Interview with mystery author Charlene Bell Dietz

Today’s special guest is mystery author Charlene Bell Dietz and we’re chatting about her new historical mystery, The Flapper, the Impostor, and the Stalker.

During her virtual book tour, Charlene will be giving away a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble (winner’s choice) gift card to a lucky randomly drawn winner. To be entered for a chance to win, use the form below. To increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit her other tour stops and enter there, too!

The book will be $0.99 during the tour.

Bio:
Charlene Bell Dietz, raised in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, now lives in the central mountains of New Mexico. She taught kindergarten through high school, served as a school administrator, and an adjunct instructor for the College of Santa Fe. After retirement she traveled the United States providing instruction for school staff and administrators. Her writing includes published articles, children’s stories, short stories, mystery and historical novels, winning awards from NM/AZ Book Awards, Writers Digest, Public Safety Writers, International Book Festival, and New Mexico Press Women’s, along with earning two of the coveted Kirkus Reviews (starred review) and having two books named to Kirkus Reviews Best Books of 2018.

Welcome, Charlene. Please tell us about your release.
My most current release, The Spinster, the Rebel, and the Governor, has been optioned by different publisher, and will be released as a second edition in February 2024.

The book I’m discussing today is the highly awarded The Flapper, the Impostor, and the Stalker, earning a Kirkus starred review and named to the best book of 2018.

What inspired you to write this book?
This story became dear to my heart because the book grew out of my forced association with a cantankerous old aunt, I knew little about. As her only relative, I ended up caring for her. At the time, I juggled a fulltime job and felt frustrated at her need for me to entertain her. She drank rum and coke, and smoked day and night. When every possible, she told us stories about her life in dangerous Chicago 1923 when she ran-away as a teen to become a flapper. She refused to tell me juicy details, for the most part, so this book really is fiction. After a few months, my aunt had stolen my heart, and this story did too.

Excerpt from The Flapper, the Impostor, and the Stalker:

“How old are you?”

“Twenty,” they said in unison.

“Yep, just what I thought.”

He set his pen back in the holder, leaned forward, and stared into

their faces.

Kathleen kept her gaze on him and took another puff.

“You lying little high-school bitches. You think you can waltz in here, wearing your God-awful clothes—clothes you’ve stolen from your mothers—and fool me? Sweeties, I’ve seen it all. We get fifty like you every week, and guess what?” He sucked on his cigar, and with it still between his teeth, said, “Only about five out of fifty get to audition. Get it?” Kathleen nodded but broke out in a chilling sweat. She couldn’t take the train back home. For Pete’s sake—what could she do? Someone was determined to murder her. She’d have to tell her parents. Her throat ached. College in Missouri of all places—good grief.

Sophie coughed a couple of times.

He leaned back and chewed on the end of his cigar and stared at the ceiling. He seemed to be talking to himself, then he said, “Can’t let just anyone through here.” He stared at Kathleen. “Understand?” Kathleen didn’t.

He studied Sophie, then his brow lowered over his dark eyes, and he watched Kathleen for a few moments. He folded his arms and glared at them.

“Are you two teenage runaways?”

Kathleen shook her head. She didn’t dare look at Sophie.

Sophie’s chair made a scrunching sound as she shifted positions.

He poked his cigar toward them. “Mayor’s hot on my ass. No more teenage runaways in the business—kicking up their heels, getting into trouble.”

“Sir, please don’t send us away.” Kathleen’s insides fluttered and her heart beat wildly, but she kept her voice soft.

He put his cigar in the ashtray and stared at her for several never-ending seconds.

His voice rumbled. “Geez, how in the hell am I supposed to handle all those demands from the Southside . . . Dammit.” He shut his eyes and, with his elbows on the desk, he rubbed his temples.

The man sounded trapped—caught between things Kathleen didn’t understand. But if she slipped something of substance between his indecisions, she might win this. Kathleen lowered her lashes and smiled as sweetly as she could.

“Neither of us can afford to finish our college education. We’re desperate for a decent paying job, sir. We’ll even agree to work part time, if needed.”

She’d caught his attention. His eyes narrowed, he picked up his cigar, and he studied them some more.

“Listen, girlies.” His words came out low, but he jabbed at them with his cigar. “If you’re serious about this show business stuff—take off those clothes.”

What exciting project are you working on next?
I’ve started a (minimum) three book historical mystery series set in New Mexico at a fictious high school in downtown Albuquerque in 1967. This was the year test scores across the nation for high school students plummeted. They’ve never recovered. This was a year when schools suffered over-crowding, unsupervised latch-key students, and lots of drugs being passed around. This year and subsequence years became nightmares for dedicated teachers.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?
Never did, until my first book found a publisher, then started winning lots of prestigious awards. This topped any mother saying, “Good job, dear.” Then fans started asking when the next book would be out. At that point, I guessed I really was a writer.

Do you write full-time? If so, what’s your workday like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
I really live a well-balanced life, enjoying family, friends, and contributing to society—currently, I’m finding grants and scholarships for young women who need to go to college, but don’t have the means. I also just started keeping bees last spring. My hive has grown, so now I need to start another hive (which requires me to build it myself). I love learning, and this certainly has been an education. Every spring I am a mega-judge for book contests, reading around 75 books from February to July.

I find time to write early in the morning, or late at night, or when the inspiration grabs me and won’t let go. Seriously, writing is a stress reliver for me. My parents and siblings called me hyperactive. My son say’s I’m always overbooked, and I know I haven’t a clue how to say “no” to requests. However, I do get things done. What I don’t do: I do not write a book every year. It takes me several years to finish one, ready for the publisher. When I’m doing all the other things in my life, I’m plotting, building characters, and working out scenes in my mind. That’s the joy in my life. Oh, I don’t watch much television.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
Whenever I feel I don’t know what to do next, I take long walks with my dog. We live in a forest a long way from people and 50 miles from the nearest city. I have conversations with my dog and the rest of the forest creatures.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
First, a ballerina, but gave that up as a teenager because I grew to be about 6’ tall. Next, an actress, and then a rancher, with lots of horses.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
Thank you so much for reading. Without our readers, where would our stories go? Please know you’re really appreciated.

Links:
Facebook | Inky Dance Studios | Amazon | Treasure House Books | Barnes and Noble

The book will be $0.99 during the tour.

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