Friday, March 27, 2015

Author! Author! JL Merrow

Good morning! Today we have a special treat. I turned my magnifying glass on JL Merrow who -- if you don't already know this -- writes amusing M/M mysteries. I know we have a lot of devoted mystery and romantic suspense readers here, so how's about a warm round of applause for the Divine Ms. M.?

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Josh, thanks so much for having me here! I’m delighted to be here today as part of the Heat Trap blog tour. JL


JL - Your sig line reads Award-winning gay romance with a dash of humour. And no tea.AND NO TEA??!! Are you sure you're English? Are you POSITIVE?

OTHER JL - *climbs on soapbox* Look, let me get one thing straight. The English=tea drinker thing is a total myth, perpetuated by BBC exports such as Midsomer Murders and Downton Abbey...

*climbs off soapbox; cries*

Okay, okay, I admit it. The British Isles are awash with infusions of Camellia sinensis. It’s just me who’s immune to its tannin-laced allure. What can I say? I just don’t like the stuff. Never have. Oh, I tried to like it, when I was younger. I tried for years. I didn’t come out as a non tea drinker until well into my teens. I just smiled, and choked the vile stuff down, because that’s what you do, isn’t it? It’s a social convention.

Even in adulthood, long after I’d given myself over to the blissful joys of the coffee bean, I’d occasionally find myself keeping quiet about my unusual tastes and just drinking the stuff down. It’s one thing proudly telling your contemporaries you never touch the stuff. But elderly relatives? They’re from a different world. They wouldn’t understand.

God rest you, Auntie Margaret, with your buttered tea loaf and your ever-full teapot. I hope you can look down on me now, as I fill my cafetière with rich, sensuously aromatic coffee grinds, and not condemn.



JL - The protagonist of your Plumber's Mate series is Tom Paretski (a little nod to Sara there?) and he is indeed a plumber. A psychic plumber with a talent for finding things, but a plumber all the same. What made you choose that particular highly unglamorous profession for Tom?

Ms Merrow - Well, there was this rather good-looking young man who came to fix my bath taps one day... *g*.

Actually, in all seriousness, Tom is the one of my characters who has been evolving the longest. I had the idea for a plumber with a minor psychic talent (less of a medium; more of a small, as the late, great Sir Pterry Pratchett would have said) many years ago—way before I was ever published. I remember one night in Budapest, sketching out ideas on a bar napkin. (This may sound pretentious, but is actually true. And pretentious.) All of which I promptly put on hold for years after, until I was a bit more confident with this writing gig.

But you know what? I like unglamorous professions for my protagonists. It’s fun. There are so many big, butch heroes out there with big, butch professions. I like writing about guys who don’t have all that going for them, but are sexy nonetheless. Witness my rat catcher in Caught! who was born out of a Yahoo group discussion on least sexy professions.

(And, you know, that young man with the taps was rather good looking.)



JL - So tell us about the new book HEAT TRAP. This is the third one in the series, so that's usually a turning point. Is that the case here?


MM - Ooh, I did not know that. No, seriously, I didn’t. And yet... Tom will be at a very different place in his life, in some ways, in book 4.  And no, I’m not telling you in what ways. No spoilers! ;)

Heat Trap has Tom and Phil coming to the aid of a recurring character in the books, Harry Shire, the landlady of the Devil’s Dyke pub—or rather, to the aid of her newest barmaid, Marianne, who’s being stalked by her ex. It’s set during a rare British heatwave, so fuses are short and tempers frayed all round...


JL - Do you have any food allergies? Do you have a funny food allergy story to share? Here on this blog We love stories about people who blow up like balloons, turn purple and start to choke. Do you have a story like that? ;-D

MM - I am boringly unallergic. But avocado makes me sick as a dog—will that do? ;) Also bananas. And some strange cheese in Slovenia, that wasn’t cheese at all but made from pig fat *shudders at the memory*. 

And for an island-born writer with the name Merrow, I’m ridiculously reluctant to eat fish.

*thinks about it*

 Or perhaps it all makes perfect sense, now... ;)


JL - What's your writing schedule like? Do you write full-time?

