Welcome to a Special Edition of Cozy Wednesday!
This post was supposed to appear on March 18.
I loved this book and am so glad to have Diana here for a visit.
Q and A with Diana Orgain
What am I working on/writing?
I am working on the second book in my Reality TV series (A SECOND CHANCE FOR MURDER) which be released next spring. The first book in the series; A First Date with Death
When broken-hearted Georgia Thornton goes looking for romance on reality TV, she has nothing to lose. Apart from a good man, a cash prize, and maybe her life.
What was Georgia thinking? Sure, some cad ditched her at the altar, but can she really find love on TV? Her best friend—and producer of the reality show Love or Money—thinks so. Ten men. Ten adventure-filled dates. What can go wrong? For starters, a faulty bungee cord that hurls Georgia’s first date into a tragic spiral off the Golden Gate Bridge.
Just as unexpected: he’s replaced by Paul Sanders, Georgia’s former fiancé. But the cop isn’t looking for a TV gig. Suspecting that the lover’s leap was no accident, Paul’s going undercover. When another bachelor gets a fatal kiss-off, the reality is that someone has killer new plans for the show—and for Georgia herself. Now, under the threat of permanent cancellation, Georgia fears that the only man on the set she can trust is the one man she just can’t count on…
How does my writing/work differ from others in its genre?
I have a M.F.A in playwriting and one of my favorite professors used to say, “No laughter for the playwright, no laughter for the audience. No tears for the playwright, no tears for the audience.” What I took that to mean was that the journey on the page had to be real for me with real emotions otherwise, there’s no way that an audience (or reader) will get that emotional journey. That’s what writing is all about for me. A way to share myself on the page with others. Growing up, my dad would always quote Hemingway, “There is no friend as loyal as a book.” That’s my goal with writing: I want my books to be a friends to my readers, to be there in their time or need, or when they need a distraction or just a laugh.
Why do I write what I do?
Growing up I devoured Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys, Agatha Christie and Mary Higgins Clark – I love a great whodunit and if you add a little suspense in there all the better. The tagline for writing is “Come in the for cozy- stay for the thrill of it!”
How does my writing process work?
I do every process imaginable. When one isn’t working I move to the next. Right now I’m on a long-hand writing kick. I LOVE filing my notebook with my characters – it flows so easily – the tricky part is converting it into text, but for the wonders of technology- I hear the iPad has a great app for that. Sometimes I use voice dictation (especially when I get tired of typing up my hand written notes). But usually, mostly I sit (or stand – I have one of those convertible desks) and power through my first draft on the keyboard. I like to write all the way through the draft before editing, but sometimes, I have to go and fix things before I move forward.
About the Author
Diana Orgain is the author of the Maternal Instincts Mysteries and coauthor of Gilt Trip with Laura Childs in the New York Times bestselling Scrapbooking Mysteries. She holds a B.A and M.F.A. in Creative Writing from San Francisco State University with a minor in acting. Diana has acted professionally both on stage and in national commercials. She’s written several plays, which were produced at San Francisco State University, GreenHouse Productions, and PlayGround. She lives in San Francisco with her husband and three children. Visit her at www.dianaorgain.com.
FIRST DATE WITH DEATH
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Setting: California
Release Date: March 3, 2015
The Berkley Publishing Group
Published by The Penguin Group
Cover Illustration by Bill Bruning
Cover Design by Danielle Abbiate
Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0425271681
E-Book ASIN: B00LMGK49I
When brokenhearted Georgia Thornton goes looking for romance on reality TV, she has nothing to lose—apart from a good man, a cash prize, and maybe her life…
What was Georgia thinking? Sure, some cad ditched her at the altar, but can she really find love on TV? Her best friend—and producer of the reality show Love or Money—thinks so. Ten men. Ten adventure-filled dates. What can go wrong? For starters, a faulty bungee cord that hurls Georgia’s first date into a tragic spiral off the Golden Gate Bridge.
