by Sandra Murphy

This week we have a review of Yappy Hour by Diana Orgain and a fun interview with Diana. At the end of this post are details on how to win a copy of the book, along with links to purchase it.

Yappy Hour by Diana Orgain
Review by Sandra Murphy

Maggie’s visiting her sister, Rachel, while she decides what’s next in her life. Rachel owns a bar and every Friday night the Roundup Crew meets for Yappy Hour. Why Yappy? Well, the dogs are invited too, of course. These are the folks who walk on the beach with their dogs… and everyone needs a drink after that, right?

Maggie gets a text message from Rachel that says she’s leaving town and can Maggie take care of the bar, like, starting right this minute? What’s a girl to do but go over and muddle her way through?

It’s more than upsetting to open the bar, have the jitters about serving drinks and knowing how to make them all, without finding a dead body on the floor in the back room. To make matters worse, the dead guy has a letter with Rachel’s name on it, some kind of complaint about the dogs being in the bar where food is served and on the patio that’s shared with his restaurant.

Maggie’s sure Rachel is innocent, but the police aren’t so sure. After all, she’s vanished without a forwarding address before the body’s even cold. There are rumors that she eloped, but with whom? And where to? And how could she, without telling her own sister?

The only way to straighten this whole mess out is to get to know the bar patrons better—and that means including the dogs. Maggie doesn’t hate dogs; she’s just not a dog person. Or a pet person. It’s hard to know which of the humans can be trusted.

Pacific Cove, California, is a place you’d like to visit and the bar’s an ideal place to hang out—or at least it is when there are no dead guys lying around. There’s a little romance in the air, too, between two of the dog walkers and between Maggie and the police detective—or the chef next door. Equally hunky, how to choose? There is the fact that one of them can really cook… First things first—find a sister, find a murderer, find a new job, and then there’ll be time to find the right man.

This is the first in a humor-filled new series and promises to be a long-lasting one at that. The characters delight. Maggie is not one of those perfect women but has her flaws, and of course, the dogs are always entertaining. While you read, have a Salty Dog, a Greyhound, a Pomeranian, a Mutt-tini or a Muttgarita. Recipes are included.

Sandra Murphy lives in the shadow of the arch, in the land of blues, booze and shoes—St Louis, Missouri. While writing magazine articles to support her mystery book habit, she secretly polishes two mystery books of her own, hoping, someday, they will see the light of Barnes and Noble. You can also find several of Sandra’s short stories on UnTreed Reads including her newest, “Arthur”, included in the anthology titled, Flash and Bang, available now.

Interview with Diana Orgain:

KRL: How long have you been writing?

Diana: I have a B.A. and an M.F.A. in Playwriting and it was many moons ago I was in college…so I think it’s safe to say, I’ve been writing for about 20 years.

KRL: When did your first novel come out? What was it called? Can you tell us a little about it?

Diana: My first novel was Bundle of Trouble: A Maternal Instincts Mystery. The story is about is about a new mom who’s fears something may have happened to her near-do-well brother-in-law. As Private Investigators probe around, it gives Kate the idea to start her own investigation service and therefore, by able to work from home and care for her new baby.

KRL: Have you always written mysteries? If not what else have you written?

Diana Orgain

Diana: Yes, always comedic mysteries in novel format. My plays were sometimes mysteries, sometimes comedies and sometimes both.

KRL: What brought you to choose the setting and characters in your latest book/series?

Diana: I was brainstorming new series ideas with a dear friend and we both loved the idea of a pet lovers type series, where the main protagonist was not a pet lover – it has comedic CONFLICT written all over it!

KRL: Do you write to entertain or is there something more you want the readers to take away from your work?

Diana: I write to entertain and I love it!

KRL: Do you have a schedule for your writing or just write whenever you can?

Diana: Both! I make up a schedule and when I blow it, I write whenever I can ; )

KRL: Do you outline? If not, do you have some other interesting way that you keep track of what’s going on, or what needs to happen in your book when you are writing it?

Diana: I definitely plot. I know all the plot point in a novel as if they were written on the inside of my eyelids. I also keep a notebook with me at all times for when inspiration hits.

KRL: If you had your ideal, what time of day would you prefer to write?

Diana: Morning!

KRL: Did you find it difficult to get published in the beginning?

Diana: Ironically, no. I already had my MFA in playwriting when I decided to write my novel. I knew that in order to get the attention of publishers I needed a good agent. I did my research and worked hard on my book (mind you it took 3 years to finish my book. It went through several rounds of revisions and several very patient and talented critique groups and even an independent editor) When I was ready to query agents, almost out of the gate I had 5 offers of representation and the agent I selected sold the book in a 3 book deal to a Penguin in under two weeks. I was amazed!

KRL: Future writing goals?

Diana: I’m currently writing two series (Yappy Hour is published by St. Martins and my Love or Money series is published by Penguin). My current goals are to finish the next book in each series!

KRL: Writing heroes?

Diana: Mary Higgins Clark has always been an inspiration.

KRL: What kind of research do you do?

Diana: Interview law personnel, lots of internet research, lots of talking to people!

KRL: What do you read?

Diana: Everything! I’m currently hooked on a Japanese Anime Series that my daughter and I are reading together Attack on Titan (we can’t get enough!)

KRL: Favorite TV or movies?

Diana: Goodness to many to mention I think…all time favorite movies are anything written by Patricia Highsmith (Strangers on a Train, The Talented Mr. Ripley)

KRL: Anything you would like to add?

Diana: I think we covered it!

KRL: What is something people would be surprised to know about you?

Diana: English is not my first language!

KRL: Website? Twitter? Facebook?

Diana: www.dianaorgain.com
twitter.com/DianaOrgain
www.facebook.com/DianaOrgainAuthor

KRL: Will this book be part of a series?

Diana: Yes! Trigger Yappy will be out in late 2016

KRL: If yes, will there be problems with health inspectors since the dogs are around food and drink?

Diana: Right now the health inspector doesn’t make an appearance in Trigger Yappy – but hey, you’ve just given me an idea for book 3!

KRL: Will we see more of the romance between Brenda and Max? Anything juicy coming up in the triangle of Gus/Maggie/Officer Brooks?

Diana: Brenda and Max are in Trigger Yappy – yes, there will be more of their romance. Maggie’s love life saga will continue in Trigger Yappy, but you’ll have to tune it to see which direction it takes!

KRL: Will Maggie stay at the bar or become the purser for the cruise line which of course, opens up a whole different series, hopefully with stops at the bar for home port?

Diana: Inquiring minds want to know – Trigger Yappy opens with just this conflict. Does she stay or does she go…? All will be revealed in 2016.

To enter to win a copy of Yappy Hour, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “yappy,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen January 2, 2016. U.S. residents only. If entering via email please include your mailing address, and if via comment please include your email address.

Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & short stories in our mystery section.

You can use one of these links to order this book:

Yappy Hour: A Mystery