I am very excited for our stop on the Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet Tour.
I got the pleasure of interviewing Cookie!!! I just love her but before we get to the interview I also get to share with you an excerpt from FGBMF. So check out the excerpt (which makes me want this book even more), check out the interview and enter the giveaways. Yes we have a lot of greatness in this post!!
Excerpt:
With renewed energy, I pulled back onto Academy—
after hitting a
drive- through for a mocha latte— and had just
started for home when
my phone rang.
“Yes?” I said, illegally talking on the phone
while driving within the
city limits. Scoping for cops, I waited for Uncle
Bob to stop talking to
whomever he was talking to and get back to me.
My uncle Bob, or Ubie as I most often referred to
him, was a detective
for APD, and I helped him on cases from time to
time. He knew I
could see the departed and used that to his
advantage. Not that I could
blame him.
“Get that to her, then call the ME ay- sap.”
“Okay,” I said, “but I’m not sure what calling
the medical examiner
ay- sap is going to accomplish. I’m pretty sure
his name is George.”
“Oh, hey, Charley.”
“Hey, Uncle Bob. What’s up?”
“Are you driving?”
“No.”
“Have you heard anything?”
Our conversations often went like this. Uncle Bob
with his random
questions. Me with my trying to come up with
answers just as random.
Not that I had to try very hard. “I heard that Tiffany
Gorham, a girl I
knew in grade school, still stuff s her bra. But
that’s just a rumor.”
“About the case,” he said through clenched teeth.
I could tell his teeth
were clenched because his words were suddenly
forced. That meant he
was frustrated. Too bad I had no idea what he was
talking about.
“I wasn’t aware that we had a case.”
“Oh, didn’t Cookie call you?”
“She called me a doody- head once.”
“About the case.” His teeth were totally clenched
again.
“We have a case?”
But I’d lost him. He was talking to another
officer. Or a detective. Or
a hooker, depending on his location and
accessibility to cash. Though I
doubted he would tell a hooker to check the
status of the DOA’s autopsy
report. Unless he was way kinkier than I’d ever
given him credit for.
I found his calling me only to talk to other
people very challenging.
“I’ll call you right back,” he said. No idea to
whom.
The call disconnected as I sat at a light,
wondering what guacamole
would look like if avocados were orange.
I finally shifted my attention to the dead kid in
my backseat. He had
shoulder- length blond hair and bright blue eyes
and looked somewhere
between fifteen and seventeen.
“You come here often?” I asked him, but my phone
rang before he
could say anything. That was okay. He had a
vacant stare, so I doubted
he would have answered me anyway.
“Sorry about that,” Uncle Bob said. “Do you want
to discuss the
case?”
“We have a case?” I said again, perking up.
“How are you?”
He asked me that every time he called now. “Peachy.
Am I the case? If
so, I can solve this puppy in about three
seconds. I’m heading down San
Mateo toward Central in a cherry red Jeep
Wrangler with a questionable
exhaust system.”
“Charley.”
“Hurry, before I get away!”
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Doesn't it
sound amazing!!! Now on to the greatness that is Cookie!
Thank you
Cookie for answering a few questions for us.
Thank YOU for
inviting me! I’ve never done an interview. Well, okay, there was that one time
the FBI interviewed me when Charley blew up that warehouse, but it was an
accident and no one was hurt.
When did you first notice Charley was different from other
people?
I first noticed it
when I was moving into our apartment building. I was going up the stairs with a
humongous box. She was coming down the stairs with a cup of coffee. She asked
if she could help. Before I could answer, she took a corner of the box. About
three seconds later, we tumbled down the stairs and landed in a heap of limbs
at the bottom of the stairs. I still didn’t realize she was different until she
picked up the remnants of her shattered coffee cup and cradled them to her,
saying, “This was my seventeenth favorite cup. No—” she thought a moment, wiped
at a tear, then said, “—eighteenth. Yes, definitely eighteenth. And I’m
Charley, by the way.”
But you’re
probably talking about her uniqueness in areas other than her odd personality.
She told me the most basic aspects of her abilities over coffee a couple of
weeks later. She was opening up her own PI business and asked if I’d like to
answer the phones until she could find a full-time receptionist. Just as I was
about to agree, she held up a hand and said, “But I have to warn you, many of
my clients are dead.”
