCCO run a blog, www.catsbooksmorecats.blogspot.com, where we host author interviews and giveaways each month. We also fundraise for Nathan Fillion’s charity, KIDS NEED TO READ. Our annual fundraiser will be coming up in July, and you can get more details on our blog and we also advertise on Facebook!
image014image015
image001While Toni Lotempio does not commit – or solve – murders in real life, she has no trouble doing it on paper. Her lifelong love of mysteries began early on when she was introduced to her first Nancy Drew mystery at age 10 – The Secret in the Old Attic. She (and ROCCO, albeit he’s uncredited) pen the Nick and Nora mystery series from Berkley Prime Crime – #3, CRIME AND CATNIP, is due out this year. She, Rocco and company make their home in Clifton, New Jersey, just twenty minutes from the Big Apple – New York. Catch up with them at www.tclotempio.com and www.catsbooksmorecats.blogspot.com
Website link www.tclotempio.com
Blog: www.catsbooksmorecats.blogspot.com
Facebook:, https://www.facebook.com/toni.lotempio.5
Twitter: @RoccoBlogger
20
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Comments
Toni Lotempio says
JUNE 18, 2016 AT 2:50 PM
Thanks for hosting me! TC
Reply
MorganKincaide says
JUNE 18, 2016 AT 6:04 PM
Great to have you.
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About the Author…..
While Toni Lotempio does not commit – or solve – murders in real life, she has no trouble doing it on paper. Her lifelong love of mysteries began early on when she was introduced to her first Nancy Drew mystery at age 10 – The Secret in the Old Attic. She (and ROCCO, albeit he’s uncredited) pen the Nick and Nora mystery series from Berkley Prime Crime – the first volume, MEOW IF ITS MURDER, debuted Dec. 2, 2014. Followed by #2, CLAWS FOR ALARM. #3, CRIME AND CATNIP, was released in December. She, Rocco and Maxx make their home in Clifton, New Jersey, just twenty minutes from the Big Apple – New York. Catch up with them at www.tclotempio.net and www.catsbooksmorecats.blogspot.com
Author: T. C. LoTempio
Toni LoTempio is an author of paranormal romance/mystery and Young Adult fantasy fiction. While she prefers to write “on the lighter side” she has penned some dark fantasy as well. Her first novel, BOUND BY BLOOD, was published by Whiskey Creek Press in 2007, followed by EBONY. Toni is also a reporter for a pulp magazine devoted to collectors of antique childrens literature,SUSABELLA PASSENGERS AND FRIENDS, and as of February 2011 is the suspense reviewer/columnist for NIGHT OWL REVIEWS. Toni has two “indie” e-books out so far, NO REST FOR THE WICCA, a paranormal romance, and MY SUPERHERO SISTER, a YA Fantasy, available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Smashwords. Toni is currently at work on another paranormal romance and plans to release more indies this year. She resides in NJ with her four muses, Rocco, Maxx, Gata and Trixie. You can catch up with her at www.catsbooksmorecats.blogspot.com
QUOTED: "sprightly."
"You needn't be a cat person to get caught up in their drama."
10/8/2017 General OneFile - Saved Articles
http://go.galegroup.com/ps/marklist.do?actionCmd=GET_MARK_LIST&userGroupName=schlager&inPS=true&prodId=ITOF&ts=1507492175755 1/2
Print Marked Items
Purr M for Murder: A Cat Rescue Mystery
Publishers Weekly.
264.4 (Jan. 23, 2017): p58.
COPYRIGHT 2017 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Full Text:
Purr M for Murder: A Cat Rescue Mystery
T.C. LoTempio. Crooked Lane, $25.99 (304p) ISBN 978-1-68331-092-1
This sprightly series opener from LoTempio (Claws for Alarm and two other Nick and Nora mysteries) offers pure
catnip for feline mystery fans. Ad exec Sydney McCall left New York City for her hometown of Deer Park, N.C., after
finding her fiance, the boss's son, in bed with her secretary. In Deer Park, she quickly runs into a corpse--obnoxious
Trowbridge Littleton, who recently vowed to close down Friendly Paws, the animal shelter run by Syd's sister, Kat.
With Kat high on the suspect list, Syd has to investigate a colorful roster of Littleton-haters. Cue the cute cop, Will
Worthington, who doesn't want interference from an amateur sleuth--even though he and Syd had a thing in high
school. Who killed Littleton? How long until Syd and Will kiss? LoTempio spins the suspense, but what most
distinguishes the book is Syd's mystical connection with Toby, an unadoptable orange tabby. Who's the rescuer, who
the rescued? You needn't be a cat person to get caught up in their drama. Agent: Josh Getzler, HSG Agency. (Mar.)
