We’re thrilled to have here today RahRah from Debra H. Goldstein’s new cozy mystery, One Taste Too Many. RahRah is a five to seven-year-old Siamese cat living in Wheaton, Alabama.
It is a pleasure to have him with us today at Beyond the Books!
Thank you so for this interview, RahRah. Now that the book has been written, do you feel you were fairly portrayed or would you like to set anything straight with your readers?
Even though there were times I came across as a little demanding or bossy, I think I was fairly portrayed in One Taste Too Many. There is one incident I’d like to clarify. My owner, Sarah Blair, thought my behavior occasionally was generated by fear, but the reality is that whenever I realized I might be in danger, I used my intellect to take steps to protect myself. In retrospect, it might have been a good idea for Sarah to often do the same thing.
Do you feel the author did a good job colorizing your personality? If not, how would you like to have been portrayed differently?
Debra H. Goldstein did a good job showing how strong and independent my personality is. She caught my looks, humor, playfulness and intelligence. Occasionally, she gave the impression I might be a tad stubborn, but believe me, there always is a good reason for whatever I do.
What do you believe is your strongest trait?
My strongest trait is my loyalty to the owners who care about me. When the senior Mrs. Blair, who everyone called Mother Blair, plucked me from the swirling New Orleans’ hurricane waters, we became devoted to each other. After she died and her son, who was divorcing Sarah for Bimbo, refused to let me live with him because of his cat allergy, Sarah adopted me. I sometimes give her a hard time because I’m the head of our household, but we care deeply about each other.
Worse trait?
I don’t have a worse trait. Sometimes people think I’m stubborn, but it simply is because I know what I’m doing and don’t tolerate fools lightly.
If you could choose someone in the television or movie industry to play your part if your book was made into a movie, who would that be (and you can’t say yourself!)?
I think Sarah could have been played perfectly by the younger Sandra Bullock from her Miss Congeniality days, but we’d need a star search to find the right actor to portray me. Grumpy Cat is too serious and fat and most of the cats in the food commercials don’t have my style or tan coloring.
Do you have a love interest in the book?
No, I don’t have a love interest. I adore my owner and on her behalf check out any person who might have an interest in her, but at least in One Taste Too Many, the first book of the Sarah Blair cozy mystery series, I’m condemned to be single.
At what point of the book did you start getting nervous about the way it was going to turn out?
Between you and me, I was nervous from page one. When Sarah found out Bill, her ex, was dead, I had a bad feeling. It was only a few pages later when I discovered his bimbo wasn’t content with breaking up their marriage. She wanted me, too.
If you could trade places with one of the other characters in the book, which character would you really not want to be and why?
Because I lead a comfortable life of luxury, the last person I’d want to trade places with is my owner, Sarah Blair. Married at eighteen, she now finds herself starting over and it isn’t easy. Sarah’s twenty-eight, working as a law firm receptionist, and living in a studio apartment with me. The idea of me giving up having no responsibilities, soaking up rays of sunshine whenever I want, and having my food prepared exactly as I like it is not a lifestyle I want to live.
How do you feel about the ending of the book without giving too much away?
I love the ending of the book. I’m in it. What could be wrong with that? I also like the front of the book. In case you didn’t notice, I’m the only character the artist featured on the cover.
What words of wisdom would you give your author if s/he decided to write another book with you in it?
Subsequent books, like Two Bites Too Many, which comes out in October, will always include me, but may add other animals, too. Because of that, Debra and I already discussed this topic. Whether you call it words of wisdom or rules of the roost, she understands I always expect to be the front and center animal. After all, I’m a main character with my own cover to prove it.
Thank you for this interview, RahRah. Will we be seeing more of you in the future?
Definitely. Sarah can’t live without me. I hope you enjoy our One Taste Too Many adventures and look forward to seeing what happens in Two Bites Too Many.
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Judge Debra H. Goldstein is the author of One Taste Too Many, the first of Kensington’s new Sarah Blair cozy mystery series. She also wrote Should Have Played Poker and 2012 IPPY Award winning Maze in Blue. Her short stories, including Anthony and Agatha nominated “The Night They Burned Ms. Dixie’s Place,” have appeared in numerous periodicals and anthologies including Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, Black Cat Mystery Magazine, and Mystery Weekly. Debra is president of Sisters in Crime’s Guppy Chapter, serves on SinC’s national board, and is president of the Southeast Chapter of Mystery Writers of America. Find out more about Debra at www.DebraHGoldstein.com .
ABOUT THE BOOK
For culinary challenged Sarah Blair, there’s only one thing scarier than cooking from scratch—murder!
Married at eighteen, divorced at twenty‑eight, Sarah Blair reluctantly swaps her luxury lifestyle for a cramped studio apartment and a law firm receptionist job in the tired town she never left. With nothing much to show for the last decade but her feisty Siamese cat, RahRah, and some clumsy domestic skills, she’s the polar opposite of her bubbly twin, Emily—an ambitious chef determined to take her culinary ambitions to the top at a local gourmet restaurant.
Sarah knew starting over would be messy. But things fall apart completely when her ex drops dead, seemingly poisoned by Emily’s award-winning rhubarb crisp. Now, with RahRah wanted by the woman who broke up her marriage and Emily wanted by the police for murder, Sarah needs to figure out the right recipe to crack the case before time runs out. Unfortunately, for a gal whose idea of good china is floral paper plates, catching the real killer and living to tell about it could mean facing a fate worse than death—being in the kitchen!
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Taste-Many-Sarah-Blair-Mystery/dp/1496719476
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/one-taste-too-many-debra-h-goldstein/1128297322
Books-a-Million: https://www.booksamillion.com/p/One-Taste-Too-Many/Debra-H-Goldstein/9781496719478
IndieBound: https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781496719478
Walmart: https://www.walmart.com/ip/One-Taste-Too-Many/309566204
Hudson Booksellers: https://www.hudsonbooksellers.com/book/9781496719478
Beyond the Books 