Welcome to my stop on the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour for A Crust to Die For (A Tiffany Austin Food Blogger Mystery) by Toni LoTempio. Stop by each blog on the tour for interviews, guest posts, spotlights, reviews and more!
A Crust to Die For (A Tiffany Austin Food Blogger Mystery)
by Toni LoTempio
A Crust to Die For (A Tiffany Austin Food Blogger Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Setting – Georgia
Severn House (January 2, 2024)
Hardcover : 240 pages
The Bon-Appetempting Pizza Bake-Off has the small town of Branson, Georgia buzzing. Not least its organizer, Southern Style’s food critic and blogger Tiffany Austin. But right before the finals one of the celebrity judges falls ill, and to Tiffany’s horror the magazine replaces him with none other than handsome TV star and restaurateur Bartholomew Driscoll.
Tiffany once gave his restaurant a poor review, and she’s convinced he’s only accepted the job to get revenge. She fully expects Driscoll will find a way to ruin the contest . . . but she definitely doesn’t expect to trip over his dead body backstage!
Soon, it’s clear Tiffany wasn’t the only person who had less than positive feelings towards the sharp-tongued Driscoll. She’s surrounded by suspects – but which of the motley crew of contestants, family members and scorned friends and colleagues had the guts to commit murder?
With the help of her BFF Hilary and annoyingly handsome detective Bartell, and with cat Lily and puppy Cooper as emotional support, Tiffany investigates, only to discover that revenge is indeed a dish best served cold . . .
Interview with Author T.C. LoTempio
Thanks for taking the time to share a bit about yourself with my readers and me!
Tell us a little about yourself.
I am a happy senior citizen born in New York City who now resides in Phoenix, Arizona after living most of my life in New Jersey! I love reading, writing and animals! I have had many pets over the years, starting with a parakeet named Happy! My most recent children are a gold tabby named Maxx and a tuxedo cat named ROCCO! ROCCO prides himself on being the inspiration for my Nick and Nora mystery series!
I got my first publishing contract at age 58, so never give up on your dream!
I write the Nick and Nora mysteries, originally published by Berkley and now by Beyond the Page, which chronicles the adventures of sandwich shop slash amateur sleuth Nora Charles and her tubby tuxedo cat Nick, who always manage to stumble upon a dead body! My most recent series is the Tiffany Austin Food Blogger series for Severn House, which chronicles the adventures of an ex-chef turned food blogger. Book Two was just released, A Crust to Die For. I have also written the Pet Rescue mysteries for Crooked Lane and the Urban Tails Pet Shop mysteries for Beyond the Page.
How long have you been writing?
All my life, but only seriously with a goal of becoming traditionally published since 1997. Before Berkley published the first Nick and Nora, Meow if its Murder, in 2014 I did go the self-publish route and small press with a few novels, primarily horror and supernatural suspense.
Did you always want to be an author? What made you choose the cozy mystery genre?
Yes, I did. Actually when I was in high school I wanted to be a reporter. Cozy mystery kind of chose me. As stated above, I started off writing horror and paranormal romantic suspense, but when my cat ROCCO jumped into my lap while I was watching The Thin Man on tv, it inspired the Nick and Nora mystery series – and three others. ☺
Do you prefer to read cozy mystery books, or do you have another favorite genre? What are you reading now?
I love thrillers and true crime (do we see a pattern here?????) Right now I am reading Bulletproof Barista, the latest in the Coffee House mystery series. I support my fellow mystery authors as my monthly Amazon bill will attest to.
Do you have a favorite place to write?
Yes I have a room set up as my den in my condo.
What’s on your desk (if you write at one!)?
Computer, file folder holder, photo of ROCCO
What is the first book you remember reading as a child? What was one of your favorite books you read as a child?
The first book I remember reading on my own was Dr. Seuss One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish. I could read at three years old and often corrected my mother when she would read me a bedtime story and skip parts ☺ My favorite book as a child was the very first mystery I ever read, THE SECRET IN THE OLD ATTIC a Nancy Drew mystery. It is still one of my favorites to this day.
Do you like audiobooks, physical books, or e-books better? Why?
I’m old fashioned. Give me a physical book and a used bookstore any day of the week and I’m a happy camper.
If you had the opportunity to live anywhere in the world for a year while writing a book that took place in that same setting, where would you choose?
London or Maui. I’ve been both and loved them. I also think they’d make good mystery locales.
What or who has influenced you the most as a writer?
Believe it or not, Stephen King. He made me want to write horror, which I wrote before I shifted into cozy mysteries. I do miss writing that, so I may return to my roots one day ☺ We shall see.
Do you have any author friends who support you while you’re writing? Do you belong to any writing groups?
I have a ton of supportive writer friends who include Laura Childs and Diane A.S. Stuckart. I do belong to a few Facebook groups which I should be more active in. A New Year’s resolution!
Finally, what are you working on now? Can you tell us a bit about it?
Two – the next Tiffany Austin and the next Nick and Nora. And I can’t talk about them at the moment, because contracts haven’t been officially signed for them yet and my agent would kill me! ☹ But once they are, you can find out about them either at ROCCO’s blog: https://www.catsbooksmorecats.blogspot.com
Or my website, https://www.tclotempio.net and sign up for my quarterly newsletter!
Thank you again for taking the time to answer my questions!
Thank you for hosting me. It’s much appreciated!
About T.C. LoTempio
T. C. LoTempio is the award-winning, national bestselling author of the Nick and Nora mystery series. Her cat, Rocco, provides the inspiration for the character of Nick the cat. She also writes the Urban Tails Pet Shop Mystery Series, as well as the Cat Rescue series. Her latest series is the Tiffany Austin Food Blogger series from Severn House. Check out her and Rocco’s blog, www.catsbooksmorecats.blogspot.com, and visit her website, www.tclotempio.net, for more information.
Author Links
Webpage: http://www.tclotempio.net
Blog: http://www.catsbooksmorecats.blogspot.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/toni.lotempio.5
Twitter/X: @RoccoBlogger
GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1195684.T_C_LoTempio
Enter the giveaway
A Crust to Die For TOUR PARTICIPANTS
January 8 – Cinnamon, Sugar, and a Little Bit of Murder – REVIEW, RECIPE
January 8 – Read Your Writes Book Reviews – CHARACTER REVIEW
January 9 – Cozy Up WIth Kathy – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST
January 9 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
January 10 – Mystery, Thrillers, and Suspense – SPOTLIGHT
January 10 – CelticLady Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
January 11 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
January 12 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT
January 13 – Brooke Blogs – RECIPE
January 14 – The Mystery Section – SPOTLIGHT WITH EXCERPT
January 15 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT WITH EXCERPT
January 16 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT
January 17 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW
January 17 – StoreyBook Reviews – AUTHOR GUEST POST
January 18 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT WITH EXCERPT
January 19 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW
January 20 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee – SPOTLIGHT
January 21 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
Have you signed up to be a Tour Host?
Click Here to Find Details and Sign Up Today!
Want to Book a Tour?
Click Here
I love the title. Makes me so curious about the book.
thank you MoniquE!
Love the small town setting. Looking forward to reading.
thank you Rita!
Sounds like a book I will enjoy reading.
thanks Rita!
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Amelia!
thanks for hosting me! T.C.
You’re welcome! Thanks for stopping!
Thanks for hosting. It looks like a good read.