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
"Purr M for Murder: A Cat Rescue Mystery." Publishers Weekly, 23 Jan. 2017, p. 58. General OneFile,
go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?
p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA479714163&it=r&asid=7f8740eeee704b7eba14691a8d4fc2df.
Accessed 8 Oct. 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A479714163
QUOTED: "LoTempio's latest series follows her sweet, simple pattern ... of cat-focused cozy with uncomplicated characters who are broadly defined."
10/8/2017 General OneFile - Saved Articles
http://go.galegroup.com/ps/marklist.do?actionCmd=GET_MARK_LIST&userGroupName=schlager&inPS=true&prodId=ITOF&ts=1507492175755 2/2
LoTempio, T. C.: PURR M FOR MURDER
Kirkus Reviews.
(Jan. 1, 2017):
COPYRIGHT 2017 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
Full Text:
LoTempio, T. C. PURR M FOR MURDER Crooked Lane (Adult Fiction) $25.99 3, 14 ISBN: 978-1-68331-092-1
One sister must prove the innocence of the other in the murder of a man determined to shut down their small-town
animal shelter.Sydney and Kat McCall are working together to help save their North Carolina animal rescue, Friendly
Paws. Though Kat's been living in the area and working at the rescue for a while, Sydney's only recently moved back to
her childhood hometown from New York City after having discovered her fiance cheating on her (good riddance). The
two are determined to use their talents to bring Friendly Paws from the red into the black, or at least make it black
enough so that the shelter animals won't be at risk of being rereleased. While Kat focuses on managing the shelter,
Sydney uses her background in advertising to promote Friendly Paws in the community. Her first idea, a Cat Cafe,
mixes a coffeehouse experience with the opportunity to meet and greet cats available to adopt. Sydney's sure it will be
a success. Even printing out the fliers has made her fall a bit in love with Toby, the shelter's unofficial mascot. But
businessman/landlord/jerk Trowbridge Littleton wants to stop the cafe in its tracks and threatens to find a way to shut
the sisters, and the shelter, down for good. Sydney can't stop fast-talking Kat from threatening Littleton in the heat of
the moment. Coming to her senses, Kat tries to meet and talk calmly with Littleton only to discover that someone's
obligingly done away with him. Given her threats, Kat is the No. 1 suspect, though Sydney has a surprise ally on the
local police force in Detective Will Worthington, her former Deer Park High School friend, who's pretty sure he can
prove Kat's innocence if only Sydney will stay out of his way. LoTempio's latest series follows her sweet, simple
pattern (Crime and Catnip, 2016, etc.) of cat-focused cozy with uncomplicated characters who are broadly defined.
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
"LoTempio, T. C.: PURR M FOR MURDER." Kirkus Reviews, 1 Jan. 2017. General OneFile,
go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?
p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA475357507&it=r&asid=b63e1488fd6ad347a834a8600c823683.
Accessed 8 Oct. 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A475357507
QUOTED: "It’s pretty great how T.C. LoTempio makes Nick so compelling that you want to believe he’s smart enough to, for example, learn how to play chess, much less help his owner solve crimes."
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FOOD FATALE
Cooking the Books: Crime and Catnip by T.C. LoTempio
DOREEN SHERIDAN
Nick Charles has got to be the best crime-solving animal sidekick I’ve come across in ages. Here, in the 3rd installment of the Nick & Nora Mystery series (and yes, the name is a cute homage to the classic detective duo), the overweight cat is always on hand to help his owner Nora as she investigates a young woman’s disappearance at the behest of the woman’s wealthy aunt, Violet Crenshaw.
Violet also has another job for Nora: catering the local museum’s annual gala. Cruz, California might be a small town, but their museum boasts cachet enough to host an exhibit of items straight out of Arthurian legend from the catalog of a premier British collector. Since the unveiling of this exhibit will coincide with said annual gala, Nora’s menu is expected to reflect the Arthurian theme, presenting another layer of creative challenge.