MM - I do. Which, to the non-writer, probably conjures up images of the author sitting down at the keyboard at 9am and tapping away solidly until clocking off at 5pm (with appropriate breaks for the consumption of food and vast quantities of caffeine etc.)  Unfortunately, my muse is a total slacker about afternoons. So the creative stuff tends to resume in the evening, slotted uneasily around helping offspring with German homework, explaining that yes, I studied chemistry in my first year at university but no, I can’t remember any of it, and occasionally, even getting to sit down and watch the telly.



JL - Do you believe in ghosts?

MM - I’ve never seen one. But there a lot of people out there who believe they have, so who am I to judge?


JL - Is there any genre you'd like to tackle but you're kinda sorta afraid? I always ask this question but in your case it might be irrelevant because you've written in so many different genres. Do you have a favorite?

MM - Yea, verily, I am a jack of all trades... I do like to dabble in different genres, it’s true. Hmm. I’m not sure there’s anything I’d like to try which I haven’t. As for favourites... Well, it’s probably the light-hearted contemporary stuff. But I’ve just finished a historical, which I thoroughly enjoyed doing for a change.

One genre you are unlikely to ever see me try is epic fantasy. I used to read scads of it in my youth, but writing it? I cannot be doing with all that world-building. WAY too much like hard work.


JL - writers are notoriously unhealthy. What is one healthy thing you do on a regular basis?

MM - I go to the gym three times a week. To which people often say, “You must be really fit.” And I reply, “You would think so, wouldn’t you?” Sadly, all my time on the rowing machine is largely negated by days spent sitting staring at the computer screen exercising only my fingers (on the keyboard, good heavens, what on earth were you thinking?) and by a wicked red wine and cheese habit. But on the plus side, I get a lot of writing ideas in the gym. You may suspect this is due to the number of young, fit bodies one tends to see there. I couldn’t possibly comment. ;)

JL - I notice a lot of my British writing friends are beginning to sound a wee bit militant about the "Americanization" of their work through publishers here in the States. What's that about? Why do you feel it's so important to retain that British feel and tone? Think of how these publishers are saving you from all those reviews that cite "misspellings" in your work!  ;-D

MM - Heh, I’m not as militant as some—to be shamefully honest, I can never even remember if it’s supposed to be whiskey or whisky, and I’m more-or-less blind to missed-out “u’s”. But I do draw the line at having British characters say “ass” or “gotten”—IF, that is, they’re out of their teens. It’s amazing how Americanised teen language has become over the last ten years or so. Chiefly, it’s amazing it’s taken so long, given how much American TV we watch over here!

What it comes down to is being true to the character. If you’re not true to the character, then the reader who can spot that will be pulled out of the story. Who wants that?  And let’s face it, we Brits can cope with Americans saying “ass” and even “fanny” when they mean bum (although the second one makes us squirm a bit). I think it’s rather disrespectful to American readers to assume they need protecting from the odd arse.


JL  - What do you love most about writing? What do you find most challenging?

MM -

(a)   Writing.
(b)  Writing.

Okay, that’s not terribly helpful. Hmm. What comes most easily to me, without a doubt, is dialogue. Raymond Chandler famously said, “When in doubt, have a man come through the door with a gun in his hand.” When I’m in doubt as to where to go in a story, I get a couple of characters to walk through the door and have a bit of a natter.

What doesn’t come so easily is plotting. Which, obviously, is why I started writing mysteries...


JL - When it comes to friends and family are you better at giving or receiving advice?

MM - Oh, giving, yes indeedy. Nuff said.


JL - What are you working on next?

MM - I’m currently working on Book #3 of The Shamwell Tales, which has the snappy yet evocative working title of Shamwell 3. It features, as one of the main couple, a side character from Shamwell #2, otherwise known as Played! (due out June 2015)  After that, I’ll be working on a leap year themed novel, due out by a staggering coincidence (not) on 29th February 2016. After that... Well, I would say it’ll be Plumber’s Mate #4, but a couple of the characters in Shamwell 3 are showing increasing signs of demanding their own story, so who knows...?

***

 Giveaway: I’m offering a free ebook from my backlist (including Heat Trap) to a randomly chosen commenter on this post.
 
