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Friday, May 22, 2009

Spotlight on S. Dionne Moore and Polly Dent Loses Grip

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

S. DIONNE MOORE is a mother and writer whose newest passion for Artisan Breadmaking is causing things to truly expand in her life, which makes it a good thing that she is also an avid-walker and gardener. She resides in the great state of PA, and welcomes you to visit her Website, www.sdionnemoore.com, where she is posting new recipes, and Podcasts on writing, on an almost daily basis. Plus there's always a contest running for a chance to win free books and, if you're really lucky, great footcare products. Now what else would you expect from an author whose first book was titled, Murder on the Ol' Bunions?

POLLY DENT LOSES GRIP
by S. Dionne Moore
Published by Barbour Publishing

ABOUT THE BOOK

While helping her mother-in-law move into Bridgeton Towers Assisted Living & Nursing, LaTisha Barnhart's nose smells trouble simmering. The residents' gossip is revealing all kinds of motives for murder. Gertrude Herrman is out looking for love in the form of Thomas Philcher (or is it love of his fat wallet instead?), and Polly's fall eliminates Gertrude's competition once and for all. Otis Payne, the venerable director of Bridgeton Towers, is over a barrel when his wife demands cash--or else she'll carry on without him. Mitzi Mullins's penchant for rhyme puts her in direct line as perpetrator of the crime, and Sue Mie's mistake seals Polly's fate.

Can LaTisha stay on her achin' feet, and one step ahead of the villain, long enough to solve yet another crime?

Buy Your Copy of Polly Dent Loses Grip today!

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

1. What gave you the inspiration for this story?

Polly Dent Loses Grip has a more serious vein than Murder on the Ol' Bunions because I wanted to show the progression of aging. LaTisha gets sick, but even though she must deal with the effects of her aging body, she doesn't lose her sense of humor!

2. How much of your own experiences influenced your characters? What aspects became traits that are theirs and theirs alone?

I watched my father's struggle with high blood pressure and diabetes, and now I watch my mother's journey down that same path. Both of these experiences shaped the idea for LaTisha's physical struggles in Polly Dent Loses Grip. But unlike my experience, LaTisha's spirit rises to meet the challenge and she shakes off the gloom that could easily overcome her. She chooses to shake off her doldrums and put her nose to the mystery at hand, while continuing the never-ending job of keeping Hardy in line/

3. If one of your characters were an ice cream flavor, what would he/she be and why?

LaTisha would be Cappuccino Crunch (Hershey Ice Cream flavor) and Hardy would be Deep Dish Apple Pie (Hershey Ice Cream flavor). Double yum! And they would definitely share their scoops with each other.

4. Are there any themes in Polly Dent Loses Grip that you hope the reader sees? Are there any themes that weren't overt but developed as the stories progressed?

The main thrust of the entire LaTisha Barnhart Mystery series is never to lose your sense of humor. We follow LaTisha through Empty Nest Syndrome (book 1) to helping her aging MIL while battling her own sickness (book 2) to LaTisha reinventing herself and her way of life (at 60, no less!) in book 3. No matter what you face, live, love, and laugh. These three things are accomplished by keeping your faith in a firm grip and remembering that it is a natural extension of who you are, not a mask you put on for special occasions.

5. What were your most difficult parts to write? Your favorite?

My favorite part of writing any story is watching the characters develop. I enjoy writing deep characters and bringing out aspects of their personalities in unique ways.

6. When is your next book coming out and what is the story?

Your Goose Is Cooked is the final book in the LaTisha Barnhart Mystery series and is due to release with the first two books as a compilation in the Fall of 2010. LaTisha and Hardy are back in Maple Gap and cooking up a storm at their new restaurant, Your Goose Is Cooked, when their deaf chef overhears a plot for murder that just might fricassee the mayor's plans for re-election.

* * * * *

Thank you, Sandra, for being in the spotlight with us.

Readers, leave a comment for your chance to win a FREE autographed copy of Polly Dent Loses Grip.