He’s replaced by Paul Sanders, Georgia’s former fiancé. But the cop isn’t looking for a TV gig. Suspecting that the lover’s leap was no accident, Paul’s going undercover. When another bachelor gets a fatal kiss-off, the reality is that someone has killer new plans for the show—and for Georgia herself. Now, under the threat of permanent cancellation, Georgia fears that the only man on the set she can trust is the one man she just can’t count on…
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Fans of The Bachelor and The Bachelorette this is the cozy for you. It has an added twist, not all the contestants are searching for love, half of them are trying to win money. Things start to go wrong on the very first date and one of the suitors is killed. Not everyone believes it was an accident and that brings Georgia’s former love to the show, he is a cop and he is going undercover. Then another bachelor dies and and reality television gets even more real as the show must go on. Georgia doesn’t know who to trust but she knows she must find the killer before the final glass of champagne is poured.
I loved this story and I am really interested in seeing how the author continues this series. Georgia was the bachelorette and her turn on Love or Money is complete. I really liked her spunk. She is smart and courageous enough to put herself on national television to find love and track down a killer too.
This story flows really well. The characters are fleshed out and easy to picture and get to know. I found myself rooting for more than one of the bachelors and not only following the clues to find out the killer but who was in it for love and who was in it just for the money.
I really enjoy where Diana Orgain takes us in this story. Not your typical theme for a cozy mystery, it is new and fresh and a lot of fun to read. I am anxiously awaiting the next installment to see where she takes us next.
Thanks to the people at Penguin I have 2 copies to give away!
Contest is open to anyone over 18 years old
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CLICK HERE FOR ENTRY FORM
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
This is a really interesting premise for a cozy. Thanks for the giveaway.
First Date With Death sounds like a delightful read. It is hard to find a good guy to date or even developing a lasting relationship. It becomes even harder when the potential guys keep dropping like flies! Thank you for the giveaway.
I don’t watch those shows on TV, but this sounds interesting anyway.
Sounds like a wonderful book. Can’t wait to read it
There is not much better than cozying up to a cup of hot gingerly goodness, on a big comfy chair, with a snuggly blanket, and a good cozy mystery… I can see the future… I will be doing just that with your books
I am a huge fan of the Maternal Instincts Mystery series so I’m really looking forward to reading this. Thanks for the giveaway!
Great series, thanks for the chance 🙂
I’m looking forward to Georgia and Paul’s story, and finding out who’s responsible for the “accidents.” Thanks for sharing, Diana!
Now this sounds like something different. It looks like something completely different.
Thank you for the introduction to Diana Orgain’s work. I enjoy learning about new authors and also about the books they write.
This cozy sounds intriguing and special. Thanks for this feature and giveaway.
Although I don’t watch the Bachelor type shows, I will put this book on my list….
I love your books…this will go on my to read list. thank you.
Sounds like a good cozy. I can’t wait to read it.
So excited to see Diana’s return and I think the Reality tv setting is inspired! How perfect for murder! I really like the Maternal Instincts books and can’t wait to read this one! Thanks!
I like that you took your professor’s words to heart. I think he/you have something there. The book sounds great. Hope I get to be the lucky winner.
I love trying new series – thanks for the giveaway opportunity.
Congratulations, on the new series, Donna!
We watch the tv show. Sounds like a curious take on the show. Book vs reality tv instead of book becomes made for tv movie or program.
I love being introduced to new authors and first’s in a new series. I’m looking forward to meeting the characters and learning their quirks.
Nice twist to have some contestants after love and some after money.
Thanks for the fun interview. I love reading them. And this sounds like a fun cozy. Always looking for more cozies!
Looking forward to reading a good who done it. They’re my favorite too.
The reality shows should really provide good material for a funny mystery.
This looks like a fun new series.
Looks interesting! I’ve wondered how people haven’t died on those reality shows. Looks like the author went further than just wondering. I’d love to read her book!
I like that the author wants her books to be friends with the reader.Thanks for the giveaway.
I’ve been wanting to read this series since I first heard of it. It sounds like a great start to a new cozy series.
Thank you for all the kind words. Lori – I’m so glad you enjoyed the book!
GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR NEW SERIES AND THANKS FOR THE GIVEAWAY!
This book sounds good. This also sounds like it could be a fun series.
What a perfect setting for a cozy series… I can’t wait!
This is definitely a different theme for a cozy but it sounds fresh and exciting. As the reviewer says, it would be interesting to see how the series continues.
New author to me. I am into a couple reality shows. I want to read this book.