And there’s a grand prize of a signed paperback copy of book #2 in my Plumber’s Mate series, the EPIC award finalist Relief Valve, plus a pair of rainbow-coloured merino wool blend wrist-warmers, hand-knitted by the author, for one lucky commenter on the tour.
I’m happy to ship internationally, and the more blog posts you comment on, the more chances you get!

Please remember to leave an email addy in your comment so I can get in touch with you if you win.

I’ll be making the draws around teatime on Wednesday 1st April, GMT (no joke!)

Good luck! :D




***


JL Merrow is that rare beast, an English person who refuses to drink tea. 

She writes across genres, with a preference for contemporary gay romance and mysteries, and is frequently accused of humour.  Her novella Muscling Through was a 2013 EPIC Award finalist, and her novel Slam! won the 2013 Rainbow Award for Best LGBT Romantic Comedy. Her novel Relief Valve is a finalist in the 2015 EPIC Awards.

JL Merrow is a member of the UK GLBTQ Fiction Meet organising team.

Find JL Merrow online at: www.jlmerrow.com, on Twitter as @jlmerrow, and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/jl.merrow

***
The wrong secret could flush their love down the drain
It’s been six months since plumber Tom Paretski was hit with a shocking revelation about his family. His lover, P.I. Phil Morrison, is pushing this as an ideal opportunity for Tom to try to develop his psychic talent for finding things. Tom would prefer to avoid the subject altogether, but just as he decides to bite the bullet, worse problems come crawling out of the woodwork.
Marianne, a young barmaid at the Devil’s Dyke pub, has an ex who won’t accept things are over between them. Grant Carey is ruthless in dealing with anyone who gets between him and Marianne, including an old friend of Tom and Phil. Their eagerness to step in and help only makes them targets of Grant’s wrath themselves.
With Tom’s uncertainty about Phil’s motives, Tom’s family doing their best to drive a wedge between them, and the revelation of an ugly incident in Phil’s past, suddenly Tom’s not sure whom he can trust.
The body in the Dyke’s cellar isn’t the only thing that stinks.
Warning: Contains British slang, a very un-British heat wave, and a plumber with a psychic gift who may not be as British as he thinks he is.
Available in ebook and paperback:   Samhain |   Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | ARe


61 comments:

  1. Great interview! I do not understand one thing though... Tom loves tea! "milk, no sugar, ta love". How can you make my Tom drink something you hate?
    No, seriously now, I have a weird story with tea as well. I'm from Spain, so born a coffee drinker. I used to dislike tea, but I spent a long time living in Ireland and I do not know what happened. It sort of grew on me. Now I love it. I would never be able to choose between coffee and tea. I just need them both ;)

    susanaperez7140(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. LOL! Tom also likes football, and I hate that too! I have a feeling my characters would be a lot less interesting if I only let them have tastes/opinions I personally approved of.

      Commiserations on your conversion to the evil leaf, though. I'm sure there's a support group somewhere that could help wean you off it again... ;)

      Seriously, though, I have no objections to other people, fictional or otherwise, drinking tea. Just as long as they don't make me join them! :D

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  2. I must say, I became a huge fan of this series :). My friend recommended it to me after I complained about not being able to find a good mystery with humor on the side, or the other way around. It was love at first sight. I am looking forward to #4. I finished Heat Trap last night and now I really need more of those two! Anyway, I enjoyed it (well all of them) very much and good luck with writing!
    goge2007@gmail.com

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    1. Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed them :D

      Have you read LB Gregg's Romano and Albright mysteries, which are funny and fabulous (only 2 so far, but more coming this year)? And Scott Sherman's series starting with First You Fall is great too if you like a humorous mystery. As we're on Josh's blog, I'm sure I don't need to recommend his Holmes and Moriarities to you!

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    2. I read LB Gregg's R&A. Great read! As for Josh, I read everything he wrote. I know...Still, i did :-). And will do. Anyway, looking forward to more of your books!

      goge

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  3. I absolutely love these guys...I can hardly wait for #4, especially after the way you ended #3. :-)

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  4. Thank you both for the delightful interview.

    I liked ''Pressure Head'' and now I see I'm two books behind. I thought I just needed to read ''Relief Valve''.

    I also like your choice of unglamorous profession for your MCs. BTW if I see another millionaire around I'll throw up.

