Around The Fire With Ana Diamond

Wow, it's Monday already. The weekend flew past. I had a great one. Here's a couple of quick updates before we get to today's guest. 
Agent Sam Carter and the Mystery of High Pointe Tower is a finalist in N.N. Light's 2021 Book Awards. Also I've taken steps to release Rock House Grill as an audio book. It's in the narration process now. Well, enough about me please help me welcome to days guest Ana Diamond.

Welcome to my fire, Ana. Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
I recently released my first cozy mystery with The Wild Rose Press. I grew up mainly in New York. I used to live in NYC but recently moved out for more space. I’m a mom of two kids and two cats and currently work full time as well. 

Hey, I'm a former Brooklyn girl. Other than writing what interests do you have? 
I like to go to the gym when I can. I read mainly at night before bed. I like to read mystery with romance but I usually fall asleep within a few pages.
 
It's hard to stay awake especially when it's getting dark so early. Who do you turn to for support in your writing? 
I mainly rely on The Wild Rose Press author network for support in my writing career. It’s been a steep learning curve but a rewarding one.
 
The Garden authors are amazing. So many talented and generous people. What's your worst household chore?
Folding laundry.
 
Followed in my house by putting it away. Do you have and authors who've  inspired you? 
I love Jeaniene Frost books. I love a good kick ass heroine and the Night Prince series is my favorite.
 
Yes! Cat and Bones are wonderful. I've read all her books. Do you research before your write? 
I do most of my research for books online. You Tube is a great source for getting different perspectives and can provide great visuals. 
 
Sorry but here's a touchy subject. Reviews. Do you read them? What do you do with both the good and the bad? 
I shouldn’t read reviews but after the initial sting of a bad one, I try and take in the information as constructive and hopefully apply it to the next project.
 
All right a more fun question. Which would you rather, unlimited plane tickets or never have to pay for food in a restaurant again?
I would rather never have to pay for food at restaurants. Dinning out is something my husband and I have a passion for and if it were free, we’d be thrilled!
 
I detest flying. That's why we have a camper. But I love going to fun places to eat and try all kinds of food. Speaking of eating, if you had a choice what delectable delicacy would you be having right now? 
If I could eat anything in the world it would probably be banana pudding from Magnolia Bakery. So good and you can’t stop eating it.  

Yummy, I haven't had a good banana pudding in years. What's the best money you've spent on your writing career?
I think the best money I spent as a writer was on professional editing. I think of it as part of the learning process.
 
We all start somewhere. What was your first job? 
In my first job I was a Medical Assistant in a large hospital in Washington, D.C. It was a stepping stone toward other medical positions and graduate school in the future.
 
It's a musical world and if you could choose, what song would play every time you entered a room?
The one song I would choose to play every time I walked into a room would be Endless Love by Lionel Richie. It was my wedding song and always brings back memories and a smile on my face when it plays on the radio. 

Ana, it was lovely spending time with you today. Before you leave one more favor? Please let everyone know where to find out more about your book and where to find you.

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Body Conscious
by 
Ana Diamond
A small town romantic cozy mystery

​Mortician, Lily Reynolds is used to seeing bodies, but not the type murdered in her own funeral home. As Detective James Rivers zeroes in on her as the town’s number one suspect she must rise above the accusations and rumors to solve the case herself while keeping her attraction to the troubled detective at bay. 
James has a past. The last time he let someone into his life she wound up dead. Vowing never to let that happen again he has sworn off dating for good. Until he meets Lily. In his gut he knows she’s not the murderer but pressure to solve the case puts him on the wrong trail while he struggles to keep Lily off the case.  
Can she solve the case on her own or will their scandalous romance get in the way of proving her innocence?
 
 Get your copy at one of these retailors 
https://books2read.com/anadiamondauthor

Need more convincing?
Harlie’s Books: 
https://www.harliesbooks.com/posts/review-of-body-conscious-by-ana-diamond-w-a-rafflecopter-giveaway-romance-cozymystery-wildrosepress-authordiamond/
 Here's the review 
Let me count the ways that I loved this book and that I hope that there is a follow-up.  I fell in love with Lily, James, Abrams, Zachary, and Shanna.  Yes, everyone.  Even the villains in the book.  Ms. Diamond took her time in establishing each character, regardless of what their role was in the book.
James is a dream.  Tats, a cop, and always went with his gut all the time.  I also liked how he interacted with Abrams, regardless of the situation.  In fact, he never backed down from Abrams.  Abrams is a trip.  His relationship with Shanna is different but it is endearing.  I wanted more from those two but I’m hoping that Ms. Diamond has a book with them in mind.
Lily is a strong woman.  Considering everything that she had to go through in the book, most would have folded and played the damsel in distress.  Not her,  She told everything in stride and went forward.  I loved that about her.  The bar scenes are wonderful with her.
The villains in the book are richly drawn.  In fact, I actually felt kinda sorry for one of them but that’s for you to figure out.  The other one, they got what was coming.  Ugh.  What a piece of work.  That’s what really got me in the book.  Everyone has a role to play and Ms. Diamond sets them up very well.
The mystery in the book is AWESOME!  Just when you think that you have figured it out, Ms. Diamond throws a curveball which causes whiplash but it is oh so good for me.  Everything is tied perfectly in the end.  However, I really would like a follow-up with Abrams/Shanna and to see where James and Lily are in the future.
For more about Ana visit 
https://twitter.com/AuthorDiamond
https://www.facebook.com/anadiamondauthor/
https://www.tiktok.com/@anadiamondauthor?
https://www.instagram.com/anadiamondauthor/

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