There’s some concern over security, of course, as the items are valuable not only in themselves, but as historical artifacts—in fact, there was an attempted burglary the last time they were displayed in London. To prevent anything like this from happening on their watch, the Cruz museum has enlisted the aid of not only the local police department, but also various off-duty law enforcement agents—including both Nora’s current boyfriend, FBI Special Agent Daniel Corleone, and her not-exactly-ex-boyfriend Detective Leroy Samms from a neighboring department. Cue the awkward romantic situations and tensions.
And if that’s not enough excitement for the life of a crime reporter turned sandwich shop owner, mysterious postcards purporting to be from Nick’s former owner start showing up. Nick Atkins was a private investigator who disappeared while working a case, leaving his cat—formerly named Sherlock—to Nora’s care. The postcards are all oddly-worded assurances as to Atkins’s wellbeing and provide no comfort to Nora, who has never stopped trying to track him down.
When a woman is found murdered at the museum and Nora herself is targeted for violence, it takes all of Nick the cat’s ingenuity to help save his owner and solve the many mysteries. It’s pretty great how T.C. LoTempio makes Nick so compelling that you want to believe he’s smart enough to, for example, learn how to play chess, much less help his owner solve crimes. About the only thing he can’t do is cook!
For those of us with opposable thumbs, however, Ms. LoTempio has included two sandwich recipes. I chose to try the sub named after one of the best-looking actors in Hollywood:
Hugh Jackman Sub
Ingredients
Long Italian roll
Horseradish dressing
Roast beef, cut very thin
American cheese, sliced thin
Monterey Jack cheese, sliced thin
Hot and sweet peppers
Shaved lettuce
Tomato slices
Oregano
Instructions
Toast roll. Slather both sides with horseradish dressing. Layer on roast beef, American and Monterey Jack cheese, hot and sweet peppers, shaved lettuce. Top with tomato slices. Garnish with oregano.
I wish Ms. LoTempio had been more precise with amounts in her recipe, as my first attempt (pictured) was visually attractive but rather difficult to eat and, quite frankly, not very balanced in flavor. It did give me an idea of how the sandwich should taste, though, so I was happy to take another stab at it a few days later. The sandwich was surprisingly mild the first time I tried it, despite the presence of horseradish dressing and hot and sweet peppers. As I do like spicy things, I wound up using pepperjack the second time around and found that a vast improvement. I’d definitely make this sandwich again, though I don’t quite understand the connection to Hugh Jackman himself.
I was also rather regretful that Ms. LoTempio hadn’t included any of the recipes she described when Nora was catering the Cruz Museum’s gala. Some of those dishes sounded really mouthwatering, especially the “Morgan Le Fay’s Pepper Steak Stir-Fry.”
Speaking of all things Arthurian, next week we investigate in Brittania, and I try my hand at one of several vegetarian recipes. Do join me!
Soup goes great with sandwiches! Get the recipe for “Milagro's Sopa de Lima” from the 2nd Taste of Texas Mystery by Rebecca Adler, The Good, the Bad and the Guacamole!
To learn more or order a copy, visit:
Buy at iTunes
Buy at Barnes and NobleBuy at Amazon
Doreen Sheridan is a freelance writer living in Washington, D.C. She
microblogs on Twitter @dvaleris.
Read all posts by Doreen Sheridan for Criminal Element.
FOOD FATALE: ‹ previous | index | next ›
Traditional Mysteries and Cozy Mysteries
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QUOTED: "My first traditionally-published novel was Meow If It’s Murder, the first in the Nick and Nora mystery series. It’s about an ex-crime reporter who returns to her hometown to manage her late mother’s sandwich shop. Along the way she adopts (or maybe it’s the other way around) a tubby tuxedo cat who belonged to a PI who’s now MIA. The cat, like his former owner, has a flair for detection."
"I have to admit my goal is to entertain, and the first person I have to entertain is myself. I figure if I’m not enjoying myself writing these stories, no one else will."
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Crime and Catnip By T.C. LoTempio: Review/Giveaway/Interview
IN THE DECEMBER 23 ISSUE
FROM THE 2016 ARTICLES,
ANDCYNTHIA CHOW,
ANDFOOD FUN,
ANDMYSTERYRAT'S MAZE,
ANDPETS SECTIONS
by Cynthia Chow
This week we have a review of a fun new book by T.C., or Toni, LoTempio, along with an interview with her. Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of Crime and Catnip. We also have a link to order it from Amazon, and from an indie bookstore where a portion goes to help support KRL.
