Welcome romance mystery writer, Valerie J Clarizio...


 Hi, Valerie! So great to meet you and have you visit my blog. When I saw the cover for the book you're promoting, it sent me chills...I'm not ready for Christmas yet, lol! What I am ready for, is to hear more about a Christmas set story seeing as i am writing a Christmas 2014 novel as we speak! Let's get on with the questions...

1)  Who is your favourite author and why?

Do I really have to narrow it down to just oneJ  Hmm; I would have to go with Janet Evanovich.  I just love her quirky Stephanie Plum series. 

2)  When did you first consider yourself a writer?

When I joined my local writers group, some of the members would refer to us as being “writers” whether we were published or not.  At first I felt a little weird about that, but I’ve since come to realize how right they were.  Now, that said, the day I held my first published book, COOKIES FOR SANTA(a Nick Spinelli Mystery), in my hands was a very emotional experience for me.  I just kept staring at it thinking “I finally did it!”   

3)  Describe your writing space?

I like it quiet when I write so I usually lock myself in what we call the “computer room” which is a tiny room furnished with a desk and book shelves.  It is also home to my ironing board which isn’t used so much for ironing but more for the cat to sleep on or to give her access to the window so she can watch the birds carry on outside.

4)  What are you reading now?

Right now I’m reading Janet Evanovich’s Notorious Nineteen and James Patterson’s 11th Hour.  For some reason I tend to read a couple of books at one time.

5)  How many books have your written?  Which is your favourite?

I have written three novels and two novellas.  The first novella in the Nick Spinelli Mystery series was published by Melange Books last November.  The second is scheduled for release this fall. 

Just this week I contracted with Whiskey Creek Press for two novels, UNFORESEEN OBSESSIONS, a romantic suspense novel, and TAKEN BY SURPRISE, a contemporary romance with suspense elements.
I’m currently seeking agent representation for the remaining novel, PLAN INTERUPPTED.

As for my favorite, I would have to go with the first novel I wrote, UNFORESEEN OBSESSIONS.  The sense of accomplishment upon completing that first novel is indescribable.

6)  What comes first, plot or characters?

Definitely the characters, I start with the hero and heroine and as I type they begin to tell me what is going to happen. (I hear voicesJ) 

7)  Do you ever suffer from writer’s block?

On occasion I do, so I just step away from the project for a couple of days, maybe a week, and then I get back to it.  Sometimes I’ll start a new story in the meantime just to keep my mind active.

8)  What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

In my spare time I like to read and watch movies.  Additionally, my husband and I are outdoorsy people so we spend time at our cabin in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

9)  Tell us about your latest book?

My latest book is CRAVING VENGEANCE, A NICK SPINELLI MYSTERY.  It is the second in my novella series.  The book is set in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and features Detective Nick Spinelli and his love interest, Shannon O’Hara. 

Spinelli had hoped to spend his first Valentine’s Day with Shannon in a traditional manner, starting with dinner out and then perhaps a long warm adventurous night in her arms.  His plans quickly change when several cupids are murdered.  Shannon’s close proximity to the victims causes Spinelli to go undercover as a singing valentine dressed as cupid.  The stress ignited by the day’s events, triggers a great deal of friction to fly between Spinelli and Shannon. Spinelli struggles to hold it all together while searching for the killer before another cupid is murdered. And with himself parading about town wearing a set of wings and carrying a bow and quiver full of arrows, catching the killer before the next cupid is murdered becomes all that more vital.    

10) What’s next for you?

In addition to seeking agent representation for PLAN INTERRUPTED, I’ve also begun writing the third novella in the Nick Spinelli Mystery series. 

 Valerie Clarizio lives in beautiful Door County Wisconsin with her husband and extremely spoiled cat.  She loves to read, write, and spend time at her cabin in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.  She's lived her life surrounded by men, three brothers, a husband, and a male Siamese cat who required his own instruction manual.  Keeping up with all the men in her life has turned her into a successful hunter and fisherwoman. 

She holds a Master of Business Administration degree and works as a Finance Director.  She is a member of Romance Writers of America and the Wisconsin Romance Writers of America.  Her publishers are Melange Books and Whiskey Creek Press.

 Contact Information:
Twitter: @VClarizio
Wordpress Website/Blog: http://valclarizio.wordpress.com/

Buy Links:

 Comments??

3 comments

  1. Val,

    I love how you describe your emotions about your first book. I think all of us "writers" hold the first one in a special corner of our hearts.

    And the ironing board? Too cute...

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  2. Hi Casey,

    I'm so glad you stopped by. Yep, the first is always special:)

    Val

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  3. Rachel,

    Thank you so much for allowing me to visit your lovely blog.

    Best wishes,
    Val

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