Welcome to the “Summer of Mystery Reads” happening July 9th to August 17, 2018, at THE PULP AND MYSTERY SHELF!

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Shelved Under Murder: A Blue Ridge Library Mystery
by Victoria Gilbert

About the Book

Shelved Under Murder: A Blue Ridge Library Mystery
Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Crooked Lane Books (July 10, 2018)
Hardcover: 300 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1683315957
Digital: ASIN: B075QJHPR9

Autumn leaves aren’t the only things falling in the historic Virginia village of Taylorsford—so are some cherished memories, and a few bodies.

October in Taylorsford, Virginia means it’s leaf peeping season, with bright colorful foliage and a delightful fresh crew of tourists attending the annual Heritage Festival which celebrates local history and arts and crafts. Library director Amy Webber, though, is slightly dreading having to spend two days running a yard sale fundraiser for her library. But during these preparations, when she and her assistant Sunny stumble across a dead body, Amy finds a real reason to be worried.

The body belonged to a renowned artist who was murdered with her own pallet knife. A search of the artist’s studio uncovers a cache of forged paintings, and when the sheriff’s chief deputy Brad Tucker realizes Amy is skilled in art history research, she’s recruited to aid the investigation. It doesn’t seem to be an easy task, but when the state’s art expert uncovers a possible connection between Amy’s deceased uncle and the murder case, Amy must champion her Aunt Lydia to clear her late husband’s name.

That’s when another killing shakes the quiet town, and danger sweeps in like an autumn wind. Now, with her swoon-inducing neighbor Richard Muir, Amy must scour their resources to once again close the books on murder.

About the Author

INTERVIEW WITH THE AUTHOR

What initially got you interested in writing?

I’ve always loved to read and had the desire to create stories and poems as soon as I could write. When I was young I primarily wrote short stories and poems. I actually didn’t try to get any books published until about six years ago. At first, I simply wrote a few full-length novels just to fulfill my lifelong goal to actually finish writing a book. But then I was encouraged to submit a few manuscripts after some beta readers suggested that I give it a try.

What genres do you write in?

Currently I write mysteries. I have written scifi and fantasy in the past, under another author name (Vicki L. Weavil) but I’m focused on mysteries now.

What drew you to writing these specific genres?

I’ve always enjoyed reading in the mystery genre, including cozies, traditional classics like Christie and Tey, detective stories, spy novels, and novels of psychological suspense. When I decided to switch genres my agent wisely suggested that I attempt to write a book in a genre that I loved to read. That was great advice!

How did you break into the field?

Under my other author name, I first gained the attention of both an agent and a publisher through a pitch in an online writing contest. I also garnered some interest in that book through regular querying as well.

As for breaking into the mystery genre – my agent, Frances Black of Literary Counsel, encouraged me to write my first cozy mystery and then shopped it around to publishers. We were fortunate to have immediate interest in the first book from a few different houses and ended up signing with my current publisher, Crooked Lane Books, in a 3-book deal.

What do you want readers to take away from reading your works?

I primarily want them to enjoy the experience of reading my books, but I also hope they feel encouraged and uplifted by them. I try to add humanity to even the darkest situations in my books because I believe that in the end, no matter how ugly the world can be, there is still great wonder and beauty to be found in life.

What do you find most rewarding about writing?

Being able to create characters and their worlds and getting to share that creation with readers. I am always happy when someone enjoys one of my books. Having been an avid reader all my life, seeing my books published is a dream come true.

What do you find most challenging about writing?

I say this all the time, but – promotion. I’m not a natural salesperson or marketer so promoting my books can be challenging. I do enjoy speaking to readers, as well as being on panels and connecting via social media and that sort of thing, but the detailed aspects of marketing are still a mystery to me.

What advice would you give to people wanting to enter the field?

Write your story. Tell your truth. Write what you love. Don’t get caught up in the market hoopla and feel you have to change what you write or alter your passion for certain themes or topics just to get published. Because if you want this to be a long-term career, you have to write what you can believe in long-term. Writing involves a lot of hard work and it can be a very challenging career, with many ups and downs. So you really have to love what you are doing to stick with it.

What type of books do you enjoy reading?

Honestly, anything that’s well-written. I like to read books in every genre – well, maybe not so much erotica or horror. (Not that there is anything wrong with those genres, they just aren’t for me). However, if I must narrow it down I confess that I’m partial to mysteries of all kinds, literary fiction, and some fantasy and science fiction.

Is there anything else besides writing you think people would find interesting about you?

I hope so! I guess I should share that I am a recently retired librarian, a former costume designer, an amateur singer and artist, and a gardener, as well as a lover of films, books, theatre, music, and travel.

In addition, I love animals (I currently live with two very spoiled cats), and I grew up in a very small, historic town like the one I depict in the Blue Ridge Library Mystery series.

What are the best ways to connect with you, or find out more about your work?

Readers can check out my website, where they can see all my latest news, read info. about my current and upcoming books, follow my blog, and also sign up for my (rather infrequent) newsletter — http://victoriagilbertmysteries.com/

I also have a Facebook author page:  https://www.facebook.com/VictoriaGilbertMysteryAuthor/

I’m active on Twitter: https://twitter.com/VGilbertauthor

And I’ve finally started using Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/victoriagilbertauthor

Victoria Gilbert, raised in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains, turned her early obsession with reading into a dual career as an author and librarian. She has worked as a reference librarian, research librarian, and library director.

When not writing or reading, Victoria likes to spend her time watching films, gardening, or traveling. She is a member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and International Thriller Writers, and is represented by Frances Black at Literary Council, NY, NY.

Victoria lives in North Carolina with her husband and some very spoiled cats. This is her first Blue Ridge Library mystery.

Author Links:

Website/blog: http://victoriagilbertmysteries.com/

Facebook author page:  https://www.facebook.com/VictoriaGilbertMysteryAuthor/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/VGilbertauthor

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/VictoriaGilbert

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/victoriagilbertauthor/

Purchase Links:

Amazon     B&N         Books-A-Million      Indie Bound 

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

July 9 – The Ninja Librarian – REVIEW, GUEST POST

July 9 – Devilishly Delicious Book Reviews – REVIEW

July 9 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

July 10 – Rosepoint Publishing – REVIEW

July 10 – Curling Up by the Fire – REVIEW

July 10 – A Blue Million Books – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

July 11 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW

July 11 – Jane Reads – GUEST POST

July 11 – Varietats – SPOTLIGHT

July 12 – Texas Book-aholic – REVIEW

July 13 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST

July 13 – Mystery Thrillers and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

July 14 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW

July 14 – Babs Book Bistro – SPOTLIGHT

July 15 – The Book’s the Thing – REVIEW

July 15 – 3 Partners in Shopping Nana, Mommy, & Sissy, Too! – SPOTLIGHT

July 16 – A Wytch’s Book Review Blog – REVIEW

July 16 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW, CHARACTER INTERVIEW

July 16 – A Holland Reads – SPOTLIGHT

July 17 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW

July 17 – That’s What She’s Reading – REVIEW, CHARACTER INTERVIEW

July 17 – Mysteries with Character – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

July 18 – Bibliophile Reviews – REVIEW

July 18 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

July 19 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW

July 19 – The Montana Bookaholic – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST

July 19 – Ruff Drafts – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

July 20 – Melina’s Book Blog – REVIEW

July 20 – Island Confidential – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

July 20 – Brooke Blogs – GUEST POST

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