    Best wishes from an Italian non coffee drinker

    See you in Bristol!

    Antonella

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    1. LOL! Not drinking coffee in Italy must be as bad as not drinking tea in Britain!
      And glad you like my unglamorous heroes. Sadly, I'm not a millionaire & don't know any personally, so I don't feel particularly keen to write about 'em. Ordinary blokes are much more my line (and okay, yes, there's the satisfaction of deliberately bucking the trend!) ;)

      Is it September yet?

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  5. This was a delightful interview. Thank you both. I love Josh's interviews. I can see a trip to the bookstore is in order!

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    1. Josh asks brilliant questions, doesn't he? And thank you! :D

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  6. Loved the interview and these books! I'm looking forward to #4 and to the Shamwell's also! aahickmanathotmaildotcom

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  7. So much fun having JL on the blog this morning. :-)

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    1. And thank you for having me here, Josh. I had a lot of fun answering your questions! :D

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  8. Thanks for the fun interview! Love this series and I'm looking forward to Heat Trap. amaquilante(at)gmail(dot)com

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  9. Thank you for the fun interview, Josh and JL!

    JL -- My very first JL Merrow book was Muscling Through and it was love at first sight. So, I'm really looking forward to reading Heat Trap! And I have to tell you that I'm still wearing to lovely, handmade (by you) bracelets you kindly gave to your readers buying your print books in Manchester and Bristol. Those and the beautiful, rainbow colored wrist warmers are brilliant giveaway ideas!

    Josh -- Soooooo, when do you plan to start crocheting? ;-)

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    1. Thank you! I find I need to have something to do with my hands while I'm watching telly, so it's great to see the products go to someone who appreciates them. :D

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  10. Thankfully, due to a rather long wait in my doctor's office, I was able to finish Heat Trap yesterday. I don't know what the other patients thought as I snorted out loud more than once, but since I was at a pulmonologoist's I hoped no one noticed. ;) I love this series. I love the humor. I love the heart. Humor and heart - two, 'musts,' for a perfect read. I'm looking forward to #4. Thank you Josh and JL for a wonderful interview! And, thank you JL for not talking down to us Americans, who indeed, need no protecting from the occasional arse. karankaps(at)bex(dot)net

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    1. I snorted out loud reading your comment! :D
      Glad you enjoyed the interview - and the books!

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  11. My friend Rhys Ford was just telling me good things about you last night! As somebody who has never read you before, can you suggest a starting point? Thank you?

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    1. Oh, lordy. Well, not knowing your tastes makes this a bit of a tall order, but if you like mysteries, start with Pressure Head, if you prefer light & fun contemporaries, try Slam! or Caught!, for something less frothy try Muscling Through or Hard Tail, or if you really don't want to commit you could always do what I often do with a new-to-me author and check out the free stuff, which in my case you'll find here: http://jlmerrow.com/free-reads/

      Hope you'll find something you like! :)

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  12. Josh, thank you for introducing me to another fabulous author, JL Merrow.

    Food or books? Books are the clear winner, each and every time. I'm an unrepentant bibliophile, spending WAY more than my measly discretionary income on books!

    Ms. Merrow, I look forward to many hours of reading enjoyment. Of all your books, can you choose a personal favorite? And why? Help me get started building my JL Merrow library.

    Thank you for appearing on Josh's blog today.
    Judy Stone
    j(dot)stonewright(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Hi Judy. Blimey, another difficult question. A favourite book? That's like asking me which is my favourite child. Actually, come to think of it, that one is probably easier... ;)

      I think I'd have to say I don't have just one favourite, but some of the books I'm particularly fond of are:

      Muscling Through, because I loved writing Al's voice and was able to work on the story with my very good friend, Josephine Myles

      Slam! because I had an absolute blast researching it with another very good friend of mine (this consisted mostly of visiting all the pubs & clubs of Cheltenham, plus the LitFest). Oh, and I got to write all the limericks. :)

      Hard Tail, because of all the help I got from my brother, who owns the cycle shop I based the one in the book on

      But you know what? I think, right now at least, my top fave is Pressure Head, which introduces Tom and Phil. Because Tom is the character who's been with me the longest, and I do so love writing him.

