November 05, 2009

Bundle of Trouble: Maternal Instincts Mystery

Bringing Up Baby and Bringing Down a Killer

Diana Orgain serves up the first book in her Maternal Instincts Mystery series. I came up with a blurb to get your attention but be sure to check out the author's website for excerpts.

Kate was lying in wait. She was two days past her due date. Jim was absorbed in watching the game and then the telephone rang. Was it her mom for the umpteenth time? No, it was the medical examiner and things were not fine. Kate's water broke so the baby's birth was near. Was the body they found her brother-in-law's she feared? 

Relish reading,

Wanda Lynne Young

Interview with Bundle of Trouble author Diana Orgain

Wanda Y: What types of books did you read as a child? I’m guessing Nancy Drew would be somewhere at the top of the list, am I right?

Diana O: You are right! Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys and Agatha Christie. I fell in love with Agatha Christie at the age of 12 when I was in her stage play 10 Little Indians (also titled And Then There Were None). I loved being on-stage and watching the audience try and figure out whodunit!

Wanda Y: When did you start writing? Was it the need to write or the great idea for a story?

Diana O: I’m a storyteller first.  With my background in theater I love sharing a story, any kind of story, it can fun (I love fun) or something that we learn, have empathy, stretch, grow, or simply something we experience together.  I think that is what builds relationships and community.

Wanda Y: Bundle of Trouble is the first book in your Maternal Instincts Mystery Series. Why were you drawn to writing a mystery series?

Diana O: When I was pregnant with my first child I was obsessed with child development and how quickly the fetus progressed. Week 14 fingernails are well formed, week 26 eyelashes are present. Eyelashes? Really?

After my baby was born, my fascination with her development didn’t stop and neither did my love for a good mystery. I hated the idea of returning to the corporate world and leaving my baby for a minimum of 40 hours a week. I had to be a stay at home mom, but what could I do to earn a living? Could I really pursue my dreams to be a writer and stay at home with my baby?

The idea for Bundle of Trouble: A Maternal Instincts Mystery was formed. Woman on the verge of giving birth gets a disturbing call from the San Francisco Medical Examiner’s Office.  She’s compelled to investigate, but oh…one thing she now has a newborn to care for. So, new mom turns PI in order to stay at home with her baby and solve the crime…only it’s not as easy as she thinks. 

And then, why not juxtapose the baby development with the protagonist development as a PI?  When the baby’s vision starts to come into focus, the protagonist, Kate Connolly, finds a clue. When the baby is able to hold her head up, Kate has a moment of pride in the investigation and so forth.

Wanda Y: How do you find the time and inspiration to write with your busy multitasking mommy schedule?

Diana O: My daughter was definitely my inspiration. I felt like my development as a writer was mirroring her development (similar to the protagonist in my story) surely if my baby could learn so much in the span of a year; to sit, to crawl, to wave, to kiss, to walk – I could write a novel, couldn’t I?  I used the time when she was napping to write.  A little bit every day, every goal is achievable if you break down the parts small enough and just take the next step.

Wanda Y: Is Kate Connolly a reflection of you in any way? Is she an alter ego of sorts?

Diana O: Definitely similar to Kate in overwhelming adoration of my little ones.  And I’m similar to Kate in stubbornness however, she speaks her mind a bit more than I’m ready to. I follow the general rule – if you can’t say something nice…  Kate doesn’t suffer from rule abiding that’s one of the many fun facets of fiction you can have the character do all sorts of things you wouldn’t dare try yourself!
 

Wanda Y: I’m curious; do you think Kate will have any more children as she continues her work as a Private Investigator? 

Diana O: Good question! Motherhood is Murder (to be released in March 2010) is the second book in the series, in the book Kate’s daughter Laurie is only two months old and I’m currently working on the third book where the baby is three months – so it might be a while for Kate to get to the second child phase!

Wanda Y: Does Kate influence your everyday life now that she exists in print? Do you make grocery lists and wonder what would Kate buy?

Diana O: I haven’t had Kate influence everyday life yet – but now I WILL wonder what Kate would buy when grocery shopping!

