Monday, July 13, 2009

Deadly Intent by Camy Tang

If you loved Camy Tang's Sushi Series, you'll be happy to know she has a new book out! And Camy's here to answer a few questions about her book. Be sure to leave a comment for a chance to win a copy!

About the Book
SCENE OF THE CRIME

The Grant family's exclusive Sonoma spa is a place for rest and relaxation--not murder! Then Naomi Grant finds her client Jessica Ortiz bleeding to death in her massage room, and everything falls apart. The salon's reputation is at stake...and so is Naomi's freedom when she discovers that she is one of the main suspects! Her only solace is found with the other suspect--Dr. Devon Knightley, the victim's ex-husband. But Devon is hiding secrets of his own. When they come to light, where can Naomi turn...and whom can she trust?

The Interview
What was your inspiration behind Deadly Intent?

Two of my favorite things—massages and Sonoma! My friend Robyn introduced me to day spas and massages—heavenly! The first time I went to Burke Williams day spa at Santana Row, it was an eye-opening experience.

I also love visiting Sonoma—for the wine, the cheese, the history of old downtown. I also like the “small town” feel of Sonoma, even though it’s a thriving tourist spot.

So I set a posh, upscale day spa in the middle of a vineyard in Sonoma, and Deadly Intent was born.

What kind of research did you have to do?

I went to Sonoma specifically to take pictures of the square to make sure I wasn’t taking too many liberties with the setting. I also based the architecture of the Joy Luck Life spa on the Kendall Jackson winery. You can see pictures here.

I also visited another day spa with Dineen! And had a massage. Before you go green with envy, I have to also confess I did some heavy research at the library and online on the life of a massage therapist.

Drool...what a glorious day that was. I'll do research like that with you any day, Camy! Okay, who's your favorite character?

Actually, in Deadly Intent, I had the most fun writing a minor character, Detective Horatio Carter. I based him off of the character Horatio Caine from the TV show CSI: Miami, with the red-gold hair and all! My Detective Carter has a “thing” for my heroine’s aunt, Becca Itoh.

If you could write any story you want, what would it be about?

Actually, I’d love to write a historical romantic suspense novel. It would combine two of my favorite books—Persuasion by Jane Austen and The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy.

Thanks for having me here, Dineen!

Camy Tang writes romance with a kick of wasabi. She used to be a biologist, but now she is a staff worker for her church youth group and leads a worship team for Sunday service. She also runs the Story Sensei fiction critique service. On her blog, she gives away Christian novels every week, and she ponders frivolous things like dumb dogs (namely, hers), coffee-geek husbands (no resemblance to her own...), the writing journey, Asiana, and anything else that comes to mind. Visit her website at http://www.camytang.com/ for a huge website contest going on right now, giving away ten boxes of books and 30 copies of her latest release, DEADLY INTENT.

8 comments:

Unknown said...

Great interview. It's great. But I wanna go to a spa....wah! Can you hear the whine? LOL

Chas. Funderburg said...

I may never see a spa, especially in Sonoma, CA, but I like that Camy has used her writers (very active) imagination to incorporate it into her book.

Per usual, I can't wait to read it.

Camy Tang said...

Thanks for having me on your blog, Dineen!

Robin--one day, we'll go!

Chas--thanks! I hope you enjoy it!
Camy

Stacy said...

Hi Camy! Your book sounds very interesting. I joined your yahoo group and filled out the form (with Dineen as a referrer) but when you click submit you get a IPOWER 404 error message. I don't think my submission to the contest went through.
Stacy

Jeanette Marie said...

This story sounds great, Camy! Keeping my fingers crossed to win a copy! :)

Jeanette

Camy Tang said...

Stacy,
The website might have been down earlier. It seems to be working fine now!
Camy

Helen Bratko said...

Hi! I hope to win a copy! Yay!

Dineen A. Miller said...

Chas, you just won yourself a book! I'll let Camy know. Thanks for stopping by.