It was all
downhill from there.
Besides coffee what is the one thing you have to have to
survive?
I would love to
say sex, but it’s been a long time. Apparently I CAN survive without it. Who
knew?
Describe your
dream man?
I have three
requisites for any man: Does he like animals? Do animals like him? Does he like
big women with bad hair texture and no fashion sense whatsoever? If all of
those are a resounding yes, then he’s probably pretty dreamy in my book.
Do you ever
wish your life was normal?
I’m not sure there
is such a thing, but if you mean MORE normal, no way. Charley and I do
something others can only dream about. We save lives. We solve crimes. We make
a difference. If that means having to put up with all the trouble she gets
herself into, then so be it.
If you could have a supernatural power what would it
be?
The power to
demagnetize, and I’d start with Charley’s trouble magnet.
What are your hopes for your daughter's future?
She is so smart
and beautiful, I think I just want her happy. And doctors are happy people,
right?
If there was one thing you could change about your life what
would it be?
I would like to be
able to wear clothes that say One Size Fits All and breathe at the same time.
What do you do when things aren't crazy in your life for fun?
Gosh, it’s been so
long. We used to go camping. Now I can’t go camping without wondering if
someone died in the woods nearby. The hazards of working for the grim reaper.
Any unusual hobbies?
Does
psychoanalyzing Charley count?
If zombies attacked what
would you do?
Take out the
Zombie Apocalypse Emergency Kit Charley got me for my birthday. Hopefully it
has a machete. And vodka.
Fun This or
That
cats or dogs: Depends on which one has the cutest owner.
truck or car: For me? Car. For my dream guy? Definitely a truck.
vacation in
Paris or Ireland: I’d have to do a search to see which
country has hotter guys.
books or tv: Books, unless Jeremy Renner’s on TV.
night or day: That’s the beauty of coffee! As long as you have a cup in hand, it
doesn’t matter.
Thank you so
much for answering our questions.
Thank you for having me!
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See isn't Cookie awesome!!
Here is a little about Darynda the awesome lady who brought these fun people into the world.
New York Times and USA Today
Bestselling Author Darynda Jones has won numerous awards for her work including a prestigious Golden Heart®, a RITA®, and a Daphne du Maurier. As a born storyteller, she grew up spinning tales of dashing damsels and heroes in distress for any unfortunate soul who happened by, annoying man and beast
alike.
Darynda lives in the Land of Enchantment, also known as New Mexico,
with her husband and two beautiful sons, the Mighty, Mighty Jones Boys.
Now on to the giveaways. Just enter the easy rafflecopters below
for some great prizes.
A copy of Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet
I love everything! The characters, the snark, the action, the humor, and the super smokin' Reyes!!! Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteGreat interview, is it possible to love Cookie even more now? That is one of the things I love about this series, you fall in love with all of the characters. It's hard not to love them when you you wish you could be friends with these characters in real life. :)
ReplyDeleteLoved the interview with Cookie!! Charley Davidson is such an awesome character! I love her attitude, sarcasm, love of caffeine and survival on lack of sleep!!! I think she & I would be great friends!!! :)
ReplyDeleteThaks for the awesome giveaway!
Love the interview and my favorite thing about Charley is her sense of humor. Love, love, love her!
ReplyDeleteWhat's not to love? When I read one excerpt that said Charley was the Grim Reaper, I knew I was gonna adore the series!
ReplyDeleteAnd once I started reading, I love Charley's character, how strong, snarky and loyal she is! I also love Cookie, she's such an amazing friend/secretary/next door neighbor!
I love how intense and at the same time funny these books are!
Hi my name is Tiffany and I'm a junkie for Charley and Reyes soooooo can't wait for the book it's going to rock I know it and I would love to have Cookie as a friend. LOVE THE BOOKS CAN"T WAIT!
ReplyDeleteI can not wait to cuddle up with this next book and devour it! I am already looking for the release date for the fifth one! I love everything Charlie and Reyes!
ReplyDeleteOh, what a terrific interview with Cookie! Love that lady!!! Can't wait for 4th Grave!
ReplyDeleteLOL I really love Cookie :)
ReplyDeleteLove love love, these books...Received my 1st one by accident through a book club & I've been hooked ever since! Thanks for a great giveaway.
