Judith Rolfs Blog Interview
Tell our readers about your new mystery novel Never Tomorrow.
Thanks for asking. It’s like having a new baby - I welcome a chance to talk about Never Tomorrow after literally years in the writing. This is a powerful murder mystery, plus more - a psychological thriller that probes the marriage relationship, infidelity and forgiveness. I use my insights and experiences as a psychotherapist for three decades to instill deep emotions in my characters– the grieving, the loves, and the deep joys, that we all experience in real life. These are integrated with a compelling murder mystery.
This is your seventeenth book but only your third mystery novel. Tell us about your switch to fiction from non-fiction.
Yes my previous books were how-to books about marriage and parenting and family issues, also a devotional and a teen book. Mysteries are a huge change. After writing and being published for more than ten years I attended my first Writer’s Conference and submitted in this genre. My mystery novel won Best New Author Award at the Florida Writer’s Conference and I was hooked. Mysteries are much more difficult to write, but they seem to have a greater impact on readers.
Which leads to my next question. I understand your slogan is Mysteries With A Message. Explain please.
My mysteries center on real life family issues while keeping the suspense steaming. Directive 99, my first self- suspense novel is about a woman’s career vs. family priorities when her husband is kidnapped and the dangerous position of the elderly in society today. My next mystery novel Bullet in the Night with Prism Books is about the power of genuine rehabilitation leading to life changes, and about the importance of nurturing friendships. I’ve already told you Never Tomorrow is about marital fidelity. I want readers to have a takeaway to ponder that can help them face situations in their own lives with more wisdom and confidence.
Tell us about where you like to write and a bit about your process.
My favorite writing places are my cottage in the woods in Fontana-on-Geneva Lake and a winter beach condo we rent in Venice, FL. I need solitude to create the story and develop my characters, but then I love to edit in coffee shops where I’m immersed in the energy of people. Relationships have always been fascinating to me, which is why I became a psychotherapist. Of course it’s helpful as an author to develop well-rounded characters. I also love to travel. In fact, Never Tomorrow starts out in Ballybunion, Ireland which I researched during a three-week trip there.”
How and when did your writing career begin?
My writing career began at age ten creating stories for neighborhood children. I wrote newspaper editorials in high school, and was part of the Superior Student program at Marquette University, which published me in their literary journal. I love everything about writing especially contact with readers and other authors, who are so gracious! I recently met Pat Gussin, New York Times Best Selling Author of After the Fall and she offered to read Never Tomorrow prior to publication. She blessed me with an amazing review: “Layer upon layer of intrigue—laced with murder–propels this novel to the pinnacle of suspense. An ingenious plot, dynamic and complex characters, and an insight into the troubled avenues of human behavior rarely exposed make NEVER TOMORROW a stand-out for readers of mysteries, thrillers, and suspense.”
In closing, where can we find your new book baby?
Never Tomorrow is available on amazon and Barnes & Noble and through local libraries. If it’s not at their local library I hope readers will request it. Thank you for featuring me on your blog. It’s been a pleasure.
EXTRA INFO:
SYNOPSIS AND BACK COVER COPY NEVER TOMORROW
Journalist Whitney Barnes investigates the mysterious death of her mother and three women from Cortland City seeking the thread that links them to an enigmatic killer. Why are women being murdered with no apparent motives for their death? Police are mystified at the lack of clues and a growing sense of fear surrounds the community. Who will be the next victim?
Determined to find the killer, Whitney discovers these women were dealing with wounds from their troubling pasts, but what was their connection? She teams up with Dr. Sarah Stevens, an expert on women’s issues, to ferret out information while TV talk show host Rich and real estate broker Jordan vie for Whitney’s affection.
Whitney discovers new strength within her but is it powerful enough to cope with this dark force of evil? Suspense escalates, as Whitney becomes the killer’s next target.
Tell our readers about your new mystery novel Never Tomorrow.
Thanks for asking. It’s like having a new baby - I welcome a chance to talk about Never Tomorrow after literally years in the writing. This is a powerful murder mystery, plus more - a psychological thriller that probes the marriage relationship, infidelity and forgiveness. I use my insights and experiences as a psychotherapist for three decades to instill deep emotions in my characters– the grieving, the loves, and the deep joys, that we all experience in real life. These are integrated with a compelling murder mystery.
This is your seventeenth book but only your third mystery novel. Tell us about your switch to fiction from non-fiction.
Yes my previous books were how-to books about marriage and parenting and family issues, also a devotional and a teen book. Mysteries are a huge change. After writing and being published for more than ten years I attended my first Writer’s Conference and submitted in this genre. My mystery novel won Best New Author Award at the Florida Writer’s Conference and I was hooked. Mysteries are much more difficult to write, but they seem to have a greater impact on readers.
Which leads to my next question. I understand your slogan is Mysteries With A Message. Explain please.
My mysteries center on real life family issues while keeping the suspense steaming. Directive 99, my first self- suspense novel is about a woman’s career vs. family priorities when her husband is kidnapped and the dangerous position of the elderly in society today. My next mystery novel Bullet in the Night with Prism Books is about the power of genuine rehabilitation leading to life changes, and about the importance of nurturing friendships. I’ve already told you Never Tomorrow is about marital fidelity. I want readers to have a takeaway to ponder that can help them face situations in their own lives with more wisdom and confidence.
Tell us about where you like to write and a bit about your process.
My favorite writing places are my cottage in the woods in Fontana-on-Geneva Lake and a winter beach condo we rent in Venice, FL. I need solitude to create the story and develop my characters, but then I love to edit in coffee shops where I’m immersed in the energy of people. Relationships have always been fascinating to me, which is why I became a psychotherapist. Of course it’s helpful as an author to develop well-rounded characters. I also love to travel. In fact, Never Tomorrow starts out in Ballybunion, Ireland which I researched during a three-week trip there.”
How and when did your writing career begin?
My writing career began at age ten creating stories for neighborhood children. I wrote newspaper editorials in high school, and was part of the Superior Student program at Marquette University, which published me in their literary journal. I love everything about writing especially contact with readers and other authors, who are so gracious! I recently met Pat Gussin, New York Times Best Selling Author of After the Fall and she offered to read Never Tomorrow prior to publication. She blessed me with an amazing review: “Layer upon layer of intrigue—laced with murder–propels this novel to the pinnacle of suspense. An ingenious plot, dynamic and complex characters, and an insight into the troubled avenues of human behavior rarely exposed make NEVER TOMORROW a stand-out for readers of mysteries, thrillers, and suspense.”
In closing, where can we find your new book baby?
Never Tomorrow is available on amazon and Barnes & Noble and through local libraries. If it’s not at their local library I hope readers will request it. Thank you for featuring me on your blog. It’s been a pleasure.
EXTRA INFO:
SYNOPSIS AND BACK COVER COPY NEVER TOMORROW
Journalist Whitney Barnes investigates the mysterious death of her mother and three women from Cortland City seeking the thread that links them to an enigmatic killer. Why are women being murdered with no apparent motives for their death? Police are mystified at the lack of clues and a growing sense of fear surrounds the community. Who will be the next victim?
Determined to find the killer, Whitney discovers these women were dealing with wounds from their troubling pasts, but what was their connection? She teams up with Dr. Sarah Stevens, an expert on women’s issues, to ferret out information while TV talk show host Rich and real estate broker Jordan vie for Whitney’s affection.
Whitney discovers new strength within her but is it powerful enough to cope with this dark force of evil? Suspense escalates, as Whitney becomes the killer’s next target.
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