Crime and Catnip: A Nick & Nora Mystery by T.C. LoTempio
Review by Cynthia Chow
Despite being the second choice, after the first caterers closed down, Nora Charles was delighted to have her Hot Bread sandwich shop catering the Cruz Museum fundraiser. The pressure of catering an annual gala for over two hundred at short notice was worth being able to help the museum and its curators. Just in time for Halloween, Sir Rodney Meecham has agreed to exhibit for the first time in America the grimoire of Morgan le Fay, despite previous attempts of its theft. At least the increase in security and mystery surrounding it may give Nora the opportunity to write an article for the true crime magazine, Noir.
Less welcoming is the return of Detective Leroy Samms, a homicide detective she knew in college and who infuriates her as much as he incenses her. Nora is discovering that there is a thin line between love and hate, and it’s an especially unwanted complication considering that she is sort of dating FBI Special Agent Daniel Corleone. Even both law enforcement officers being on the scene of the masquerade gala doesn’t prevent the murder of the museum’s new administrator, and neither are willing to share information on how it may have been linked to the exhibit.book
Despite the Museum turmoil, Nora and her friend Ollie J. Sampson continue their search for Nick Atkins, a missing private investigator and the former owner of Nora’s eerily intelligent cat Nick. Ollie continues to receive postcards from (human) Nick they are attempting to authenticate, and deciphering the clues is perplexing. Just as confounding is that before disappearing Nick left vague hints for Violet Crenshaw concerning her missing niece, leading the museum board of director to beg for Nora’s help.
Nora’s investigative reporter instincts continue to propel her through this third in the series, which has her breaking into crime scenes, withholding evidence, and coming very close to interfering with a police investigation. Not even a concussion or two gets in the way of Nora’s investigations, and a break-in at her home only further indicates that she is getting closer to the truth. The original Nick Atkins may have given his cat the nom de plume Sherlock, but Nora is willing to do battle to keep her Nick and Nora team together. Their endeavors somehow manage to unwind the labyrinth-like plot that crosses borders and have a devastating impact on the world, proving that together Nick and Nora are an unstoppable team.
Cynthia Chow is the branch manager of Kaneohe Public Library on the island of Oahu. She balances a librarian lifestyle of cardigans and hair buns with a passion for motorcycle riding and regrettable tattoos (sorry, Mom).
Interview with Toni LoTempio:
KRL: How long have you been writing?
Toni: Since I could breathe. Seriously, I started very young. I’d read books or comics and if I didn’t like the ending, I’d change it.
KRL: When did your first novel come out? What was it called? Can you tell us a little about it?
Toni: My first traditionally-published novel was Meow If It’s Murder, the first in the Nick and Nora mystery series. It’s about an ex-crime reporter who returns to her hometown to manage her late mother’s sandwich shop. Along the way she adopts (or maybe it’s the other way around) a tubby tuxedo cat who belonged to a PI who’s now MIA. The cat, like his former owner, has a flair for detection.
author
Toni LoTempio
KRL: Have you always written mysteries/suspense? If not what else have you written?
Toni: I actually started out writing horror and suspense, and had a few books published by a small press, Whiskey Creek Press. Then I graduated into paranormal suspense/romance and self-published a few books under Toni LoTempio before I landed my agent and my contract with Penguin.
KRL: What brought you to choose the setting and characters in your latest book/series? Tell me a little about the setting and main character for your most recent book.
Toni: To be truthful, it kind of chose itself. I needed to bring some sort of closure to the “missing PI” end of the story and this seemed the best way.
From the book blurb: “While catering a gala for the Cruz Museum, Nora Charles agrees to look into the disappearance of director Violet Crenshaw’s niece, a case previously undertaken by her frisky feline friend, Nick’s former owner, a private eye whose whereabouts are also currently unknown.
“As Nora and her curious cat, Nick, pull at the string of clues, they begin to unravel a twisted tale of coded messages, theft, false identities, murder, and international espionage. Nora dares to hope that the labyrinth of leads will not only help them locate the missing young woman, but also solve the disappearance of the detective. That’s if Nora can stay alive long enough to find him.”
KRL: Do you write to entertain or is there something more you want the readers to take away from your work?
Toni: I have to admit my goal is to entertain, and the first person I have to entertain is myself. I figure if I’m not enjoying myself writing these stories, no one else will.
KRL: Do you have a schedule for your writing or just write whenever you can?
Toni: No, I keep to a definite schedule. I hold down a full-time job, so I try to write for at least two hours when I get home from work, and longer on Saturday and Sunday. This is why I have no life, LOL.