      Thanks for commenting! :D

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  13. Loved the interview. I love having books set in GB actually sound like the characters are from there. Not only do I learn some pretty interesting slang, but it makes it feel more realistic.

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    1. Whoops, forgot email.

      Waxapplelover (at) gmail (dot) com

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    2. Thanks! I just hope it's not all too incomprehensible - it's amazing the things I just don't realise, as a Brit author, won't translate!
      I love writing in the vernacular. It makes writing so much more fun!

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  14. Thank you for visiting today. I am new to the genre so I love it when Josh introduces me to new authors. I primarily read mysteries and I love a bit of the paranormal. It really looks as if I need to check out this series. It looks right up my alley.

    Thanks again, Haldis
    haldisgrummel@comcast.net

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    1. Hi Haldis - you sound like my ideal reader! :D
      And you've certainly started reading mm in the right place with Josh.

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  15. What a lovely interview and perfect timing, too-- I just finished "Heat Trap" yesterday. As it is snowing here today, it made me think longingly about being too warm. And I hope that you won't make us wait too long for Plumber's Mate #4 so that we can find out what happens next! Cheers!

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  16. And I forgot to ask, will there be audiobooks coming for the Plumber's Mate series? Because they are so funny, they would be wonderful as audiobooks. rby2ao AT gmail.com

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    1. Hi Ruby2 - so glad I was able to warm you up a bit! ;) I'd love to see the Plumber's Mate books in audiobook - given the right narrator - but unfortunately it's not up to me; Samhain hold the rights, and I'm not aware they're planning to use them in the near future. :(
      Thanks for you comments!

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  17. I love the plumber's mate series. tom is hilariously endearing. I can't wait to read "heat trap" to see what other misadventures he and phil get into. I also can't express how happy I am to hear there's a plumber's mate 4 in the future. mizuqueen@gmail.com

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  18. I haven't really thought about Americanization. Your books are generally very British to me. But reflecting, I can't remember having to acclimate to the "humours" and "colours."

    By the way, I love hot tea. Maybe not plain black tea, necessarily, but sometimes a person just wants some tea.

    allesonl at gmail dot com

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    1. Ah well. Chacun a son gout, as Tom would never, ever say!
      I can't imagine ever just wanting some tea, but I'm quite prepared to accept it happens to other people! ;D

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  19. I will try your books they look fun. Thanks Josh for the interview.

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  20. So happy to read this interview. Yours were my first reads in this genre and I can’t even count the time and money I’ve since spent. I didn’t even really like reading romances before you. And Plumber’s series are my absolute favourite of your work. Thank you for delivering Tom and Phil and having so many dead bodies delivered to them … Oops, did I just say that? :p

    I can understand why you don’t like English tea. The big secret is - tea and milk don’t go together. You should try some pure Chinese tea, especially Pu-erh and oolong. The fragrance is therapeutic – I love them though I’m a coffee addict too.

    I absolutely adore your British words and slang. There’re just not enough writers like you and Josh who have so distinct voices.

    Can I ask where it is the picture posted in your website? I’ll be touring UK in the coming summer. I hope it’s around Cotswold or the western county so that I can see it (too bad the rainbow is not made to order :p).

    Savanna
    limanping@gmail.com

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    1. Thank you for so many kind words! :D

      I strongly suspect you may be right re milk and tea - I've noticed that the milkier the tea, the more stomach-churning I find it. *shudders*

      I'm afraid I've been racking my brains as to where the picture might be of, and I just can't remember where I got it from! It's from a stock site, I'm pretty sure, which would have the information, but alas! I didn't make note of it.
      But you'll see a wealth of lovely countryside around the Cotswolds, never fear. And if you should happen to pop in on a lovely little town called Chipping Campden, you may recognise a few locations used in Slam!, although I have employed some artistic licence with them. :)

      Thanks again for your comments! :D

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    2. Thank you for trying on my account, and yes, I will go to Chipping Campden! Actually, I'll stay at Honeybourne, which I know is quite close to CC. Can't wait to explore the area!

      Savanna

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    3. Oh, and I will go to Isle of Wight and Southampton too, so I'll definitely reread a number of your books. :D Too bad I can't squeeze in St Albans.