Make sure you also leave your email address (name at domainname dot.com/net). You won't be entered in the drawing without it. If you wish to comment but don't want to be entered, say so when you post.

And if you want to make certain you don't miss anything, check the box that says 'email follow-up comments to:' when you leave a comment and they'll be sent to the email address associated with your blogging account. That way you'll be notified of any comments and will know when I announce the winner.

This week, the contest is open to anyone worldwide.

14 comments:

Linda said...

I've read this book, and you will find heartwarming, with many twists and turns at the Assisted Living home. I still need to read books one and three.

Southern-fried Fiction said...

I, too, have already read this book and it's a hoot!!! I loved it! And if you look really close, you'll find me in the book!! :D

NancyMehl said...

Great interview!

I've never compared myself or any of my characters to ice cream! What a concept.

Love the idea about keeping your sense of humor no matter what life throws at you.

Blessings on your book sales, Sandra!

LaTisha Barnhart said...

I hightailed it over here as fast as my now-size 18 body could haul me. Who says you can't own a restaurant and lose weight? Your Goose Is Cooked is still feeding half of Maple Gap on a daily basis, and we've just started a new Relay for Life program to raise money for Diabetes.

Hardy picked up the email from S. Dionne saying this here interview was running today. S. Dionne didn't do a bad job, but you know me, I gotta have my say too. Though the events in Polly Dent Loses Grip are far behind us (and Momma Barnhart is still kicking hard!), we'll never forget how cheese puffs saved the day, and how Chinese Water Torture is a different story when you're the one on the receiving end of the slow, cold drip. Makes me shiver to think of it.

Um-um. Would you look at the time? I gotta scoot out of here for my Artisan Breadbaking class with my employee William. He's a master at pate fermente, poolish, and anything rustic whole grain. S. Dionne will post some of his recipes in the months to come. I might even poke my head in on her blog and talk about my new passion for bread. Whole Grain bread, that is. And did you know that they make White Whole Wheat Flour? Same nutritional value as regular whole wheat without the sometimes bitter edge. Honey, throw out that all-purpose and get you a sack today. You'll live longer.

Anonymous said...

I've read S. Dionne Moore's first and second books -- MURDER ON THE OL' BUNIONS and POLLY DENT LOSES GRIP -- and I LOVE her characters! They're so real to me that I sometimes stop and wonder what LaTisha and Hardy are up to these days. Sandra's books are fast-paced, hilarious, and touching. Rarely does a book make me laugh AND cry, but I found myself totally emotionally invested.

Nancy Toback

Anonymous said...

Sandra, as you know, I'm a big LaTisha and Hardy fan, and this book was every bit as good, if not better than Murder on the ol Bunions. Can't wait till your compilations book comes out so I can read book 3.

Blessings,

Frances

Anonymous said...

The reason I posted under anonymous is because none of my user is's were working. Sorry.

Frances Devine

Elizabeth Ludwig said...

Great article, ladies. Can't wait to see what LaTisha and Hardy come up with next!

Anonymous said...

Hey you all! Anyone want to win a book? I don't think I offered that. I'll give away a free copy of Polly Dent Loses Grip. Maybe two. You just have to answer one question for me, and the answer is in Murder on the Ol' Bunions (book 1 for those of you sleeping). What material is Hardy's favorite pair of pants made of?

LaTisha Barnhart said...

I just better keep my mouth shut on this one. Course, I don't need the book since it's my story, but you get me all steamed up about Hardy's pants and this blog'll be smokin'. And with all the chemicals in this black woman's hair, I'd be the first to catch on fire.

peachykath said...

This book sounds really good. Please enter me in the drawing.
Thanks,
Katherine

peachykath79[at]yahoo[dot]com

windycindy said...

I could use a good mystery book with some laughs! I think Mr. Hardy's pants are plaid! Thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

Emma said...

Great interview!This book sounds really good. Please enter me in the drawing.
Thank you.

Jo said...

What a great interview. I really want to read this book. Please enter me in the drawing.

Blessings,
Jo
ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com