KRL: Do you outline? If not, do you have some other interesting way that you keep track of what’s going on, or what needs to happen in your book when you are writing it?
Toni: I do outline, even though the outline changes drastically from start to finish. I also keep a “story bible” which details the characters, descriptions, locales, etc. Otherwise, trust me, I would be mixing them all up!
KRL: If you had your ideal, what time of day would you prefer to write?
Toni: I’m a morning person, but to be honest I like writing in the afternoon, usually between 1:00 and 5:00—if I had my choice.
KRL: Did you find it difficult to get published in the beginning?
Toni: OMG yes! It is terribly hard to get published. Less than 1% of manuscripts submitted make it. I’m terribly grateful that mine found its way there!
KRL: Do you have a great rejection/critique or acceptance story you’d like to share?
Toni: Well, when we first submitted Meow the manuscript was entirely different: the cat actually talked. My agent came back and said the publisher loved it, but they did not want the cat to talk; he could do anything but that! So I came up with the idea of Nick spelling out clues with Scrabble tiles. Then I had to create another character to take Nick’s dialogue. I did all that in three weeks! That was the year we had Hurricane Sandy, so that delayed things a bit, but it finally went back to the editorial board and they accepted it! I have never shouted so loud in my life as when my agent called to tell me the news. It took from April, when we submitted, to the following January.book
KRL: Most interesting book signing story-in a bookstore or other venue?
Toni: Signing books at BEA at the MWA booth and a man came up and said, “Write something witty.” Well, of course after that I couldn’t think of a darn thing.
KRL: Future writing goals?
Toni: I have a new series, Cat Rescue, which debuts from Crooked Lane in March 2017. And some other projects in the works I can’t talk about yet. I’m also hopeful for more Nick and Noras.
KRL: How fun we will be looking for that!
Writing heroes?
Toni: Stephen King, Mary Higgins Clark, and my hero —James Patterson!
KRL: What kind of research do you do?
Toni: I usually do a lot of research, depending on the plot of the book. For example, for the cat rescue I’m writing right now I had to do some research on diamonds. And for Crime and Catnip, I had to research the Arthurian Era.
KRL: What do you read?
Toni:I love cozies! I also review them for Night Owl Magazine! I also love reading horror, suspense, and true crime!
KRL: Favorite TV or movies?
Toni: I’m a Gray’s Anatomy Fan, and I love Dancing with the Stars. My all-time favorite movie: Gone with the Wind.
KRL: Any advice for aspiring or beginning writers?
Toni: Read, read and write, write. And never ever give up. It took me 16 years to get traditionally published! So if that is your dream, stick to it. Trust me, there is no EASY way to get published.
KRL: Anything you would like to add?
Toni: People can catch up with me and my cat, Rocco, on his blog, www.catsbooksmorecats.blogspot.com. We feature author interviews and giveaways each month! You can also keep up with what I’m up to there, too. ?
KRL: What is something people would be surprised to know about you?
Toni: Hm…probably that I originally started out writing horror. Think Stephen King meets American Horror story.
KRL: Website? Twitter? Facebook?
Toni: Website: tclotempio.com
Blog: www.catsbooksmorecats.blogspot.com
Twitter: @RoccoBlogger
Facebook: www.facebook.com/toni.lotempio.
To enter to win a copy of Crime and Catnip, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “catnip,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen December 31, 2016. U.S. residents only. If entering via email please include your mailing address, and if via comment please include your email address.
Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & short stories in our mystery section.
Click on this link to purchase this book & a portion goes to help support KRL & an indie bookstore Mysterious Galaxy:
Crime and Catnip
You can use this link to purchase the book on Amazon. If you have ad blocker on you may not see the link:
Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.
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{ 22 comments… read them below or add one }
1 LynnNo Gravatar
December 24, 2016 at 1:51am
Have not read any of her books, yet…and, would like to give one a try – thanks for offering one!
REPLY
2 DonamaeNo Gravatar
Twitter: @donamaekutska
December 24, 2016 at 4:08am
Sounds awesome! Thanks for the chance!
REPLY
3 BarbaraNo Gravatar
December 24, 2016 at 8:11am
Would like to read this looks good. love the Cover
REPLY
4 T. C. LotempioNo Gravatar
Twitter: @RoccoBlogger
December 29, 2016 at 10:36am
We love the cover too, Barbara! I think it’s the best out of all three.