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    4. Don't fall down the steps at Carisbrooke Castle! ;D
      I wish I could direct you to the tunnel through the cliffs featured in Wight Mischief, but unfortunately it's now on private land. :(

      Sounds like quite an extensive tour - have a great time! :D

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  21. awesome interview I actually have all the plumber novels. I enjoyed them i preordered the heat trap but havent been able to read it yet. Aishen

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    1. Thank you! Hope you'll enjoy Heat Trap just as much. :D

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  22. Thank you both for a great interview! I've just read Heat Trap and I loved it, I'm so happy there will be more :)

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  23. "Muscling Through" must be one of the best mm romance novels I've ever read. It is a masterpiece. It is a tour de force of writing. And on top of it all, it is witty and funny. I can't express how much I love that story.

    Oh, and I also like "Permanently Legless". The main character is really quite something. And his sense of humor, priceless.

    Thanks for such marvelous stories!

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    1. Aw, thanks so much! I really enjoyed seeing the world through Al's eyes, although at the time I was writing Muscling Through I really wasn't sure it'd be all that popular! And Permanently Legless is another story that's dear to my heart, inspired by reading about real-life soldiers who came back from wars with disabilities and their incredible strength of character and sense of humour about it all. :)

      You're very welcome, and thanks again! :D

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  24. This was a fun interview to read! Thanks to you both. I'm always looking for more books to read, so I'm heading to your website now.
    shanitita(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Thank you! I hope you'll find something you'll enjoy. :D

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  25. Thanks for the fun interview! Love this series and I'm looking forward to Heat Trap!!

    juliesmall2016(at)gmail(dot)com

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  26. Hello. Greetings from Costa Rica!
    I'm proud to say that both of you are among my favorite authors. I have read many of your books. I personally loved Mr. Lanyon's Stranger on the Shore and All's Fair series. And Ms. Merrow's Plumber's Mate series is amazing.
    I have 2 questions for Ms. Merrow: when will book 4 of this series be released, and will that be the last one in the series?
    And for Mr. Lanyon: will there be a book 3 in the All's Fair series?
    Thank you and best wishes.

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  27. Hi! I'm afraid I can't give you a firm date for Plumber's Mate #4, as I haven't started writing it yet, and other writing commitments mean I won't be able to get down to it before the latter half of this year. Sorry! But if it helps, I'm not planning for it to be the last in the series! :D

    Thanks for your comments, and I'm glad you've enjoyed the books!

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  28. I do enjoy heroes with unglamorous professions...all those billionaires and executives kind of turn me off in books. (I also always preferred Clark Kent to Superman, because I like boys in glasses. Go figure.)

    Trix, vitajex(at)Aol(Dot)com

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    1. Yes, I'm not a fan of the overly perfect hero. And guys in glasses are cool! Tom Mison wore glasses to Birmingham Comic Con and was very strong evidence in their favour. ;)

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  29. Greetings I am also a Brit and I do not drink tea*, but neither do I drink coffee or various other popular drinks. It is so tricky when you visit people and some take it as a personal offense that you do not want to drink tea, coffee and are quite happy to just have still/flat water. *The strange fact is that I do like tea, an aromatic tea like Ceylon of Lady Grey, but without milk and very week, which is not how its served. I recently have taken to making and drinking iced tea, but its not that common in the UK.

    Thank you for an interesting interview :) I recently had an American friend staying with me who says, as she has been to the UK a few times, that she can see how much of the American language is being incorporating into our language, but then at the same time she could not understand why we find the American name for a bum bag (fanny bag) so funny.

    I am looking forward to book 4 Plumbers Mate and thank you for stating its not the end of the series (yet), so plenty more murders and mysteries for them to solve, although its starting to sound like Midsummer Murders! :) slholland22 {at} hotmail {dot} com

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    1. I have a friend who rarely wants *anything* when she comes round, and it's always disconcerting not to be able to even give her a glass of tap water! Like I'm failing in my duties as hostess. But I'm glad she feels she can be honest about it.

      I think some people do still have the attitude that if you're a guest, you should take what you're offered and pretend to enjoy it. I'd rather my guests were happy, than polite! ;)

      And glad you enjoyed the interview! Josh asks the best questions! :D

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