Have I Got a Chocoholic For You...and She Writes Great Women's Friction Too--Ellen Butler

I've got a special guest here today. Ellen Butler is one of the authors in the same agency as I -- Blue Ridge Literary.

Ellen Butler lives in the Virginia suburbs of Washington, DC, and she considers herself an old-new writer.  In other words, she's old to writing, yet new to novel writing. She holds a Master's Degree in Public Administration and Policy, and her history includes a long list of writing and editing for dry but illuminating professional newsletters (Gee, wonder if I could get her to help me write mine?), and windy papers on public policy. The leap to novel writing was simply a creative outlet for Ellen's over active and romantic imagination to run wild.

 

Oh, hon, if there's one thing we love to do here at Vintage Vonnie is to run wild...in "our own way", of course...

 

You can find Ellen’s debut release, Second Chance Christmas, at Amazon. Professionally, she belongs to the Virginia Writer’s Club, the Northern Virginia Writer’s Club, and is a founding member of the Tempting Romance blog. When she’s not writing, Ellen is either, running around after her children, decorating a neighbor’s house, or holed up in her favorite lounge chair reading.

Ellen is an admitted chocoholic and confesses to a penchant for shoe shopping. Book club questions for Ellen’s novels can be found on her website.

 

First, I’d like to thank Vonnie for hosting me. You have such a wonderful following at Vintage Vonnie. It’s a real thrill to be able to reach out to your fabulous readers, and I hope they enjoy the excerpt from my new novel Poplar Place. But first, to answer a few important questions…

1.     Heels, sneakers or flip-flops?

I’m a fashion maven, so it’s got to be heels. Although I do love the comfort of sneakers…shh don’t tell anyone.

2.     Chocolate, champagne or cheesecake?

Mmm…all three sound good to me, but if I had to choose just one I’m going to have to go with the chocolate. Yes, definitely the chocolate.

 

3.     SUV, sports car or minivan?

Okay, confession time – I have young children so I drive a minivan, and I’m not happy about it. In an earlier life, BK (before kids), I drove a sports car. Once the kiddies have flown the coop, I plan go back to a sports car. I see a convertible in my future!

4.     Earrings, bracelets or navel piercing?

Earrings. I put on earrings every day. I feel naked without them. Even at the pool or the beach, I wear a pair of studs.

5.     Fav vacation destination: beach, mountains or city?

European cities. I’d love to return to Vienna, and I’ve never visited Paris. Ever since reading your novel Mona Lisa’s Room I’ve put it on the bucket list.

Thanks again for having me Vonnie! I hope my answers have met your reader’s high expectations.

One last thing…

Book Groups – Visit my website, www.ellenbutler.net to find book club questions on Poplar Place. I’m available to be a guest author for book clubs as well. Fill out the contact form on the website for more information.

Genre – Women’s Fiction, with romance & suspense 

Publisher – Turquoise Morning Press

Release Date – March 27

 

Blurb

Newly minted librarian, Cara Baker, effectively cuts ties with her tumultuous life in Pittsburgh, and moves to South Carolina where she embraces the peaceful, laid-back style of small town living. Everything seems to be falling into place when Cara finds the perfect house to round out her new plans. Well… perfect except for the immovable hermit living on the top floor. She throws caution to the wind, and buys the fabulous house—hermit and all—without meeting him. By wooing her reclusive renter with notes and mouthwatering meals, he caves and invites her up to the apartment. Preconceived notions are blown out of the water, when she finds Danny isn’t the nerdy Mr. Mole she envisioned.

Unfortunately, FBI phone calls from her past bring Cara’s summer idle to an abrupt halt. Will demons from a former life destroy Cara’s tranquility?

          I resigned myself to returning the FBI phone calls. I couldn’t put it off any longer. Both Bryant and Hutchins had left phone messages again yesterday, and their persistence made me nervous. Rolling out of bed, I shuffled downstairs to start the coffee, my liquid courage. I drank half a cup and dialed. Hutchins didn’t answer. I braced myself and dialed Special Agent Bryant.

“Bryant.”

“It’s Cara Baker.”

“Listen, I have some news. The U.S. Marshals have lost contact with Tony Rizolli.”

I paused to digest this.

“Cara?”

“You must be joking! How the hell did that happen?”

“His tracking anklet was cut, and he disappeared.”

“Do they think he’s been whacked?”

“They’re not sure.”

“Why are you calling me? You do realize I no longer work for the DA’s office.”

“Yes, we know that.”

Exasperated I asked, “Then why are you calling to tell me this? Not much I can do.”

“I’m concerned about your safety. Tony bore a lot of hostility toward you.”

“The FBI’s concerned, or you’re concerned?”

“I’m concerned.” He stated matter-of-factly.

“What does the FBI think?”

“The FBI thinks there’s a leak in the Marshals’ office and Rizolli’s six feet under.”

“Why does Tony have so much animosity toward me? He walked into a shiny new life provided by the American taxpayers.”

“The money.”

I took a moment, rubbing a hand across my eyes. “What does he know?”

“We’re not sure. I think one of the pencil pushers at the Marshals’ office told him about the Cayman accounts during relocation. There was very little legitimate money he could take into the program. He wasn’t happy about it.”

I sucked in a breath. “Agent Bryant….”

“Call me Tom.”

“Tom, what exactly are you worried about?”

“If Rizolli isn’t sleeping with the fish, he’s a loose cannon. I don’t trust him. You may be in danger.”

“And?”

“And you need to watch your back. Call me or Hutchins if you see anything suspicious. I mean anything out of the ordinary. If you see a strange car in the neighborhood, get the plates and call me.”

“I’ll take that under advisement, Agent Bryant. What about Denise?”

“She’s covered. I’ve called in some favors.”

“Fine. Please let me know if anything new develops.”

BUY LINKS:

Amazon – http://tinyurl.com/mnubd4l

Barnes & Noble -- http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/poplar-place-ellen-butler/1118976497?ean=2940149194650

Smashwords -- https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/423022TMP

Bookstore - http://www.turquoisemorningpressbookstore.com/products/poplar-place-by-ellen-butler

Kobo - http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/poplar-place

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