Enjoy an interview with author, C.D. Jarmola!
Do you have a favorite book from childhood?
This is awkward to confess, but no. I didn’t really read much as a child. (I know that is the wrong answer. Most authors go on and on about always loving books and wanting more than anything to be an author.) It wasn’t until high school that I started to love books. The first books that made a lasting impression on me were Dumas’ The Count of Monte Cristo and Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird. The first book I was obsessed with I think was called The Wolf and The Dove and if my mother had known what steamy sex scenes were in that book I would never have been allowed to read it.
What books do you re-read?
Quite a few as with my bad memory a lot of old things are new to me. But seriously, I’ve read the Twilight series until I practically have them memorized. There’s something so unique and mesmerizing in Meyers’ version of star crossed lovers that it feels soothing to read like warm towels out of the dryer on a cold day. I enjoy rereading sections of Harry Potter when I am missing seeing the “kids.” A story that most probably would never associate with me, but I credit with helping me ground my beliefs, is The Grand Inquisitor, by Dostoevsky. So I guess my reading preferences would say that I am a hopeless romantic who loves a good adventure with the soul that is much deeper than many would realize and just a little bit of a heretic.
What book are you reading now?
I read a least one book a week if not more. I’ve been told by many writers that the best way to learn to write is to read and they are correct. Also, I guess I’m making up for my wayward childhood of not reading.
Currently I’m reading two books. The first is The Book Thief, by Markus Zusak. I’m in a wonderful book club and this is our book for the month. And as we meet on Friday and this is Wednesday and I’m only on page 80, I’ll be reading a lot of this book in the next two days. I encourage anyone who can to join a book club. It’s a great way to make yourself branch out and read books that you might not have on your own. Also, when I finish a book I want to talk with someone about the experience. So far I have found The Book Thief to be intriguing.
I’m also reading The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. As I am a ridiculous Dr. Who fan this book fits right with me. My current work in progress, Do-Overs, deals with manipulating time, something I think we all wish we could do once in a while.
What inspired you to write Murder Goes to Church?
It is hard to just pinpoint one reason. I love cozy murder mysteries. I’ve read everything Agatha Christie has ever written and am inspired by her life.
At the time I began writing Murder Goes to Church I was a stay home mom with – go figure – a toddler. As he was tearing my house apart, I thought how drastically life changes with a child. Because of him I would do socially unacceptable things such as go through people’s trash to find a pacifier or go into someone’s private bedroom while at their house to retrieve my son. That clicked with my love of mysteries and thus Chrissy Chronister and her rambunctious son Lukas came in to being. I placed the book in vacation Bible school as everyone who has ever worked in one knows that murder does cross your mind at least once during the course of the week.
All the messes Lukas gets into. Art truly is imitating life there. Almost every one of the predicaments Lukas creates were at one time invented by my own son. Chasing down his favorite blankie and hiding under the pew in the process is probably the most accurate depiction of the life of a young mother, other than the hearing of murder plots, etc.
When readers turn the last page what do you want them to be thinking?
“Oh that was fun. I hope there is another book coming out soon.” And also I hope that if they’re like me and their sweet babies are all grown up now, that they’ll be reminded of the hectic but fun times in raising their kids. Sans the murder of course.
What are you currently writing?
I’ve a completed manuscript called Do-Overs that I’m very excited about. It’s the story of Lottie Lambert who if there is a wrong thing to say she’ll say it. And in any given situation she’ll do the wrong thing. That is until the day her crazy Aunt Charlotte gives her a magic eraser that enables her to turn back time and redo the blunders of her life.
Along the way Lottie learns that in fixing the mistakes in life she also misses out on all the serendipitous events that make life special and would also make true love come her way.
What plans do you have for future books?
I’ve outlined the next in the Murder Goes . . . series. It is Murder Goes Swimming and is centered around Lukas and swimming lessons and of course, murder.
I’m also working on a YA novel called Jarius’ Daughters. It’s something different for me as it is going to delve into the world of espionage – sort of a thriller.
And of course there is a Do-Overs sequel. Did-Overs- perhaps I’ll find a better title than that.
What would make your day if you read it in a review of this book?
Just to have a review would be awesome.
I think the best compliment any book can receive is if after the reader puts it down she still thinks about it. Remembers the characters. Wonders what the characters would be doing on down the line in life. So I guess the best review would include that Murder Goes to Church has very memorable characters that people will want to revisit again and again.
TO WIN YOUR OWN KINDLE COPY of MUDER GOES TO CHURCH: Go to C.D. Jarmola's blog, Devotions from the Resident Heretic, in one of her November posts, she discusses what she spent most of her fall doing. What was it?? (Hint: The blog post is titled "I'll be back".) Leave your answer in the comment section. IF you get a friend to also leave a comment, your name will be entered twice! (If the friend leaves a comment telling us that you sent him/her!) Winners will be chosen by Random.org .
Just in case you don't win, check out Murder Goes to Church at Amazon.com!
Just in case you don't win, check out Murder Goes to Church at Amazon.com!
Deadline to enter is Friday, December 2 at 7:30 PM (Oklahoma time).
