You might remember that beautiful smile from past interviews, but there is always something new to learn about the authors who are part of the Mysteries, Midsummer Sun and Murders anthology. Patti writes in many genres and some of her Cozy Mystery series include; Fleming Investigations, Masquerade Inc., Fiona Fleming Cozy Mysteries, Canary Key, Finder’s Keepers are just a few. Patti lives on the Prince Edward Island in Canada with her assortment of animals. Be sure to follow Patti on Amazon, Nook, Kobo, ITunes, Smashwords, Google Play, and Facebook. And be sure to check out all her books on her Website.

The High Tide Deception by Patti Larsen
When Petal Morgan is hired to infiltrate and report on possible cheating at a sand sculpture competition, it’s not just the prize money that’s at stake. Stumbling over a body buried under one of the works of art wasn’t how she planned to spend her time at the beach. But with local law enforcement stumped and her well-honed detective skills (and nosiness) keeping her digging, Petal quickly uncovers a dark and deadly truth about the victim that puts her at risk of her own sandy grave.

Let’s ask Patti a few questions about her contribution to the anthology…

Where is your favorite vacation spot?
I love to travel, so this is actually a tough question! But right now, my ideal is Isla Mujeres off the coast of the Yucatan, across the water from Cancun, Mexico. Super safe, small enough not to be overwhelming, no need of resort all-inclusive living—hotels are inexpensive and street food is delicious! I live on guacamole and chicken enchiladas when I’m there. Oh, and tequila, because Mexico. White sand beaches, hot weather tempered by ocean breezes, tons of expats to meet, friendly locals and a vibrant nightlife make Isla Mujeres one of my favorite places on the planet (so far!).

When writing a series, how do you keep things fresh for both your readers and also yourself?
It’s funny, because I’m one of those writers who doesn’t get a say in the books I write. The bossy voices in my head dictate the show from start to finish and usually keep me guessing. That’s as fresh as it is frightening sometimes! But they never fail to come through with great stories and fun mysteries I fall in love with as much as my readers do. That means I’ve built up trust over my 150+ (and counting) titles, so when the character says jump, I’m already in the air. The saddest part is when they are ready to be done and I have to say goodbye. But at least that means I get to wrap things up (to their liking, that is!).

Can you give us some insight into what makes you main character tick?
Petal Morgan spent the first thirty years of her life trying to figure out what she was supposed to be doing in a world that told her she should strive to fit in. Only to end up in her parent’s garage apartment with a ton of debt and no idea what she was doing with the rest of her existence. When she fell headlong into her career as a deception expert, she realized all the things she’d learned along the way, all the jobs she’d tried, education she thought she wasted, were exactly what she needed to do the one thing she really loves—pretending she’s someone she’s not and catching bad guys in the process.

What comes first, the plot or characters?
For me, it’s always the characters. Their voices are so loud sometimes (most times!) I can’t sleep and I’m up at 2:30AM writing down what they want me to know. So, when I need the next book or a novella idea or a short, even, I simply ask for it. That means having a conversation (I kid you not) with the character in question about what I need, and they immediately start to tell me all about this time when… it’s amazing and fun and I love the connection I have to the voices so much. I honestly have the best job ever.

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_{Before the release, you are going to want to pre order your copy! Not only will you get it at the lowest price of 99 cents, but you will also get a fun addition that the authors put together for our readers; a recipe book of great summer salads.}

_{We are also doing something extra special for our potential readers; we’ve put together an exciting package with over 30 prizes to win. Ereaders, gift cards, signed copies of books, ebooks, audio books, the list goes on. And you can check out the list AND sign up to win the Mysteries, Midsummer Sun & Murder anthology prize pack by clicking on the box below.}