I am so happy to have Sue Ann Jaffarian here today!!
And The Ghosts Just Keep On Coming!
By Sue Ann Jaffarian
The 5th book in my Ghost of Granny Apples series, Ghost in the Guacamole, has just been released. Wow! The fifth! And that doesn’t count the two Granny Apples e-book novellas that are already out: The Silent Ghost and Dummy of a Ghost.
When this series first started I really had no idea that it would be as popular as it is or would extend beyond a few books. (Not that I’m complaining!) Really, I didn’t. I thought after a couple of books, there wouldn’t be much to write about or that readers would grow tired of it.
Boy, was I wrong! On both counts!
Just as readers are thrilled to see another Ghost of Granny Apples mystery hit the shelves, so am I thrilled when the ideas for stories continue to present themselves to me. Maybe ghosts are whispering in my ear?
Ideas for these fun books are triggered from all kinds of sources, but mostly it’s a place that plants the seed for a story. I love to weave a little bit of history into these stories about a 100-year-old pioneer ghost who helps her great-great-great granddaughter, who is a medium, solve murders or prevent them, and that means researching the geographical area in which the book is located.
For example, the idea for the last Granny Apples book, Ghost of a Gamble, came to me on a trip to Las Vegas and while reading up on the colorful history of the famous gambling mecca. Ghost in the Guacamole takes place mostly on Olvera Street, the birthplace of Los Angeles, and a destination that I’ve always wanted to feature in a book. Because of Olvera Street’s Mexican heritage, I knew I wanted a title that reflected that but was also catchy and cute. Thus, Ghost in the Guacamole was born.
Another great thing about letting the setting call the shots is that I often get to research the history of these places in person, so it’s not only fun but educational for me, and I hope for my readers. One of my favorite research trips was for Gem of a Ghost, the third book in the series. For that I visited Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, and got a personal tour of a haunted prison, which I used in the story.
Currently I’m working on the sixth book in the series. It’s working title is Ghost Writer and it takes place in rural Massachusetts. I’ve recently taken a trip there and returned armed with research books on New England haunted villages and ghosts sightings. I have a few more interesting ideas for future books, which I hope I will get the opportunity to bring to life on the page.
Now if you’ll excuse me, this writer has to get back to Ghost Writer before the ghosts that whisper to me get restless. They’re pretty strict task masters.
~Sue Ann
To find out more about Sue Ann Jaffarian and her books visit her webpage here and her blog here.
Ghost in the Guacamole (Ghost of Granny Apples)
Cozy Mystery
A Berkley Prime Crime Mystery
The Berkley Publishing Group (January 6, 2015)
Published by The Penguin Group
Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0425262498
E-Book ASIN: B00M0XA9WO
When two sisters feud over the family business, medium Emma Whitecastle doesn’t need a Ouija board to know it spells trouble. But with a little help from the spirited ghost of Granny Apples, she may be able to solve one murder and prevent another . . .
Sisters Lucinda and Ricarda Ricardo—better known as Lucy and Rikki—are at each other’s throats over the family business, Roble Foods. Lucy wants to sell and Rikki is against it. Rikki asks Emma to contact their deceased father, Felix, to help her convince Lucy not to sell.
But the ghost of Felix Ricardo has his own bombshell to drop—his death was not an accident, and Rikki’s life may be in danger if the girls don’t sell. Now it’s up to Emma and Granny Apples to chip away at the mystery and stop a killer from double dipping in death . . .
Thanks to the people at Penguin I have 2 copies to give away!
Contest is open to anyone over 18 years old
with a US or Canadian mailing address.
Duplicate entries will be deleted. Void where prohibited.
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Contest Will End January 24, 2015 at 11:59 PM CST
Winner Will Be Chosen By Random.org
Winner Will Be Notified By Email
and Will Be Posted Here In The Sidebar.
CLICK HERE FOR ENTRY FORM
Looks great, thanks for the chance 🙂
Ghosts and Guacamole, what an interesting twist. I would love to win a copy of this book.,
Sounds like a fun read. Love the sister’s names.
GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR NEW BOOK AND THANKS FOR THE GIVEAWAY!
Sounds like a book to read with a big ol’ platter of nachos and a pitcher of margueritas! (I may just have found my semi-official Cinco de Mayo activities! Ole`! :O)
A new author for me. Will check out this series for sure.
Another new to me series and it sounds great. The idea a ghost in guacamole definitely had me giggling. Thanks for the chance to win.
Hi Sue,
I just wanted to say that the title is hilarious, the cover is really cute with the piñata, and the story sounds like a winner. I haven’t read your Ghost of Granny Apples series, but now: I want to!
Lucy & Rikki – love it!
Sorry, I can’t resist–
Holy guacamole, Batman!
I love reading cozies with a touch of the paranormal in them – adds a little spice to the mix. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.
Sounds like a really good book. Thanks for the chance to win
Sounds like a great cozy mystery.
Really love this series and love the idea of Lucy and Rikki;
Love the cover and title! Enjoy your research excursions!
I love this series and am looking forward to reading this latest entry.
I love both ghost stories and guacamole. What could be better than them being together? Thank you for th giveaway!
Very big fan of Sue’s and her Granny Apple books … I have all except the e-series. Fingers crossed I win.
These ghost cozies are a lot of fun—-a touch of paranormal, but nothing too scary.
This is a series I’ve been wanting to start. This looks like such a fun book! Love cozies with ghosts. 🙂 Thank you for some insight into your research process!
Can’t wait to read this next installment. It’s such a fun series!
This sounds like a great series. I like that each book has a different setting. Thanks for having the giveaway.
Sounds like a great book
This sounds like a great book, can’t wait to read it.
Love the title! Another book goes on my TBR list!
Congratulations on the new release! Ghost in the Guacamole sounds awesome. The Ghost of Granny Apples is a new series for me and I have added it to my TBR list.
A cozy with ghosts and guacamole? What’s not to love? Can’t wait to read this!
Keep listening to the ghosts, you’re doing great.
I’ve read a couple of these books from this series and have enjoyed them very much. I would love to win a copy of this.
I enjoy reading books with ghosts in them. They are so much fun because they go where mortals can’t !
Sounds like a great book! Sue Ann is a new author to me and I can’t wait to start reading her books. Thank you for the contest!
sounds good thanks for the chance
This is a new cozy mystery series for me. Ghost in the Guacamole sounds lie a delightful read. Thank you for the giveaway.
This is a new mystery series for me, and it sounds like a delightful read. Thank you for the giveaway.
thanks for the chance to win!
This book sounds good. Okay, seriously, guacamole had my attention. I’m going to have to add this to my reading list.
congrats & continued success to SueAnn!!!
thank you for the giveaway!!
Thanks for having me!
Yeah! Another great book…and another great giveaway! Thanks!
Sue Ann I love all of your books. I can’t seem to get enough of them.
It is good to see Sue Ann here – she is a great author, and I look forward to reading more of her books (including Guacamole!).
This book looks awesome.
I’ve been following Sue Ann for a couple years after seeing her at the L.A. Book Festival.