Cooking The Books by Bonnie S. Calhoun

By Don Helin

In her novel, COOKING THE BOOKS, Bonnie Calhoun writes a story so thrilling that 2010 and 2011 Carol Award Finalist S. Dionne Moore says, “Bonnie S. Calhoun pens a heroine with snap and pizzazz.  Sloane Templeton wonders why an old book is cause for bullets, and whether her refusal to sell her business justifies harassment.  A fast-paced mystery full of colorful characters and a last minute twist –  what’s not to love.”

After her mother dies from a heart attack, Sloane Templeton goes from Cyber Crimes Unit to bookstore owner before she can blink.  She also “inherits” a half-batty store manager; a strange bunch of little old people from the neighborhood who meet at the story once a week, but never read books, called the Granny Oakleys Book Club; and Aunt Verline, who fancies herself an Iron Chef when in reality you need a cast iron stomach to partake of her culinary disasters.  And with a group like this you should ask, “What else can go wrong?”

The answer is, a lot!  Sloane begins to receive cyber threats.  While she uses her computer forensic skills to uncover the source of the threats, it is discovered someone is out to kill her.  Can her life get more crazy?

Bonnie S. Calhoun is director of the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance, publisher of Christian Fiction Online magazine, the Northeast Zone Director for the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), and the President of the Christian Authors’ Network (CAN).  She frequently conducts workshops on social media, blogging and website construction as a faculty member of the Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference and the Colorado Christian Writers Conference, and is also the Appointment Coordinator for both conferences.  She and her husband, Bob, along with a dog and cat that consider her wait-staff, live in a log home on fifteen acres in the upstate area of Binghamton, New York.

I caught up with Bonnie a few days ago and had a chance to ask her a few questions.

Is there anything special you’d like to tell us about COOKING THE BOOKS?

COOKING THE BOOKS is the first in the Sloane Templeton Mystery series, and Sloane has been compared favorably to the Stephanie Plum character (from Janet Evanovich). So to tell you what’s special about COOKING THE BOOKS, I have to say it’s a great simmering blend of humor, snark, and suspense.

Did any particular event inspire the plot?

I was inspired by a woman who overcame the “battered woman” syndrome, and the fierceness she exhibited after so many years of being abused.

What are you doing to promote your book?

COOKING THE BOOKS will be the cover of the March 19^th issue of Publishers Weekly magazine. There will also be a couple PW Daily email ads, and a PW website ad. I am working the social media avenues that I am comfortable with…Facebook, Twitter, and blog tours. I’m also speaking and signing at multiple writers conferences this year. And I’ve got several book signings, and book club meetings lined up, along with a couple dozen interviews for starters. We are also developing marketing applications that can be used with Skype.

What’s next?

In August of 2013 I have a Quilts of Love series coming out from Abingdon called PIECES OF THE HEART.   This is not in the frame of Sloane Templeton snark, but it is actually back story for her character. Sloane is a third generation battered woman, and this is her grandmother’s story during World War II.

There will be other stories for Sloane. I have at least a half dozen lined up.  And I’d also like to try and dabble in another genre…the dystopia. Maybe I can get some of this pent up suspense aggression written down on paper in an interesting and thought provoking manner!

When you’re not writing, what are you doing (hobbies, family, etc.)?

LOL…my hobbies include teaching Facebook and the Blogger platform…and writing HTML for templates. Yes…I admit it…I’m a techie from the heart!

A Couple of Favorite Jacket Blurbs:

“Bonnie Calhoun’s first Sloane Templeton mystery, COOKING THE BOOKS, is one of the most delightful new fiction voices I’ve read in years.  My only complaint – waiting for the sequel.  If this book doesn’t have you ROFOL, you’d better check your pulse!” ~Jeanette Windle

“What do a gansta ex-boyfriend, gunslinging grannies, computer hacking, two very unusual books, and the world’s worst chef all have in common?  You’ll find them in Bonnie Calhoun’s debut novel, COOKING THE BOOKS.  It’s a one-of-a-kind potboiler filled to the brim with plot twists, romance, and humor.  A tasty treat for romantic suspense fans.” ~Rick Acker, author of WHEN THE DEVIL WHISTLES AND DEAD MAN’S RULE.

Your book looks terrific, Bonnie.  I look forward to reading it.

*****

Bonnie S. Calhoun is director of the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance, publisher of Christian Fiction Online magazine, the Northeast Zone Director for the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), and the President of the Christian Authors Network (CAN). She is a Google-certified Top Contributor on the Blogger Help Forum and frequently conducts workshops on blogging and website construction as a faculty member at the Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference and the Colorado Christian Writers Conference. She and her husband, Bob, along with a dog and cat that consider her wait-staff, live in a log home on fifteen acres in the upstate area of Binghamton, New York.

To learn more about Bonnie, please visit her website.