Wanda Y: What advice would you give to writers and author wannabes?

Diana O: Write, write, write! You only get better with practice. If you can get feedback either in a class or critique group it is invaluable. Go to writing conferences, ask a lot of questions, stick with it. Getting published is achievable – new authors are published all time – you can do it!

Wanda Y: What other projects are you working on?

Diana O: Motherhood is Murder will be out in March 2010 as mentioned above it is the second month of Laurie’s life. Kate decides she should join a mother’s group to get some support.  When Kate and her husband are invited to a dinner cruise hosted by her new mommy club, Roo & You, they jump at it. But when the president of the club takes a deadly spill, everyone becomes a suspect—and Kate’s on deck to solve the mystery.

Wanda Y: Where can we find you and your books?

Diana O: My official website is www.dianaorgain.com where you can check out my blog, see my upcoming book signings, buy an autographed copy of the book or even listen to a free serialized podcast. You can follow me on Facebook or Twitter.

Thank you so much Wanda – this has been a ton of fun!

Book giveaway contest is closed.

Five lucky mummies are going to win a copy of Bundle of Trouble.

Labels/Tags: Wanda Lynne Young, Bookalicious, Diana Orgain, Bundle of Trouble, Motherhood is Murder, Maternal Instincts Mystery Series

Posted by WandaL at 21:20:24 View Comments | Click Here to Comment

blog comments powered by Disqus

Thank you all for entering the "Bundle of Trouble" book giveaway contest. Good luck!The five winners will be notified soon!
Wanda Lynne Young, London, Ontario
http://yummymummyclub.ca/wanda_lynne_young:_bookalicious

This sounds great! I can't wait to read it. Thanks for the entry.
Marilu, Cambridge, ON

Finally, the publishing world has recognised that the mother of a newborn makes a fitting detective. After all, if she has to figure out the non-verbal clues and body language of a baby, she can figure out anything!
Liz Sinclair, Chevy Chase, Maryland
www.lizsinclair.com/RaisingEllyanna

I can't wait to read it!
Tina, Prineville, Oregon

What unique inspiration you had for writing this book! I love fresh and different perspectives on favourite genres. I'm looking forward to reading this book!
Carolyn Lortie, St. Catharines, Ontario

Looking forward to reading your book.
Irene Muntz, Pickering, Ontario

It's been a while since I had a tummy devoted to creation but it somehow seems like yesterday! I may not need tiny diapers anymore but the mysteries of and in life still march through daily. Love the solving of puzzles and this one looks like fun.
Paula Shene, Southampton, New York
http://www.authorsden.com/paulashene

Bundle of trouble ~ i thought you were talking about my kids heehee
Trin Rimes, Jack, AL

Sounds like a great book! :o)
Piroska, Thunder Bay, ON

Excited to read it!!
Stephanie Skretkowski, Milton, Ontario
http://twitter.com/stephskret

This sounds like fun!! I would love a chance to win.
Michelle , Minneapolis, MN
http://redheadedbookchild.blogspot.com

The books sounds great. I hope I win a copy.
Shannon Ernst, Arlington, Nebraska
http://www.starkravingshannon.blogspot.com

Looks like a fun read-Thanks Wanda for finding these great books!
Lisa, Kitchener, Ont
http://www.thesunshineisin.blogspot.com/

It sounds like a terrific book. I would love to read it. Please enter me in this giveaway. Thanks
Barbara S., Coon Rapids, MN

Awesome interview! Please enter me to win!
Jennifer Wilson, Cheraw, SC
http://jensbooktalk.blogspot.com/

Sounds like a great book. Thanks for the contest!
Ellen Christian, Castleton, VT
http://confessionsofanover-workedmom.blogspot.com/

Looks like a great book
Sue, Saratoga, CA
http://booksbooksthemagicalfruit.blogspot.com

This sounds like a fun read! :)
Katy, Bakersfield, CA
http://fewmorepages.blogspot.com

Sounds like a great read. I would love to win it. Please enter me. Thank you
Marilu, Cambridge, ON

Looks like an awesome book! Would love to read it.
Andrea Bilec, Southey, SK