REPLY
5 Lorraine BowenNo Gravatar
December 24, 2016 at 11:13am
Sounds like a great series, would love to read.
raineybird at yahoo dot com
REPLY
6 Valerie HoynackiNo Gravatar
December 24, 2016 at 11:33am
I grow my own (cats’) catnip so, of course, this grabbed my attention !!
REPLY
7 Paula AdamsNo Gravatar
Twitter: @qnofdnile
December 24, 2016 at 6:22pm
This sounds like a series I would like. I love books that have cats in them.
REPLY
8 DebbieNo Gravatar
December 24, 2016 at 7:31pm
You named your main character after a Dashiell Hammett character, yet you don’t name him as one of your favorite authors. Hmmm? Anyways, this sounds interesting. DElholm@prodigy.net
REPLY
9 T. C. LotempioNo Gravatar
Twitter: @RoccoBlogger
December 29, 2016 at 10:37am
Yes, even though I love the Thin Man movies and have seen all of them many times, I’ve never actually read the book! Bad me!!!!!!!! Maybe ROCCO should buy it for me for Christmas.
A recent post from T. C. Lotempio: ROCCO’s guest CLOVER from BETTER OFF THREAD by Amanda LeeMy Profile
REPLY
10 Doward WilsonNo Gravatar
December 25, 2016 at 3:16pm
This series is on my Wish List & this makes me want to hurry up & read it. Thanks for the chance to win.
REPLY
11 PamNo Gravatar
December 26, 2016 at 12:50pm
Cute cover!
REPLY
12 Della WilliamsonNo Gravatar
Twitter: @DellaWilliamso6
December 26, 2016 at 4:39pm
Congrats! Toni on your upcoming release. Would so love to read this Nick and Nora team. And her new one coming out. Love stories with animals. Have not read this lady yet. So looking forward to doing so. Thanks for the chance to make it sooner. Rather than later
REPLY
13 T. C. LotempioNo Gravatar
Twitter: @RoccoBlogger
December 27, 2016 at 10:41am
Thanks, Cynthia for the lovely review and interview! You can always cat-ch up with me and ROCCO on our blog, http://www.catsbooksmorecats.blogspot.com
and we will be hosting some giveaways on Goodreads in the New Year, including one for the new Cat Rescue series, PURR M FOR MURDER!
REPLY
14 Brian FrauenknechtNo Gravatar
Twitter: @BFrauenb
December 27, 2016 at 10:56am
I love this series and would love to win this. Thanks for the chance.
REPLY
15 Jess DNo Gravatar
December 27, 2016 at 7:58pm
I would love to read this one!
REPLY
16 Marilyn WatsonNo Gravatar
Twitter: @MarilynWatson18
December 28, 2016 at 10:32pm
I am surprised that a cozy mystery writer started out in horror but that would be a plus if it helped with plotting I guess…Nora Charles is one of my favorite of the pair and I own all the Thin Man Movies…thanks for the chance.
Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com
REPLY
17 T. C. LotempioNo Gravatar
Twitter: @RoccoBlogger
December 29, 2016 at 10:38am
Plotting is always a bear for Me, Marilyn. I’m always shocked when the stories come out as well as they do LOL
A recent post from T. C. Lotempio: ROCCO’s guest CLOVER from BETTER OFF THREAD by Amanda LeeMy Profile
REPLY
18 Judy. MckayNo Gravatar
Twitter: @Do not do
December 30, 2016 at 11:27am
I would love to win your new book. It looks awesome and I love kittycats I used to have one named Rambo but he past away. I miss him. Thank you for letting me try. I do not do too good in contest. You have a awesome new year.
REPLY
19 Linda Joy SingletonNo Gravatar
Twitter: @Lindajoysinglet
December 30, 2016 at 3:19pm
You book looks great! I love cat mysteries (so much I have my own cat series for kids). Great cover! Congrats on your book!
REPLY
20 T. C. LotempioNo Gravatar
Twitter: @RoccoBlogger
December 31, 2016 at 8:31am
thanks Linda! Say hi to Garrett for me.
A recent post from T. C. Lotempio: ROCCO’s guest CLOVER from BETTER OFF THREAD by Amanda LeeMy Profile
REPLY
21 Brittany AbbottNo Gravatar
Twitter: @ilovefinnegan
December 30, 2016 at 6:07pm
This is such a wonderful series. I’m looking forward to reading this.
REPLY
22 LorieNo Gravatar
Twitter: @mysteryrat
January 9, 2017 at 11:05pm
We have a winner!
REPLY
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