ReplyDeleteI love the humor in the books. That's my #1 thing when it comes to books. If it doesn't make me laugh or smile, then it's not for me. And I love Charley and Swopes bickering.
ReplyDeleteI love the whole idea! The attitude, the job, the complications...As I finish each book, I am already jonesing for the next!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the new book! Thanks for the giveaway.
I love the humor. Can't you just see Charlie as your neighbor in the apartment complex. I can and it would be a blast a minute!
ReplyDeletecmucha319@yahoo.com
x2
Something about the cover of the third book drew my attention.. probably the chucks lol.. devoured it in a day and bought the first two! Love it!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for having Cookie on your blog today!!! She deserves a little bloggy love. And thanks everyone for stopping by!!! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI got hooked on the first book when I saw an audiobook version, I fell in love with Charley and Reyes and the rest of the characters!
ReplyDeleteGreat interview with Cookie! Love her character :-)
ReplyDeleteI have not read any of this series yet, but it looks reeeeally good and I would love a chance to read it.
ReplyDeletehaven't read this series before....i'd love to read them :)
ReplyDeleteI fell in love with Charley, bcause she's tough woman, strong and a fighter. Not been always afraid what will happen with her,
ReplyDeleteLove the interview
And thank you for the giveaway
Hope can win, I love this series a lot *wink
This is acutally a new author and series for me. Have heard great things about it and wanted to try it out.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, love finding out about new to me authors. Loved the excerpt, definately on my reading radar.
christinebails at yahoo dot com
The fact she is having sex with that gorgeous Reyes!
ReplyDeleteI just love this series so much! I love the characters, the humor, the touching moments, the sexy moments... ;) It's a great series.
ReplyDeleteI love her humor...sarcasm and love of humanity.
ReplyDeleteI love that it´s a kick ass heroine with a fun twist, =)
ReplyDeletebest wishes & Happy Monday!
//Linda
I love the heroine and her sense of humor.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to read more about her.
S.Young
*bows at Darynda's feet* I love everything about the Charley Davidson series! (Ask Darynda, she'll tell you!)
ReplyDeletecharley and reyes and cookie etc... are the best- this has to be one of my most favorite series and author- can't wait to read fourth grave beaneath my feet and looking forward to seeing darynda continue as a writer b/c i enjoy her writing style very much- she has the best characters and story line in the grave series that keep me coming back :)
ReplyDeleteI love the humor and dry wit in Darynda Jones books! And may I mention the badass butt-kicking scenes and spunky, sarcastic, self-confident heroine?
ReplyDeletehank you for the interview with Cookie, loved it and her, haha.
I love this excerpt!!! It showcases what I love about Charley the most, her humor!
ReplyDeleteI love everything about this series; the characters the world and most of all, the sarcastic dialogue.
ReplyDeleteGreat interview!
One of my all time favorite series!! Great interview with Cookie.
ReplyDeleteI love the humor and Charley reminds me of myself, cause if I can do something starting out as innocent I usually end up in a mess!!!! But that's why everyone loves Charley so much because of the messes she finds herself in and always by accident!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThe characters are what grab you and then the story just pulls you in and keeps you glued till the end always wanting more. This is a fantastic series and as always can't wait for more.
ReplyDeleteI really want this book!
ReplyDeleteI love Charley's humor and take charge attitude.
ReplyDeleteCharley and Cookie's friendship is what all friendships should strive to be. Funny, loyal, with a few scares now and then to keep everyone on their toes. I love, LOVE these books!
ReplyDeleteI love Charley's snarky comments. She is my book BFF.
ReplyDeleteWhat's not to love about this series!! It has everything in it love, humor and action!
ReplyDeleteI love everything the series has to offer from Charley's sense of humour seeing the dead to the smoking hot and mysterious Reyes. Can't wait for more!
ReplyDeleteI love everything about the series EXCEPT how "Third Grave" ended.
ReplyDeletei haven't read any series yet, but iam interest for reading..
ReplyDeletegreat interview darynda..and i love the cover..
I love Charley, one of my fav. characters!!!
ReplyDeletethanks for the great post
ReplyDeletei have not read this series yet. looking forward to read this ^^
thanks for the chance :)
sunshine_pinkystar(at)yahoo(dot)com
I love how Charley has trouble focusing and her comments just crack me up!
ReplyDelete